Just getting back into bass, what are some "needed" effects?

[obihann]

So I'm picking up my bass again for the first time in a few years, and jamming once or twice a week with a few buddies from work. Years ago when I was a kid I would focus more on effects than technique and skill, but today I'm a bit smarter. Well, a bit smarter, because I do want to get a few good effects to mess around with.

Octave, chorus, expander, bass booster, they all "sound" cool but I can't really decide what would be the "first 3" pedals to get.

My logic is that if I'm going to buy 3, I should buy 2 that I will use a lot, and one that will be "fun". That leads me to wanting a compressor, either a bass booster or a expander and something fun like either a octave or a chorus.

Any opinions on what type of pedals, or even what models/brands would be greatly appreciated.

[johnnybass01]

all I ever use is a chorus , compressor limiter, and a sansamp DI , it is all I really need

[naruki]

Fuzz. Yes. No you shut up dont tell me to shut up D:

[obihann]

Wow, two replies already, thanks guys!

What do you use the DI for, to emulate a tube amp?

I definitely don't think I will be adding a fuzz or any distortion to my effects chain any time soon, I've never been a big fan of that effect on bass. i do actually own a EHX bass balls, which I use very little.

Do you use your chorus "all the time" or just for a few songs here and there? If it is something I might use for almost every song than I may look at getting it instead of the octave, which I don't expect to use a lot.

I also really like the idea of the expander, but I'm not sure if it is something I would use all the time as it acts the opposite of the the compressor. Do you think a bass booster would be used much?

[wumusic]

Originally Posted by johnnybass01

all I ever use is a chorus , compressor limiter, and a sansamp DI , it is all I really need

+1 to this except I have never used a compressor. I also have the Sansamp programmable DI and have my overdrive tones set in that.

[chaosmic]

Fuzz (Hoof, Musket, Supercollider, Battering Ram), phaser (Psilocybe) and filter (Groove Regulator) are my 3 favorites and the types of effects I use the most.

I just scored a nice delay (Ekko 616) that I'm having a lot of fun with as well.

All of these work great when combined to create some far out sounds. Sometimes effects really help motivate me to practice as well as inspire me to write basslines that I may not have written with just my dry sound...

[NoiseNinja]

Since you don't like fuzz, which would be my first suggestion, I would buy a phaser as the third pedal.

[obihann]

To be honest I've never given fuzz on bass a listen. I've ran my bass through my metal zone and my super overdrive and was never a big fan, but I do have a Hendrix fuzz my guitarist doesn't even have in the lineup, so I may have to give it another try.

After looking at some phaser videos on youtube I have to admit it is a cool sound, but it sounds a lot like a chorus... Am I crazy?

[fourstringdrums]

Let me be the first to say that you don't NEED effects :-)

But for me, I'd have (which I don't since I just got back into it myself), some sort of overdrive, envelope filter and compression.

[obihann]

Since everybody is suggesting fuzz/overdrive/distortion, I have to ask. Does anybody use that realistically outside of metal?

[obihann]

Originally Posted by fourstringdrums

Let me be the first to say that you don't NEED effects :-)

But for me, I'd have (which I don't since I just got back into it myself), some sort of overdrive, envelope filter and compression.

At least I already have the envelope filter (EHX Bassballs)!

[Matt Dean]

I do... I play in a band that does late 20th century rock with a twang and a punk rock undertow. And I use distortion a fair amount. I also play in a dub/electronica band where I do synchy parts using a fuzz into a filter.

Since you're just starting out again, I recommend getting an inexpensive multi and just try different effects sounds out before investing in more expensive pedals.

[fourstringdrums]

Originally Posted by obihann

At least I already have the envelope filter (EHX Bassballs)!

That's a great one but some would argue it's not a true envelope filter and more of a one trick-pony envelope "type" filter.

Overdrive is very useful for just getting a subtle warmth into your tone.

[obihann]

I don't like the idea of buying a cheap multi. When I played back in high school I bought tons of pedals (no cost of living lol) and was always turned away by the cheap digital things. The more expensive boards like the me50b look nice but cost the same as a few pedals.

I think I'm going to get the compressor to go with the compressor, chorus, and I will steal a box from the guitarist for distortion (since I own the pedals anyways). If I get a third I'm still not sure what it will be, but I'm still thinking a expander.

This would give me

compressor -> expander -> distortion of some type (probably fuzz or super overdrive) -> envelope filter (ehx bassballs)

[Blackbird]

Originally Posted by fourstringdrums

Let me be the first to say that you don't NEED effects :-)

But for me, I'd have (which I don't since I just got back into it myself), some sort of overdrive, envelope filter and compression.

Agreed.

One thing I liked about bass that made me pick it over the electric guitar was that the bass more often than not has the same fundamental sound regardless of the musical style, whereas with guitar, more often than not, the sound needs to be tweaked with one effect or another to make it fit within a style. I guess you could say that makes the bass a purer instrument.

+1 on the envelope filter, tho.

[TheVoiceless]

TUNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! if you don't already have one. Then some type of distortion/fuzz, trust me there are plenty to choose from. I would say the next one is up too you. Envelope filter is nice. Octave is nice, but I don't like it alone that much.

I just recently took 6 months to decide my ultimate pedal board. I wanted to make sure it included the effects that I could use most. So here is the list I have.

TUNER!!!

Eventide Modfactor --- chorus, Flange, Auto and manual wah sounds and a ton of other cool things

Eventide Pitchfactor --- Octave and a bunch of other effects that I may or may not use.

Aguilar Agro -- This is a good distortion, and a subtle fuzz. But I would look into another pedal for Fuzz if your a purist.

Aguilar Twin Filter -- nice envelope filter

Keeley 4 knob compressor --- nice subtle compression. Very good at loud volumes.

[semiprohooker]

I only pedal I NEED is my Boss Tuner.

Listen to some bass sounds you like and would have fun/ get some use out of and figure out what they are using.

[Hutzbordello]

vt bass all the way

[stflbn]

need?

A good Tuner.

.

[naruki]

Originally Posted by obihann

Since everybody is suggesting fuzz/overdrive/distortion, I have to ask. Does anybody use that realistically outside of metal?

Metal uses distortion, fuzz can be used for many genres.