Need effects advice for top 40 covers

jeff7k · #1 06-29-2009, 01:19 PM

Hey All,

I'm going on the road for 6 weeks playing and I'll be doing lots of top 40 cover gigs between "real" shows. I need advice on how to get my pedal board in shape to handle everything from Katy Perry to Muse to NIN.

I play a MIM P-bass w/Basslines Quarter Pounders through a GK 1001RB/Neo4x10. Currently I have a Tech21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI and a BOSS CEB-3 Bass Chorus, so I've got the basic rock/pop sounds covered. What I'm looking at is either going for a multi-effects unit or buying separate pedals to produce:

Auto-Wah (think NIN "Closer")
Bass Synth (Think Muse "starlight" or Katy Perry "I kissed a girl"
Octave Up (so I can fill up the sound of our 3-piece with the suggestion of a rhythm guitar part)

Should I get separate pedals or bite the bullet and go get the Boss GT-10B or ME-50B? Or is there another multi-effects unit I should consider? My budget is about $500 and this thing has to be sturdy and road-worthy.

I appreciate the help!

Jeff

bwv1013 · #2 07-04-2009, 02:58 AM

i'd say go for the boss multi. if i were heading out on the road i think i'd prefer a single unit to keep track of to minimize set up/tear down. i've also read reviews about the line 6 units, sound great but made to be babied in a studio, not necessarily road worthy.

gillento · #3 07-04-2009, 06:43 AM

+1 on a Boss GT10 or GT6b

ga_edwards · #4 07-04-2009, 06:55 AM

I'd go with the multi (as I currently do with a zoom B9.1ut). Changing patches for certain tunes with different versions of the same effect is so much easier than fiddling with stomp boxes live. Yes, some of the effects quality won't be as good as some real stomp boxes, but no-one's really going to notice.

I would advise against using too much amp modelling or big eq changes. Your job is to form the foundation and lock in with the drums. Too many fundamental tonal changes will change how you fit in with the rest of the band and will drive the soundman nuts. Remember, unless your drummer is playing a set of V-drums, he won't be able to adjust the eq of his kick drum to fit around your various bass tones.

It's also very easy to get carried away creating patches for every song to try to get it to sound like the original. Whilst it van sound fantastic and you can nail those tones, it may create problems when playing a set live. Different sounds for every song may not flow together, and make a disjointed set. Better to stick to a couple of core tones and colour with fx as needed and get ballpark close. If the tunes has a well known signature bass tone (like Lenny Kravitz 'Fly Away') then go for it, get it nailed, but other wise, stick to your core sound. I'd much rather hear a cover band sound like themselves and put their own stamp on cover versions than try to emulate the recording. Chances are the singer can't change their voice to sound like the original, so what's the point in the rest of you trying?

J. Crawford · #5 07-04-2009, 07:12 AM

For $500 bucks you could get:
an EBS Bassiq
EHX Micro Pog
EHX Bass Micro Synth
and an EHX Big Bass Muff

Easily. You may have to buy used, but it could be done, pretty easily.

NicJimBass · #6 07-04-2009, 07:14 AM

Buy a used Line 6 M13. That is a great piece of gear that got the tones I needed in a top 40 band earlier this year.

Bob C · #7 07-04-2009, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga_edwards

I'd go with the multi (as I currently do with a zoom B9.1ut). Changing patches for certain tunes with different versions of the same effect is so much easier than fiddling with stomp boxes live. Yes, some of the effects quality won't be as good as some real stomp boxes, but no-one's really going to notice.

I would advise against using too much amp modelling or big eq changes. Your job is to form the foundation and lock in with the drums. Too many fundamental tonal changes will change how you fit in with the rest of the band and will drive the soundman nuts. Remember, unless your drummer is playing a set of V-drums, he won't be able to adjust the eq of his kick drum to fit around your various bass tones.

It's also very easy to get carried away creating patches for every song to try to get it to sound like the original. Whilst it van sound fantastic and you can nail those tones, it may create problems when playing a set live. Different sounds for every song may not flow together, and make a disjointed set. Better to stick to a couple of core tones and colour with fx as needed and get ballpark close. If the tunes has a well known signature bass tone (like Lenny Kravitz 'Fly Away') then go for it, get it nailed, but other wise, stick to your core sound. I'd much rather hear a cover band sound like themselves and put their own stamp on cover versions than try to emulate the recording. Chances are the singer can't change their voice to sound like the original, so what's the point in the rest of you trying?

I agree with this in general. You can change your bass sound, but still need to maintain continuity of volume, eq, etc in the band's overall song throughout the set and the night.

But why is this advice exclusive to a Top 40 cover band? Are all of the guys on this board with mega-custom-high buck-nonmultifx pedal boards using them only for recording? Or jamming?

Furthermore, many singers CAN change their voices to fit the song. Guitar and keyboard players too. Why not put the bass player in the same league?

Again, I agree that you must look at the big picture. Forest for the trees and all that. Good luck with your gig and your quest.

Kenny Allyn · #8 07-04-2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

But why is this advice exclusive to a Top 40 cover band? Are all of the guys on this board with mega-custom-high buck-nonmultifx pedal boards using them only for recording? Or jamming?

Nah ... this my live board and I play blues/blues-rock

It's a Pedaltrain jr. board with the ATA case, Pedal Power II powers it all, George L cables, about $1500.00 plus for the whole thing.

... For live shows I like easy to see controls and a simple layout.

jeff7k · #9 07-14-2009, 01:19 PM

Fantastic input you guys, thank you so much. It feels great to be part of this community!

I ended up with a Boss GT-50B. It's got a setting that simulates my Tech-21 Bass Driver fairly faithfully, as well as the bass chorus we all know and love and some pretty useable synth and t-wah stuff for the more pop-oriented sounds.

I appreciate ga_edwards advice about tone control. I, too like to keep it simple.

You guys ROCK!

Vic Winters · #10 07-14-2009, 02:01 PM

Digitech Bass Synth Wah - Great octave down, several crazy filters with a vast range of sounds, a passable envelope filter and more. Just to give you an idea of it's range: It'll do a synthy fuzz like Jamiroquai's "Deeper Underground" or No Doubt's "Hella Good", the vocal like filter in Daft Punk's "Technologic", it can get close to that "Tom Sawyer" sound as well. I like to use the Envelope and Octave setting for "Closer" as it gives you the effect and retains the low end.

EHX Bass Big Muff - Great fuzz that won't get buried in Dry Mode. Does a decent job for Muse tones.

Dunlop 105Q - Everyone loves a wah. Makes for a cool filter sweep with the Muff and BSW set to Octave down.

For Octave up, I'd say a Micro Pog would be your best bet.