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Bass Flanger Lost In Mix

6

6ULDV8

Jul 9, 2009
5
1
#1
Any suggs for good bass flanger that wont get lost in mix? I have a Hartman and it is perfect for studio work, in fact nicest I've ever heard. But is worthless on stage.

I was gonna try a boss bf-3 but am leary because other boss pedals I owned were so crappy

what about redwitch moonphaser?

I wan't chris squire swirling sound

thanks:ninja:
 
#2
Phaser =/= flanger.

Unfortunately, pretty much any flanger (or phaser, for that matter) is going to get lost in the mix unless you open up the mix. If you can't do that, if the mix has to be dense, then one trick to try is feeding the flanger output into a small/loud guitar amp, while feeding your dry signal into your usual bass amp. That will help the upper harmonic sounds of the flanger to cut through.
 
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#4
I've got the BF-3. Sounds good by itself, in a subtle, chorus setting. With the band? FORGET IT! It needs to be cranked to unsubtle levels which just colors the sound too much. I like to "set it and forget it" when it comes to my sound, adjusting only the volume of the amp, or maybe roll down the treble on slow songs. It's a bit of a tone-sucker when bypassed. I can't justify leaving it in the chain, it's a mental thing with me!

X8
 
#5
Pretty much the best example of bass flanging I'm aware of can be found here. As Bongo mentioned, modulation needs a wide berth in order to be distinguished in a band mix, and JC has the (somewhat) unique advantage of being in a band who allows him a wide sonic berth. You'll notice he shuts it off during the chorus, because he loses that space to work with.

IMO, of course.
 
#6
Hi,

Getting a flanger to work in a band situation is tricky. It is best audible playing higher up. Notice that in 46 & 2, JC only uses it when he's playing on the high D and G strings and also when the guitar is not too busy. He does use it on the lower strings in Jambi but it is not very noticeable. Here is the link. The bass comes in with flanger around 0:44. It is hardly audible because the guitar is so heavy.

 
#8
yeah i would have to agree that eq-ing the flanger or runing a split signal(clean bottom+effect high) would help. i tend to set my flanging to extreme and really hit the high end eq hard.

using my ibanez cf-9(chorus and flanger) because it saves on pedal space or dod gfx-25 for more over the top flanging.

i got a 4ms triple lfo flanger on the way. that should be fun!!!
 
#11
I've found that I always have to boost my flanger, chorus, and phaser in a band mix, always. It's an effect that seems to be easily overcome by other instruments. Having good thick and lush flanger is the start, then put a boost after it in your signal, if you put if before I've found that pedals can't handle that loud of a signal.
 
#13
As mentioned in other posts, I believe it's really important to find yourself some space in the music to succesfully use a flanger and be heard. I played in a band for years and had lots of opportunities to create atmosperic bass sounds and I found myself using flanger mostly in bass intro's and during passages with laidback drums and minimal guitar. I believe it's actually a challenge to find the right spots in music when using a flanger (or any effect for that matter)
 
#14
If you want to cut in a mix, phasers often work where flangers fail. Something about the lower wobbling that really makes them noticeable even in a thick mix. Flangers I use for more open passages though, seems to suit them better. Hence why I have both on my board, because in my secret life I'm a tap dancing monkey.
 

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