Is there a pedal anyone would recommend to obtain a better sound when I do some slap bass? I like the tone of my bass but when I switch from fingers to slap at practice or at a show I can’t hear myself as well. I also can’t hear myself as well if I’m doing a solo on the higher frets D and G string. I have a fender jazz active 5 string bass with an eden world tour pro 600 amp. I have a noise gate pedal, MXR compression pedal, MXR envelope filter and MXR delay pedal. Here are some pics showing what I have and the levels they are set at. I appreciate the advice in advance!
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Bass boost pedal?
- Thread starter Biglb79
- Start date
I'd check out the MXR Micro Amp or the xotic EP booster. Both are clean boosts that can help with that and both sound very good. The EP booster has a few more options to tweak your sound.
Are you just looking for clean boost or are you after some EQ for your slap tone as well? I will add JHS Clover to the list mentioned above for EQ/Boost pedals (not recommending just because I am selling one, in fact never tried mine on bass, it is a great clean boost pedal and has a 3 band EQ, could be a good fit).
I will also add that maybe you can achieve what you are after by playing with your compressor settings. While I am not a source for these settings (never tried the MXR comp), compression definitely helps even out slap dynamics when added correctly. If you typically leave your comp on with current settings, this may mean you want another comp so you can have one set to different settings depending on what you are doing. That may also be overkill though. Really depends on what you are after.
I will also add that maybe you can achieve what you are after by playing with your compressor settings. While I am not a source for these settings (never tried the MXR comp), compression definitely helps even out slap dynamics when added correctly. If you typically leave your comp on with current settings, this may mean you want another comp so you can have one set to different settings depending on what you are doing. That may also be overkill though. Really depends on what you are after.
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My guess is you run your compressor always on. You could set up the compressor just for your slap tone. When it's time to slap, turn on the compressor, and when your done slapping, turn it off.
You could also use an EQ pedal if you wanted to tailor your slap tone a bit. Dial in your overall sound with the EQ bypassed. Then turn on the EQ and dial in the desired slap tone and level.
I prefer to run my compressor before the EQ. If the compressor is placed after the EQ it tends to key off peaked frequencies, which can cause the response to become unnatural.
The best instrument I have for crossing back and forth between slap and finger style is my Modulus Flea 5. From what I have read, Flea and Modulus spent a lot of time dialing the bass in, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Down the road when you choose your next bass, consider how well it works when you are switching back and forth between finger style and slap. If you get the right bass, you may not need to hassle with extra processing.
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I always have the compressor on my amp on and the MXR compression pedal is always on. I can’t say I’m super technical savvy with all the sound stuff. I just wish I could have the slap tone mike Gordon has. I’m not going to play with a pick like he does but I would like a clean boost with my slap. I eventually want to get a Modulus bass but those are expensive and I’m not sure when that’s going to happen. I did order the MXR micro amp after watching some videos on it and hoping that does the trick. I just can barely hear myself on stage when I switch from finger style to slap. I always assumed the crowd could hear it better with the speakers and subs pointed out towards them but after talking with the sound guy after our New Years show I figured I need to get some type of pedal to fix the issue or figure out the settings to adjust. It’s just hard to do all that adjusting in my one bedroom apartment since the volume is so much lower than when I’m at practice or a show
I think the problem you are talking about is real. My point is there is more than one way to approach solving the problem.
I suggest putting the Micro Amp after your MXR compressor. Also keep in mind that if you have too much compression it may make the problem worse, or cause a different problem. If you are hitting either the compressor on your amp or the MXR really hard, back off on the threshold a bit so you have a bit more dynamic headroom.
I don't generally like playing with very much compression as it makes it harder to use my fingers to keep my volume in the sweet spot. When the band gets loud, I play harder, but the compressor clamps down so the amp can't respond. This causes me to overplay and burn out my hand prematurely.
The solution is to use a bit more makeup gain so I can play as loud as required. But then when the band play softly its hard to play with any finesse because the compressor just opens up more and more, so there is way too much gain.
If I were to use a compressor, it would most likely be with slap.
I would spend some time learning about the compressor on your amp and your pedal. Read the manuals (they are likely not long) and spend some time playing with the settings. There is a good chance that running both compressors is part of your problem. Part of slap is the dynamic aggressiveness of the thumb/pop (where you want dynamics) and part of it is keeping the thumb/pop even enough with each other that they do not stick out too much (where you want some compression). If you are over compressing you could be squishing all of the dynamics out of it and contributing to your issue.
While it is not necessarily a rule to go by, I typically do not use compression on the amp if I have access to a decent compression pedal (your MXR is a decent one from what I have read about them). I have yet to come across a built in amplifier compressor that is as good as a decent pedal (noting that I am sure there are a few exceptions that I have not encountered). I suppose the argument could be made for using one as a comp and one as a limiter if the amp one can be ran that way (and that is what you want).
Ok, thanks I will try having the compressor turned off on the amp and messing with the compression levels on the amp. Is there an ideal ratio of 4, 8, 12 or 20? Should I have both compressors turned off for slap? Leave MXR on all the time and add the micro amp for slap and/or any bass solos with fingers?
QUOTE="ahadl2500, post: 24815690, member: 36874"]I would spend some time learning about the compressor on your amp and your pedal. Read the manuals (they are likely not long) and spend some time playing with the settings. There is a good chance that running both compressors is part of your problem. Part of slap is the dynamic aggressiveness of the thumb/pop (where you want dynamics) and part of it is keeping the thumb/pop even enough with each other that they do not stick out too much (where you want some compression). If you are over compressing you could be squishing all of the dynamics out of it and contributing to your issue.
While it is not necessarily a rule to go by, I typically do not use compression on the amp if I have access to a decent compression pedal (your MXR is a decent one from what I have read about them). I have yet to come across a built in amplifier compressor that is as good as a decent pedal (noting that I am sure there are a few exceptions that I have not encountered). I suppose the argument could be made for using one as a comp and one as a limiter if the amp one can be ran that way (and that is what you want).[/QUOTE]
QUOTE="ahadl2500, post: 24815690, member: 36874"]I would spend some time learning about the compressor on your amp and your pedal. Read the manuals (they are likely not long) and spend some time playing with the settings. There is a good chance that running both compressors is part of your problem. Part of slap is the dynamic aggressiveness of the thumb/pop (where you want dynamics) and part of it is keeping the thumb/pop even enough with each other that they do not stick out too much (where you want some compression). If you are over compressing you could be squishing all of the dynamics out of it and contributing to your issue.
While it is not necessarily a rule to go by, I typically do not use compression on the amp if I have access to a decent compression pedal (your MXR is a decent one from what I have read about them). I have yet to come across a built in amplifier compressor that is as good as a decent pedal (noting that I am sure there are a few exceptions that I have not encountered). I suppose the argument could be made for using one as a comp and one as a limiter if the amp one can be ran that way (and that is what you want).[/QUOTE]
It depends on what you are trying to achieve. Compressors even out dynamics. If you can achieve the sound you want without one, then go for it. Some use them live some do not. Compression is almost always applied in studio recordings. Personally, I think it adds to slap sound when used properly.
A few links that might help you...
Marcus Miller Explains Compression:
Basic compression guide: The Complete Guide to Understanding Compression - SoundBridge
The Marcus Miller video is in context of his SWR preamp, but ignoring that he does a good job explaining why to use it.
The basic guide is referring to adding compression in recording software. However it has good definitions of typical compression controls (ratio, attack, release, etc.). I would also look at your pedal manual (should be available online) as it likely has example settings.
Personally, I did not use a compressor live for years. When I first bought one I only used it when slapping (which is fairly rare for me). Now that I better understand how to use them, I always have one on my board and frequently have it turned on (though not always being triggered by my dynamics).
A few links that might help you...
Marcus Miller Explains Compression:
Basic compression guide: The Complete Guide to Understanding Compression - SoundBridge
The Marcus Miller video is in context of his SWR preamp, but ignoring that he does a good job explaining why to use it.
The basic guide is referring to adding compression in recording software. However it has good definitions of typical compression controls (ratio, attack, release, etc.). I would also look at your pedal manual (should be available online) as it likely has example settings.
Personally, I did not use a compressor live for years. When I first bought one I only used it when slapping (which is fairly rare for me). Now that I better understand how to use them, I always have one on my board and frequently have it turned on (though not always being triggered by my dynamics).
+1
Compressor and EQ are the key "effects" for good slap tone, IME.
More important than those: proper bass. Not all basses sound good with slap.
Even more important than that: good slapping technique.
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I would recommend turning the MXR compressor on for slapping. Leaving the other compressor off all the time.
I would advice against using boost for slapping. Generally, slapping is usually a louder technique than fingerstyle (unless you are extreme with your fingers). If you don't hear yourself when slapping it likely means that your sound is not EQed well for slapping. Improving slapping technique may help too...
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The secret to punching through mixes is in the mid frequencies. Since you've already got a great compressor there should be no problem. Boosting lows and highs sounds awesome when playing alone, but your bass will get swamped in the mix if you use the same sound there. Bumping your mid frequencies up a little might just work miracles...
I have the MXR M87 compressor and suggest ensuring you have it set properly. Anyone who does not agree, please chime in. My understanding is you want to set the input level when playing normally so that the first few leds on the gain reduction light up. Then set your output volume level at parity to the pedal being switched on an off (no boost or loss in volume when switching on and off). After that, set your release, attack and ratio. I've found my input and outputs for passive basses are around, 3:00 and 9:00 o'clock respectively and 1:30 and 10:30 respectively for active basses. Good luck!
JeezyMcNuggles
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- Feb 23, 2018
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8:1 compression is about what you would put on cymbals man. That's really squashed. And your release is set way too high. You want it like pretty much off. That's your problem. Move the ratio and release knobs. Your compressor is squashing you, and not letting go. So when you hit it hard, it's a lot quieter than plucking softly (where it actually boosts you instead).
I really appreciate all the advice from everyone. Like I said, I'm not great at figuring out how to set all the levels properly to achieve the proper tone I want. My slap technique could improve but I feel like I'm fairly decent at it. I have no idea where to set the levels at and I had other pedals previously but a cat pissed on my pedal board and they started to not work as well so I purchased the new compressor, tuner and envelope filter for Christmas and used them for the first time on NYE. I set the levels to how they sounded decent in my apartment and then when we closed the show with Get Down Tonight and Play that Funky Music where I do some slapping, I couldn't hear myself at all.
This is the BEST justification for buying new pedals EVER!
...especially for cases where the cat belongs to the significant other…
You have a lot going on there. I would go back to square one, plug your bass directly into your amp and set everything flat. Then start experimenting with pickup balance, next up work with your onboard preamp. Less is more.
This is the BEST justification for buying new pedals EVER!
...especially for cases where the cat belongs to the significant other…
ha that would make for a better story than leaving my pedal board on the basement floor at our drummer's house. I learned to always bring the board home after practice
