The polyphonic Electro-Harmonix Bass9 Bass Machine Pedal transforms a guitar into nine different basses and requires no special pickups, MIDI, or instrument modifications. It relies on the same technology powering all EHX 9 Series pedals, like the award-winning MEL9 Tape Replay Machine, but features a new algorithm maximized for transposing one to two octaves down with superior dynamics and tracking.
Features
A rotary switch allows the user to select the sound of their choice, as follows. Precision pays homage to the iconic Fender P Bass. Longhorn emulates the Danelectro 6-string bass, ideal for baritone-type tones. Fretless features both electric and standup fretless basses. Synth pays tribute to the classic Taurus Synthesizer. Virtual lets the user adjust the bass’s body density and neck length for a variety of bass sounds. Bowed delivers classic bowed bass. Split Bass makes it possible for the guitarist to play bass on the lower strings (all notes below F No. 3) and chords or melody with the higher strings. 3:03 is a polyphonic salute to the sought-after Roland TB-303 vintage bass synth. Flip-Flop is inspired by EHX’s Octave Multiplexer, and provides a ’70s-style logic-driven sub-octave generator that tracks without glitches. The pedal is equipped with independent Effect and Dry volume controls so guitarists can precisely tune their mix at the Effects output jack, plus an always-active Dry output jack that outputs the input signal at unity gain. Controls 1 and 2 have been designed to adjust specific parameters for each of the nine programs. For example, in Precision, Ctrl 1 controls the sub-octaves while Ctrl 2 imitates the original instrument’s tone control.
Controls and I and O Jacks
The Dry Vol knob controls the volume of the untreated instrument signal present at the Effect Output jack. The Dry knob does not control the volume of the Dry Output jack. The Effect Vol knob controls the overall volume of the selected patch at the Effect Output jack. Turn the white knob to select a bass patch. Plug your instrument or the output of another effects pedal into the 1/4-inch Input jack. The Dry Output jack outputs the signal present at the Input jack through a buffer circuit. In either Effect or Bypass mode, the dry signal is always present at the Dry Output jack. The Effect Output jack outputs the mix set by the Dry and Effect volume controls. In Bypass mode, Effect Output outputs the buffered bypass signal. Press the Bypass footswitch to toggle the Effect Output jack between buffered Bypass and Effect mode. The status LED lights when you are in Effect mode.