help a newby use effects

[nboyer941]

I've been playing for a few years now. I have always wanted to be able to change up my sound for different parts of songs. I have a good deal of effects, but I have always had a hard time finding the right time and place and making them fit in and sound good. Does anyone have any advice?

Maybe give some examples of rock cover songs where you would use a certain effect, and explain your reasoning or something?

My effects:
bif muff (bass version)
bass auto q
EHX micro pog (octave pedal)
digitech overdrive
mxr80 distortion
digitech chorus

any help?

[RickenBoogie]

Just play. Use the effects wherever, and whenever you like. There are no rules.

[jrmy]

Try to think in terms of dynamic shifts, and how all of the instruments in the song relate. Is it time for the chorus to go huge? Kick on the fuzz! Is the guitar player off in solo-land, and you need to fill up extra space? Kick on the fuzz! Is your amp on? Kick on the... oh, wait - sorry. Got carried away.

Seriously, though - play with your pedals on your own. Listen to what they do to the timbre of your instrument. Think about how it relates to the band as a whole. Insert effect accordingly.

Or just turn them all on at once and have yourself a good time!

[The Lurker]

A really slow torch-singer style ballad is the perfect occasion for insane fuzz.

[nboyer941]

Example of what I would like to see:
sweet child of mine intro: chorus pedal
for whom the bell tolls: distortion and chorus?


Maybe I can find a youtube link of someone using effects benneficially.

*note, the bands I am are a trio. Actually, that is why I am more interested in this topic. I want to fill up space and thicken our sound.

[Wootie]

Originally Posted by nboyer941

Example of what I would like to see:
sweet child of mine intro: chorus pedal
for whom the bell tolls: distortion and chorus?


Maybe I can find a youtube link of someone using effects benneficially.

*note, the bands I am are a trio. Actually, that is why I am more interested in this topic. I want to fill up space and thicken our sound.

-digitech overdrive
A little bit of overdrive is very useful if you want to "fatten" your sound. Would be first in my chain (right after the tuner and compressor). I use a Sansamp BDDI an i actually don't need the on/off switch.

-bif muff (bass version)
Gives a nice sustain and kinda "over the top" dist. I'd use this for more heavy parts and maybe while the geetarguy is soloing to add some room to the sound and do some rhythm-guitar stuff.

-bass auto q
Always on when you do the FUNK!©
Might also help you with "static" parts to make the whole thing more interesting. Useful for crazy Slapping also!

-EHX micro pog (octave pedal)
Creates a nice base for Band situations. Use this with care, it's pretty easy to mess up the whole sound with those babies. (bassswamp incoming!)

-mxr80 distortion
see: bigmuff

-digitech chorus
Another "always on" pedal in my opinion. Adds some room to the bass. As with the octaver: don't overdo it unless you want to go crazy or you play in a doom- or shoegaze band.


Examples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEh5yS0ZjJE (phat as hell!)
Overdrive, Compressor and a little Octave maybe. (Warning!: Ampeg in Use!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOR0hUIGb4Y
Drive/Distortion, Octave, Compression

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km7aItGwz0I
Autowah/Envelope Filter, Compressor, Funkpower!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXOnhzoC-i8
Chorus, Chorus, Compressor and Chorus...

Greez from Austria!
Wootie

Edit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qUfM...eature=related
Actually everything you possibly could plug a bass into...
Compressor, Overdrive, Fuzz(!!!), more Fuzz, Delay, Reverb, Funkpower!, Harmonizer/Whammy/***?, Envelope Filter,...

[nboyer941]

thanks guys

[nboyer941]

I experimented with my band tonight by using a lot of different effects. it has occurred to me that it does not matter what the effect sounds like when you're by yourself. It matters how it makes the entire mix of your band sound while you are playing live.

would you agree?

[champbassist]

Originally Posted by nboyer941

I experimented with my band tonight by using a lot of different effects. it has occurred to me that it does not matter what the effect sounds like when you're by yourself. It matters how it makes the entire mix of your band sound while you are playing live.

would you agree?

You hit the nail RIGHT ON THE HEAD. There are tons of examples, many here on TB itself where guys amuse themselves with lovely effects playing by themselves and they get totally screwed up once they try to do that with the band.

A prime example would be delay/reverb;they can sound amazing on their own, but, if not used diligently, they can get totally lost in the mix.

[cheapbasslovin]

Originally Posted by nboyer941

I experimented with my band tonight by using a lot of different effects. it has occurred to me that it does not matter what the effect sounds like when you're by yourself. It matters how it makes the entire mix of your band sound while you are playing live.

would you agree?

An astute assessment.

[nboyer941]

ahh, good. Things are still clicking for me. I guess I just need to keep experimenting at practice.