Building my first pedal board...

[Kyland Jardine]

I previously used a BossME50B for playing live. However I sold it recently to force myself to invest in building my own system. Before I start purchasing I would like to know a few things.

1. I would assume that analog is going to almost always have better tone. I'm sure there is exceptions here and there... I'm curious to know the opinions of folks with experience comparing the two both in the studio and live.

2. As far as recording goes I have just used a Tech21 Sansamp and do the rest with software. Is there anything else in particular that will help me achieve a better tone without spending too much?

3. How should I arrange my board? Are there things that should always be in order? I'd imagine I want to run through a compressor or volume pedal first. Then perhaps a bass driver then a wah pedal and it's all about excitements after that. Oh and is there a standard place for a tuner/bypass?

4. I know this last question is a little personal and that's why I'm not asking other players in my area... what brands do you favor? Or are there particular pedals i should perhaps keep an eye out for? Or brands I probably haven't heard of? I'd like to not use the tangible ones but rather have a more unique setup.

Oh and I play a passive Fender Jazz bass..

Any advice opinions and shared knowledge will be greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[Karlson541]

1. Some expensive digital effects will sound better than some cheap analog ones, also depends on personal preference.
Some effects only comes in digital versions, like long delays.
Most reverbs will be digital emulations as well.

2. Seems fine to me: Your preferred preamp, in your case the Tech 21 Sansamp, then digitally emulated VST amps and effects.

3. Preamp as the very last pedal in the chain, compressor either first or last, depending on personal preferences, an eventual tuner will go as the very first pedal.
Pitch effects, such as an octaver, as well as synth effects that utilize tracking, always goes first, right after an eventual tuner and/or compressor.
Using a compressor right before a pedal that utilize tracking as part of the signal processing will help it track better.
Otherwise no set rules and will depend on personal preferences, but usually: dirt>modulation>delay/reverb.
Some prefer envelope filters before, some after dirt, depending.

4. Entirely depends on the individual effect and what you want to achieve.

 

[mattbass6945]

1. Some expensive digital pedals will sound better than some cheap analog ones, also depends on personal preference, and long delays only comes in digital versions, as well as most reverbs will be digital emulations.

2. Seems fine to me, your preferred preamp, in your case the Tech 21 Sanamp, then digital emulated VST amps and effects.

3. Preamp last in the chain, compressor either first or last, depending on personal preferences, tuner first, otherwise no set rules and will depend on personal preferences, but usually: dirt>modulation>delay/reverb, some prefer envelope filters before, some after dirt, depending, and pitch effects such as an octaver and synth effects that utilize tracking always goes first, right after an eventual tuner and/or compressor, for tracking reasons.

4. Entirely depends on the individual effect.

Nailed it. I know it's completely preference, but I'm partial to MXR and Solidgoldfx Betas. Peep around the post your pedalboard and nano board posts. You'll find quite a bit in there. Experiment, don't get caught up in hype and let your ears be the judge.

 

[el murdoque]

1. I would assume that analog is going to almost always have better tone. I'm sure there is exceptions here and there... I'm curious to know the opinions of folks with experience comparing the two both in the studio and live.

2. As far as recording goes I have just used a Tech21 Sansamp and do the rest with software. Is there anything else in particular that will help me achieve a better tone without spending too much?

3. How should I arrange my board? Are there things that should always be in order? I'd imagine I want to run through a compressor or volume pedal first. Then perhaps a bass driver then a wah pedal and it's all about excitements after that. Oh and is there a standard place for a tuner/bypass?

4. I know this last question is a little personal and that's why I'm not asking other players in my area... what brands do you favor? Or are there particular pedals i should perhaps keep an eye out for? Or brands I probably haven't heard of? I'd like to not use the tangible ones but rather have a more unique setup.

1. The only pedal I can think of where digital is mostly the way to go is reverb pedals.
The better ones are those that keep your dry signal analog, but add a digital reverb.

2. You're quite good already. To step up from the Sansamp, you'll need to spend big money.

3. Tuner either first (because it gets the clean signal) or last (so you can mute the entire board), Tuner after modulation is a bad idea. A volume pedal can basically go anywhere, from first in chain to the FX loop.
There are some rules of thumb:
-Time-Based effects (Delay, Reverb) late in the chain.
-Octavers, synths and others that need to track your notes in order to work should come before modulation and distortion.


4. First of all, get started somewhere. It's a pleasant journey. And an expensive one. Sometimes you'll need to own a pedal to see wether or not it is one for you.

A few additional tips that may save you some $$$ in the long run.

Don't try and save money on cables or power. Buy a quality power supply with separated outputs that has more power on tap than you need (ciocks, voodoolabs etc). Power supplies is not an easy market. There are $100-$150 ones on the market that are not worth that money.

Buy the EBS flat cables as a cheap option or Lava/George L's as an expensive one. Everyone has a cupboard full of old cheap patchcables with huge clunky 1/4" Jacks that were used to build the first board and then swapped out for something smaller.