Dialing a signature tone...

basskababble · #1 08-11-2010, 09:37 AM

So I bought a couple pedals thinking that I could really dial in a "signature" tone...

Boss Bass EQ (GEB-7)
BBE Sonic Stomp (Sonic Maximizer)
BBE Opto Stomp (Optical Compressor)
Landmine (Distortion)
Tech 21 Programmable Bass Driver DI

I may also have an EH Steel Leather sitting around, but have to find it...

Any recommendations on what order to put these in? I do plan to DI from the Sansamp when I can.

Any recommendations on what tone to dial in and how to use these? Preferably from people with some of the same pedals...
I'm looking for a Matt Freeman, NOFX, bright & ballsy tone.

My amp is an Orange Terror Bass (hopefully) through an Ampeg 1832he cab. The bass is a Warmoth active P/J with active electronics (bartolini pups)...

JimmyM · #2 08-11-2010, 10:19 AM

no idea what to tell you about those pedals, but signature tone comes from two things...hands and brain. yes, i know, many effects lovers hate hearing that, but it's true.

Hookus · #3 08-11-2010, 10:21 AM

I think having and knowing how to use a decent graphic EQ will go the furthest towards getting your signature tone. If you don't have one on your amp, use the GEB-7 (though some folks think just a semi-parametric works fine, if you get a good sound from the EQ on your amp, ditch the GEB-7), You could stick with the Sansamp, I would say, then ditch the rest of the stuff, at least I would. My thought is that our signature tone should be what you start with before you add in anything. If you cant get that, then upgrade the rest of your gear before adding pedals to compensate.

Hookus · #4 08-11-2010, 10:21 AM

And what JimmyM said. Thats kind of what I was getting at.

bassman1185 · #5 08-11-2010, 10:31 AM

It's worth noting that a signature bass sound is only really helpful if the band as a unique sound. Geddy's tone wouldn't work in a more conventional band. Neither would Chris Squire's, Justin Meldal-Johnsen's, or pretty much any other "signature" bass sound.

Also, if you're trying to more or less cop Freeman's tone, it's not really your signature anymore, is it?

Kael · #6 08-11-2010, 10:32 AM

SABDDI's have a very colored tone. No matter what you run into them, or what you run them into, they always manage to put that tone in there. That's a great thing when you are dealing with a crappy rig/PA or when you are constantly dealing with a changing amp situation (varying backlines). For getting a "signature sound" though... your signature sound will wind up being pretty much the SABDDI tone unless you either dial it back so completely that it isn't really being utilized or you just use a stupid amount of tweaking elsewhere. Sonic Maximizers are kinda the same. They are effectively a preset EQ curve that has a tendency to overwhelm the natural sound of whatever else is being used. Between the SABDDI and the maximizer, I'd guess you are headed for scoop city.

Seems like you have quite a few pedals you are wanting to use. I know that you are wanting to create a signature tone, but have you given much thought to trying to sculpt a sound that fits in with whatever act you are gigging with. IMO, a tone that is amazing/unique in a mix that wants a basic meat and potatoes sound is a crappy tone.

basskababble · #7 08-11-2010, 10:35 AM

*edited to address more posts:

It's fun having a few pedals to noodle around with, and I really am aiming for something distinct (not necessarily original). I guess what I mean is that when my bass is recorded or our band is heard, there's that "his bass always sounds like that" effect.

Hookus, you seem to see the board as redundant if nothing but the sansamp is really needed. I may agree in the end, but I am thinking that the order of the pedals should work to change that.

My bass is the one I've always wanted, and if the orange works correctly then that's the sound I've always wanted from a head. The pedals are meant to supplement all that, because the head really doesn't have much of an EQ (it doesn't need one... it always sounds great).

The sound I'm really looking for is tough to get with my brain and hands though. I need that glassy high, with that clear, clean, round bottom end. It's almost the sound of two basses playing at the same time, one with optimal bass, and one optimal treble. I also want to hit a footswitch and get a bit of drive going. Hit another and have the same tone, with an even cleaner bottom and and a little less presence.

I've though a lot about my pedal choices, and have had a full pedal board before, with bassballs, wah, etc. Then cut back down to basics bass-chord-amp...

I could really use some advice on the sweetspots of these pedals. Where they should land in the mix of things, and how they can play a part in achieving the sound I'm looking for.

Obviously they could all be useless, and I could choose to sell them all, but while they're out there in UPS, FedEx, ans USPS hands, I'd like to get more info on what to expect.

Scoop city... that's pretty much it, obviously, but I need it to cut through at the same time, and i need the aggression that mids with give me.

As for how it sits with the band... here's the music, and that's where the Matt Freeman sound comes in... Although that's not what I'm going for, just the range...

http://www.reverbnation.com/#/mindyou

surfingbird1 · #8 08-11-2010, 11:24 PM

i like my sansamp like this, drive - 9, blend - 2, bass- treble flat, presence - 11, everything else appropriate to levels, sansamps give a rounded out tone so you have to blend in the appropriate amount

I also like an aphex bass xciter after my signal (trying to get my hands on another one as mine is toast after an accident)

also eqs are not necessary with a bddi, unless its the mid adjustable version, as sansamps have powerful eqs

as fas as distortion/overdrives go, get something with a blend so you dont lose to much low end, everytime we record, I have to add clean bass on top of my effected signal to make sure I stay present in the mix, unless you are in a spot were you are the main focus or the sound relies a lot on your tone

5 beers in - no proofreading!!!!!!

good luck on your tone search

Matt Dean · #9 08-11-2010, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

no idea what to tell you about those pedals, but signature tone comes from two things...hands and brain. yes, i know, many effects lovers hate hearing that, but it's true.

I agree with this +100.

That said, I get one of my signature tones from an Xotic Bass BB into a C-bread SFT.

JimmyM · #10 08-12-2010, 12:28 AM

sounds from what you're describing that your sound needs two amps rather than a cab with two different driver sizes.