I have no idea if this kind of effect exists but,

Knixx · #1 07-08-2008, 08:22 PM

is there a effect that increases the low end output? I'm using a guitar pedal and it sucks a lot of the low end out but I really like the tone and if I increase the low on it the tone just isn't the same. Thanks

kingofthestring · #2 07-08-2008, 08:24 PM

all you would need is a blender pedal.

jayarroz · #3 07-08-2008, 08:24 PM

I run into this issue on playing the Upright through effects. If you add the effects to your effects loop, you will keep your original bottom end.

SpankyPants · #4 07-08-2008, 10:05 PM

That will only work if your effect loop is run at instrument level, and it may cause some changes in the response of certain gain effects, like fuzz.

bongomania · #5 07-08-2008, 10:06 PM

A blender loop (search here on "blender" for more details; popular brands include Barge, Xotic, Radial, and the Boss LS-2).

Trevorus · #6 07-08-2008, 10:09 PM

Or, if you want to use equalization, you can use an EQ pedal, a BBE Sonic Stomp, or mod the pedal to be more bass friendly...

bongomania · #7 07-08-2008, 10:10 PM

Modding works if you know how to do it. EQ and "maximizers" do not work for this purpose IMO.

jayarroz · #8 07-08-2008, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpankyPants

That will only work if your effect loop is run at instrument level, and it may cause some changes in the response of certain gain effects, like fuzz.

yes I totally agree, I have to crank all my knobs on the pedals up a lot when using the loop. But I don't lose my original sound though, with pedals its always some king of trade off! They actually work totally different through the loop, but I like them better that way.

SpankyPants · #9 07-08-2008, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Modding works if you know how to do it. EQ and "maximizers" do not work for this purpose IMO.

+1

It kills me when people just add a TON of bass to compensate. You're trying to stretch the weakest frequencies to correct your sound?

Lately, I've become more and more simple-minded when it comes to pedals. I used to want all of the knobs I could get, but I think that's because I wasn't quite sure of the sound I really wanted. Now I know the sound I want, and I seek the appropriate pedals. I don't think that you should by a pedal to fix another pedal (like an EQ for a distortion). I've even fallen out of the "blend pedal" crowd. I don't think that a blend will make everything sound better, and in the occasion that it would, I'd prefer to have the pedal modded than to make space for a new pedal and another footswitch.

If you're not happy with your tone, get a new rig - not some cheap "expander" or "smart filter" pedal. If your pedal is noisy, find one that isn't rather than adding a noise suppressant. If your distortion loses lows, find a new one that doesn't.

I know what I'm looking for (in most situations), and I don't see the need to compromise or over complicate the process.

Sorry if that was a bit of a rant.

thefruitfarmer · #10 07-09-2008, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knixx

I'm using a guitar pedal and it sucks a lot of the low end out but I really like the tone and if I increase the low on it the tone just isn't the same. Thanks

Is anyone splitting the signal from the bass and running a feed to the bass amp (via effects if necessary) and another feed, via the tone sucking effects, to a second amp?

Would this be a viable alternative to a blend pedal?...?

bongomania · #11 07-09-2008, 09:07 AM

Yeah, lots of people do that, especially touring musicians who have roadies.

basslyon · #12 07-09-2008, 09:16 AM

tim commerford and geddy lee among them.

The other option is a valve based distortion pedal such as a ebs valvedrive or budda phatbass.

Ashdown also have a pedal which only distorts the midrange but i've heard mixed reviews

JanusZarate · #13 07-09-2008, 09:57 AM

As Bongo and Spanky have emphasized, a simple EQ boost (whether by pedal or amp or bass) won't make up for what was lost - it'll just boost the frequencies that are still there, and it won't sound right.

A blend loop pedal (or "blender") is the solution - it'll blend your dry bass signal with the distortion pedal and allow you to keep your original low end.

The concept is similar to bi-amping, but without all the extra gear.

Of course, you COULD use a Y-box and run a second rig just for your distortion pedal if you'd like. It actually would work better, but you probably can't afford the extra rig or the roadie at the moment. Or, if you're like me, you have no room left in your car for that kind of stuff.

Out of curiosity... what IS the distortion pedal you're using? There might be a similar-sounding pedal built for bass that you could use instead.