Help building a pedalboard

[havik180]

I find myself trying to learn more songs with effected basslines and they sound lame without the effects. I'd like to build a board that is useable and not just a copy of some superstar bassist.

My problem is that I don't know the first thing about putting one together ! Can you guys help me out ? I need some step by step stuff here. I need an actual board right ? A power conditioner ? What dictates which pedal goes before or after another ?

I'm clueless, help !

Rich

[gnasher1993]

My advice?

Be warned...it's addictive .

Have a read through the FAQ here.

Look through the 'post your pedalboard' threads. There's lots of great ideas in there.

What kind of music do you want to play? Have you heard any sounds that you like and want to recreate/adapt to fit into your band?

[VisualShock]

At a rough guess I'd say you'll want a distortion in there somehwere. A thousand threads conclude a thousand answers for which. You could find use from a wah-pedal, I personally recomend the Cry Baby, but that's just me. I also finish my pedal chain with a compressor left on all the time, and a tuner, which also serves as a mute.

Make of that what you will.

Mike

[Bassmike62]

Effects have nothing to do with need....it's all want !!! And it is an addiction, as Gnasher says... Let's assume your going pedal as opposed to rackmount.

You're gonna need utilities: a tuner (Boss or Pitchblack get the votes around here), a decent compressor (EBS Multi Comp, Digitech Bass Squeeze, etc... There's a few good threads on the site, help yourself with the search functions. Stickies are a good place to start). Noise suppressor is useful if you have noiisy pedals, you can use the effect loop (the noise gate is in there somewhere...).

Dirt ? Tech 21 VT Bass, EHX Big muff for Bass, SansAmp's various Bass drivers.

Modulation: Chorus, Flanger are usually mentionned.

Pitch bends: Octave (check out the MXR m288 BOD), Boss OC-2

Enveloppe filters: bass wahs (Cry Baby Bass q105) Q pedals such as the EBS Bass IQ, or gadgets like the EHX Bassballs... again, a little search on this site will keep you busy for awhile !

Ambiance : reverb ? not a fan myself (for bass), I go more for delay.

But by sticking around, you'll find out ab out the real wild stuff like Mutrons, Grannypukers, Swollen Pickles and other french fried stuff.

And another thing: when you get pedals, you start tinkering about the order of said pedals... another addiction.

Don't thank me. You'll probably hate me for helping you.

[Bootzilla]

I'd start with some nice fuzz (www.bassfuzz.com)

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by havik180

I need an actual board right?

That depends,....do you plan on gigging a lot? Some people just keep there effects strewn about which honestly,...if you are in the experimenting with your signal chain phase is fine,...but having a board is handy for keeping everything organized and easily transportable.

A power conditioner?

A power conditioner? No. A power supply (there are others than the one linked) and a descent power strip yes. If your pedals aren't on a board then you could feasibly get away with using batteries,...just make sure you disconnect everything when not in use. Honestly though even a daisy chain like the 1spot will save you money in batteries in the long run and it can power a few 9v effects just fine. Use a power strip and wall warts for the effects with whacky voltages.

What dictates which pedal goes before or after another?

A lot of personal preference. There are some rules of thumb that are laid out in the FAQ in the sticky at the top of the page. Honestly I don't know what most of them are or I'd tell you. What I do know is that you want to avoid putting compression in front of Dynamics control FX like Envelope Filters

I'm clueless, help !

Rich

Someone pointed out in another thread the a bass forum was "not exactly a fountain of knowledge". That's rubbish. I stand behind TBFX as a great resource. As Gnash pointed out there is a ton of information to be gleaned from this site. Just do a search.

Lastly consider checking out a good inexpensice multiFX pedal if you are unsure of what you want and what you can use. This is the general answer for FX noobs but you will be able to familiarize yourself with what effects produce what sounds. From there; if you wish, you can move onto stompboxes with a little more confidence.

[fivestringgecko]

All the posts so far have had some good suggestions.

I'll echo Warwick in suggesting a Multi-effects pedal. It's the best way to get into effects and learn what everything does. You can find out what you like or don't like and then if you feel the need, you can get into single effects.

Like others have warned though... it's addictive! I'm an envelope filter junkie, I now have 8 and am working on #9 (DOD FX25) and #10 (3Leaf Groove Regulator)... I'm suddenly into overdrives, got 2 last month... just bought my first custom pedal... built my own pedalboards, in several different iterations (I'm happy to answer questions, feel free to PM me)... It never ends!!!

lol

5sg.

[warwick.hoy]

I had to quit smoking cigarettes to support my FX habit.

[chicago_mike]

Hey Rich, welcome to the dungeon. I would do a simple 4 pedal board for starters.

Drive / boost, filter / wah, octaver, modulation. Nothing fancy here, but its a basic all around starter. What pedals you want however is upt to you. theres LOTS of info here and some real good youtube and audio demos too so its just up to what sound you like.

Have fun.

[Mingus Addict]

Originally Posted by havik180

I find myself trying to learn more songs with effected basslines and they sound lame without the effects. I'd like to build a board that is useable and not just a copy of some superstar bassist.

Everything we do in music is, to some degree, borrowed from those that came before us. Creating your own style comes from melding different things that you pick up and discover along the way. The same goes for building your pedalboard. If you hear a song with a distorted tone you like, search this forum and find out how to cop something similar. Maybe you'll borrow a filter tone you particularly like from another player. The combination of things that you end up with will hopefully be unique even if the individual parts are borrowed.

As for the details such as an actual board and power supplies, I would just start by finding a few choice pedals to get started and the rest will follow naturally.

[havik180]

Thanks for the replies !

What I need help with the most is setting up the board not so much what effects I should get. I don't know how to put one together (board , power supply , cable to hook them up , etc...). I would like to get an actual board because I don't like clutter . As far as music I mostly play rock (hard rock (old and new), metal , alternative) , funk(ish) , whatever catches my ear.

Anyways thanks for the help , merry christmas and happy holidays

Rich

[gnasher1993]

What effects do you have in mind? If you have an idea of that we can help you with the order.

In terms of a board, what is it you want? A huge arsenal of sounds or a portable setup of essentials that you will use alot?

As for power supply, at this point it's fairly safe to assume that most of your pedals will run on (centre negative) 9v. However, don't try to work your pedals around the available power supply. Get something that sounds good and something you will use. Power supplys to look at: Voodoo Labs Pedal Power (2), T Rex Fuel Tank (and Jr.), Modtone Power Plant.

Cables...there's quite a few options. George L cables seem to be popular, as do Lava cables. These are both solder-less, make your own kits so you can have the exact length you need.

In terms of types of effects, I think you would be pretty well covered with:

Tuner
Octave
Envelope Filter (and/or wah)
Compressor
Overdrive
Fuzz
Some kind of modulation (chorus/flanger)
Delay

If they were all reasonable sizes (1290 or equivalent) you could fit them on a Pedaltrain Jr.

Originally Posted by havik180

Thanks for the replies !

What I need help with the most is setting up the board not so much what effects I should get. I don't know how to put one together (board , power supply , cable to hook them up , etc...). I would like to get an actual board because I don't like clutter . As far as music I mostly play rock (hard rock (old and new), metal , alternative) , funk(ish) , whatever catches my ear.

Anyways thanks for the help , merry christmas and happy holidays

Rich

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by havik180

Thanks for the replies !

What I need help with the most is setting up the board not so much what effects I should get. I don't know how to put one together (board , power supply , cable to hook them up , etc...). I would like to get an actual board because I don't like clutter . As far as music I mostly play rock (hard rock (old and new), metal , alternative) , funk(ish) , whatever catches my ear.

Anyways thanks for the help , merry christmas and happy holidays

Rich

Merry X-Mas to you as well.

There are lots of options here as well but honestly it will all depend on how big or small your pedal needs are. I'm not a fan of clutter myself so I started out with a relatively cheap Gator Pedal Tote that came with a power supply that can power 9v and 18v pedals,...anything else I can use a power strip and wall warts.

Unfortunately I'm progressing to the point that the Pedaltote is too small for my needs. It was great to figure out what I like and don't like about pedalboards but I need a bigger with some features that the pedal tote doesn't offer. With the Gator,...I don't like the back riser and I think I'd prefer the slatted design of the Pedaltrains. YMMV.

Power supplies are a means to an end. Come up with what you need in terms of voltage requirements and amperage. You'll find that most boss type pedals are 9v and have a current draw of 15-40 mA. Some of the more intense pedals can have a current draw of up to 200 mA and over. It may be hard to find that information but do your research.

Once you determine your needs you can figure out what sort of power supply you need. The Voodoo Labs PPII+ that I linked in my first reply will power just about anything you can throw at it,...but you may be able to get away with something smaller if you have a relatively simple pedal board.

The 1 spot may work for you if you have small pedalboard with consistent power requirements.

Also consider that Isolated power outputs can help to keep noise down. Cheaper power supplies may be nothing more than a glorified daisy chain (the 1 spot is a daisy chain) and the more expensive ones have Isolated outputs.

Hooking your pedals up is fairly straight forward. I like to use right angle cables and first started out with the cheap dimarzio 6 inch patches that are on the counter at Guitar Center and are like 4 bucks a pop. As my setup has been getting a little more complex I need more obscure lengths of cable,...and that's where either acquiring soldering skills and making your own,...or going with a solderless kit like George L's or Lava comes into play.

I have the tools to learn how to solder,...but no place to do it so I went with the George L's. They are pretty much idiot proof,...just don't over tighten the thumb screws. They are also very space saving and come in handy when you have to connect 3 sets of cables into one pedal ala the Boss LS-2. In this case even soldering your own cables won't help because standard right angle plugs can be bulky.

EDIT: Here is a semi-current pic of my setup to give you an Idea. The red cables are the George L's. I'm using a mixture of both George L's and the Dimarzios where I can get away with it. You can also see how I'm starting to outgrow the pedalboard.

[fivestringgecko]

The pedals on my boards have changed quite a bit since these pics, but I'm still using the boards themselves...

I got the cases at a local hardware store, the wood came from my brother who works at a custom cabinet company (but I've also found wood in the scrap bins at the hardware store for 50 cents each for large sheets). Add some velcro and a little ingenuity and voila! You've got yourself a board!

The back row of pedals is raise about 1 1/2" and a Dunlop power brick hides beneath the shelf.

Wood - free (or add $1 for the two previous sheets I bought)
Velcro - $18
Case - $25
--------------------------
Total - $43 for each boards

I originally had a Pedaltrain Pro, but man... that thing was just too friggin' big. I built these two boards for a more modular setup. It's REALLY flexible and I can switch stuff around based on need.

Recently I've gotten the bug to revamp (again! ) and thought about switching over to a 1-Spot Combo for power... maybe include space for the wah again or maybe the VP Jr. I just got.

I could sure post some current pics if you guys want. And like I said, I'm happy to pass on tips or answer questions. I'm certainly no expert, but have custom built myself 4 different boards now.

5sg.

The most current pic I've got...


Boards, cases, cables and pedals... oh my!


An all-envelope board, just for kicks!


Cables fit in nice with both boards, here's the smaller one


Ready to go!

[skepsis]

Hey Rich and everybody,

I got some cash for christmas, and along with a little from work, I've been able to put together 300 bucks. I know its not the ideal budget but being sixteen and having to save for a car, its what I could do. I'd like to put together a pedalboard to individualize my sound, And I'm looking to do some ambient looping eventually. And I was wondering what are the pros and cons of getting a few of the big name fx boxes(EHX, MXR) vs. having a good number of low budget pedals(Boss, Digitech). Which one will give me the most flexibility without sucking a ton of tone, because I know while some of the smaller are cheaper, they don't have the best sound quality. Ive already done quite a bit of research and I know that I want to go the individual fx route as opposed to a Multi unit. I thought I'd ask this here, as it might be a help to you Rich too.

Thanks...

p.s. I dont want to steal the thread or anything, just thought my question would contribute to the topic. Ill gladly start a new thread for this.

[blendermassacre]

I'm kind of in the same boat you are. I'm just getting into effects and I've already got the bug. Leave it to me to have two off the wall random no name boutique pedals as my first two. And I'm gassing for more, but before I go crazy on pedals, I'm getting a one spot ($32 bucks at GC). Not the best thing in the world, but for now it will work and the investment is minimal. also I'm going to get a pedal board before I end up with a huge mess of cables and pedals on my hands. I would suggest the same to you. rondomusic.com (home of sx basses) has some cheap pedal boards that come in cases on their site.

Thant being said, I think the problem with effects is that you'll never really know how they'll sound until you have them in your chain. Soundclips are helpfull, but rarely will you find your exact pedal combo in use in some other guy's soundclip. It's really all trial and error. I would suggest buying used so you don't loose a bunch of money in your trying to find the perfect tone.

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by blendermassacre

I would suggest buying used so you don't loose a bunch of money in your trying to find the perfect tone.

Used is definitely a good way to go. Most of the stuff on my board I've either picked up from the TB classifieds (highly recommended), or off of Craigslist. My OC-2 came off of ebay as well, which can be hit or miss. Come to think of it there is only one pedal that I bought new on my board (Supercollider) . Any of the pedals I bought used I can turn around and sell at a minimal of loss,...if any.

[skepsis]

Yeah, ive already searched Craigslist, and there seems not to be a whole lot in my area, which is the great thing about eBay. Ive been looking in the TB classifieds alot lately, and it looks like some pretty good deals. What I'm doing with my eBay account is watching any auctions with pedals under 100 bucks and just seeing where they end up to get a better idea of the values. Im finding that the Boss, Digitech, and DOD, are in my price range. I've heard too many bad reviews of the Behringers to go down that road. Also if I wanna go a little higher end but still stay in the range, EHX makes a nano series, I'm not too sure of the flexibility of these pedalseeing as most of them only have one pot and maybe a switch, but the reliability is definitely there with the brand name. Thanks for the heads up on the cases at Rondo, I was actually considering a fretless from them. Good to know because those Pedaltrains are ridiculous...

[fivestringgecko]

It seems like you guys are off to a great start getting into the single fx world! Buying used is a great way to find some sweet deals, for sure. EHX, MXR, Boss, Digitech, etc all make some great pedals (and some, uh, not so great ones, but that's all highly subjective. lol) and if you have an idea of what you want and are patient, you can find some great deals. Skepsis, your approach of watching everything in your price range is a good plan... you never know, you may even find a deal on something that might normally be out of your range.

The EHX Nano stuff seems hit or miss... A little research around TB will probably get you plenty of input. Example: the Nano Small Stone Phaser seems to get quite a bit of love (I have one and LOVE IT), but the Nano Clone seems to have a few complaints. I wouldn't worry so much about a pedal that only has one knob, either. Single effects are meant to do one thing, so they might not NEED more than one knob. The Nano Small Stone is a great example, the controls are PERFECT. I've had a Barge Concepts Grinder since it was released and I STILL want a Nano Bassballs too. lol Seven knobs & four switches can get complicated!

Sidenote: You've done research, so maybe you've already been there, but just in case... I've found Harmony Central to be another pretty good resource for effects reviews.

I don't see anything wrong with a 1-Spot for power either... they take up very little room and the combo pack can power 8 pedals I think? I'm currently running a couple Dunlop Power Bricks and am thinking about switching to 1-Spots when I revamp my boards.

As far as the board itself goes, with minimal effort, you can build your own board for pretty cheap. (see my previous post ) I'm a BIG proponent of building your own... sure it's a great way to save money, but you can build it EXACTLY the way you want it, rather than buying some prefab board that you "settle" for.

5sg.

[skepsis]

Yeah, I'm also a producer so I use Harmony Central to find specs on gear. Any recommendations whether it be brand or specific pedal would be greatly appreciated. I have a few quick questions if you don't mind...

1) Where would a DI Box go in my signal chain and what exactly is its purpose?

2)Why are octave pedals so expensive, from what I've seen on eBay, they're one of the types of effects with a higher value,
whats the deal?

3)Do I need a wah specifically for bass like a 105Q, or can I get something like a normal Vox Wah?

4)What is a One Spot? from my understanding, its a single plug with a daisy chained cord to power multiple pedals, this may be a good option to go with because some of the bricks can get pretty pricey.

Thanks in advance...