SF-2 settings

[edwin]

It makes sense to pan the instruments according to where they are on stage. I would do it that way too if I was still in the band. We can do panning at church too but I haven't tried it. We have 2 bass players so I try not to make too many changes when I play.

2 bass players at once? I love doing that!

[rustyg61]

No, we alternate services so we try to leave the settings alone for each other.

[edwardofhuncote]

I am curios of how SF-2 users are running their systems. I use mine in the effects loop of my F-1X and am looping from channel A to channel B and back to the pre-amp. I would like to see how everyone else is setting up and what filter, frequency, dampening ratio and gain settings are being used. This is an amazing tool, but can be a little frustrating if you are not accustomed to the controls. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Pete

Rather than start a whole new thread,... I thought I'd just bump this old one with a question or ten. I don't have the manual (yet) and the download-able one here at the Club isn't available right now.

For now, (I think) I want to use the SF-2 in the effects loop of my F-1X as currently connected to my power-amp rig... how can I safely connect it this way?

Is there any advantage/disadvantage to using the mono/stereo selector on the back panel in this mode?

Any other advice appreciated. I kinda' know where I need to get with this thing, but I'm not nearly smart enough to understand it...

*pictures would be great!
**an explanation of "looping from Channel A to Channel B, and back to the preamp" is really what I'm trying to do. (at least I think it is)

[lbpesq]

Gregory, if you send me you email address (mine is in my profile) I will email you a pdf of the manual.

Bill, tgo

[edwardofhuncote]

Thanks Bill, ping sent. 

[lbpesq]

Email with attached manual sent.  Enjoy!

Bill, tgo

[edwardofhuncote]

I've got some serious reading to do to understand all the filtering modes, but these two diagrams are exactly what I needed to get connected. Thanks so much Bill. 

[jazzyvee]

I use mine as the first diagram "Used as a preamp" and so far I have only used it for reggae as I really only need to get the real bottom end controlled and everything else happens from the bass.
 I have another one in my large rack which is patched through the f1-x send and return and that I feel works best for when I need the sound of the F1-x more and use the SF-2 as a sweetener.

[edwardofhuncote]

I've only used it in the most elementary way so far Jazzy, in mono, patched in the effects loop of my F-1X, but already I can see what the fuss is about! I'm in the very early learning phases of what this box can do... trying out some of the suggested settings has been most educational.

Right now, (and for quite some time now) I have had my F-1X set up in bi-amp mode, using the 'Low-Pass' and 'High-Pass' outputs, sending lower frequencies to Ch. 1 of the power-amp, and those above the crossover point on the sweep to Ch. 2. This has worked very well for me.

My next experiment here, may be to take the 'Full Range' output of the F-1X to the SF-2, jumping through Ch. A and Ch. B, switched to stereo, and send the output to the power-amp, as shown in the diagram above. My power-amp has pre-programmed crossover setpoints, I'll have to switch to...

It's a lot to think about, but I get it. And I have yet to plug an Alembic bass into it... so far, two Gibsons and a Guild!   

[edwardofhuncote]

This is a pretty happy place. For me at least... probably not so much for the neighbors and woodland creatures around here. 

*The test subject this morning was a Gibson Q-80, (a weirdo Nashville 'floor-sweep' model marked "Custom Shop", from '86-'87, like a mahogany Victory bass, crossed with a Grabber, and an Explorer) totally passive, everything wide open, strung with flats. This bass is kinda' ho-hum, until now!

[hieronymous]

"This bass is kinda' ho-hum, until now!"

That's a great description of what the SF-2 can do for a non-Alembic instrument!

[elwoodblue]

 

[rv_bass]

Starfire + SF-2 = Big Smile

[edwardofhuncote]

Starfire + SF-2 = Big Smile

Indeed it does, Rob.

I quickly realized though, that I needed to conduct the initial learning experience with something less complex than the Guild. I moved from the Gibsons to the Starfire, and tried soloing each pickup and dialing in a tone I liked, then bringing in them up together. It's really kinda' overwhelming to think about if you're not careful...

I have now made the correlation between the controls on each of the SF-2 channels and the controls on a Series bass... once that happened, it became a lot easier to understand what I was doing. Still not sure if I quite get my head around the differences/advantages of selecting high pass, band pass, or low pass filter mode. I'm just taking the advice of the suggested settings in the manual, and adjusting to taste. All in good time I guess...

So now that I've figured out how to make adjustments toward sounds I like, here's my question for today: How can I bypass the SF-2 so that I can hear the unfiltered signal? (keep in mind, it's patched in the effects loop of my F-1X) I'd like to see how far off of zero I'm getting, as I make adjustments. Is there a way to do this?

[Deltaphoenix]

Filters are pretty easy to understand with just a bit of experience with them. I am certain your understand the filters in your Series 1, so using that as a reference point should make this digestible.

Low Pass: The lows pass through. The Q or resonance accentuates the cutoff frequency which is the point at which the filter is cutting off the highs.

High Pass: basically the opposite of a low pass filter. Here is a trick, a high pass filter can actually make your low end bigger and bassier. Remove just a bit of low end and use the Q to accentuate the frequency you want, say 40hz. It also gives your amps more headroom because they don’t have to produce sub bass that is unusable.

Band pass is basically like having a low pass and high pass filter effecting your input. I would have to look at the controls to give specifics but some time you can control the width of the frequency band that passes through the filter (what you hear). I am sure you can adjust the what frequencies are at the center of the high pass filter (thus adjusting all frequencies that pass through).

Notch filters remove specific frequencies (like an inverted bandpass). Good for giving other instruments room in a mix.

Peaks filter basically just emphasize specific frequencies. Good for cutting through the mix or owning specific frequency ranges. I like to use these on bass\kick drums but is definitely handy for bass.

There are other types like all pass, no pass and specifics like how many poles and DBs the cutoff cuts out, etc. But the above info, should conceptually provide some building blocks in what I hope is kind of layman’s terms. With the SF2 you get to combine filter types so that has is really cool and definitely is a lot to learn/experiment with.