Modding Boss HM-2

[Crotchburger]

I was hoping someone could suggest a mod to tame the bass a little more.

Also, the mid and treble are fed into the same control. How could I separate these? I don't want to lose either one, but would like to be able to adjust them independently.

Sorry, I don't have schematics to post.

[Mark Hammer]

To separate the mid and treble controls, just cut the trace connecting C28 and C29 and run C29 to its own linear 10k pot, wired up identically to VR3.   To cut back on the bass, probably the quickest route is to replace C22 (currently .047uf) with a .01uf cap.  That will provide some bass cut as you crank the gain, with a 6db/oct rolloff starting around 340hz at max gain.

[Crotchburger]

Thanks, Mark.

[Crotchburger]

If I just lift C29 (leaving C28 in line) will that make the control just do mids?

[Galego]

I say leave it original and sell it on ebay, that pedal is the holy grail of the swedish death metal tone. And it's basically all it's good for 

[Mark Hammer]

If I just lift C29 (leaving C28 in line) will that make the control just do mids?

yes

I say leave it original and sell it on ebay, that pedal is the holy grail of the swedish death metal tone. And it's basically all it's good for 

There's a million of them out there, so negligible resale value.  Personally, if it makes a decent platform for experimenting, I say go for it.  I have one at home that my once-a-metal-guitarist-now-a-financial-advisor nephew gave me.  I should probably play around with it.

Note that D6/D7 provide some crossover distortion, by clipping the "sides" of the waveform.  Worth installing a toggle to shunt across them and cancel the crossover distortion.  Not because it's better, but simply because it will provide a different sound for minimal investment.

[markeebee]

......once-a-metal-guitarist-now-a-financial-advisor

Life.  Abridged.

[bwanasonic]

I keep meaning to dig my HM-2 out and give it a whirl. It always makes me smile and laugh! What it does so well has so little musical  relevance to me, but it's like wearing a Halloween costume. Fun and hilarious every few years.

[Crotchburger]

I'm no stranger to Rotten Sound's guitar tone (HM-2). Or Grave, Entombed, Nasum, Bloodbath. There's some x-factor in their guitar tones that doesn't equal just a HM-2 cranked. Maybe it's the particular amp, guitar, pick up, etc.

The picking definition seems to get lost when played at high speeds though.