Purchased from: Manufacturer
Street Price: $299.99 USD + tax and shipping
About:
EnRoute Music
RP PorchBoard Micro Floor Bass.
EnRoute Music is the manufacturer of an analog low frequency response, foot controlled, portable percussion foot trigger (passive proximity
sensor system) that simulates a bass drum.
Manufacturer description:
The
PorchBoard Bass plugs directly into an
amplification system (set up much like a bass guitar would be) No
additional power sources or batteries are required. Begin tapping (heel
on heel rail and toe on
suspended toe rail) with a very simple beat, tapping once or twice each
measure. With a little practice you will develop your own style and
rhythm and your PorchBoard playing will become automatic.
The PorchBoard is designed to
produce a tone in the 33-100 HZ range (very low). The 33 HZ (with a
strong 99 HZ harmonic) was selected because it offers a strong
supportive bass "thump" in any key- similar to a large marching band
bass drum. Often the nature of the sound tends to resemble a note when
another instrument (such as a guitar) suggests a note.
Connections:
(1) quarter
inch, (1) XLR (or both
simultaneously).
Sound
Amp used
Vox Pathfinder 15R
Yorkville bloc 40k
Fishman sa220
Fishman mini loudbox
Fender frontman 10
Cables used:
Mogami
Ease of use:
You
plug it in much like a guitar pedal and tap your foot to keep the
rhythm. The only way it will not work is if you don't have feet and if
you don't, you probably will not order this product.
Sound:
Depending
on the amp and the 3 way switch on the face of the unit that changes
the frequency response, the sound went from a big deep tight boom much
like a bass drum to the sound you get when you tap your foot on the
porch.
Impression:
My
first thought was this could be a great way to get rid of my drummer,
and that was exciting to me. The PorchBoard is a unique product like
nothing else out there. It really does what it says it will do and it
does it well. I am not a foot stomper when I play so it took a few songs
to get used to, but it added another layer to my sound. Before I met
the good fokes at EnRoute Music I had seen a musician named Sea Sick Steve use something like this and I wanted it, but I thought he had made it and I was SOL. view here So to sum it up I like it, it's simple to set up and use, and it doesn't take up
much space in my gear bag.
What I would change:
The
only thing I would want is an adjustable heel rest, my dogs are huge
and I could have used an inch or two more. The heel rest was in the
middle of my arch, so I took it off.
My advice:
If you're a solo artist this is a must, it is fun product that makes you and your audience feel the grove of your tune. It also makes you look cool and that alone is worth it.
Contact:
EnRoute Music
P.O. Box 8223
Janesville, WI 53547-8223
(P) 608-752-2229
P.O. Box 8223
Janesville, WI 53547-8223
(P) 608-752-2229
Posted 05/2012
