[Bassman1185]

Hey everybody, I just thought I might try jumpstarting the Bass forum a bit here.

Who uses effects? What do you use, andhow do you use it? What tones do you get?

Here's my board:




Bass to Planet Waves Tuner, to Boss NS-2, Loop Out of the NS-2 goes into the Pigtronix Disnortion, which splits the signal. The dirty signal goes to the VT Bass, which goes into the input of the LS-2. The clean output goes to the Octave Multiplexer, which is set for a slightly dirty, growly octave down (Little to no dry signal), then into the Return A on the LS-2. That way my dirty signal is my "standard" signal, and I can add a cleanish octave down with a stomp of the LS-2. The LS-2 sends the combined signal back to the Loop Retun on the NS-2, then the signal goes into the Stereo Memory Man with Hazarai, into an MXR M-80 which splits my signal again. The XLR goes to the board, and the parallel 1/4" out goes to my amp.

All the cables are George L's. There is no way I would ever be able to make this setup work on this board with anything else.

I play in a hardcore/post hardcore band, so I've got some pretty aggressive sounds on there. The Disnortion is set for a great big doomy wall-o-fuzz on the fuzz channel, and a medium-gain grit on the overdrive side. The VT is set for a lower-gain grit, and it always stays on. It adds a great ballsiness (Word? Probably not) to my tone, and the overdrive section of the Disnortion pushes the VT really well. The SMMH is maninly used for two sounds: A really clear, fast delay/reverb with some of the bass rolled off (great for faster passages to keep it from getting muddy) and a slower, more analog-style delay with some of the treble rolled off that I use for more atmospheric parts. I can also use it to get a great chorus/flanger sound, but i haven't really worked that into any of my band's stuff yet.

[thesteve]

I need to take new pictures of my pedalboard the next time I bring it home.

I've been using a ProCo RAT2 for big distorted bass tones. I usually use it in conjunction with volume swells (RAT2 --> EB Mono Volume --> Boss DD-5 --> Dano PB&J) for what I describe as a "distorted cello" tone. I occasionally use the delays clean for a more ambient feel.

[slap_j]

Aside from a compressor I haven't found much use for bass effects. They're cool for flourishes or little passages here and there, for sure. I'm just not very interested at the moment. I practically gave my GT-6B to my little brother.

[Bassman1185]

Originally Posted by slap_j

Aside from a compressor I haven't found much use for bass effects. They're cool for flourishes or little passages here and there, for sure. I'm just not very interested at the moment. I practically gave my GT-6B to my little brother.

It really depends on what you're doing, music-wise, and what there is room for in the mix. Like I said, my band is pretty aggressive, so I fit in the mix better when I play with some dirt (hence the VT staying on all the time), and I am able to add some really cool textures to different parts by stacking the fuzz or the OD into the VT.

However, at my church, I play almost entirely clean, with just a touch of chorus here and there, and occasionally an octave. It's all about the atmosphere.

[slap_j]

Originally Posted by Bassman1185

It really depends on what you're doing, music-wise, and what there is room for in the mix.

I don't disagree. I wasn't indicting bass effects. It's just that I don't have much use for them at this point in my life.

[Bassman1185]

Originally Posted by slap_j

I don't disagree. I wasn't indicting bass effects. It's just that I don't have much use for them at this point in my life.

Gotcha. I figured that, but you never know, there are some really militant "purists" out there who think that effects have no place on bass.

[Micahb]

Not a bad board! I used to have a bunch but have had to scale back due to some cost issues, so it's pretty low key right now. I'll edit a picture in to this post in a while

Purging my board was kind of a good thing, because there were a couple pedals I was unhappy with, so now I know what I'll be doing different.
When I get a steady cash flow again, I'll be picking up a VT Bass, B:Assmaster, QTron, Empress Trem, Bit Mangler...then I should be cool for a while.

[Rainer.]

Everyone needs an envelope filter.

[Bassman1185]

I don't. I actually do have a DigiTech Bass Synth Wah laying around, but I've never gotten any use out of any of the settings besides the clean octave down.

Thanks, Micah. I know I've seen you around TB, but I haven't seen any contributions to the Post Your Pedalboard series from you lately. I'd love to try the B:Assmaster sometime (I have only heard good things about it), but for now, I can't think of any dirt pedals I would want (ok, any I would be able to justify buying) besides the Disnortion. It does the big fat wall-o-fuzz, cutting, punchy fuzz (with the octave up), nice transparant overdrive, and some killer OD/fuzz combos, since the OD and fuzz are in parallel rather than series. Running all of that into my VT and then into my full rig, it sounds like the world is ending. I love it.

[rfclef]

I love the sound of my bass, just as it is (It is a Birdsong Cortobass, and it is AWESOME!). However, there are a few songs my band plays that I actually WANT to have an effect that SOUNDS like an effect... To that end, my pedalboard is as follows: 1. bypass loop pedal that keeps my board out of the train unless using effects; 2. Korg Pitchblack tuner pedal; 3. Behringer Bass Synth; 3. Behringer Bass Flanger; 4. Behringer Bass Overdrive; 5. Behringer Bass Chorus.

I mostly use them when I want some funky far out sound...
I know Behringer gets knocked, but when I was trying out pedals, I did not want to commit a lot of $$. ANd for the amount and purpose I use em for, they are great.

[Micahb]

Gah, camera issues. Picture soon.

Originally Posted by Bassman1185

II can't think of any dirt pedals I would want (ok, any I would be able to justify buying) besides the Disnortion.

I haven't tried that one yet, but I've heard great things.
Dirt pedals are what I'm all about right now. With my playing I find I actually usually play with a straight up clean tone, but when ever I have a distorted sound in my head, it kills me to not be able to get it right. I'm really getting into junky low-fi sputtering stuff right now...I've fallen in love with Devi Ever.

And just one more thing, seeing as you like your VT so much....enjoy.


No set price, and no real release date yet, but should be this summer from what I gather.

[nbfan]

I sometimes use a cheapo plastic Tube Screamer clone for dirt.

[LWatford]

I was using a boss oc-2 (just -1 octave), zvex mastotron, and a Moogerfooger Lowpass filter for a great synth sound. I'll probably buy them all again.

[Micahb]

Ugh - jealous.
I've been wanting some Moogerfrooger stuff for a while. Played around with most of the stuff but haven't been able to bring myself to spend that much money on a pedal... but eventually I need to get the Lowpass and a Bass Murf

[nbfan]

Moogerfoogers are beastly, i haven't ever had one for the exact same reason.