Bass with reverb

basslion · #1 10-01-2011, 11:50 AM

I know most will say that bass with reverb can sound muddy, but is there a way to get a really large roomy bass sound?
Something like a big warehouse sound without it sounding muddy?
What settings would you use? Any particular type of reverb you would recommend? - Algorithm or equipment / software

Sound Chaser · #2 10-01-2011, 02:27 PM

The Iron Ether Nimbus and Strymon blueSky both have some sort of high pass filter for their wet signals, IIRC. The IE is designed specifically for bass.

CopperheadLXXIX · #3 10-01-2011, 02:45 PM

What Sound Chaser said. Also a lot of the algorithms on the Eventide Space also have a HPF/bass cut to keep things from getting muddy.

**DosiYanarchy** · #4 10-01-2011, 04:09 PM

Ive really enjoyed using the boss '63 fender spring reverb pedal. The tone control can ad some really nice extra definition to the sound, as well as the clean blend. For me, reverb on bass is one for solo spots where you can really hear it providing ambience. Another pedal that i really enjoy for similar situations is the mxr carbon copy, its a delay but its very warm and sounds a little reverby to me

neuman · #5 10-01-2011, 05:26 PM

I've had good results with the EBS Dynaverb and the Hardwire RV-7 reverb. Both work well.

metalinthenight · #6 10-01-2011, 06:08 PM

I love reverb on bass and have used a lot of them. The boss RV-3 is pretty rad but the iron ether Nimbus is just stellar. I use it all the time and it is just fantastic.

Valerus · #7 10-01-2011, 06:47 PM

The Nimbus is downright incredible.

caeman · #8 10-01-2011, 07:08 PM

I have been faking reverb with a Malekko Ekko 616. It seems to work with bass fairly well.

**ChrisCassisi** · #9 10-01-2011, 07:26 PM

The Danelectro Spring King is what I use. Its a great reverb pedal for bass and doesn't muddy up the sound at all. Paired with my MXR Carbon Copy is a gorgeous sound. I max out the reverb, tone and volume on my reverb. Plus I love using the kick pad here and there to scare the hell out of my guitarist lol. I love using it for both my female fronted alt rock band and my 3 piece death/stoner metal band.

caeman · #10 10-01-2011, 08:23 PM

Chris, how long have you been gigging with your Spring King?

tombaker · #11 10-01-2011, 09:53 PM

I use a TC Electronics Hall of Fame Reverb. Sounds awesome!

**ChrisCassisi** · #12 10-01-2011, 10:27 PM

About 5 years now. Pedal sounds exactly the same and has held up great from heavy play.

sillyfabe · #13 10-01-2011, 11:43 PM

I use to use a few reverb pedals but have finally decided that I like very subtle reverb that can be achieved by the following:

Boss DD-7: (set to med feedback with a VERY short digi-repeat
El Capistan: besdies the spring reverb already on there (see above)
Reverb: on my Orange Crush PLX 15-R: just enough to keep me...reverbated....

G.Bisson · #14 10-03-2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basslion

I know most will say that bass with reverb can sound muddy, but is there a way to get a really large roomy bass sound?
Something like a big warehouse sound without it sounding muddy?
What settings would you use? Any particular type of reverb you would recommend? - Algorithm or equipment / software

Use the 'Hall' setting on a digital reverb. EBS DynaVerb is an excellent choice.
Hardwire RV-7 is a good cheaper option.

loopmantra · #15 10-05-2011, 02:06 AM

tried whole bunch of them and settled for boss rv5...although I was looking for pure analogy,this one blew me away,both the sound and price.I was(and still am) a big fan
of holy grail,just because it's such a cool name,but trust me,nothing can compare to rv5.
in that price range ofc. never tried nimbus though,it's near to impossible to find it here...

Colonel Monk · #16 10-05-2011, 03:11 PM

Ahhh, you guys are pissing me off and inducing GAS!

I've really been trying to ignore how much I want to try a Nimbus.

Not a reverb pedal, but on my Space Echo I effing CRANK the reverb, it sounds so damn good, specially riding the regen with an exp pedal into oscillation.

CM

**bassman314** · #17 10-05-2011, 04:24 PM

I've use d acouple.

EHX Holy Grail is my favorite pedal-based one.

I miss my old Fender Reverb Tank... That was the best one I have ever used.

darkstorm · #18 10-05-2011, 10:16 PM

I allways use a little bit of reverb in my bass processor to get a little bit of room ambience in the tone. Since the signal out of the processor is the ready for recording sound. Never had it muddy. Maybe just the zooms reverbs lack muddyness. Anyway I usually use room reverb, but occassionally hall set at lower mix for little bit brighter type sound reverb char. Normally I set the reverbs section tone control at 5-6, 7 at the most. Maximum of 20% mix. Plate reverbs Ive tried are brighter still, but not my thing. Might be worth your trying that version.

Of seperate reverb units Ive used in the past I liked Alesis units best. Also used them on a korg poly 6 synthsizer which allways did deep dark undulating pads, fx, and soundbeds. The reverbs gave it a little bit of extra sparkle on top as well as letting me create some useful added self actuating feedback for infinate sustain. But anyway, never had a muddy sound from using reverb myself.

**bassistjoe93** · #19 10-05-2011, 11:19 PM

I've used the holy grail in very limited settings. And not on the crazy settings or really high, but it adds some nice, subtle depth and retains nice bottom end! Really liked it!

Impostor · #20 10-12-2011, 05:11 PM

I've used Boss RV-5 for nearly five years, and I'm thinking of finally changing it. It's too bright for bass. Even with the Tone knob at 9 o'clock (which is the brightest usable setting for me) it brings to front all the metal of the strings, and even on fretless with the hi's rolled back the early reflections sound clangy. And with the Tone at minimum it is muddy and lifeless, so there is not much space for adjustments in between. I use only Hall and Modulate modes, the latter is the strongest feature of this reverb. The closest competitor Hardwire RV-7 doesn't modulate the reverb that way.

It seems that I have main three options to choose:
- get Strymon BlueSky and sell the RV-5. It is expensive but fully adjustable, and selling the RV-5 would make the final price lower for me.
- get Iron Ether Nimbus and keep RV-5 for Modulate mode only. It would be ridiculous to have two reverbs on bass, not to mention the brightness issues of the habitual RV-5. However, the soundclips of the Nimbus cut by M Sterling are just awesome, they make me wonder if anything else can sound as good on bass.
- get TC Electronic Hall of Fame, which is the cheapest option among these by itself, and sell RV-5 to save more.

Any ideas on this choice? Maybe anyone tried Neunaber Wet Reverb with bass? It sounds incredible on guitar and claims to fit well a lot of other instruments, including bass guitar.