Parallel Processing for Metal "Clanky" Tones

D

Deloofs

May 3, 2024
39
31
416
SE Michigan
#1
TB team,

I'm trying to learn more about parallel processing for what I've seen called a "clanky" metal bass tone. Recently I posted a thread asking for input on a rack bass rig that I'm putting together and user FugaziBomb described a processing path which split the frequencies and then ran the low side through an octave effect so that as they climbed the fretboard the octaver maintained a presence in the low octave range. That got me thinking about other pedal setups using parallel processing. I've been eyeballing the Darkglass X7 because it seems to do a lot of what I want but there are a few other effects that might be cool to have in the parallel loops that you can't really do with the X7 such as octave and chorus and I don't really need the EQ since I have a 31 band EQ in the rack.

So here's what I'm thinking:

Bass > tuner > LS-2 split into high path and low path
High path: chorus > overdrive/distortion > variable high pass filter > return to LS-2
Low path: compressor > octave down > variable low pass filter > return to LS-2

We then have high and low cuts on the EQ to cap off the high and low ends at approx. 7khz and 35hz respectively.

Has anyone tried a setup like this? What difference does the sequence order of the high pass filter make? How about sequence of chorus and OD/distortion? Are bandpass filters a better choice than high/low pass filters?
 
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#2
Should also note that we'll be running the signal into a Sansamp RBI > 31 band EQ > Crown Power Base 2 amp > cabinet. Cabinet is currently Ampeg PR-1832HE but I'm considering building a fEARful 1515/66/1 if the Ampeg doesn't cut it (I don't think it will cut it).
 
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#4
I know you asked mostly about rackmount devices, but if you really want Clanky, I picked up another Rusty Box ( I shouldn't have got rid of it before ), and man that pedal is chock full of Clank, then I run it through my Damnation MBD-3 for the extreme lows you can get, and filter it at the end of my chain with the HPF, and holy hell man! No LS-2 required, but it probably would help if you need more than that. Good luck sir!
 
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#6
I think youll struggle to get an octave down that tracks fast enough and doesnt sound muddy. I would take your signal and split it at like 500hz, send only 500hz and under to the low channel and everything above to the high channel. Compress the crap out of the low channel for a solid foundation tone, then distort or do whatever to the top. Conveniently the X7 pedals do exactly this but I never really liked the smaller 4 knob version I had.
The Tech 21 GT2 is outstanding for metal drive sounds in this application as is the Q strip for gluing it all together after the Ls2 and specific EQ adjustments. Strategically placed EQ before and after each one of these elements makes all the difference in getting the sound you want
 
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#8
Sounds kind of similar to my setup, except how I like to do it is use a high pass filter only and no low pass filter.

The result pretty much have the full dry clean bass signal (plus the octave down) and then a distorted choruses version of the high frequencies only blended in.

It sounds really aggressive and full without any mud. The dirt and chorus add excitement to the highs, but I still have the clean high end attack and lows of the original signal in there.

Worth noting I do this with a multi (GT1000core) which makes things a bit simpler to pull off, but it should be doable with an LS-2 and right pedals as well.
 
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#9
Depending on what you want to achieve, the High Pass and Low Pass must be in front of the chain not at the end.

The effects for example distortion will sound completely different before or after a High pass.
As well as compressors for the lows, it will react differently if you Low pass it before.

Understand this:
An audio signal is a full spectrum, it means there is power distributed across the whole audio hearing range.
In case of a bass guitar, most of the power is concentrated in the lows BUT the tonal characteristics are all across the range.

For exemple, a distortion will be fuzzier if you feed it more bass (which can be desired).

Then there is the Phase issue:

Sadly we live in a not perfect universe and pedals are affecting the phase.

What it means with splitted frequencies signals is when reconbining them, if the point of crossover between the two signals are perfectly out of phase, you'll get a dip.
If two signals are on the same phase, you get a 3dB boost. (2 times the power is 3dB).

But not all pedals are perfectly 0° or 180° phase rotation because of caps, inductances ....

So the goal is to find a spot where it sounds the best.

I made myself a pedal with a crossover system, lows are clean and mids highs are overdriven, and it sounds best with an inverted phase on one of the split.

It takes time to get a balanced tone without loosing power on high notes or without having a blotted lowmids.
Try moving your filters in the chain and see what pleases you best.
 
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#11
do you have an example of a "clanky" metal bass tone?

when you say "clanky", i think of jesus lizard or shellac.
and you should not need such an elaborate chain for that kind of sound - fresh roundwounds and a dynamic amp should get you there.

david wm. sims in US used GK 800RB and two diesel 15" cabs. in europe i've seen him using an ampeg V4B and a fridge.
also had a RAT pedal.
 
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#13
For clanky tone, I would recommend putting HPF in front of dirt. You might also try placing LPF in front of octaver (and compressor) - dependig on how low you go with your setting. LPF before (analog) octaver can improve tracking.

I do parallel processing myself. I am using Broughton FFXL and Byte Heaven Sugar Britches splitters/blenders. I don't go for clanky metal tones though.

The phase cancellation issue is real with parallel processing. The problem with your setup is that Boss LS2 doesn't feature phase switch...so you would not be able to deal with the cancellation if you experience it (which is rather likely frankly speaking).

I would recommend getting crossover pedal which features phase switch.

The following pedals have independent loops for both highs and lows:
  • XO from Great Eastern FX Co.
  • KMA Tyler Deluxe
  • Cross-mix from JohnK
The following pedals have loop only for highs (no loop for lows) -so you would need to place octaver and compressor in front of the splitter:
  • Byte Heaven Sugar Britches
  • Broughton FFXL
The following pedals will allow you to blend full-range wet signal with low-passed clean signal:
  • Damnation Audio ("DA") DirtMixer
  • DA DirtFixer
  • DA True Bypass Loop Blender ("BLOOP")
You migt also consider all-in-one solution:
  • Tech 21 DP-3X
  • the new Tech 21 XB Driver (should be available in several weeks)
  • Darkglass X line
  • EBS Billy Sheehan Ultimate Drive (features separate FX loops for clean and drive channels).
You might also consider a dual-band compressor with separate outputs for highs and lows:
  • FEA DB-CL (does not mix the two signals back together so you would need to get a blender/mixer)
  • the new Phil Jones Bass Dual compressor (not yet available).
You might find the following thread useful:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/cross-over-crossover-or-splitter-pedals.1416054/

Good luck!
 
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#14
I love parallel processing, I use full range signals myself and that works best for me, im not sure if its phase related, or more down to how ive EQ'd each line, but they gel together perfectly for my needs and I get a nice pleasing scoop somewhere in the lower mids, along with some squelchy sqwaunchy squishy treble drive.

dont limit yourself to only bass distortion units, low end loss won't matter at all if you go this route, my current favourite is an old guitar rack mount distortion.
 
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#15
It does seem a bit over-elaborate for the clanky metal tone.
A DG X7 with a chorus (with low cut/blend) behind it will pretty much get the job done (it has for me for years!)
Otherwise get something like the EHX Switchblade Pro (forget the LS-2) or the KMA Tyler, as already suggested. Forget about the octaver, all it will do is muddy up your signal. Just compress and boost your low end.
 
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#16
Deloofs said:
TB team,

I'm trying to learn more about parallel processing for what I've seen called a "clanky" metal bass tone. Recently I posted a thread asking for input on a rack bass rig that I'm putting together and user FugaziBomb described a processing path which split the frequencies and then ran the low side through an octave effect so that as they climbed the fretboard the octaver maintained a presence in the low octave range. That got me thinking about other pedal setups using parallel processing. I've been eyeballing the Darkglass X7 because it seems to do a lot of what I want but there are a few other effects that might be cool to have in the parallel loops that you can't really do with the X7 such as octave and chorus and I don't really need the EQ since I have a 31 band EQ in the rack.

So here's what I'm thinking:

Bass > tuner > LS-2 split into high path and low path
High path: chorus > overdrive/distortion > variable high pass filter > return to LS-2
Low path: compressor > octave down > variable low pass filter > return to LS-2

We then have high and low cuts on the EQ to cap off the high and low ends at approx. 7khz and 35hz respectively.

Has anyone tried a setup like this? What difference does the sequence order of the high pass filter make? How about sequence of chorus and OD/distortion? Are bandpass filters a better choice than high/low pass filters?
Click to expand...

The only thing that makes my low side work right is the fact that I aggressively EQ. I have to send the sub harmonic synth a low pass that is like ~250hz that way it see low mids, but not the higher order stuff, which will just make it sound like a typical octaver. After the octaver, I again low pass at like 100hz to clean up more of the typical octave effect tone. I tried to mock my set up once with an octave pedal and it didn't work at all without the EQ before and after it
 
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#18
poochiecheeks said:
I think youll struggle to get an octave down that tracks fast enough and doesnt sound muddy. I would take your signal and split it at like 500hz, send only 500hz and under to the low channel and everything above to the high channel. Compress the crap out of the low channel for a solid foundation tone, then distort or do whatever to the top. Conveniently the X7 pedals do exactly this but I never really liked the smaller 4 knob version I had.
The Tech 21 GT2 is outstanding for metal drive sounds in this application as is the Q strip for gluing it all together after the Ls2 and specific EQ adjustments. Strategically placed EQ before and after each one of these elements makes all the difference in getting the sound you want
Click to expand...

thanks for the info. All those extra EQs will definitely drive the cost way up. That makes a pedal like the X7 seem a lot more desirable. I’ll check out the GT2 for sure!
 
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