Electro Harmonix Bass Micro Synthesizer

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Analog Synthesizer for Bass frequencies.

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $388.00

Electro Harmonix

Submitted by Phil from Santa Cruz, CA (18 points) on Aug 22, 2006
As others have said, this is a good noise machine. A great feature of this product is the +octave and -octave blend. These sliders allow you to create deep tones as well as high squeals, depending on how you blend the signal. There is square-wave distortion as well, which turns your signal into a cloud of noise. The BMS also has an 'attack delay' slider, allowing you to control the envelope (fade in) of the sound. The filter section gives you control of the resonance, start frequency, end frequency, and rate of frequenxy sweep. [If you are unfamiliar with any of these terms, check out a synthesis website for clarification.] Basically, these filter controls allow you to tailor the size of the frequency sweep, the length of time for the sweep, and the frequencies emphasized. A good noisebox.
Good Points: Octave controls allow you to tailor the tone. Works great in a feedback loop. Square-wave distortion is perfect for destroying a signal. Can make deep rumbles and high squeals.
Bad Points: Could be frustrating to a novice who lacks a firm grasp of the controls. If you want this box to be of use to you for more than a few sweeps and squeals, you will need to learn how the controls work.
Price Paid: US$125.00
Purchased At: local music store
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Submitted by drew from Raleigh, NC (18 points) on May 9, 2004
This is a pretty helpful machine. I wanted the bass microsynth because it has a much thicker sound than that of the original e.h. microsynth. The original seems to be a tone killer. This thing is capable of making many sounds from very thick and powerful, to sounds similar to the silliest latter day prog/jagoff bands. In a noise or ambient setting this pedal is great for filling out held drones(i.e. those from a bowed guitar or piece of metal).
Good Points: If you put in the time to figure out what each slider does you will have the benefit of knowing the richest parts of the pedal.
Bad Points: The bad part about this pedal is that it is not bad taste-proof. The main negative is having to hear others use this pedal foolishly.
Price Paid: US$75.00
Purchased At: the wal-mart of music stores
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Submitted by r.domain from Adelaide (16 points) on Aug 16, 2001
A great unit for those looking for a phat bass sound. Can be quite funky but can also produce slow resonance sweeps which sound good on held notes. The unit isn't really for 'extreme' sounds but the sound is definately analogue and fairly distorted overall. I've used it on my bass and also on my Novation Bass Station. Both with good results. Not for the extreme noise terrorist but a handy tools for those looking to phatten up their lifeless bass sounds.
Good Points: Great for low end instruments. Great analogue sound. Decent selection of controls. Metal case.
Bad Points: Price. Faders could be vunerable to damage. I'd like to have an overall gain or volume control. Don't mind the input jacks going up but the power plug input goes down which causes the power cable to be forced into the floor. It'd be nice to be able to have the phat bass sound without it being distorted sometimes( but for the noise artist, this is probably a good thing ;-)
Price Paid: US$300.00
Purchased At:
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Submitted by Pierre-Marc from Montreal, Quebec (6 points) on Jul 12, 2001
The Electro-Harmonix's Bass Micro Synthesizer is really good but it depends of how you use it. You can make many different types of sounds from low end to high pitch. I find it good to use on guitar but not as much as with feedbacks. When you use it with feedbakcs you can make a whole lot of sounds and they truly have the analogue feel which highly positive. It's a good thing to purchase for all noise artist but I suggest to try it first to see if you like it because it not cheap.
Good Points: Quality analogue sound, Easy to manipulate.
Bad Points: The wire are plug on the top of it (maybe some people won't care but I didn't like it). It's quite high price.
Price Paid: US$0.00
Purchased At:
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