Good effect to simply ENHANCE tone.

Lonnybass · #1 02-12-2008, 08:06 PM

I have a wonderful Alembic F-1x preamp rackmounted with a parametric EQ and the big Stewart 2.1. It sounds positively awesome - I have used this rig steadily for the last 5+ years and love the punch, warmth and clarity.

I'm looking to add something to the signal chain that gives a little extra character to the already tasty F-1x. We're talking a SUBTLE enhancement...perhaps something that gives a little delay/reverb, a little "ambience," a little additional flavor to make my sound unique.

Please keep in mind I am generally not a very big effects user and generally prefer to rely upon the different sounds of my various instruments for tone changes. I've had fun playing around with flangers and Big Muffs and wahs and some of the other stuff in the past, but can't see myself looking to stuff like that for more than occasional experimenting - I'm looking for a more constant addition.

Also please note that the Alembic F-1x is a great tube preamp...what I don't want to do is compromise any of its warmth and punch with a sub-par pedal that takes anything away!

Looking forward to your ideas.

Lonnybass

coolrunner989 · #2 02-12-2008, 08:07 PM

Electronix Submarine?

Planet Boulder · #3 02-12-2008, 08:48 PM

Aphex Exciter

bongomania · #4 02-12-2008, 09:33 PM

I'd recommend a chorus, specifically the TC Electronic one because it excels at tasteful enhancement instead of swirly cheesiness like some choruses, and a compressor. The comp pedal I like most for "tonal enhancement" right now is the T-Rex Comp Nova. I'd also recommend you look into blender pedals, as they allow you to blend just a smidge of any effect into your clean bass, making even the wildest of pedals able to be a tasteful enhancer of your general tone.

diechris · #5 02-12-2008, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolrunner989

Electronix Submarine?

+1 on this one!

Trevorus · #6 02-12-2008, 09:53 PM

Chorus. Try it. Seriously.

false404 · #7 02-12-2008, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

I'd also recommend you look into blender pedals, as they allow you to blend just a smidge of any effect into your clean bass, making even the wildest of pedals able to be a tasteful enhancer of your general tone.

That's a cool idea to blend just a little bit of swooshy nonsense in to your clean tone.

wazzel · #8 02-12-2008, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

I'd recommend a chorus, specifically the TC Electronic one because it excels at tasteful enhancement instead of swirly cheesiness like some choruses, and a compressor. The comp pedal I like most for "tonal enhancement" right now is the T-Rex Comp Nova. I'd also recommend you look into blender pedals, as they allow you to blend just a smidge of any effect into your clean bass, making even the wildest of pedals able to be a tasteful enhancer of your general tone.

Is it compariable to the EBS multi comp? They are the same price. Would one be a better value over the other? I am compressor pedal shopping right now so input would be helpful. I have read your compressor review page already. Good stuff. I am not looking for heavy compression, just enhancement and tone smoothing.

bongomania · #9 02-12-2008, 11:05 PM

I'd say the EBS is more versatile but the Comp Nova has more "magic" tone.

wazzel · #10 02-13-2008, 07:51 AM

So does that mean either would be good for light compression. I'm not looking to heavily squish anything, not my style. I am going from a Alesis 3630 Dual-Channel Compressor/Limiter with Gate rack mount which I sold to go from rack, power amp, big enclosures, etc to a few pedals and a nice small combo amp.

jibreel · #11 02-13-2008, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

I'd say the EBS is more versatile but the Comp Nova has more "magic" tone.

So Bongo, you turned me on to the Compulator which I Love for my Turner basses. Great subtle compression and some fatness.

Do you think the Comp Nova would give me something the Compulator won't ?

Thanks as always.

ihateusernames · #12 02-13-2008, 09:15 AM

as stated, compressor and/or chorus. bongo guides in good directions with these.

bongomania · #13 02-13-2008, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jibreel

Do you think the Comp Nova would give me something the Compulator won't ?

I actually don't have a Compulator anymore to A/B them, and I really should do that before making any promises in that department. However based on my memory and my written notes, I think the Comp-Nova is a little "livelier" sounding in the highs and high mids.