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Delay or Chorus?

K

KiwiGroove

Jul 15, 2008
46
0
#1
Hey, I'm just starting to get into effects as my band has taken a new direction, & I need something to give my bass more "Presence" in the mix. We're kind of going into Meddle era Pink Floyd type stuff (Think Echoes).

I'm not looking to replicate Roger Waters tone, or sound. I just need something to give my bass a more spacey feel. & I'm torn between a Chorus or a Delay, as I'm on a limited budget.

Obviously the delay would help with a cool echoey sort of sound, but I can't help thinking the chorus would be used more, as it would more subtle.

So yeah, what do you guys recommend?
 
#2
Chorus is cool, but I wouldn't necessarily say it gives any more "presence" in a mix. Neither would I say that of delay, but since you mention Pink Floyd, "spacey feel", etc. then a delay is a good choice. Pick one which has some expression pedal control over repeat time, as that allows you to easily switch between quick doubling of your sound (a key part of Roger Waters' tone was the fact that there were two bassists playing) and the longer, trippier trailing echoes.

There are two excellent delays with exp. pedal control option in the TB classifieds right now: the Malekko 600 and the Boss RE-20.

Another option for flexibility would be a phaser, specifically the Pigtronix EP-1. Phasers provide a classic Floyd-like spacey tone, and the Pigtronix has the ability to also be an envelope-following effect which can definitely help you punch through a mix.
 
#3
bongomania said:
Chorus is cool, but I wouldn't necessarily say it gives any more "presence" in a mix. Neither would I say that of delay, but since you mention Pink Floyd, "spacey feel", etc. then a delay is a good choice. Pick one which has some expression pedal control over repeat time, as that allows you to easily switch between quick doubling of your sound (a key part of Roger Waters' tone was the fact that there were two bassists playing) and the longer, trippier trailing echoes.

There are two excellent delays with exp. pedal control option in the TB classifieds right now: the Malekko 600 and the Boss RE-20.

Another option for flexibility would be a phaser, specifically the Pigtronix EP-1. Phasers provide a classic Floyd-like spacey tone, and the Pigtronix has the ability to also be an envelope-following effect which can definitely help you punch through a mix.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I look into those ones in the classfieds, along with that phaser, although I'm on a very tight budget.
 
#4
Try some Chorus and delay. Max the Level and Depth of the chorus and rate around 10oc for some sweet sounds. Mind you, I'd try a Boss CE-5 to start out...or just get an Analogman chorus OR Hardwire CR-7. I have the CR-7.

Delay, is something you'll have to try..there's plenty out there.

Also check out my Chronicle of Effects thread in my sig to hear some delay and chorus clips on bass. The MXR Carbon Copy, Hardwire CR-7, Boss CE-5, and Subdecay Echobox are ones off the top of my head in that thread.
 
#9
Sounds similar to my need for a spacey feel a while back.

I HAD chorus on my board for this purpose for about 5 years - but was never happy with it. Realised I just can't get any sounds out of a typical chorus that I really like.
Got a Phaser instead.
Just be mindful that quite a few phasers out there won't like an active bass without a buffer in front of them - but otherwise you should be okay.

The Boss DD-7 is a pretty cool unit for delay.
 
#10
smo said:
Sounds similar to my need for a spacey feel a while back.

I HAD chorus on my board for this purpose for about 5 years - but was never happy with it. Realised I just can't get any sounds out of a typical chorus that I really like.
Got a Phaser instead.
Just be mindful that quite a few phasers out there won't like an active bass without a buffer in front of them - but otherwise you should be okay.

The Boss DD-7 is a pretty cool unit for delay.
Click to expand...

I only play passive :p

I'm actually looking at a belcat phaser, although I can't try it out before I buy it, damn internets :hmm:
 
#12
H2O Liquid Chorus/Echo. Affordable, and you get both a chorus and delay, though neither are the greatest, they're certainly not lemon suckers, either. Should tide you over for a good while. (made by the same company that brought us the One-Spot)
 
#13
I'm going to make a sacrilegious siggestion many may feel as sacrilege
you may be able to find one of the smaller digitech multi effects at a very fair price

the reason I propose this route is that you are just starting out with FX and a multi will give you a chance to audition and gain experience with a few different effects to see what fits your style and allow you to learn to "play into" the effect..
in short to come to terms with the effects.

If/when you decide "OK these are the effects I like to use" then you can look to more specific units

happily, the used depreciation on those boxes has probably found its floor, so you prob will take little to no loss on resale if you decide to move on from it
 
#14
There are a couple items that come to mind - Subdecay Echobox and Earthquaker Disaster Transporter that both are delays with modulation, meaning that you get something similar to a chorusing effect and a delay in one package.

Sounds like both might be outside of your pricerange, but I know there're a lot of Echobox fans on here and it's definitely on my GAS list.
 
#15
Update:

So, I decided to buy a chorus, and bought a Belcat. But when I got home I realized I only have one working Lead :p:p:p:p


So, alas I cannot try it out until tomorrow afternoon :hmm:


I have also devised a GAS list of sorts, I plan to eventually acquire:

A Delay
A Phaser
An Overdrive (Used lightly, to get a more aggressive sound during certain choruses)
A Digitech Whammy.
And an E-bow.


It'll be expensive but hella fun.
 
#17
Everyone needs a good delay pedal. I don't care what instrument you play. It's one of the coolest spacey effects ever.

Note, that if you get a really flexible delay pedal that can do modulation, it will actually make basic chorus sounds too. All chorus really consists of is a modulated short delay!
 
#19
Bongo's suggestion of a phaser is a good one...a phaser will give you that spacey sound you are looking for (I believe).

And for some inexpensive options...heck just pick up a used MXR phase 90...for around $50 USA used, it's not a bad little phaser...
 

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