Effects to "Cut Through"

[PRUNEFACE]

I am having trouble "cutting through the mix" of a band with two bassy guitars, and a trebly keyboard. Cranking up mids on my amp (Bassman 250) causes a rather unpleasant sound, so I was wondering if effects could possibly overcome the problem.

[ClydeMcAllister]

First thing to do here is to get your guitarists to stop hogging up the low end. If that doesn't work, then look into other things, you dig?

[Murf]

Originally Posted by PRUNEFACE

I am having trouble "cutting through the mix" of a band with two bassy guitars, and a trebly keyboard. Cranking up mids on my amp (Bassman 250) causes a rather unpleasant sound, so I was wondering if effects could possibly overcome the problem.

the short answer is "no!" firstly is the band di'd..ie are you guys di'd to the desk or are u using your amps for your front of house sound..if your di'd are you running pre or post eq?

[PRUNEFACE]

Originally Posted by ClydeMcAllister

First thing to do here is to get your guitarists to stop hogging up the low end. If that doesn't work, then look into other things, you dig?

In this band it's important to share the sonic space... we just recently got the keyboardist and their sound is taking up quite a bit of "space," so I need to share...

[TrevorOfDoom]

Originally Posted by PRUNEFACE

I am having trouble "cutting through the mix" of a band with two bassy guitars, and a trebly keyboard. Cranking up mids on my amp (Bassman 250) causes a rather unpleasant sound, so I was wondering if effects could possibly overcome the problem.

have you changed your EQ while practicing with the band? specifically, have you cranked the mids on your amp during practice?
because yes, by itself, high levels of mids will make you sound "honky" or "quacky", but in the mix most of the honk will disappear and you'll cut through fine.
EQ adjustments should be made while the whole band is playing.

[RCCollins]

+1 to EQ

[JustDavid]

Is this being viewed as a Bass problem or as a Band problem?

[TrevorOfDoom]

Originally Posted by JustDavid

Is this being viewed as a Bass problem or as a Band problem?

seems the OP views it as a bass problem, but methinks us "Old Guard" know it's a band problem.

Kids these days. you can't tell 'em a thing!

[PRUNEFACE]

Originally Posted by TrevorOfDoom

seems the OP views it as a bass problem, but methinks us "Old Guard" know it's a band problem.

Kids these days. you can't tell 'em a thing!

Originally Posted by JustDavid

Is this being viewed as a Bass problem or as a Band problem?

I think it's more of a bass problem... If I can't be distiniguished (or noticed!) than that seems more on my side of things.

'timers these days. Can't hear a thing!

[TrevorOfDoom]

Originally Posted by PRUNEFACE

I think it's more of a bass problem... If I can't be distiniguished (or noticed!) than that seems more on my side of things.

'timers these days. Can't hear a thing!

yeah.... that's the thing. a band is a band. it's group of guys working together to achieve a certain sound.
i'll repeat.
it's a group of guys WORKING TOGETHER.
if you have a Spector, so you should have a "cutting sound" as is, because that's what Spector's do. so assuming you have at least a 300 watt head and a 4x10, you have enough power to make almost any gig work. therefore, i'd say the problem isn't on your end, but it's on the shoulders of your band mates.
work with them. EQ at practice. talk to them about EQ.
see?

[rratajski]

Playing tone wars with babies is not fun.

Playing with a band that plays together: priceless.

Time for a band meeting...or just keep turning up louder and louder...That'll cut your right on through...

[CliffD]

Originally Posted by rratajski

Playing tone wars with babies is not fun.

Playing with a band that plays together: priceless.

Time for a band meeting...or just keep turning up louder and louder...That'll cut your right on through...

+a gillion.

[RedCoatMonster]

While you DOhave to share the sonic space, each member has afrequency spectrum that is more r less "theirs." The bottom is yours, the guitars have no business hogging a spectrum that they don't excell at like the bass does. Hence the name, "Bass" guitar. If they give you any crap tell them youre the BASS guitar and theyre the TREBLE guitar and that they need to deal with it, you cant be afraid of asserting yourself.

[Gashaponcito]

maybe an EQ pedal would be the answer, a tube overdrive or a boost pedal can help too

[SteveC]

It's an EQ issue - yours and maybe the rest of the band as well. Everyone needs to find their sonic space and try not to invade others.

[4StringsEnough]

Electro Harmonix Steel Leather.

[katri]

also what are you and the guitarists tuned to??
If it's really low it can be hard to cut through as both the bass and guitar start to sound like muck

[TheMutt]

+1 to EQ.
I don't really think that effects are going to make you stand out in the mix more unless it's an analog octave down pedal, or harmonic octave distortion like the DOD FX32 Meat Box. I've been in your situation before, and it's as simple as talking to your band mates. If they won't listen, get a new band, or a 5-stringer and wail away on the low B.

[lowendgenerator]

Sounds to me like you need an amp that can handle more power in the midrange. 250Hz to 1kHz is where the cut lives.

[René_Julien]

EQ

Although an EHX Steel Leather can also help, but that is just a toy.
EQ is more imortant. A bit of compression can also help a little.