The "how should I chain this" question (and others)

Lowpro · #1 09-23-2010, 02:00 PM

So I've got a lot of effects in a chain and want to know how best to maximize the effects. My biggest problem for the moment is I have 3 active basses and one passive and it really screws up the sound to swap the basses: Let me tell you what I'm using and you'll see why.

First I go from bass -> Optostomp Compressor -> Bass Whammy -> Boss Bass EQ -> Guyatone BR2 -> Amp

From Amp's Effect's Loop:

Tonebender -> Small Clone -> Boss Reverb -> Boss Flanger -> Boss delay -> Sonic Stomp.

The issue is I use the EQ pedal to put a bit of boost through the BR2 because it doesn't wah well unless there's a good bit of oomph comin' through which the boost of the EQ helps with. However with my passive bass I can't even get much of any volume change from boosting with the EQ pedal; it just aint happenin.

Should I get a Boost pedal or something to keep the signal strong? I really have my Optostomp's volume cranked near max just because any less and the whole signal just dies

Swimming Bird · #2 09-23-2010, 02:22 PM

The Opto stomp can really kill your signal if you set the compression high. I would suggest leaving it off for now OR setting the comp low and using it as a boost for your passive bass.

Lowpro · #3 09-23-2010, 02:33 PM

Yea im fiddlin' with it still. Right now I've swapped the Optostomp to behind the Bass EQ, so it's whammy, EQ, Optostomp, Guyatone. Again for all my actives it works, for the passive the Vol drop is so low that I'm still maxxin' out the Bass EQ just to get the volume back up to par.

bassbrad · #4 09-23-2010, 02:59 PM

You will need to get some sort of preamp to get the passive bass up to the same leverl as the active basses. I use a Submarine to pump up the volume between my basses but you might also use one of the simpler gain boost pedals.

Lowpro · #5 09-23-2010, 03:21 PM

Like the Boosta Grande? (BBE pedal)

The Wrench · #6 09-24-2010, 06:15 AM

Try the xotic EP Boost. Its really small and sounds great to my ears...

**TheMutt** · #7 09-24-2010, 06:31 AM

I'd also say that it's probably that you have the compression level set too high on your OptoStomp which is killing your signal before it hits the BR2, making you need to boost it with the EQ.

If this is the case, you might try changing the settings on the OptoStomp, possibly bosting EQ instead on the active(s), moving the EQ to the front of the chain, and using it to compensate when using the passive bass.

somegeezer · #8 09-24-2010, 06:47 AM

I'd move EQ right to the front and compressor just before the amp. Try it yourself and see if it works for you.