good bass effects in a rock trio?

[GlassJaw]

Howdy all. I'm currently in the process of writing tunes for a rock trio (guitar/bass/drums - shared vocals). I have a few effects and while I'm not looking to build a massive pedal board, I'm wondering if there are any pedals anyone would recommend I take a look at that might be useful.

Currently I have an EHX English Muff'n. I pretty much keep the Muff'n on all the time - it's really defining my sound. I also have an EBS UniChorus and EBS Octabass.

For this project, I'm pretty much only using a MIA Precision with a pick 90% of the time. Style is alt-rock/Brit-pop.

Any thoughts on other pedals that might be good at filling space in a trio or at least bringing some new sounds to the mix?

Thanks!

[casio]

well...my band has one guitar, drums, bass and vocals.
I use a similar setup as you (without the octaver, although i would like one)!
but, I also use a wah, which I would reccomend!
it always helps to adjust the q level and fill the room up with some oomph in situations like that!
other than that, a chorus and distortion/drive/fuzz (whichever makes you happy), I dont see many things necessary!
I mean, GAS is terminal, but hey, you can get by with this, Im sure

[TaySte_2000]

One or more of the following

EHX POG
EHX HOG
Digitech Whammy 4
Akai Unibass
Digitech BSW or Dod Octoplus or Boss OC-2 or Foxrox Octron1/2 or Boss OC-3, EBS Octobass or basically any decent ish Octaver. BSW and Octoplus are my favs

[RickenBoogie]

Envelope filter, like a Qtron, or an envelope phaser, like the Ehx Polyphase, or Pigtronix EP-1. Once you get into that, there's no turning back. They sound extra yummy after an overdrive, like your Muffin.

[EricF]

Generally speaking, that style of music doesn't use a lot of effects-heavy bass, and what you are currently using would cover it. However, the specific needs of YOUR music will determine what effects to use. If you're looking to experiment, anything goes.

[GlassJaw]

Originally Posted by EricF

However, the specific needs of YOUR music will determine what effects to use. If you're looking to experiment, anything goes.

Hmm, I've found that sometimes a specific sound/effect will influence my writing!

Good stuff so far guys - thanks.

[EricF]

Originally Posted by GlassJaw

Hmm, I've found that sometimes a specific sound/effect will influence my writing!

Absolutely. Effects CAN be as much a part of music as the instrument itself. Sometimes a particular sound will open up a new creative pathway, or convey a particular emotion, that migh not have been possible without that effect.

[Swimming Bird]

A flanger would sound good. Also, a fuzz pedal might come in handy so long as you kept the lows in.

[assboglin]

I personally would be wanting some overdrive or fuzz in any kind of three piece rock situation, as you will probably be needing to fill some sonic space. There are a lot of other options for filling sonic space, but I find overdrive or fuzz to be the most applicable. Besides that it's all about what kinds of effects are part of your personality on your instrument and what effects suit your songwriting. I would say you've got your bases pretty well covered with what you've got.

[Zappstorius]

I'm in a 3 piece band also, and I think sky's the limit as far as effects go...it's about finding out what sounds you like (or might like) and figuring out pedals to go along with it. IMO it really helps with writing music.

I'd suggest checking out a: flanger, envelope filter, wah, maybe even a tremelo (next on my list) pedal. Good luck!

[Fernando F]

www.myspace.com/rockintrio

I use an envelope filter (Micro Qtron or BSW), compressor (EBS multicomp), overdrive (Bass Driver or XOtic BB preamp) and a loop with a Bass chorus and Boss DD-3, that´s all I need!

[Fishbrain]

I'm in a prog/experimental rock/metal trio. I use a behringer distortion (which im looking to upgrade) and a boss dd-6 delay. I've just bought a compressor a chorus (mainly because I've just bought a fretless!!) and I've just bought a nano small stone too. I try to keep my bass sound as clean as possible though just using the effects, well, for effect :P

it doesn't help that our guitarist has got a pedal board that looks like mission control and uses it a lot so there isn't much room for me to be messing around with effects.

[GlassJaw]

Lots of good ideas in here. I've been reading up and listening to a bunch of clips of the EHX Micro Bass Synth. Definitely might look into getting one of those. Sounds incredibly versatile.

[KromaatiKlauun]

I play in a punk/post-punk trio and I use the following:

bass -> NS-2 ->(send)Blue Box ->MT-2->ODB-3->TS-9(return)->GEB-7->CEB-3-BF-3->amp

And it's pretty possible that I add the rest of my pedals.

Cheers

[The BurgerMeister]

overdrive and octaver were the first things i thought of. for an octaver, i like the POG or Micro POG because they track perfectly and offer upper octaves as well as an octave below. when i was in a trio, the POG, some light drive, and a nice and punchy amp really helped fill up the space.

apart from that... what EricF said.

[bigchiefbc]

Originally Posted by jetpackbassist

overdrive and octaver were the first things i thought of. for an octaver, i like the POG or Micro POG because they track perfectly and offer upper octaves as well as an octave below. when i was in a trio, the POG, some light drive, and a nice and punchy amp really helped fill up the space.

there will a POG showing up in the for sale section very soon . . .

[one]

Personally in a rock trio, i'd keep it with tube grit or a clean signal.

I don't think the effects forum is the place to say this though


Unless you want to be like Muse...if so, Fuzz,filters,Synth,distortion all the way!

[GlassJaw]

Originally Posted by bigchiefbc

there will a POG showing up in the for sale section very soon . . .

I'll be on the lookout...