elektro harmonix bassball pedal --> play the strings quite hard to get sweeping effect?

[devriendt thibaut]

hey, i just bought the elektro harmonix bassballs (envelope filter) but when i plugged it in, it didn't give me the sweeping effect at all, only when i'd put the response control over 50% and played the strings quite hard or pulled the strings i heard the effect! is this normal? this is only the second pedal i have and the first one (fuzz) works fine the way i normally play, so i wondered if i really haven the play "harder" to activate the effect or if perhaps it is broken in someway! or if it depends on my bass itself (Höfner Ignition Beatles bas VSB). played it with strong attack settings on my amp and bass as it said in the instructions...
many thanks in advance for your help

 

[ProfFrink]

I don't have the bassballs but I have the Mooer Bass Sweeper which is supposed to be a clone. Even this has been off my board for a while now, but if memory serves:

It is quite normal to have the "response" knob at noon for most normal playing. Also, since an envelop effect is by definition dependent on the level of the output from your bass, it is quite possible that you have a bass with a relatively low signal (I don't know your particular bass but I don't think this is cause for concern) so possibly you have to set it a bit higher.

I'd say that if there's any setting of the "response" knob that gives reasonable results - you're probably fine.

 

[bassbrad]

The BassBalls does like a healthy input level so be sure the volume controls are turned up on your bass and keep in mind the filters follow the envelope of your attack: short little notes will make it quack, longer sustained notes and the filters will flow like waves.

 

[Dr. Octabass]

The BassBalls does like a healthy input level so be sure the volume controls are turned up on your bass and keep in mind the filters follow the envelope of your attack: short little notes will make it quack, longer sustained notes and the filters will flow like waves.

I completely agree. I have one and it sounds worlds better on my Bongo 6 compared to my American Fender Deluxe V that I keep in passive mode. Your play style will also affect it as Brad indicated. Are you running a compressor? If you compress before this pedal it will affect the way the pedal performs.