Help me with harmonics!

[DanEly]

Right I play a fair bit oh harmonics when I play and I just can't them them loud enough to be heard when Im playing. Is there anything like a effect that increases the volume of the harmonic? I was thinking about a volume pedal but I just want to be able to boost the vol and not have to revert it back to the same position. I hope some one can help, Dan.

[tangentmusic]

Do you use a pick to strike the harmonic? How's your regular treble settings?
If you play fingerstyle, your harmonic may not ring out as brightly as with a pick.
If you mostly play fingerstyle, try a thumbpick, so you'll have it at the ready for the the harmonic strike. Or boost your treb on your amp, and full up on the instrument.
What type strings are you using? Some are brighter than others.
What type bass do you use? Pick-ups can make a diff.. like say a P bass vs a Jazz bass. Just my.02

[R. Laevinus]

Sounds like you need a compressor.

[DanEly]

I play them finger style and with a pick, norm finger. My treble is normally quite high within my sound and boosting it any more would really sound well, a bit pants. I tried using a compressor but I don't like the way it does not let me dig in. cheers for your help though.

[mynameisjack2]

Originally Posted by R. Laevinus

Sounds like you need a compressor.

+1

Also, with the right settings and a good compressor you can get some really good harmonics in without altering you sound much at all.

[n3vo]

its all technique, playing more towards the bridge will be better, also striking harder, watch jaco play and you will know what im talking about.

[DanEly]

Could you suggest a compressor that will do what I want? I would prefer a rack mount one really. Cheers for your help.

[Jazz Ad]

Boost hi mids, if that's not enough use a compressor. No need to play harder to get harmonics out.

[ga_edwards]

EQ and compressor as mentioned. Also, a little light overdrive (like a Tube Screamer on low gain) can work wonders for bringing out harmonics.

[Bish42]

Make sure your bass is setup properly too. If the intonation is out you're gonna struggle with harmonics.

But I agree with Hi-Mids too. I find my Tech 21 VT pedal with the mids boosted and character at noon or lower can bring my harmonics out nicely.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by n3vo

its all technique, playing more towards the bridge will be better, also striking harder, watch jaco play and you will know what im talking about.

There is one thing that makes harmonics ring out :

ACCURACY!!

So the harmonics don't correspond to frets - they are all about exactly subdividing the working string length.

Left hand precision is the key!

[DanEly]

My bass is set up very well! so the set up is not a problem. I can play them quite well (Im my eyes any way). I just want to hear them live and get the over the mix more, they just generally seem to be quite compared to me playing.

[joelb79]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

Boost hi mids, if that's not enough use a compressor. No need to play harder to get harmonics out.

+1 I use them a lot. I want to add that a distortion like the VT Bass has made them stand out even more for me, but this is basically accomplishing harmonic overtones and further compression.

[Dirk Diggler]

Try a chorus effect, they always make the harmonics shimmer nicely.
Dirk

[Hippos Melas]

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

Try a chorus effect, they always make the harmonics shimmer nicely.
Dirk

+1, I use a CEB-3 with the low pass filter all the way to the left so it doesn't apply a chorus to all of my effect, but just the harmonics. A fairly medium rate and depth get me nice shimmering harmonics.

Also, +1 to whoever made the comment about harmonics being in the high mids, NOT the treble.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by DanEly

My bass is set up very well! so the set up is not a problem. I can play them quite well (Im my eyes any way). I just want to hear them live and get the over the mix more, they just generally seem to be quite compared to me playing.

As I was saying - it is all about accuracy of your left hand - and it is not about looking at frets, but rather subdividing working string length. If you do this - then harmonics chime and stand out.

If you are inaccurate - then harmonics "choke" and sound quieter.

[namraj]

Select the bridge pick up, boost high mids and treble, play near the bridge if that doesn't make them crisp and loud, a compressor will help but really you should work on your technique.