trying to even out volume between effects?

[MarkyDynaBass]

I'm trying to even out my volumes between a bass big muff, vt bass and clean. is a compressor or limiter what I'm looking for??

[gnasher1993]

Originally Posted by MarkyDynaBass

I'm trying to even out my volumes between a bass big muff, vt bass and clean. is a compressor or limiter what I'm looking for??

Are you talking about setting each pedal to unity gain?

Correct me if I'm wrong but from what I know, a compressor reduces the dynamic range, levelling out louder peaks. Is this what you want?

The other option that I can think of is a true bypass looper with a volume control to reduce the boost that a pedal gives you. These are very easy to make yourself.

[gillento]

A Limiter or Compressor might be the exactly thing you are looking for.
I do the same with my Demeter Compulator. Although I try not to "overdo"

[bongomania]

Unless the problem is dynamic volume spikes (like a big resonant peak on certain notes), I would be more inclined to use a passive volume pot to lower the output of the louder devices.

[MarkyDynaBass]

My problem with the effects is that, especially with the VT, trying to match the level to the clean volumn since the controls on the VT are so touchy around that 8oclock position.

I have no idea what a 'passive volume pot' is, google didn't really help me either, is that a volume control which I'd use infront of the VT to decrease the input signal?

[JohnDavisNYC]

wait, so you just can't set the knobs right so it sounds the same volume? i'm confused... just set the output from each pedal so it feels right when you kick it on.

john

[MarkyDynaBass]

yeah that's the problem, the VT is so touchy at the low levels that it almost becomes an on-off switch and have to attempt to find the sweet spot again everytime I get it outa my gig bag.

[JohnDavisNYC]

tape, dude... gaff tape.

i usually have my OC2 and Mammoth covered in tape on tour so that I don't have to think about my settings. You could also mark the correct settings with a grease pencil.

John

[bongomania]

Oh yeah, we had a surprisingly long and contentious thread on that subject. Short version: the VT was not designed for unity gain, so you do need some external device to lower the output.

A pot is a potentiometer, it's the rotating part underneath the knobs on your bass for example. By "passive" I meant that you didn't need a whole 'nother powered pedal for that job, you could just house a pot in a small metal box and stick it in line with the output of the pedal, no batteries required. The volume knob on your bass is a passive volume pot. Look up "audio taper potentiometer".

However the point I failed to think of when I suggested that is that the pot would reduce the clean (bypassed) signal just as much as the effected/engaged signal.

I guess the best option would be to get a bypass loop box (Boss LS-2, Radial Big Shot, Xotic X-Blender, Barge Concepts VB, etc.) that has a volume pot in it for the loop. That way your regular level goes through when you click on the bypass, and the reduced level (of the effect signal) goes through when you engage the loop.

[Getaway Driver]

the bass big muff can get out of control easy... mine just screams when it's on. the problem is, any quieter and it doesn't sound the same. I'm looking into compressors to solve the problem.

[sikamikanico]

Everything seems to sound better when louder

[shinobi]

passive volume pot -> ehx signal pad?

[MarkyDynaBass]

Thanks for the tips guys, will see what I come up with.....

Gaffer tape - is there anything it can't do!!!

[Bob C]

As shinobi mentioned, the Electro-Harmonix Signal Pad may do the trick. It's a passive volume control in a stompbox, and has an on/off switch.