Octavers vs long, sustained notes

[Rayjay]

Aloha all!

I'm looking to get more sustain when using octave pedals. I typically use either an OC-2, 3 Leaf, or a Meatbox. Their tone lends to wanting to play long notes - think double whole notes, or even more sometimes. Even with a compressor (before) with maximum sustain settings, sometimes I get notes that glitch out - sometimes I can even hear the note ringing out afterwards without the effect kicking back in. Other times, the effect goes in and out. It's distracting, because I play in a church setting - I need consistency. The octave effects are great for that huge pipe organ like rumble though!

Looking for options - how would a Freeze pedal work for this? Or am I really just in need of bass foot pedals or a true synth keyboard bass?

 

[stambroker]

I used to do this with my Freeze! I briefly had my board setup as OC-2 -> Freeze -> Volume Pedal -> chorus -> delay and got killer sounds indicative of a monosynth droning. Def easiest is getting a decent mono synth like the Korg MS-20 or Novation Bass Station, but the Freeze and an octaver does have its own cool sound.

 

[Alien8]

Some options to consider are string height and how hard you strum.

Higher heights and gentle, round strums can make the notes sustain further. This with the compressor on more modest settings can go a loooong way.

If you want a sustain pedal, look at the "plus pedal."

 

[Michedelic]

Go beyond the Freeze, and look at the Super Ego. The SE imploys essentialy the same technology, but adds a lot more to it. You do have to aquire an applied skill set to make maximum use of this pedal, but if you do, it allows you to do some amazing stuff. It even has its own effects loop, which you can place a volume pedal in order to swell in the note drones if you like. If you have the patience to master the deft technique required, you also might want to check out the original sustain machine, the Ebow. Although it was designed for guitar, and takes a bit of attention to use it with bass, you can do plenty of cool things. It is best to use a volume pedal with it; it is essentially a battery powered electro-magnet that, when used in conjunction with the magnet of your pickup, 'excites' the string into constant vibration. The volume pedal is essential to keep a lid on the voltage output.
Other that that, there is the Bass Gizmotron. It is a mechanical device that attaches to the bridge, and when you press any of the four buttons that correspond to each string, a little rubber wheel continuously 'bows' the string. It presents it own set of technique challenges, it's not cheap, and you have to dedicate a particular bass for its use.

 

[skwee]

see if you can try out a Philosopher's Bass pedal in a shop. It just won't stop.

 

[stambroker]

Go beyond the Freeze, and look at the Super Ego. The SE imploys essentialy the same technology, but adds a lot more to it. You do have to aquire an applied skill set to make maximum use of this pedal, but if you do, it allows you to do some amazing stuff. It even has its own effects loop, which you can place a volume pedal in order to swell in the note drones if you like. If you have the patience to master the deft technique required, you also might want to check out the original sustain machine, the Ebow. Although it was designed for guitar, and takes a bit of attention to use it with bass, you can do plenty of cool things. It is best to use a volume pedal with it; it is essentially a battery powered electro-magnet that, when used in conjunction with the magnet of your pickup, 'excites' the string into constant vibration. The volume pedal is essential to keep a lid on the voltage output.
Other that that, there is the Bass Gizmotron. It is a mechanical device that attaches to the bridge, and when you press any of the four buttons that correspond to each string, a little rubber wheel continuously 'bows' the string. It presents it own set of technique challenges, it's not cheap, and you have to dedicate a particular bass for its use.

The issue isn't necessarily picking technique or what goes into the OC-2, the OC-2 just glitches out for long notes held down - when I tried the Ebow through it, it just didn't work well at all (though it sounded killer for other stuff on bass). A good compressor will definitely help for tracking, but it sounds like the OP already has experience dealing with comps.

 

[SLO Surfer]

Most analog octavers just won't sustain super long. Have you considered trying a digital octave pedal for more sustain?

 

[GMC]

Yep, for your situation....yes digital all the way. Dare I say Eventide?

 

[Veldar]

^ Eventide octave downs don't sound like a boss oc-2 though

 

[CameronJohnson]

See if you can pick up a Digitech Bass Synth Wah for pennies used. I just got one and it's digital but the octave down sound is surprisingly analog-esque but with the added benefit of solid digital tracking.

Been looking into getting a pigtronix philosopher micro or bass version for my analog octave needs...heard they're amazing for sustain.

 

[pfschim]

I had the same issue with long held notes/phrases with an octaver and kind of came to the conclusion that maybe this was not a job for a bass + effect pedal(s). Not dissing pedal solutions, just offering an alternative.

How about using a keyboard or a bass key foot pedal unit a-la Geddy Lee. If the lines you want to cover are not super complicated (long, double whole notes etc...) this would work just fine and would run fine right through your current amp.

I have also used an eBow. took a bit of learning, but it does work pretty well once you get the hang of it. Have to kind of watch the rising volume level from it, but I think that's why Michadelic mentioned using a volume pedal with the eBow.
good luck

 

[silky smoove]

Their tone lends to wanting to play long notes - think double whole notes, or even more sometimes.

Funny, I find the opposite to be true. When I kick in an octave-down pedal I want to play short choppy phrases reminiscent of keyboard bass. Think Stevie Wonder on "Boogie on Reggae Woman" and you'll be in the ballpark of where my tendencies go when the octave is engaged.

 

[Rayjay]

Funny, I find the opposite to be true. When I kick in an octave-down pedal I want to play short choppy phrases reminiscent of keyboard bass. Think Stevie Wonder on "Boogie on Reggae Woman" and you'll be in the ballpark of where my tendencies go when the octave is engaged.

Oh I certainly do my share of that too! Super fun!

 

[silky smoove]

Oh I certainly do my share of that too! Super fun!

I used to do big drone'y 1-2 whole note long figures with an octave pedal in an old hiphop band I was in a couple years ago, so I can definitely appreciate where you're coming from on this. A "hold" type pedal for infinite sustain would indeed be very cool for those purposes.

 

[jw23mind]

I drive my Meatbox with a high-gain fuzz to achieve sub-sustain

 

[dannybuoy]

I would try the TC Spectracomp with ‘The Trapdoor’ preset: