Need to be funkier, no pedal experience

rojo412 · #1 10-13-2010, 03:41 PM

As if the title didn't say enough, my story is essentially "long time bassist, first time stompboxer."
It's not 100% true, I've had effects. I'd use them once and get rid of them for lack of a real use for them...

Well, I've been in the studio with some friends, making some more noises and I really need to find more tonal options.
I want funkiness... I want weird sounds... I want to trip the *$%& out!

What should I look for?

I play a variety of basses, mostly active.
I want knob-tweakery, not something super basic.
BUT, I don't want to have to deal with programming some crazy, super-multi-uber effect smorgasbord either.

Recommend me some stuff to look at, please!

WaldoNova · #2 10-13-2010, 04:00 PM

Try the Xotic Robotalk2. I just picked one up and think it is awesome. It actually has a level control and can get real quacky without any annoying peaks. It also has 2 filters that can be used together or separately. I am really impressed with the quality of this pedal but as always with filters YMMV.

waleross · #3 10-13-2010, 04:11 PM

BOSS GT-10B worth checking out.

rojo412 · #4 10-13-2010, 04:24 PM

The Boss may be a little more overcomplicated than what I'm looking for.
I like the idea of the Robotalk2. That's more the tone I'm after.

The EHX Bass MicroSynth is something that I've seen that also piqued my interest. Thoughts on that?

Chrisk-K · #5 10-13-2010, 04:26 PM

MXR M-82

dmclane · #6 10-13-2010, 04:29 PM

When you say "Get Funky" Who are some of your influences? When I think funk I think envelope filter and octaver.

I just bought a MXR M82 and out of all the envelope filters I've owned I think I like it the best. I've been mixing that with a Micro Pog. I'm in love with the combo!

MattyBass · #7 10-13-2010, 04:30 PM

My 2 cents.. 0.02$

Use each pedal for one good effect/tone...
the microsynth is great but you can tweak sounds endlessly..
I'm now using multiple pedals but not tweaking them at all..
find a good setting... and like Ron Popeil says "set it and forget it..."

behndy · #8 10-13-2010, 04:30 PM

THE TONE IS ALL IN THE FINGERS!!! THE FUNK IS ALL IN THE WEBBING BETWEEN SAID FINGERS!!!!

...... j/k.

i second the MXR M-82 Bass Envelop Filter. it only does one or two tones, but MAN does it do them well. i'm not claiming being anywhere near the Filter Master some cats on here are, but i lurrrrrrv me some BEF. it has a decent amount of tweakery without being overly complex too i think.

and it's TINY.

also, if you have some patience, Spencer (3 Leaf Audio, maker of the GROOOOOOooooove REGULATOOOOOOOOOOOoooor) has a Mutron clone in a small box coming out around X-Mas i think. i am VERY interested in that 'un.

ninepoundjammer · #9 10-13-2010, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmclane

When I think funk I think envelope filter and octaver.

Yep, octave + envelope filter.

If you want to get crazy, there're pedals for that, but I'm not the person to ask.

Matt Dean · #10 10-13-2010, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninepoundjammer

Yep, octave + envelope filter.

If you want to get crazy, there're pedals for that, but I'm not the person to ask.

Don't forget fuzz!

I'd get three pedals in this order (IMO): Octave>Fuzz>Filter.

With these three pedals, you can make a tremendous amount of funky noise.

If money was no object, I'd do: FoxRox Octave>Iron Ether Oxide Fuzz>Iron Ether Xerograph.

If I was on a budget: Boss OC2>swollen pickle>mojo hand 442

WaldoNova · #11 10-13-2010, 04:52 PM

I just traded my BMS for the Robotalk2 not because I didn't like the BMS, I liked it a lot, it's just that I couldn't really find a use for it in my current situation. Awesome sounds from the BMS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rojo412

The Boss may be a little more overcomplicated than what I'm looking for.
I like the idea of the Robotalk2. That's more the tone I'm after.

The EHX Bass MicroSynth is something that I've seen that also piqued my interest. Thoughts on that?

dmclane · #12 10-13-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Dean

Don't forget fuzz!

I'd get three pedals in this order (IMO): Octave>Fuzz>Filter.

With these three pedals, you can make a tremendous amount of funky noise.

If money was no object, I'd do: FoxRox Octave>Iron Ether Oxide Fuzz>Iron Ether Xerograph.

If I was on a budget: Boss OC2>swollen pickle>mojo hand 442

I forgot about fuzz. As long as your cabs don't have a horn you won't kill your bandmates

Kwesi · #13 10-13-2010, 05:03 PM

Might've been said before but pedals don't make you funky, you make you funky.

Besides that the funkiest pedals in any arsenal are (in no particular order):

- A sweet envelope filter or wah-wah

and

- An in-your-face octaver

Get those two and you're good.

rojo412 · #14 10-13-2010, 05:04 PM

I should definitely specify my usage...

This would be in a studio situation only, to get tones that can't be easily had with just a bass going into the mix.

I'm going for tones that range from funky 70s type burps to whatever can sound like I'm not even running a bass, but some kind of chainsaw from Neptune on steroids.
Live tone isn't much of a consideration, as it may never see the outside of the studio. Still, I don't really want to get too complicated... I don't want a pedalboard or something that size. More of a diddlebox of goodness.

The finger funk is here, but the off-the-wall tonality needs to be pedal created.

Plays_For_Dog · #15 10-13-2010, 05:13 PM

Source Audio has some wild effects that are very tweakable and still simple enough for knuckle draggers. They're priced very respectfully. Plus they have hot hand option that allows you to do some very cool improve tone warping.

Other then that, I enjoy my fuzz's and distortion through the MXR Phase 100 and the MXR Flanger re-issue. Also the Dunlop Roto-vibe pedal will give you cool options when coupled with other effects.

ourworldisgrey · #16 10-13-2010, 06:15 PM

An Octave pedal ( MXR Bass Octave Deluxe) envelope filter ( there's a million of good ones, do a search) and some fuzz ( literally thousands of them too) would seem like good pedals for what you're talking about.

ninepoundjammer · #17 10-13-2010, 06:30 PM

Another thing to mess with is a delay, you can get super whacked out spacey sounds with extreme delay/regeneration settings.

Rodger Bryan · #18 10-14-2010, 07:50 PM

I'm in the same boat as the OP- Are there any analog octave + envelope filters combined into one unit?

I haven't tried any effects recently, but every multi-effect unit I have tried seemed to fall short of my expectations. With the recent expansion of the boutique effect market, I'm interested in checking them out again.

Eric! · #19 10-14-2010, 09:05 PM

Just get a 3leaf Groove Regulator. Trust.

rojo412 · #20 10-14-2010, 10:39 PM

Which one? There are now 2 of them, the older one is $169, newer is $229.

I do like the idea of these boxes that are just a boatload of different things at the turn of a knob or flick of a switch. That really appeals to me.
And cost is what it is... if it's worth it, I'll pay it. I just wonder, of all the choices, which will best fit the bill.

So far, I like the idea of the Robotalk2, the BMS was the original idea and I still like it, and the GR/GR2. Lots of functions to mess with.
The Xerograph looks a bit more complicated, as you can customize it, but I wouldn't know just where to begin.