What can I add to my pedalboard?

Nic. · #1 07-15-2010, 12:47 AM

So my bandmates were trying to figure out what to get me for my upcoming birthday and finally they gave up and asked me.

But honestly speaking, I can't think of anything I might want.

I figure I'm probably gonna ask for a pedal, any suggestions what I should ask for? Here's my current board:

Bass -> Pitchblack tuner -> modded V847 wah -> Foxrox Octron -> Mastotron -> Box of Metal -> Distortron -> Submarine -> DOD Ice Box Chorus -> Amp

I mainly play rock covers, predominantly Japanese rock (bands like Dir en Grey, L'Arc, Versailles, X Japan, etc.), sometimes I play distorted guitar lines high up the fretboard (or with octaver), but the distortions and fuzz covers all that. I'm quite sure I don't need another distortion unit.

When I play at jazz jams and stuff I don't bother bringing my pedalboard at all.

I was considering an envelope filter, but none of them had exactly the sound I was looking for (I needed one for a song that time, but in the end I got a wah instead).

Maybe an EQ? Or a boost? Or an EQ that I can use as a boost? I'm sure I don't need a phaser or flanger or stuff like that.

Another idea I had was the BDDI, many of the artists in the genre I cover use one of those... but on the other hand, my submarine can function as a DI (right? I remember reading that somewhere...), I use actives, and with all these distortions I'm not too sure if I need the BDDI. Plus, I heard the BDDI has a somewhat scooped sound, while my sound is having mids boosted and highs cut on my onboard EQ, and then mids boosted again and highs cut again on the amp if needed.

Any suggestions?

Marton · #2 07-15-2010, 12:48 AM

Is it me or you still don't have a tuner ?

Nic. · #3 07-15-2010, 01:00 AM

Pitch black on the far right... gonna edit my post so my signal chain is clearer.

Pandafist · #4 07-15-2010, 01:49 AM

I love delay, so Imma rec you get yourself a good one like the Skreddy Echo or for a lil less, the Malekko 616

BassMonstrum · #5 07-15-2010, 02:10 AM

Powersupply or compressor, maybe?

Nic. · #6 07-15-2010, 02:31 AM

A delay's a nice idea! I don't have much experience with delay on bass, though, so I've no idea how/where to use it in a song...

I was using the T Rex Fuel Tank previously, but I find this wall wart gives me pretty good performance, practically as noiseless, so I'll rather not lug the weight of the fuel tank around.

So far I find that I haven't really needed a compressor. Used some before, but they just didn't really suit me much.

Lindsay · #7 07-15-2010, 02:50 AM

Reconsider an envelope filter. Octron > Mastotron > Filter

Plays_For_Dog · #8 07-15-2010, 03:30 AM

Consider the Phase 100 by MXR. You'll be happy with it. It really wraps the bass lines around people. The 100 is neat in that you can select not only the speed, but the range of the effect. Way cool. Promise.

...and I love my MXR M82 Envelope Filter too, but that's like beer. You love it or hate it.

pygmygrizzly · #9 07-15-2010, 04:26 AM

a bitcrusher! or a delay/reverb. maybe a bassballs.

crapusername · #10 07-15-2010, 04:44 AM

ring modulator?

champbassist · #11 07-15-2010, 04:46 AM

I would go for an EQ. IMO it's a basic necessity for every bassist.

**TheMutt** · #12 07-15-2010, 04:47 AM

I've gotta +1 the filter.

If you've got a wah, you should get a filter too.

Jimbob Jones · #13 07-15-2010, 06:27 AM

+1 to the filter!

1kinal · #14 07-15-2010, 06:33 AM

I also recommend an enveloppe filter. While you may not be crazy about it by itself, the fun comes when you combine the filter with the octaver and/or fuzz.

Have you thought about a blender? I really enjoy having a few effects (for me it's octave and filter) in a loop so I can activate both by pressing one footswitch. The other cool fact is you can mix the wet and dry signal depending on the song. Finally, if you go with the Xotic X-blender (highly recommended), you can even use it as a booster or eq for example a slap part that you want to stand out more.

takfar · #15 07-15-2010, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindsay

Reconsider an envelope filter. Octron > Mastotron > Filter

this

I love my mastotron going into a filter

Nic. · #16 07-15-2010, 07:03 AM

Wow I'm getting a lot of suggestions to get a filter... I may ask them to get me a Proteus. That would be nice.

I don't feel the need for a bitcrusher as I won't be doing that kind of sound anytime soon, and should I need I'll approximate using what I have at the moment.

Could consider a blender, but I don't like to rewire and I don't often have to change multiple effects at once. But it occurs to me that there are other uses for blenders that I could probably make use of.

I think I'm probably gonna go with either the filter or the blender now...

Surprised to see only one person supporting the EQ.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMutt

If you've got a wah, you should get a filter too.

Mmm what's the reasoning for this?

takfar · #17 07-15-2010, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nic.

Could consider a blender, but I don't like to rewire and I don't often have to change multiple effects at once. But it occurs to me that there are other uses for blenders that I could probably make use of.

The blender will let your clean tone be blended with the dirt you have. Some nice possibilities there. An LS-2 would be a good addition to the board. In fact, I'd take one over an envelope filter, unless you're specifically thinking about using a filter somewhere.

**TheMutt** · #18 07-15-2010, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nic.

Mmm what's the reasoning for this?

Essentially, if you can use a wah in some part of your music, you can usually interchange it with a filter; unless you are using the wah at half-cocked positions or are sweeping it up and down very very slowly.

jpTron · #19 07-15-2010, 07:50 AM

Nic. · #20 07-15-2010, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by takfar

The blender will let your clean tone be blended with the dirt you have. Some nice possibilities there. An LS-2 would be a good addition to the board. In fact, I'd take one over an envelope filter, unless you're specifically thinking about using a filter somewhere.

The more I think about it, the more the blender makes sense. I don't have any specific filter usages in mind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMutt

Essentially, if you can use a wah in some part of your music, you can usually interchange it with a filter; unless you are using the wah at half-cocked positions or are sweeping it up and down very very slowly.

I've to admit I don't really understand that ^^"

Basically you're saying, I can easily replace the wah with an envelope filter? Did I get that right?

Hmm I'm sweeping it slowly up and down at points... other than that, yeah an envelope will be more convenient.