Meatbox Signal chain placement

[cjmodulus]

Hi all, so I recently nailed down my array of pedals for the foreseeable future and I just have one last question re: placement before I’m all set with it.
Current signal chain is:
Tuner - OC2 - tender Octaver - envelope - compressor - flanger - pork loin - swollen pickle- Meatbox - Tone Hammer

So according to DOD’s own manual, having the box first in the chain seems to be preferable for bass players, and a lot of the boards I’ve seen on instagram, here, other forums, etc. this seems to be the way a lot of people run it.
However, being a pretty big fan of Pedals and Effects I came across an article where Juan Alderete runs through how he likes to build his signal chain:
Juan Alderete's Signal Chain Suggestions | BassPlayer.com

And it’s his use of the MB/sound that I really really dig. I’ve had it at the end of my signal for a little while and it’s worked out in that it adds a nice layer of beef but sometimes at the expense of the dry effects coming through (even with the octave/blend knob dialed back a bit).
I did pick up a TRS cable to experiment with; so I’m thinking that the next layout I’ll try will incorporate that somehow- I’m thinking of running it like:
Tuner - Meatbox 1 -(dry)- rest of the chain then running the sub to something else. I know in most live settings w PA support I’d be able to send the sub direct to the FOH, but I’m not sure how to beat make use of it in situations where that’s not available.
If I could find the room on the board I’d consider sending it to a second DI or maybe to a looper or line selector or something. I guess my big question here is, for those of you that do run the Meatbox out front: do you find that having distortion, flange, envelope, fuzz, etc. afterwards negatively impacts the sub when you send it all through as one signal? Thanks a lot in advance everyone!

 

[odarellmc]

I'm struggling with this as well. The meat box has so much low end it clips my compressor to early. Now you I'm placing it after the compressor but I have hear it through my Amp. In either case I'm still researching this.

 

[sillyfabe]

I use my at the end of my chain but prior to compressor. It adds a low-end presence when dialed in nicely that isn’t overbearing. Crank it up and it is a LOW-END BEAST! The true magic is to use the TRS splitter. If not it’s still good but not great.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

Cheers,

I'm between both examples given...sorta...

I run my drive side pedals in series then my EFX pedals in parallel with an Xotic X-BLENDER.

The first pedal in the X-BLENDER loop is the Meat Box. The TRS is used to send the dry signal to Channel #1 of the Source Audio Ultra Wave Bass and Channel #2 has the Sub signal. (You can process each side independently in the UWB) The outputs take the dry/Channel #1 to the Keeley Seafoam Plus and then to the loop return on the X-BLENDER where it can be wet/dry mixed with the pre-EFX Bass signal then out to a Fortin Zuul mini and micro THUMPINATOR to the amp.

The Sub/Channel #2 is being sent to a RapcoHorizon DBBlox-1 DI (very compact) XLR for the FOH. (I have not used it yet, but expect good results.) I don't want that Sub in my speaker cabinet at all. That is a feel thingy! The right speakers, power and volume for the venue.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

New complete conversion to Source Audio...

Conceptually, nothing has changed except bringing the Meat Box closer to the front of the chain for space considerations. I haven't noticed a change in sound quality. SUB still goes straight to the Ultra Wave Bass Channel #2. The Dry still gets the drive side treatment.

The UWB has such extensive mixing capabilities, that I didn't need the X-BLENDER anymore for anything. With the NeuroHub "scene" recall. All I need to do is leave the Meat Box on all the time and add or delete the Channel #2 mix from the UWB when creating a specific scene to be used, by using the Soleman Midi controller for recall. Of course, it is selectable by the effects footswitch, as well.

 

[odarellmc]

New complete conversion to Source Audio...
View attachment 4834532
Conceptually, nothing has changed except bringing the Meat Box closer to the front of the chain for space considerations. I haven't noticed a change in sound quality. SUB still goes straight to the Ultra Wave Bass Channel #2. The Dry still gets the drive side treatment.

The UWB has such extensive mixing capabilities, that I didn't need the X-BLENDER anymore for anything. With the NeuroHub "scene" recall. All I need to do is leave the Meat Box on all the time and add or delete the Channel #2 mix from the UWB when creating a specific scene to be used, by using the Soleman Midi controller for recall. Of course, it is selectable by the effects footswitch, as well.

What kind of sounds are you getting with the ue and Meatbox?

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

What kind of sounds are you getting with the ue and Meatbox?

I am using just a "light" OD/Distortion onto the SUB and cutting the extrema bottom off and messing with compression. I haven't heard it in anything but monitors. No full-scale deployment into a FOH system.

My use of the Meat Box will be on some new tracks. I moved to all SA, except the Meat Box, to be able to tame that beast and use it to a full subtle effect more than a bomb going off at ground zero!

 

[odarellmc]

I am using just a "light" OD/Distortion onto the SUB and cutting the extrema bottom off and messing with compression. I haven't heard it in anything but monitors. No full-scale deployment into a FOH system.

My use of the Meat Box will be on some new tracks. I moved to all SA, except the Meat Box, to be able to tame that beast and use it to a full subtle effect more than a bomb going off at ground zero!

Post some stuff when you get a chance.