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 Sound
cuts out using bass synth...- Should
I use the effects loop?
- Why
do some pedals sound better than digital
racks?
- How
do you connect the SansAmp devices?
- What's
the difference between a pedal and a
processor?
- What
is a "patch"?
- What
are user and factory presets?
- What
does an equalizer do?
- What
is a preamp?
- What
is a chromatic tuner?
- How
does the EBow work?
Q.
I Have a boss
bass synth and a boss bass overdrive i would like to know
which i should poout first in my effects loop because i have
been having this cutout problem with the bass synth and i
trhink it might be because i have the distortion first.
Could that be affecting my sound from my pedals. They are
both new pedals i have only had them for two weeks.
A.
I suspect
that the cutoff may be an effect built into the bass synth
called a noise gate. It's designed to eliminate hum and
hiss, and the way it works is that it will stop the audio
signal completely when there is no sound going through,
giving you total silence before you start playing, or during
quiet passages. It's also set for a minimum volume level
that it will work with, so if you're playing softly, or
trying to play long sustaining notes, the noise gate may cut
your sound off when you least expect, or desire it to.
You may be able to
program the noise gate to work more forgivingly, or just
turn it off completely. This function will be described in
your owners manual under "programming".
Q.
Should I use the effects loop on my amplifier, or just plug
my guitar and effects straight in the front? What's the
difference?
A.
An effects loop places the effect(s) in line inside the
amplifier, which allows them to perform as if they were
manufactured in the amp. The internal preamp of your
amplifier drives the effects, thereby boosting their input
level and efficiency. However, results do vary with
different brands or kinds of effects, so try it both ways to
see which works best for you.
Q.
I've got a digital rack effect, but I still prefer the sound
of some of my old pedals. I don't get it, isn't digital
better?
A.
Ah, technology
strikes again! Digital is quieter and has much better
frequency response. However, part of what we love to hear in
our electric guitar sound is that wee bit of harmonic
distortion that analog effects create. Guess what happens to
harmonic distortion in a digital device? It disappears!
Analog is generally preferred for chorus, flanging, and of
course, overdrive and distortion. Digital is best for
reverb, delay, and harmonizing. There are no rules, use what
sounds best to you, regardless of what the glossy ads
say.
Q.
Could I have a bit
more info about the SansAmp GT2 and Tri-OD...Just what can
they power? What is the minimum sized amp needed to drive
them? Can they be used in hybrid amps for guitar? What can
be used in connection with them? Sorry, I'm trying to put
together a new amp and need some information. Can you use
these pedals as a substitute for cumbersome guitar amp
heads?
A.
The SansAmp
devices can be used for live or studio playing, and they can
be connected in a number of ways. Most people connect them
as an effect, by plugging your guitar or bass into the
SansAmp, then out to your amp. Set your amp up the way you
usually do, and use the SansAmp to add extra channels to
your switching capability.
You could also use them as
a stand-alone preamp, by running straight through a power
amp, eliminating an amp head altogether. You're not really
reducing the amount of gear this way, as you still need the
power amp.
For studio use, you could
plug it directly into the board, and not use an amp at
all.
Q.
What is the difference between a guitar multi-effects pedal
and a guitar multi-effect processor??
A.
They are both multi-processors, but only the style that sits
on the floor is a multi-effects pedal. The other type would
be a rack-mount unit.
Q.
What is a patch??
A.
A patch is another word for preset, meaning an effects sound
that is programmed into the unit at the factory.
Q.
What are user and factory presets?
A.
Factory presets
are effects programs that cannot be customized or altered.
They will always sound the same as the factory programmed
them. User presets are usually duplicates of the factory
presets, but they can be altered to your own preferences,
and then saved for future use.
Q.
What is a equalizer??
A.
An equalizer is like a set of tone controls, with a wide
breakdown of frequencies. Usually you'll see them in
15-bands or 31-bands, if it's a rack-mount EQ. A guitar
pedal EQ would usually be 5 or 6 bands. "Bands" means the
number of controls. Bass controls start on the left, and
move toward midrange, then into the treble and super-high
ranges.
Q.
What is a preamp??
A.
The preamp is the section of your guitar amp that has the
controls. The volume, bass, mid, treble, overdrive, reverb,
etc, are all in the preamp section. You can buy separate
preamps, and....multi-effects devices are basically preamps
as well.
Q.
What is a chromatic tuner??
A.
A chromatic tuner has all of the notes of the scale,
including all sharps and flats, as opposed to a guitar tuner
that only has the 6 notes of the guitar. A chromatic tuner
will tune any instrument.
Q.
I would like more
info on the EBow. I can't imagine these sound being
generated from a picking device. Please tell me
more!
A.
Here's the way the EBow works. Instead of picking, you hold
the EBow over the string you wish to play, and a magnetic
charge starts the string vibrating without picking it. It
will sustain indefinitely. You can only play one string at a
time, no chords or double notes. It is strictly a soloing
device, and will give you a "bowed" effect, as if you were
playing an electric violin or cello. It runs on one 9 volt
battery.
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