OBNE Signal Blender - Low end loss

TraktorBass

TraktorBass

Mar 9, 2017
131
403
4,551
Norway
#1
I am using an OBNE Signal Blender as a hub for two effects loops and a clean signal. Very happy with the pedal. But..

Because of Covid we have not really rehearsed since before I got the Signal Blender (no gigs), so I have been using my board at home through a headphone setup with a pair of AKG k240s. Not very bass heavy cans.

Last night I was at the rehearsal space, and for the first time I ran the board with the Signal Blender into my amp/cab, and there was a significant loss of low end when any/all of the three loops were engaged. With all three loops disengaged (effectively bypassing the pedal), the low end was clear and present.

Anyone else have the same experience with the Signal Blender?
 
#2
TraktorBass said:
I am using an OBNE Signal Blender as a hub for two effects loops and a clean signal. Very happy with the pedal. But..

Because of Covid we have not really rehearsed since before I got the Signal Blender (no gigs), so I have been using my board at home through a headphone setup with a pair of AKG k240s. Not very bass heavy cans.

Last night I was at the rehearsal space, and for the first time I ran the board with the Signal Blender into my amp/cab, and there was a significant loss of low end when any/all of the three loops were engaged. With all three loops disengaged (effectively bypassing the pedal), the low end was clear and present.

Anyone else have the same experience with the Signal Blender?
Click to expand...

Hello. I have no experience using the OBNE Signal Blender. Nonetheless my thoughts on this, in case it be useful to you:

Are you running the three channels (2 loops, 1 clean) in parallel? If so, it would be unsurprising if any two were out of phase with each other.

Try toggling the phase switch in first one channel; then if no change reverting, then toggling another channel's phase switch; and so on, with each change listening for whether it restores the missing low end.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bob_Ross, TraktorBass and kranahan
#3
@Snaxster: Thanks for the reply.

I do normally run the channels in parallel, but I also make use of the phase switches to avoid phasing issues.

The low end loss happens when using either one or all of the channels. Even happens when only the clean channel is engaged. Which to me, should exclude any phasing issues.
 
#4
TraktorBass said:
@Snaxster: Thanks for the reply.

I do normally run the channels in parallel, but I also make use of the phase switches to avoid phasing issues.

The low end loss happens when using either one or all of the channels. Even happens when only the clean channel is engaged. Which to me, should exclude any phasing issues.
Click to expand...

Glad to try to help. Yeah, your description is pretty damning of the blender. Sorry.

My other thought I wanted to defer until seeing your reply:

Although I don't make them, in my experience of using them, blending pedals are difficult to do well. All the audio fundamentals have to be done to a high standard if good, clean audio is to result in all uses of the blender (including, as you experienced, using only the source channel). Basically, either it is professional grade or it is an "effect" rather than a neutral tool for utility.

My intuition is that, whatever their reputation for making musically aesthetic pedals, I would not look to OBNE for such a device. Not for bass guitar or other application with a wide spectrum source anyway. I can't support that with evidence, but it's the first thing that came to mind when I read your post.

I happen never to have played a finer blender pedal than the now long-discontinued Badger Effects Schism XV. Rock solid, high end audio. Crazy good. If ever you see one for sale, buy it.

Meanwhile, hopefully another solution will present itself, either with your current blender or an available alternative. Good Luck!
 
  • Like
Reactions: TraktorBass
#6
@Snaxster: Interesting observations, thank you. Too bad about the Badger Effects being discontinued.

@cusar5: Did you end up finding a better alternative?

Before getting the OBNE, I used a Boss LS-2. still have one laying around. A possible solution might be to run the OBNE in one of the loops of the LS-2. Clean blend and OBNE in the LS-2, and other effects in the OBNE.

I was looking at the EHX Tri Parallel and the Wounded Paw Blender before buying the OBNE. Any experience with these, or other alternatives (that are not discontinued)?
 
#7
TraktorBass said:
@Snaxster: Interesting observations, thank you. Too bad about the Badger Effects being discontinued.

@cusar5: Did you end up finding a better alternative?

Before getting the OBNE, I used a Boss LS-2. still have one laying around. A possible solution might be to run the OBNE in one of the loops of the LS-2. Clean blend and OBNE in the LS-2, and other effects in the OBNE.

I was looking at the EHX Tri Parallel and the Wounded Paw Blender before buying the OBNE. Any experience with these, or other alternatives (that are not discontinued)?
Click to expand...

The EHX Switchblade Pro is great, and seems quite transparent to me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hypocrite and TraktorBass
#9
TraktorBass said:
@Snaxster: Interesting observations, thank you. Too bad about the Badger Effects being discontinued.

@cusar5: Did you end up finding a better alternative?

Before getting the OBNE, I used a Boss LS-2. still have one laying around. A possible solution might be to run the OBNE in one of the loops of the LS-2. Clean blend and OBNE in the LS-2, and other effects in the OBNE.

I was looking at the EHX Tri Parallel and the Wounded Paw Blender before buying the OBNE. Any experience with these, or other alternatives (that are not discontinued)?
Click to expand...

Broughton Filter FX Loop is the best blender I've tried. The ideal for me would be a 2- or 3-channel version of the same thing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TraktorBass
#13
cusar5 said:
I've also heard good things about the Wounded Paw blenders, but they're too large to be practical for me.
Click to expand...

Same, I did consider one, but they are enormous. And just about 3 times the price of the Tri Parallel.

Another solid option would be the Klein Bottle, but again, price tag. Also I am not mentally equipped to wait half a year for a pedal..
 
  • Like
Reactions: cusar5
#14
Tri-Parallel arrived yesterday.

No discernable low end loss. Separate send/return volume knobs and EQ for each channel open up a myriad of options for tone shaping. Clear upgrade from the Signal Blender.

It is larger and it will claim more real estate on the board. But a bonus from the increased size is that the channel selector switches are spaced further apart. Makes it easier to hit them with your foot. On the Signal Blender, I had to angle my foot just right to toggle the middle switch only.

Size comparison for anyone interested:
IMG_0639.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: miikee90, cataract, Derek Williams and 2 others
#15
The Tri-Parallel is a great tool and decently sized for the functionality that it offers.

I've tried the OBNE Signal Blender in the past and it really altered the tone of my dry signal. The difference was much more audible when I used it with line level signals where everything was getting too "muddy" when the Signal Blender was engaged and it was actually unusable.
The dpFX Krama Blender is what I'm using now. It offers huge amounts of headroom, so you can even hit it hard with signals hotter than line level and it will do the job. It also offers the ability to PAN between the loops which is a feature I haven't seen in other blenders (don't know if that's useful for everyone anyway) and XLR output as well.
dpfx_krama_blender.JPG


Nbm2foK
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back