Epic + SF-2 settings

[richbass939]

I have 2 Epics (4 and 5 string) that I run through an SF-2.  I was wondering what SF-2 settings (and bass B/T/Pan settings) you folks use with an Epic or another Alembic bass with similar electronics.
Thanks,
Rich

[lbpesq]

Rich:
 
I don't see that using the SF-2 would be different with an Epic as opposed to other instruments.   Here's a link to a post on using the SF-2.  If you search around, there are several others on the site, too.  
 
Bill, tgo

[richbass939]

Thanks Bill,  
I've read various posts on SF-2 settings over the years.  I seem to remember people saying that different basses sound different through the SF-2.  They say that Series instruments have different pickups thus a different sound.  Also, the different configurations of filters and switches/CVQs might have different effects when run through the SF-2.  
I found one setting that gets a big wah effect with just a little movement of the bass control.  I thought there might be some tricks that people have discovered that get some cool sounds (approaching the Series sound, maybe) from the simpler electronics of Epics, etc.  
Rich

[hieronymous]

One sound that I got with the SF-2 that I really liked was with an early-'70s Les Paul Triumph Bass. I had both pickups on full, already producing a somewhat midrange-scooped sound. Then I used the first SF-2 two filter set on low pass and set with the frequency fairly low to get a big fat bass sound. The second filter was set on high pass with the frequency set very high to accentuate the high frequency sparkle that the Les Paul can give in low impedance mode that get lost in high impedance mode. Just those two filters, with none of the direct sound, is cool, but maybe lacks a little bite, so I dialed in just a bit of the direct sound.
 
Here's a clip: hobbit & SF-2
 
It starts with just the direct sound, then switches to just the filtered sound, then the drums come in, back to the direct sound, back to filtered, then the rest is both mixed together.  
 
I can't really speak to using active bass & treble controls, since I prefer to do that stuff with an outboard preamp. As for blend, I often favor both pickups on full, giving a full, deep & bright, midrange-scoop sound, but sometimes I favor the neck pickup which still has the bottom, but can have a more characteristic midrange sound. I would think that using one of the filters on band pass you could accentuate some of that midrange characteristic in a cool way.

[David Houck]

Nice tune Harry!
 
Rich, I imagine you've been through this post at Must Reads.  And the first link there points to a thread where I talk about my SF-2 settings.  The post is from three years ago, but basically I still set mine up following the same ideas.
 
In thinking about your questions however, trying to get a series sound on an Epic, you might try this.
 
Set the bass B and T to flat.  Set both filters to low pass.  Set the first similar to the settings I have on my left channel.  On the second filter however, turn the filter setting all the way to 6KHz, then turn the damping ratio up to 9.  That should give you the series sparkle of having the filters open and and Q's on.  To really hear the effect, turn the direct gain and the first filter gain all the way down so that you're just listening to the sound through the second filter.  Then mix in the first filter, essentially adding in low bass, and mix in the direct gain, the dry signal, essentially adding mid.  Reducing the damping ratio from 9 to 6 should give the same effect as switching the Q switch on a Series I from 9 to 6.  Once you have something you like dialed in, you can then adjust the bass and treble controls on the instrument to vary the tone for different songs or passages within songs.
 
Still following on from the last paragraph, leaving the second filter maxed out and turning your attention to the first filter.  Turn the direct gain all the down again for the moment.  Open up the damping ratio on the first filter to 9 as well, and start bringing up the frequency control until you get a mid low growl.  This would be similar to having one filter on a Series I open and boosted, and the other filter partially open and boosted.  Adjust the two filter gains for a good balance, and bring the direct gain back in to taste.

[richbass939]

Thanks,
That gives a couple of new cool sounds without a lot of messing around with the controls.
Rich