new to effects pedals...sort of...

eastcoasteddie · #1 05-08-2009, 07:01 PM

I've been plugging straight into an amp for 15 years. Never had any need for effects. But lately, I'm feeling that I need to explore...so I got 2 pedals.

Most of you may remember one of my most rockin' posts to date, one about problems I had with a Polish love pedal, but I figurd it all out....which is when the best part of the thread happened.

Anyway, I just got an Ibanez SB7 Synth pedal, just for giggles, wanted to see what it's all about.

Let me say that a synth is one of the funkiest pedals I ever played with. I know the SB7 isn't that great of a pedal, but it's my first of it's kind. I didn't want to buy a $150 pedal to find out I didn't like it.

But anyway, reason I'm posting is that I see in this forum that there is sort of a specific series in which to connect your pedals.
What would be ideal here in my situation, P.Love before or after synth? why?

(and BTW, recall that in my P.Love post, the rockin' part dealt with power supplies being "designed for pedals". Since I don't want to spend money on a crap load of batteries, I decided to use one 300mA 9V power supply for both pedals, the SB7 draws 22mA, the P.Love draws about the same. So I have plenty of mA's to go around. I spliced in a 2nd adapter plug in parallel so that I can power both pedals, and guess what...it works.....Not designed for Bogdan OR Ibanez...)

kevteop · #2 05-08-2009, 07:14 PM

It doesn't matter what order your pedals are in unless you switch them both on at the same time. In which case, decide which sound you like best and put them in that order.

Often "dirt" pedals go after "tracking" pedals (octavers, synths - pedals that need a clean signal to operate properly) but before more delicate-sounding pedals (filters, chorus, flange, phase) because if the dirt goes after them, it wipes them out.

Experiment. If you've just got the two pedals to experiment with it should be a fairly straightforward exercise.

Sean S · #3 05-08-2009, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevteop

It doesn't matter what order your pedals are in unless you switch them both on at the same time. In which case, decide which sound you like best and put them in that order.

Often "dirt" pedals go after "tracking" pedals (octavers, synths - pedals that need a clean signal to operate properly) but before more delicate-sounding pedals (filters, chorus, flange, phase) because if the dirt goes after them, it wipes them out.

Experiment. If you've just got the two pedals to experiment with it should be a fairly straightforward exercise.

I would include filters with octavers and synths, since they "track" the signal to trigger the envelope. Otherwise, +1.

kevteop · #4 05-08-2009, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean S

I would include filters with octavers and synths, since they "track" the signal to trigger the envelope. Otherwise, +1.

Well, envelope-following effects, yes. I suppose most filters used by bassists include envelope control. Still, I stopped buying envelope-following filters that didn't include some method of putting dirt infront of them ages ago.

Sean S · #5 05-09-2009, 02:39 AM

Fair enough

I just figured that since most filters used by bassists (as envelope followers as "filters") are dynamic, they should be included in the group.

eastcoasteddie · #6 05-09-2009, 10:31 AM

thanks, guys.

Sean, still waiting to see a pic of the "tuners".

RCCollins · #7 05-09-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevteop

It doesn't matter what order your pedals are in unless you switch them both on at the same time. In which case, decide which sound you like best and put them in that order.

It sure as heck CAN matter what order your pedals are in when both are off, and strategic placement of buffers and TBP will help preserve your direct-to-amp tone

bassyeah · #8 05-09-2009, 11:43 AM

Here is a helpful post by glamrockin to a similar thread a few days ago... this will help also as you get new pedals

"This is from the TalkBass effects FAQ.

What order should I put my effects in?
The only right answer is - it depends.
Here are some useful links discussing the various factors to consider when ordering your pedals:
http://users.chariot.net.au/~gmarts/fx-order.htm
http://www.alesis.com/support/cc/fxorder.html (references use of effects with keyboards, but it's still relevant)
http://www.record-producer.com/learn.cfm?a=3065
http://www.robertkeeley.com/faq.php#Effect%20Order
http://fuq.encycmet.com/questions/96...ct+pedal+order

RCCollins · #9 05-09-2009, 11:48 AM

^ provides useful and relevant informational links

eastcoasteddie · #10 05-09-2009, 02:28 PM

I will be using them both at the same time, and switching the series of pedals does give 2 very distinct sounds. Sybth first does dive a brighter sound with more pronounced distortion. PL first gives a darker tone with not as much distortion. Interesting to say the least.

RCCollins · #11 05-09-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastcoasteddie

I will be using them both at the same time, and switching the series of pedals does give 2 very distinct sounds. Sybth first does dive a brighter sound with more pronounced distortion. PL first gives a darker tone with not as much distortion. Interesting to say the least.

hehe... you are become one of us!

I was talking about the bypassed, clean signal though. Do you notice any difference when both are switched off? I'd be surprised if you don't, given how long you've been plugging straight into your amp...

eastcoasteddie · #12 05-09-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

hehe... you are become one of us!

I was talking about the bypassed, clean signal though. Do you notice any difference when both are switched off? I'd be surprised if you don't, given how long you've been plugging straight into your amp...

yes, I do....at first I thought it was just my ears playing tricks on me; A-B-'ing the effect on/off, that I'm just used to hearing the effect, and then the sound degradation with the effect bypassed is just me getting used to a clean signal. But then plugging straight onto the amp again, I do hear the difference in sound quality.

I actually noticed it when I had only the PL...

RCCollins · #13 05-09-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastcoasteddie

yes, I do....at first I thought it was just my ears playing tricks on me; A-B-'ing the effect on/off, that I'm just used to hearing the effect, and then the sound degradation with the effect bypassed is just me getting used to a clean signal. But then plugging straight onto the amp again, I do hear the difference in sound quality.

I actually noticed it when I had only the PL...

interesting. the PL is supposed to be true bypass, so the main difference in your signal would probably be more from extended cable length more than anything else.

How do you notice the Ibanez contributes to this? I am guessing it is a buffered bypass but I could be wrong.

kevteop · #14 05-10-2009, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

It sure as heck CAN matter what order your pedals are in when both are off, and strategic placement of buffers and TBP will help preserve your direct-to-amp tone

If you've got two pedals in your chain, one buffered and one TBP, and both are off, why would it matter what order they're in?

Unless there's a 20ft patch cable between them I don't see what difference it would make.