3 effects for fretless + general questions

[swartzfeger]

Hi all,

I've never been an effects guy but now that I'm getting my first fretless I've decided to get a few.

1) a compressor -- I should have had one the last 20 years. Time to get one.

2) Octave pedal -- this is gonna go hand in hand with the fretless and should pair nicely w/ a compressor.

3) verb -- for that cliched fretless effect I've been missing out on for all these years.

Compressor, I'm just looking for something to get the job done live and demoing on my MacBook Pro. The reverb, ditto, nothing fancy, just something to add atmosphere for slower fretless tunes.

The octave pedal -- this has been driving me nuts, I must've read 100+ posts here on the OC-2/3, EBS, MXR and Aguilar. Still don't know which to get. All I know is that (based on what I've read) I'd probably prefer a more analog growl to a digital synth sound (think Palladino on Give Blood).

I'm tempted to get a full effects floor pedal, but for really only wanting 3, spending $199+ on a Boss or Line 6 et al. seems overkill.

One pedal that looks *really* nice is the Eventide ModFactor:
http://www.eventide.com/AudioDivisio...ModFactor.aspx

Again, there's like one bank in this thing I would really want, the Undulator (bank 5:2). Is there a smaller pedal that could approximate that? It sounds just like a long reverb with some delay.

Overall, are there software solutions for the Mac/OS X that can tap into what the Eventide units do? Without investing serious money in Pro Tools or Logic Pro, I mean. I guess what I'm looking for are plug-ins for either GarageBand or Audicity.

Thanks!

[Deluge Of Sound]

If you're not going to be playing live, you might want to consider just going software--the options are pretty extensive, but I hear good things about Ableton Live.

[swartzfeger]

Originally Posted by Deluge Of Sound

If you're not going to be playing live, you might want to consider just going software--the options are pretty extensive, but I hear good things about Ableton Live.

Downloading the Ableton trial, but I think I'll be playing out frequently enough to at least look at some used gear.

[René_Julien]

Well, let's talk pedals.

For you I'd recommend:

Maxon CP9Pro+ compressor
or a cheaper solution is the Line 6 Constrictor, it can deliver a nice warm compression.
Our resident compressor guru bongo seems to be fond of the MarkBass Compressore for warm smooth soung. I haven't tried one myself... and they are a bit expensive.
(I'm using a BOSS CS-3 myself at the moment, but for different tone goals. I wouldn't recommend it for a typical fretless sound.)

octaver: MXR Bass Octave Deluxe. IMO the best analog octaver I tried so far. You'll love it.

reverb: my favourite is the Line 6 Verbzilla. Very versatile, good quality and not too expensive.

[kevteop]

Originally Posted by swartzfeger

The octave pedal -- this has been driving me nuts, I must've read 100+ posts here on the OC-2/3, EBS, MXR and Aguilar. Still don't know which to get. All I know is that (based on what I've read) I'd probably prefer a more analog growl to a digital synth sound (think Palladino on Give Blood).

Pino used an OC-2 with his Stingray to get that sound on all those old '80s hits.

[Jared Lash]

Doing things on a budget:

I like the Boss OC-2. The MXR has the OC-2 sound as well as a second, fatter octave sound that you can blend and the two mid switches, but the Boss tracks better and goes for $100 less used.

For compressors, my favorites for fretless have been the Demeter Compulator and the Frantone Sandwich which aren't cheap. But the Guyatone ST-2 is a good option at a low price.

For reverb I love the Dr. Scientist Radical Red Reverberator and they have a new cheaper line of minis coming out but they would still be around $200. Your best bet is probably a Line 6 Verbzilla which sounds great and has the cool Octo feature.

If you are looking at multis I would think the Line 6 M9 would be a contender. Its octaver and verbs sound pretty good from what I've heard but I don't know if their compressors are any good.

Hope that helps.

[SteveC]

I use a BBE Opto Stomp for my compression needs. Works great.

I don't use anything else. I'm not even sure my Rob Allen needs the compressor, but I kind of like having a nice strong, even signal going to my amp. I go back and forth on if I really NEED a compressor or not.

Chorus and Verb are cool at times on fretless. Maybe one day I'll start using them again.

I am tempted to get a LIne6 M9. small, nice sounds and easy to use. It is pricey though.

[swartzfeger]

Thanks for the help, gang. Looks like I need to start trawling craigslist/ebay.

[bassteban]

Jared, googling *line 6 octaverb(or octoverb)*yields nothing- typo?

[René_Julien]

Originally Posted by bassteban

Jared, googling *line 6 octaverb(or octoverb)*yields nothing- typo?

Octoverb is a setting on the Verbzilla pedal.


It is awesome.

The whole pedal.

IMO that is.

[bassteban]

Originally Posted by René_Julien

Octoverb is a setting on the Verbzilla pedal.


It is awesome.

The whole pedal.

IMO that is.

Ah- thank you. Does this setting dial in some octave? If so that might kill two birds w/one stone.
Not to derail; I ask myself the same question(as the OP)sometimes.

[René_Julien]

Originally Posted by bassteban

Ah- thank you. Does this setting dial in some octave? If so that might kill two birds w/one stone.
Not to derail; I ask myself the same question(as the OP)sometimes.

I do not own the pedal but my guitarist does. I played around with it. (I really love the tile room reverb)

I did not test the Octoverb out thoroughly, but I got a taste. So FWIW:

IMO and IME, it's not a substitute for an octaver. It would still be useful to have a seperate octaver.

I can only imagine how octaver + octoverb would sound... probably awesome.


I can't quite explain how the Octoverb works.


Maybe someone who uses this on bass can chime in and give better advice.



What I can say is the the Verbzilla is an awesome pedal.
I'm getting one myself, not a priority though since I only want it for my guitar setup.
(I prefer delay on bass instead of reverb. Different strokes.)

[swartzfeger]

I just listened to the demo of the Octo at Line 6's site. A must-have. Wow.

http://line6.com/tonecore/verbzilla.html

[RickenBoogie]

First, read Bongo's compressor page. Tons of useful info. Then, +1 for the MXR Bass Octave deluxe. Very smooth and warm, if you want. Also the Ehx Octave Multiplexer. Still my favorite analog octaver. Finally, another +1 for delay instead of reverb. Less reverb options, for sure, but you can dial in a good reverb with most analog delay's, PLUS, options for all sorts of groovy delay sounds, from a quick slap back, to spacial good times. Again, MXR Carbon Copy is a great choice, and if you also go with the MXR octave, they look real nice together. Have fun.

[cheapbasslovin]

Octoverb is like a digital octave up run through a highly cavernous reverb sound.

I like it a whole bunches.

I know it is more than you're looking to spend, but I'd recommend the M9 as well. If you have the latest firmware there are digital and analog sounding octaves, multiple choruses, and a bunch of reverbs (including the octoverb). It is really versatile and intuitive compared to other multis, and it sounds pretty good.

One pedal, a reasonable footprint, does all you mentioned plus a whole bunch more.

[dannybuoy]

Here's a video by Talkbass user Spankypants demoing the Verbzilla (including the glorious octo mode):

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...deoID=10323439