Post-Rock pedalboard

[dmccuiston]

I'm working on my pedalboard. I play in an instrumental post-rock band (influenced by Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai, Maserati, Pelican, etc). That sound is heavy on tone, not on attack. I'm running a Boss DD3 for my Digital Delay and an Akai Headrush for my analog and looping. I was talked into a getting a Boss Blues Driver. The BD-2 does not get the sound I want at all. I think I need an overdrive for subtle crunch, but am not sure which to check out. Any suggestions? Any suggestions on other pedals for a post-rock bass pedalboard?

Thanks!

[peddles]

I'm not really sure of which one will fit the job but if you really want some subtle stuff you could use a blender like a ls-2

[dmccuiston]

Originally Posted by peddles

I'm not really sure of which one will fit the job but if you really want some subtle stuff you could use a blender like a ls-2

Great point. I hadn't thought of that. Subtle is absolutely what I'm going for.

[beggar98]

I would suggest a fuzz with a clean blend. Running that with a blend of around 75 clean/25 dirty can sound very cool on spacier, post-rock type stuff.

[G3Mitch]

Originally Posted by beggar98

I would suggest a fuzz with a clean blend. Running that with a blend of around 75 clean/25 dirty can sound very cool on spacier, post-rock type stuff.

for sure. i always use a 60 clean 40 dirt blend, with any dirt. Never ever have to worry 'bout low end loss. EVER.

To OP, with your delay/loop setup, your well on your way already, maybe have a look at the Wren and Cuff Pickle Pie B

[IconBasser]

a fuzz is a great idea. I'd also recommend a flanger or some sort. I've played around with the pro-tools plugin flanger on my bass tracks with some very interesting results, I think that sort of thing would fit in well with a post rock band.

[otherclef]

I'm trying to nail down the post-apocalypse sound.

[Mitchinboxer]

The Digitech Bass Synth Wah is worth picking up just for the amount of funky sounds you can get from it, and it's incredibly cheap and durable! Seriously, every weird spacey filter I've ever wanted, I've dialed in, I think you could probably work it in.

[G3Mitch]

Originally Posted by Mitchinboxer

The Digitech Bass Synth Wah is worth picking up just for the amount of funky sounds you can get from it, and it's incredibly cheap and durable! Seriously, every weird spacey filter I've ever wanted, I've dialed in, I think you could probably work it in.

I have one of these on my board atm as well. For post-rocky noise stuff I've only really found it useful as like, a knob fiddling toy for ambience. Not sure if i'll keep it on, it's definitely a cool pedal to play around with, but filters have always been a little to 'funky' for my liking. I'll give it some more time though.
Are you using the synth effects or straight envelope filters?
The cool thing with this pedal is you can dial in how effected your signal is so it can be pretty subtle.

Never much been a fan of flange/chorus stuff either.... For me, I think that stuff is much better for guitar players to dabble with. This is all just my preferences, for my playing. it's always interesting when bassists do use that stuff.

[Mitchinboxer]

Currently, the pedal has three pretty different uses for me.

If I have any kind of solo break where the guitar leaves open some high space, I like to kick it up an octave with my Harmonist and turn on a really intense synth fuzz to pretty much just melt faces.

If we're trying to emulate the massive sound of a dubsteb-type of bass drop, I would use some of the more intense sub-octave or envelope filters.

Mostly what I use it for is as a subtle autowah or just any kind of interesting filter I can cook up, I have a list of my preferred settings if you want some ideas.

Such an underrated pedal, seriously. Between the seven types and the knobs, you can get many different sounds. Remember that even the smallest change on a knob effects it a lot!

[alec]

For post rock I'd add a fuzz and phaser.

[xtaftx]

For spacier times, I cannot suggest a feedback looper enough. I have the OHNOHO Utter Stutter and it's amazing. It takes some time to get used to to see what it works with and what it doesn't work with (octave up on my micropog is a little too obnoxious), but with delays it sounds incredible. There are cheaper feedback loopers available as well. I'm also for the Pickle Pie B.

[dmccuiston]

These are all fantastic. After watching some youtube demos, i am seriously in love with the neunaber WET reverb. That with a good delay path could be quite epic. That pedal seems pretty hard to find, especially used. Anyone have thoughts for another reverb that gets that haunting and atmospheric sound?

I've seen a couple vouch for the Pickle Pie for a fuzz. That also looks amazing. I found one used, but it is still $150. Ouch.

[Grrface]

For my post rock band, I only really use two pedals: a TC Flashback for some ambient delay, and a TAFM with heavy clean blend for my distorted sound. Since we've got 3 guitarists, it makes it muddy if I'm using a heavier fuzz.

[Aladinsane1969]

I'd recommend both an overdrive and a fuzz (I have a Way Huge Pork Loin and an MXR Bass Fuzz Deluxe--very different animals, and both have clean blends), as well as a chorus and/or flanger (I have both), along with the delay and reverb.

[falconspatriots]

I too am putting a post rock board together. The most important thing for me is delay, fuzz, and reverb.

I have a Strymon timeline, and iron ether oxide and nimbus. The fuzz really pulls everything together. Put it through reverb set for a medium to high room setting and all into a dual or pattern delay and you have gold!!

[aens_wife]

If I were putting together a post rock board, the only necessary things would be a delay, a fuzz (I hate clean blend so I just have stuff that doesn't lose the low end), an OD, and probably a tremolo. I don't like reverb much, but that might be useful too.

[nodisco]

Dirt, volume pedal, delay.

[dmccuiston]

allright, I finally got it to point that works very well for my sound (I'm the OP). In order:

MXR Bass Fuzz Deluxe
Neunaber Wet Reverb
Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
Akai Headrush

with just subtle touches from all, the sound is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for all of the suggestions!

[G3Mitch]

great dude. i hear great things bout the MXR fuzz. u shud get some clips up if u can.