Compression/Distortion Suggestions?

[eleven59]

Hello everyone, I'm new here, just signed up. Been lurking for a bit, lots of useful information here.

Anyways, the reason I'm posting is that I'm building a bass rig for live/studio use in a band. I play a Fender Jazz Bass V (Made in Mexico). Here's what I have so far:



Ampeg SVT-3Pro
Ampeg SVT410HLF
Peterson StroboStomp 2

All this is going into an Angstrom shock rack (being delivered next week) with a Furman PL-Plus D II (on its way here also) and a rack drawer to hold the tuner and future additions (wireless some time down the road, other pedals) and for storing cables, etc. during transportation. I've also got a Speakon cable coming to link the head to the cabinet.

I play lots of punk, ska, rock, metal, etc. Lately I've been jamming to some Less Than Jake, Soilwork, Reel Big Fish, Rage Against the Machine, Tool, older Incubus, I Mother Earth, Chevelle, old Metallica, Bad Religion, Green Day, etc.

So far, I'm loving this amp, despite the mixed reviews I've read. I'm not looking for a super-clean tone, so I don't mind that it doesn't have the most headroom of any amp around.

The main issue that needs addressing, though, is compression to smooth out my dynamics. I want something rackmount, as I want to be able to play without a pedalboard most of the time. Has to be transparent sounding as I love my tone so far, and I need something that won't round out my playing too much, I want the sharp attack kept intact, as I play with a pick a lot.

The other thing I'm looking for is a distortion pedal of some sort for those times I want a grittier sound. Ideally I'd like something that can handle tones similar to Justin Chancellor of Tool (I know he uses a Rat pedal through one of his GK rigs, running the other clean) all the way up to full-blown fuzz (along the lines of Muse) and everything in between.

I've read the reviews and FAQ but I'm looking for more specific suggestions for my needs. Also, as I've already spent quite a bit clearly :lol: I'm looking for some affordable options, preferably no more than a $200 or so for each piece.

[eleven59]

Anyone?

[assboglin]

Asking for Tool and Muse in one pedal is a pretty tall order. Some of those Muse sounds themselves take multiple pedals to create, and even then some (I'm talking about the Akai Deep Impact) are well out of your price range.

[Rufus]

Check Robert Keeley out at http://www.robertkeeley.com/home.php
The 2-knob compressor is totally quiet and transparent. It is also just as versatile as the 4-knob unit, the only difference being, two are inside the unit so you adjust it the way you like it and leave it. Read up on it and you will be impressed. Purchase it, or better yet, try one out before you purchase, and you will be impressed more.

[Geddyfleaharris]

Just put a dbx 1066 compressor into my rig and it's phenominal.

[eleven59]

I've been looking at a DBX 160A, would that work?

And I realize that asking for Muse effects in that price range, etc. is ridiculous, I mainly just mean everything from a light drive (possibly boosting my amp a bit?) to nasty distortion (Nine Inch Nails/Manson/Rob Zombie) to smooth fuzz. I figure a Big Muff will handle the smooth fuzz, but will it cover some of the lower gain/nastier sounds? What would?

[dirtgroove]

Originally Posted by eleven59

I've been looking at a DBX 160A, would that work?

And I realize that asking for Muse effects in that price range, etc. is ridiculous, I mainly just mean everything from a light drive (possibly boosting my amp a bit?) to nasty distortion (Nine Inch Nails/Manson/Rob Zombie) to smooth fuzz. I figure a Big Muff will handle the smooth fuzz, but will it cover some of the lower gain/nastier sounds? What would?

maybe a Zoom Ultra Fuzz might be what you're looking for? They're discontinued but still around on ebay- lot's of different fuzz sounds available and a reasonably priced.

[eleven59]

I'm thinking I'm going to get two pedals:

Sansamp Bass Driver DI
ElectroHarmonix Big Muff Pi (probably the American, or Little Big Muff)

Would the Sansamp give me that slightly driven sound I'm looking for (Tool, early Incubus, Less Than Jake, etc.)?

[adaven16]

i use the sansamp in my rig and it gets pretty close to the tool sounds. not exact but close. but im using a Spector NS2H5 with the EMG pickups so its really trebley all ready.

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by eleven59

The main issue that needs addressing, though, is compression to smooth out my dynamics. I want something rackmount, as I want to be able to play without a pedalboard most of the time. Has to be transparent sounding as I love my tone so far, and I need something that won't round out my playing too much, I want the sharp attack kept intact, as I play with a pick a lot.

I've read the reviews and FAQ but I'm looking for more specific suggestions for my needs. Also, as I've already spent quite a bit clearly :lol: I'm looking for some affordable options, preferably no more than a $200 or so for each piece.

All of the rack units in the "top picks" section of my reviews can be found for $200 or so if you hunt carefully and patiently on Ebay. I do think a dbx will suit you well based on what you've described. If you want to go even cheaper a dbx 166 (any version) will do you fine for around $100 used.

[Joe P]

Originally Posted by eleven59

...I mainly just mean everything from a light drive (possibly boosting my amp a bit?) to nasty distortion (Nine Inch Nails/Manson/Rob Zombie) to smooth fuzz. I figure a Big Muff will handle the smooth fuzz, but will it cover some of the lower gain/nastier sounds? What would?

I'm still most impressed with my GK Diesel Dawg.

The Dawg has super quality for all drive levels, and can achieve very high gain. It can't take the place of a FUZZ-fuzz - like an octave fuzz or gated fuzz.

Joe