Captain Bit Tracking Sucks

[lilnasty.666]

I completed the board and got it on the test platform. It's got sound coming out of it but not what I recall the pedal sounding like from demos. First of all the tracking sucks, especially on the down and sub octaves. Just kind of choppy and glitchy with no sustain. I figure now is the time to ask how to probe around since some of you guys seem to really know what to look for on these things. I just got a scope and wave generator as a christmas gift to myself and I'm eager to start poking around but I just dont know what to look for or what I'm supposed to be seeing beyond checking that all the IC's have power. I do realize that it might just be my the guitar or my playing that sucks but I tried two guitars one with a humbucker and another with P90's and even a boost on the front end without any success. I might try swapping out the IC's since theyre socketed in there but other than that I'm not sure what to do. I'll post a sound clip later just thought I'd ask for help first.

 

[Danbieranowski]

Before you do anything else, switch to your neck pickup and play above your 12th fret. If it tracks better, that’s kind of standard for this pedal and what it’s based on.

 

[Peddler]

I have the same experience specifically for the lower octaves. The frequency sort of bounces around from the initial pick attack and glitches out quickly as well. I was also thinking of trying another IC for the sub octaves or trying 12V rather than 9.

 

[zgrav]

agree with other comments. it is a one-note-at-a-time kind of effect unless you just want a mess of sound. tracking is much better on the higher frets.

even with the FV-1 pedals, you are still dealing with a one-note-at-a-time style and if you only go with a shifted sound there is a noticeable lag when you change notes.

those are the nature of the respective beasts, and they are still fun to use as long as you understand their limitations.

maybe the Daisy will offer better real-time pitch shifting.

 

[ikeman868]

I just finished the Captain Bit and having the exact same issues. Did any one try swapping out the ICs? Did it help any?

Hoping I can at least resolve the issue of it glitching out after I hit a note and it sustains for just a couple seconds.

 

[PJS]

I don't know about the captain bit, but glitching on sustain can be the nature of this kind of pedal as well. They work on which frequency (basic sine wave) is the most pronounced harmonic in the waveform, and work from that frequency being the note that is being played. As a string sustains though, the mix of harmonics can change, and the more pronounced harmonic is no longer the fundamental. The pedal will then think you are playing a different note and switch. It will probably switch all over the place in my experience (even back to the actual note). Not much you can do without a bunch of complicate digital stuff.