Author Topic: Alembic conceptual ideas. (Read 716 times)

hendixclarke · « **on:** December 26, 2007, 07:06:56 PM »

Ok, here's my idea Alembic.

I want an Alembic short body Series 1 (like I what have today) but with one added feature...

A Tone Locking feature. What's this?

After manual adjusting tone, volume, and pickup selections I would like to store (lock) the exact fequency within my bass. I can store a countless array of tone locks depending on the remove-able storage capacity.

I would expect to see a digital touch screen display controller.

What would be your's

jazzyvee · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2007, 12:22:53 AM »

I like that idea. Sometimes I find a dream tone setting on my bass then am kind of scared to move to another sound in case I can't get that exact sound back.

I can't see why with current technology this could not be done. I could see that being possible using motorised controls (pots) on series II basses, or controlling the audio signal digitally with a different style of controls.

The price would be the scary thing...... ouch.

As for my own alembic concept.... let me get the grey matter thinking....
Jazzyvee

811952 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2007, 06:53:52 AM »

How about a lighter-weight bass with the electronics in a rack?

The idea of presets is a good one.

Seriously, I think they've done about everything my old school brain can come up with.. I think...

John

hendixclarke · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2007, 09:39:16 AM »

I believe anything is possible. Giving a value to each movement of all Alembic digital switches, and analog controls to sum a value or (Tone Lock) instance, would be very easy to do in theory, thus I can't see why it couldn't be created in reality.

I could even see prefatory sound settings (Tone Locks) made for people who want it now without the programming.

The cost of such a feature would be a question of what amount of research one would needed. I am sure it would take about 2-5 years to create, but over time, but it would worth it in the end because it would allow musicians a choice and the question would be theirs on the timing and usage.

I hope Alembic people do read these requests and get thinking for they work for us (Its true)

hendixclarke · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2007, 09:49:36 AM »

(Re-write...Got distracted).

I believe anything is possible. Giving a value to each movement of all Alembic digital switches, and analog controls to sum a value or (Tone Lock) instance, would be very easy to do in theory, thus I can't see why it couldn't be created in reality.

I could even see prefatory sound settings (Tone Locks) made for people who want it now without the programming.

The cost of such a feature would be a question of what amount of research one would need. I am sure it would take about 2-5 years to create, but over time, it would be of great worth, in the end, and
allowing musicians greater choices is what technology is all about...

I hope Alembic people do read these requests and get to thinking, for they work for us :-) (Its true).

My dream job, would be to help Alembic do this. Hee Hee .

hieronymous · « **Reply #5 on:** December 27, 2007, 09:59:40 AM »

Maybe they could utilize Moog's recent Real Analog Control (RAC) technology. Here's a description: ?When you select a parameter, a knob actually injects the control voltage right into the circuit in analog, while simultaneously sampling it.? (from near the end of this article on the Little Phatty)

(Message edited by hieronymous on December 27, 2007)

hendixclarke · « **Reply #6 on:** December 27, 2007, 10:43:02 AM »

Thanks for the info, however the guy is not really talking...

Notice I said Alembic controls. This would be a design/technology working [For], and integrated [With], Alembic electronics.

You had introduced Moog (the keyboard maker?). This would be outside my discussion scope. No comments here. With all do respect, I play Alembics. Besides, I don't even know what RAC true definitions are, because the article does not say.

I like the name: AFM (Analogical Frequency Memory) or AFL (Analogical Frequency Locking). What's in fancy name anyway (Give it simple name...).

Moog keyboards are cool, but I would hope, Alembic to investigate these solutions for the future of me owning a dream series 1, before heaven give me one.

In fun, I am sure this question could be solved and would maybe become a great journey for such a company like Alembic to open their sails for such winds... (I personally don't know what their plans are...). However, being this is a new year falling upon us, it was just my simple/ideal wish for the future for what ever it is worth.

hieronymous · « **Reply #7 on:** December 27, 2007, 11:32:02 AM »

OK sorry about that I fixed it

jbybj · « **Reply #8 on:** December 27, 2007, 11:51:01 AM »

The downside to this tone locking feature is the natural tendency to return to the same few settings you already know you like. You might miss out on the accidental discovery of something wonderful.

811952 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 27, 2007, 11:55:12 AM »

I must add that if you've spent a great deal of time with your instrument investigating new sounds, then it's not a huge deal to dial-in what you're hearing in your head, at least for me. That's the beauty of the Series electronics. Two filters and two Q-switches (or pots) and you've got a world of sounds at your fingertips, once you understand how they work.

John

hendixclarke · « **Reply #10 on:** December 27, 2007, 12:22:17 PM »

Hey, but the up side is: you may want to share it with others.

The results of each locked tone would equal a value. This value, could be shared thus entered on to other Alembics with the said tone locking feature(s).

Also, I would invision a switch for people who choose not to use the system. I am not sure what difference it would make for people like yourself. However, for me and maybe others would love tinkering with such a device, and sometimes I forget a tone (for many reasons) but it would be great to store my perfect switch/volume/pickup selection and retreive it in seconds. Also, if someone wanted to know exactly what my locked configuation were, I could forward it as easy, as I am sending this electronic message.

Therefore, this would be a wonderful tool for even integrating wireless features for uploading/downloading new wiggets to the internal storage processors.

The point, here is: Good ideas, give birth to newer ideas. Many great companies know this fact and they creat with bridges to keep their products fresh.

hendixclarke · « **Reply #11 on:** December 27, 2007, 12:59:50 PM »

Remember, this was my idea first Alemebic!

LOL!!!

jseitang · « **Reply #12 on:** December 27, 2007, 01:31:14 PM »

detented knobs

olieoliver · « **Reply #13 on:** December 27, 2007, 01:39:41 PM »

My Ideal Alembic?
.......well......hmmmm........lets seee..... hmmm OH YEA THIS ONE.

David Houck · « **Reply #14 on:** December 27, 2007, 05:13:34 PM »

Because the wood combinations differ, the settings on one bass are not necessarily going to sound the same when applied to another. You can set the controls to be exactly the same on my S1's and they will sound totally different. When playing live, I do not use the same settings on the one S1 as I do on the other.

Similarly, most people play through different rigs. Because the preamps sound different, how I have the controls set on my bass when playing through my F-1X may differ from how I set them when playing through my F-2B. Same thing when playing through my Acme cab or my Eden.

So, personally, I don't see where being able to download and email control settings to someone with a different bass is significantly useful enough for a small shop like Alembic to spend resources on.

Alembic essentially has one person who does the high end electronics work; and his bench time is usually substantially backlogged. So part of the cost of this type of project is the impact on bench time. Personally, I don't see where demand for this feature would be substantial enough to warrent the costs.

But that's just my opinion based on my own very limited experience.