How should I arrange the pedals on my board?
 

Hey everyone on TalkBass!

There are those who say "there's no such thing as a stupid question;" so, here it goes..! :confused:

Though, I've played bass for many years; it's only recently that I've dabbled in various effects. That said, I'm a complete novice in this department; and, I was hoping the good folks within this forum could help me determine the best way to arrange/order the pedals I currently have in my arsenal.

I'd like to get these fixed to a pedalboard; so I don't have to keep wasting 15 minutes of rehearsal time getting things set up!

Here's what I have:

BOSS Flanger (BF-3)
BOSS Bass Chorus (CEB-3)
BOSS Digital Reverb/Delay (RV-3)
EBS Octabass
EBS Multi-Comp
DigiTech Bass Syth Wah/Bass Envelope Filter
Xotic Effects BB Bass Preamp
Electro-Harmonix LPB-1 Booster

Admittedly, I'm not even sure how to best make use of some of one or two of these (the EBS Multi-Comp, for example); but, every one of them certainly serves a purpose.

Can you help me?!?

Thanks (in advance) for all your wonderful advice!

Respectfully,

~G.

Okay... I read some of the Effects Forum Intro/FAQ material, and...
 

...here's my first attempt at a proper order:

Bass to...

Snark Stage/Studio tuner, to...

DigiTech Synth Wah/Envelope Filter, to...

EBS Multi-Comp, to...

Xotic BB Bass Preamp, to...

EBS Octabass, to...

BOSS Flanger (BF-3), to...

BOSS Bass Chorus (CEB-3), to...

Electro-Harmonix LPB-1, to...

BOSS Digital Reverb/Delay (RV-3)

So, what do you think?

Please let me know... and, thanks again!

~G

There is no definite answer to your question, but here's what I would do:

EBS Multi-Comp
EBS Octabass
Electro-Harmonix LPB-1 Booster
Xotic Effects BB Bass Preamp
DigiTech Bass Syth Wah/Bass Envelope Filter
BOSS Flanger (BF-3)
BOSS Bass Chorus (CEB-3)
BOSS Digital Reverb/Delay (RV-3)

Stuff like the MultiComp and the LPB-1 can serve totally different purposes depending where you put them in the chain. Try to mix it up a little and experiment, it's the best way to discover what your pedals can do and what works for your sound.

I'd also experiment a lot, but would start with this^^^^, except I'd have the BSW between the comp and octabass. Out of curiosity, I'd give the XOtic a shot at last place in the chain.

Here's what I'd do:

Bass to:

EBS Multi-Comp
EBS Octabass
DigiTech Bass Syth Wah/Bass Envelope Filter
Xotic Effects BB Bass Preamp
BOSS Flanger (BF-3)
BOSS Bass Chorus (CEB-3)
BOSS Digital Reverb/Delay (RV-3)
Electro-Harmonix LPB-1 Booster

To the amp.

Just what I'd do, not necessarily correct.

I respectfully disagree with placing the compressor anywhere before the envelope filter. The envelope filter is activated based on the dynamics of your playing (i.e., the harder you pluck the string, the more pronounced the effect). The compressor, on the other hand, is specifically designed to smooth out the dynamics of the signal to minimize potential clipping at the preamp/amp and generally "fatten" the sound.
As a result, placing the compressor before the filter potentially limits the range of sounds you'll be able to get out of the filter by squishing the signal before it ever gets there.
That said, trust your ears and experiment. There is no right or wrong.

^^And this is why a compressor can serve different purposes.

Putting it before an octaver helps improve tracking, but it dampens the dynamics that trigger the BSW.

Putting it after the BSW puts a lid on the filter peaks and gives the filter dynamics as much as possible to work with.

It really depends on what works best for you. Have fun!