Author Topic: SF-2 Where in signal chain? (Read 235 times)

goose · « **on:** February 14, 2004, 11:19:48 AM »

Okay. I received my F-1X and SF-2 one day apart (plus a new Acme cab) so I've been mesmerized by the configuration possibilities. After a couple days of knob twiddling it occurred to me that I had overlooked something rather obvious.

If you patch the SF2 into the effects loop of the pre then the filtering is on the signal directly from the bass. (This is because the effects loop in the F1X comes before the tone contols). So, the direct gain is the pure bass signal and the two filter channels are mixed with that and sent to the tone controls in the F1X. The PRE is acting on the FILTER.

The second option is to run the output of the F1X into the SF2. As such, the Direct Gain control on the filter is now post tone controls from the pre. Mix in the filters and send to speaker cab. The FILTER is acting on the PRE.

Since I think the F1X has a 'good' sound on its own my first impression is to set up with the second config option. Use the F1X's tube sweetness as the starting point and just use the SF2 to fine tune or get a little extra mojo.
Any SF2 users agree or do you find it better to do the filtering on your bass?

palembic · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2004, 11:39:44 AM »

Brothers and sisters come over here quickly, we have another PAUL!!!!
Paul the Goose one!!!!!
Welcome-welcome!
Important question: can you bang on tables with empty bottles and yell pictures-pictures.
Yes??
OK !
You're in!

So an F1-X and SF-2 hey.
What about a bassguitar? You know the thing that sounds low and goes bom-bom???

Now enough jokes.
I have the set-up you have and use it as your first description.
However, I could be wrong but I use the F1-X in his Frequency-cross-over function. I think that the set-up you metioned as first is the thing to do then??? Because from the SF-2 -in your second proposition you go to your Power amp in Mono??? No

Well ...the bi-amp is very rich in my opinion but hey ...I never saw it your way and changing views is what it is all about here.
More specialised members of this happy-addicts-support-group will be coming this way soon!
Welcome again from this side of the pond!

Paul the bad one

bassman10096 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2004, 12:17:34 PM »

Here's a question with the twist that hasn't been discussed: I have an FX-1 and want to try an SF-2 as well. You all have discussed the SF-2 - (1) In the FX-1 effects loop and (2) downstream (post-FX-1) between preamp and power amp. In order to filter each pu on a stereo bass separately, it seems like I'd have to run the separate pu outputs as follows: 2 ch stereo from bass -->into 2 channels in SF-2-->Out in mono into FX-1---> out using FX-1 crossover to separate channels in power amp ---> to separate low and high frequency cabinets.

Any thoughts on whether this would work? Is the filtered SF-2 signal adequate to feed to the FX-1 or is there anything lost by not running thru the FX-1 effects loop? Any other positives or negatives?

Are there any other configurations anyone could suggest to accomplish separate filtering of the stereo pu channels? Should I be considering an F2-B?

Puzzling...

Bill

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2004, 12:31:19 PM »

Welcome to the group!

I have my SF-2 in the effects loop of my F-1X for one simple reason; I use the direct out on the F-1x to send a signal to the PA. If I were to run the SF-2 after the F-1X, the SF-2 would have no effect on the signal being sent to the PA.

willie · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2004, 08:16:13 AM »

I use my SF-2 in the effects loop of my F-1X because that way it doesn't matter if i run bi-amp or mono and the direct signal out all have the effect of the SF-2. I have tried using it in stereo with each of the the bi amp outs of the F1-X going to one channel of the SF-2 and then to a DBX 160A compressor then the output from each compressor went to a crown power base 3 amp. this way i could filter, compress and then amplify the lows and highs seperately. sounded great but alot of knob tweaking and i don't always need that much power. it works out great in the effects loop running the F1-X in mono and its a simpler setup. you'll probably need to experiment to find what works best for you.
Willie

goose · « **Reply #5 on:** February 19, 2004, 04:36:16 PM »

I'm still trying different configurations with the F1X and SF2. I'll have to try it in a couple of live situations to see how valuable it is to have the SF2 go to the house mix. By the way, the bass I'm using is a Cirrus 5 string. Not quite an Alembic (some day) but still a fine quality piece and the best thing that Peavey has ever produced.

Regarding bassman10096's question about filtering the pick-ups individually; I think your proposed set up might work. SF2's input sensitivity is 100mV. Pick-up outputs vary greatly but in general they should be strong enough. (At least if they're active. As an example I looked up EMG's web site and they put out approx. 1 volt.) SF2's output is 1 volt so again you should be okay. The trick is that you'll have to use both inputs to the F1X, one from each SF2 output. F1X literature says that plugging into both inputs will give equal weight to both. If you ever get a SF2 let us know how it goes. I'd be interested to find out if the practice supports the theory. Of course, if you're a tone freak you could as mentioned get a F2B and then you could have individual tone controls for each pup as well.

bassman10096 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 19, 2004, 05:54:37 PM »

Thanks Goose. I really didn't know how to begin answering my question. I'm going to wait for the new bass and get acclimated to the S2 controls before I add any more complication. Sounds like I might have a shot at making it work with the F1X, though. Thanks again and good luck finding the best configuration for your rig & sound.

Bill

essenceman · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2004, 09:02:57 AM »

Hi guys,

Long time, no post. After several years of dithering I've finally taken the plunge and ordered a SF-2. I'm sure I'll have a lot more questions when I take delivery, but here's one to be thinking about beforehand.

I have a Euphonic Audio iAmp, which has both series and parallel FX loops. I currently have a compressor in the series loop and my multi-effects unit in the parallel loop. Where and before or after what, would you advise me to put the SF-2.

Thanks in anticipation

Rob

David Houck · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2004, 10:11:50 AM »

Mine is before both the compressor and the reverb units. I use the compressor to limit the peaks of the signal before it goes to the power amp and the PA, so it's last in the loop. And I have the SF-2 before the reverb since I use the reverb to wet the final tone. I guess the logic I'm using is to first shape the tone, then wet it as required for the room, then limit any peaks in the final signal; so my loop is SF-2, reverb, compressor. However, I'm sure there are lots of reasons for choosing other configurations; and I'm sure other players use their compressors and effects units differently than I; and different uses might suggest different loop configurations.