The EWS Bass Mid Control is an active mid-controller for bass players, a small pedal built to shape the middle of a bass signal where a two-band EQ or a passive instrument leaves you stuck. As Guitar FX Layouts put it, "The new Bass Mid Control is the active mid-controller for bass players," and the maker's pitch is that "this pedal will provide you the flexibility to play any musical style."1
What it does
The pedal sits between your bass and the rest of the chain and gives you a dedicated handle on the mid frequencies. When you are using a two-band EQ or a passive bass, the Frequency control provides manipulation of the mids across a range of 120Hz to 3kHz. No Treble described it as "the aptly titled box" that "controls the mid frequencies with an EQ that is adjustable between 120Hz-3kHz."2 Guitar FX Layouts called it "a small but powerful pedal that provides frequency control adjustments between 120Hz ~ 3kHz."1
For a player, the point is simple: if your bass and amp only give you bass and treble shelves, this fills in the band that decides whether you sit in a mix or fight it. It belongs among Equalization Pedals and other Bass Pedals.
Controls
Power
The pedal runs on a 9V battery at 3.3mA, or on an optional AC adapter at 9 to 18VDC with negative tips. EWS recommended a regulated supply such as the Dunlop ECB04 Power Supply. Running at 18V draws 6.6mA and is possible only through the DC adapter jack; Guitar FX Layouts notes the 18V option is for additional headroom.12
18V operation works only through the DC adapter jack, not on battery. The adapter is optional and not included with the pedal.2
Size and build
EWS lists the pedal at 90mm x 50mm x 70mm, width by depth by height.2 Guitar FX Layouts notes it was "originally in a 1590A size box," one of the smaller standard enclosures, a detail relevant to players fitting it onto a crowded board.1 For builders of the circuit, the site's vero layout uses a JRC4558D opamp IC and a BS170 MOSFET, and the builder there found that "I used a B50K dual instead of the C50K (seems to be hard to find this one) and it works fine," noting that "make sure you use 25V rated caps if you want to power it with 18V."1
Videos
Xotic Video
Hablandoen Grave
FretSpot
Questions
Is the EWS Bass Mid Control true bypass?
Yes. No Treble's news item on the pedal lists True Bypass Switching among its specifications, so when the pedal is off your bass signal passes through without the mid circuit in the way.
Can the EWS Bass Mid Control run on a battery?
Yes. The pedal can be powered by a 9V battery, drawing 3.3mA. For additional headroom you can instead use an 18V power adapter, but 18V operation works only through the DC adapter jack and draws 6.6mA.
What size is the EWS Bass Mid Control?
EWS lists the pedal at 90mm x 50mm x 70mm, measured width by depth by height. It was originally housed in a 1590A size box, which is a small enclosure even by pedal standards.
How much does the EWS Bass Mid Control cost?
When EWS released the pedal, No Treble reported an MSRP of $160 as of October 2010.
Sources (2)
- Guitar FX Layouts: EWS Bass Mid Control, Guitar FX Layouts (tagboardeffects.blogspot.com), 2014-02-25
- Gear Watch: EWS Bass Mid Control Pedal, No Treble, 2010-10-03