Electro-Harmonix BASS9

BASS9
Transform your guitar into nine different basses without special pickups, MIDI or instrument modifications!

The polyphonic BASS9 Bass Machine 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.

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: A 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: Classic bowed bass
• SPLIT BASS: Makes it possible for the guitarist to play bass on the lower strings (all notes below F#3) and chords or melody with the higher strings.
• 3:03: A polyphonic salute to the sought after Roland TB-303® vintage bass synth
• FLIP-FLOP: Inspired by EHX’s Octave Multiplexer, it provides a ’70s style logic driven sub-octave generator that tracks without glitches.

Controls:

1. DRY VOL: 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.
2. EFFECT VOL: The EFFECT VOL knob controls the overall volume of the selected patch at the EFFECT OUTPUT jack.
3. CTRL 1 & CTRL 2: See the preset descriptions on the following pages for details.
4. MODE: Turn the white knob to select a bass patch.

PRESET DESCRIPTIONS:

1. PRECISION – An emulation of the popular bass guitar standard.

• CTRL 1 controls the sub-octave, mixing between 1 octave down (counter-clockwise position) and 2 octaves down (clockwise position).
  
• CTRL 2 adjusts your tone which is modeled after the original instrument’s tone control.
  
  

2. LONGHORN – Inspired by the Danelectro® 6-string basses from the ‘50s, this patch is great for copping baritone style tones.

• CTRL 1 adjusts the pitch in half steps from -1 octave (CCW) to unity (CW).
  
• CTRL 2 controls a vintage tremolo effect which increases in depth and rate as the knob is turned up. Unique ring modulation effects are generated when the knob is turned past 2 o’clock. Also use the Longhorn preset to detune your guitar for metal!
  
  

3. FRETLESS – Emulation of both electric and upright fretless basses.

• CTRL 1 controls the buzzy growl sound of a fretless instrument.
  
• CTRL 2 adds a classic Jaco-style chorus effect which intensifies as the knob is turned up. Pro Tip: light palm mutes with your right hand produce a more realistic upright sound.
  
  

4. SYNTH – A big sounding bass synthesizer modeled after the classic Taurus® synthesizer. Use

• CTRL 1 to adjust the synth’s note range—in four sections of the knob—split between octaves and fifths.
  
• CTRL 2 adjusts the synthesizer’s envelope filter range. Higher settings of CTRL2 makes for a brighter and wider filter sweeps.
  
  

5. VIRTUAL – A unique patch that allows you to adjust your bass’s body density and neck length.

• CTRL 1 adjusts body density; higher settings produce longer, piano-like sustain.
  
• CTRL 2 adjusts neck length, where the length increases as the knob is turned clockwise.
  
  

6. BOWED – A classic bowed bass sound with adjustable attack.

• CTRL 1 controls sub-octave mixing between 1 octave down (CCW) and 2 octaves down (CW).
  
• CTRL 2 adjusts the bow’s attack speed, as you turn up the knob, the attack speed slows. The attack effect is fully polyphonic.
  
  

7. SPLIT BASS – This patch provides a sub-octave effect on all notes below F#3—the F# found at the fourth fret of the D-sting on a standard guitar. It does not pitch shift notes above G3. This allows a guitar player to play bass lines with the lower two strings of a guitar and chords or melody with the highest three strings.

• CTRL 1 adjusts bass tone by adding upper harmonics as the knob is turned clockwise.
  
• CTRL 2 provides an envelope filter/auto-wah effect on all notes you play. As you turn CTRL2 up, the wah effect intensifies. Pro Tip: turn up the DRY knob to hear your guitar signal.
  
  

8. 3:03 – A polyphonic emulation of one of the most sought-after vintage bass synthesizers.

• CTRL 1 adjusts the filter’s envelope sweep depth or total range while
  
• CTRL 2 sets the envelope speed. Pro Tip: use the guitar’s volume knob as a sensitivity control for envelope triggering.
  
  

9. FLIP-FLOP – Inspired by the Electro-Harmonix Octave Multiplexer, this patch provides a ‘70s style logic driven sub-octave generator, except the BASS9 tracks without glitches!

• CTRL 1 handles sub-octave, mixing between 1 octave down (CCW) and 2 octaves down (CW).
  
• CTRL 2 adjusts the frequency of a synth-like low-pass filter.
  
  

Specifications:

• Circuit : Digital
  
• Bypass : Selectable Buffered Bypass
  
• Audio : Mono
  
• Power Supply : 9.6VDC-200mA power adapter included
  
• Dimensions (in) : 4.75 x 4 x 2.25
  
• Current Draw : 100mA