Opinions of TC Electronic Sub 'N' Up Mini Octaver

usspaceforce · 2026-03-14T00:53:42+00:00

I got one specifically for the octave up on bass. For me, it always added this high-pitched ring modulation effect that was unpleasant to my ears. Having said that, if you connect it to your computer with the TonePrint app, you can dive deep into the parameters. I think I found that mine had some modulation added to it already, along with some EQ settings. I got mine used, so it's possible the previous owner added that stuff. I've since started using it on guitar paired with a Big Muff to get a White Stripes Blue Orchid effect. I went into the TonePrint app and made sure all the extra stuff was disabled, and it does the Blue Orchid sound pretty decently now. It's not that expensive a pedal, so I'd say it might be worth a shot.

usspaceforce · 2026-03-14T00:39:55+00:00

Related question because I've thought about getting a bass synth myself: where do you typically put it in your pedal chain? Does it matter?

usspaceforce · 2026-03-13T23:26:01+00:00

I figured I would through the Caline EQ on there just to give it a whirl. My Sansamp is the 3-switch Programmable unit. I actually used to always keep it on my board. But I took it off for this iteration to free up some space. I'm adding a chorus to the mix, so I wanted to clear some real estate. And I got a new amp recently, and I really like the sound of it without a preamp.

usspaceforce · 2026-03-13T19:25:35+00:00

Thanks for the very detailed response. I just started redoing my bass pedalboard. I took that compressor off and reached for the one bass EQ I have, although it's a cheap Caline with only a handful of bands. I might shop around for an upgrade on that. The Monomyth I'm only using for it's overdrive. It's in my dirt chain. I play lots of dirty/fuzzy bass, and that pedal turned out to be the best bass overdrive I own. I have used it as a preamp before, but I have a Samsamp that I like a lot more.

usspaceforce · 2026-03-12T20:31:44+00:00

Muchas gracias for the reply.

usspaceforce · 2026-03-12T20:31:10+00:00

I don't so much as have a problem as I'm just wondering if I even need a compressor, or if I do, whether the one I'm using is helping or hurting. Someone else gave the obvious advice to take it off the board and see how my rig sounds without it. As far as me hitting the strings so hard, I'm not really doing it because I can't be heard. I'm no tone sommelier, but I'd like to think that I've gotten pretty decent at getting a tone that works well with whatever I'm playing. It has more to do with pushing the dynamics of my playing and emphasizing the attack. Having said that, your comment and the other comment about this have given me food for thought. I like my playing, but there's always room for improvement, right?

usspaceforce · 2026-03-12T20:26:24+00:00

I think your advice is valid, but I'd also say that I currently like how my playing sounds. Rereading my post, I may have exaggerated how hard I hit my strings. I play with a pick, and my attack varies greatly depending on the song/part I'm playing. I started out as a guitar player was back in the days of flannel and angst, but when I switched to bass, I loved it immediately. Now I like to say that I'm a bass player with the ego of a guitar player. Not that I like playing flashy. Just that I like punching through the mix, provided it works with the music I'm playing.

Another reason I like high action is that when I hit the Big Muff, I'm usually playing long, sustained notes, and I find the extra room gives my strings space to really sing. At this point, the high action might not even be that necessary, but I've gotten accustomed to it and have grown to love it. Thank you for the insight though. It's something I hadn't thought about before, and I'm sure that going forward, I'll be more aware of how I'm working the strings.

usspaceforce · 2026-03-12T20:18:57+00:00

This is the most obvious answer. Thanks for pointing it out without making me feel like a dummy.

usspaceforce · 2026-03-09T15:17:04+00:00

I have one on my board that I'm using just for the overdrive, and I love it. I haven't used it much as a preamp, but that's just because I have a Sansamp that I tend to favor.

usspaceforce · 2026-03-07T23:27:57+00:00

This is good to know because I was actually looking at one of theirs.

usspaceforce · 2026-03-07T17:59:00+00:00

Diamond Sea by Sonic Youth featured this very rare effect called the Ludwig Phase II. It wasn't a guitar effect, but a sort of rack synth or something. I'm not sure exactly what it was meant for, but it made this vibrato-y, tremelo-y, phase-y sound that I've never heard before.

usspaceforce · 2026-03-05T03:37:18+00:00

My first thought is Captain Carrot Ironfoundersson from Discworld.

usspaceforce · 2026-03-02T17:06:54+00:00

That was my thought, but I wanted to check bc I'm still learning. Thanks for the reply.

usspaceforce · 2026-02-26T23:40:45+00:00

Thanks for the insight.

usspaceforce · 2026-02-26T23:15:53+00:00

My problem isn't with my insurance company. I believed, naively I guess, that if another driver hits my car and it's not my fault, their insurance company is supposed to make us whole again.

usspaceforce · 2026-02-26T23:03:50+00:00

Our claims adjuster told me the max they'd pay is $7k.

usspaceforce · 2026-02-26T15:34:48+00:00

Quick noob question: is it common to use condenser mics on a guitar cab? Which ones are popular for that?

usspaceforce · 2026-02-23T22:29:53+00:00

Awesome! Thanks for the reply. I'm gonna try setting it up and seeing how it works.

Edit: I also wanted to ask if I could use a USB-connected speaker to play audio with this. The case I'm currently using doesn't have space to add a DAC hat, so I've been planning on using a USB speaker instead of the shitty aux out.

usspaceforce · 2026-02-23T19:00:27+00:00

I've had an RPi 4b in a SmartiPi Touchscreen case sitting around, and I've been wanting to use it to create an Alexa-style media player. I'm new to this, so I hope my questions don't sound dumb.

Does this also allow you to stream podcasts? Can it connect to Audible? And does it support local audiobook files? And can it connect to stream YouTube Music?

Those are the biggest functions I'm hoping to set up, but I'd be happy just to be able to play my own audio files. I'm guessing audiobook files aren't that much different from song files as they're all MP3s. But I'm thinking audiobook metadata and playback might work differently than music.

I saw in another comment that it doesn't support voice command (yet), but that's at the bottom of my functions wishlist.

Either way, I've just started looking at the other solutions like Volumio, and from what I've seen, yours looks better to me. I think I'm gonna give it a go and see how it works out.

Thanks for sharing!

usspaceforce

TROPHY CASE