effects (and pedalboards) for a newbie

dalconthenovice · #1 12-12-2010, 02:00 AM

so i want to make a pedalboard from scratch, and i just LOVE playing around with pedals but sadly i know not how to do it, so the question is, i want to learn more about effects, i want to know what effects are worth what and how i can apply them, are there any recommended or essential pedals i should get as a newbie to the pedal/effects/pedalboard world?

feel free to tell me what a fool i am by buying a BOSS chorus pedal

Bassmike62 · #2 12-12-2010, 06:19 AM

What type of music do you play ? What's your current set-up ? What's your budget ? What sound do you like ? Do you want to buy new or used ? All this will help you decide what pedals you want.

If you're not sure, I strongly recommend a multi-effect unit, it will be a good starting point, that's what I did anyway: Zoom, Boss, Digitech (and others) all make multis at variable prices (search Musician's Friend for new and E-Bay for used, both are also a good starting point). I still have the cheap Zoom B-1 I bought for 50 $ new, but use it as a rythm machine.

Using the search function here will also help you. Just type "dirt" or "filters" and see what happens.

As for being a fool, the Boss CEB-3 (if that's the one you're reffering to) is one of the most owned pedals by TBers. I also use it as an always-on pedal. Some people here use Boss stuff exclusively, some will have a few on their boards (my case) and some won't go near a Boss product. All a matter of personal opinion/taste. One thign you have to give Boss: their stuff is built to last and sounds good (most of'em anyway).

Pedal boards ? Boss makes 2 models (one powered, the other not), Pedal Train (very popular here) makes a few models also.

Hope this helps for starters.

Hope this helps.

Bassmike62 · #3 12-12-2010, 06:40 AM

http://www.ovnilab.com/faq.shtml

almost forgot about compressors. Here's a link from fellow TBer Bongomania. He's the resident expert and has built a few pages (!) on the issue. Read on.

RickenBoogie · #4 12-12-2010, 07:37 AM

If you want to learn, spend a few hours reading through the effects forum. Alot. It'll be a great stsrt.

dalconthenovice · #5 12-12-2010, 12:23 PM

i don't really play any genre exclusively, but heres what my style emphasizes
i'm very intune rhythmically with the pocket of the groove, i can't slap very well ironically though, and i spend my time emphasizing the harmony and trying to "fill the song"

and it sounds like its a good idea to just base my opinion on my own opinion

and i heard "dirt" "filter" "compressor" are these different types of pedals? are there TYPES?

Moe45673 · #6 12-12-2010, 12:28 PM

Dirt is overdrive, distortion, or fuzz. A bit of overdrive is sometimes called "hair" or similar, as in "My clean signal has a bit of hair on it".

Filter is a sweep through or highlight of a certain band of frequencies (ie, "filtering" or emphasizing certain frequencies over others). A wah pedal is a type of filter pedal. Here are some extreme examples of envelope filtering:
http://www.digitech.com/flash/BassSynthWahDemo.php
Filters are either manually controlled, like a wah, or they have a sensitivity knob that you set to really kick in the filter when you hit the string harder (ie, it responds to your playing dynamics).

Compressors are, mainly, a type of processing done to even out the various levels or peaks in your tone. So rather than having some notes get lost in the mix and some notes unpleasantly overpower the band, a good and tastefully set comp will tame those notes, bringing up the quieter notes and lowering the louder ones, all without affecting your intended dynamics. A Limiter is similar, only it won't touch your quieter notes, simply tame the louder ones (bassists prefer Limiters as they don't usually get lost in the mix due to dynamics).

dalconthenovice · #7 12-12-2010, 12:39 PM

compressors sound awesome as hell! got a recommendation for one? and whats your personal favorite "dirt" pedal?

Moe45673 · #8 12-12-2010, 12:42 PM

Yeah. For bass, without a doubt, the Diamond Bass Compressor:

http://www.diamondpedals.com/product...ompressor.html

http://www.ovnilab.com/reviews/diamobass.shtml

Most compressors have a bunch of knobs that you really need knowledge of compression to dial it in tastefully..... Whole articles have been written on how to use compression and books have been written on how not to.

This one has three knobs. Volume, Tone, and Comp. Not only is it a top quality transparent compressor, but it's all but idiot-proof

Rule #1 with compression: less is more. In other words, you should not know your compressor is on until you shut it off. Thereby a compressor should not be used to mask bad technique.... it will just sound unnatural. Like autotune, it's there for competent musicians who need a subtle nudge here and there.

blastjv · #9 12-13-2010, 08:52 AM

Honestly, for someone looking to get into trying effect who knows almost nothing about them (no shame it that we've all been there and we're all still learning), it might be your best bet to grab a multi-effect pedal on Craiglist for $50 or less. It will probably not be the BEST at anything, but will give you a taste of many different types and combinations of effects to get you thinking about what you like and don't like and what you'd actually USE.

Then you can start to learn more about those types of effects and which ones would best fit your needs.

-JV