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Effects Board Time!

J

Jack Pepsi

Dec 9, 2010
28
0
#1
I've been plodding away with a Zoom B2 multi-effect for some time now, but want to start building a board that is more open to more custom individual effects.

What are everyone's opinions on the staple components of a good, versatile effects board?

I'm thinking some kind of heavy distortion pedal, some compression, an octaver and some reverb. Beyond that, I know little of the individual brands and their benefits.

Any thoughts or preferences anyone has would be welcome, regarding anything really, from the effects, the order you prefer them in - right down to the build of the board.

I'm thinking a velcro board with corresponding velcro under each unit?
 
#2
I think what people like is pretty personal. Use your B2 to find the effects you like best. It looks like you already have a small list. Then think about how you can improve the sounds you like from those effects and start researching how to get the sound you want.
I don't have a Zoom and have never used one, but for example, you like the distortion on it. It's your favorite effect, but it doesn't have enough low end. Start researching which distortions will give you the low end etc.....
 
#5
What effects do you use most often with the Zoom? I am also in the process of completing the switch from multi-effects (Boss ME-50B) to a pedal board, and I am starting by finding high-quality replacements for the main sounds I used on the multi-effects unit.

For me, that means I need a tuner, a couple of distortion/dirt pedals (one for slight boost/grit, the other for heavier and more distorted tone), a chorus, and a reverb. Like the above posters suggested, I did a lot of digging here in the Effects forum to find what seemed like the best options for each of those.
 
#6
Here's how I'm filling your criteria:
slight boost/grit: Smallsound/Bigsound Mini
heavier and more distorted tone: Smallsound/Bigsound Team Awesome! Fuzz Machine and Iron Ether Frantabit
Chorus: MXR Analog Chorus
Reverb: Earthquaker Devices Dispatch Master (on the way)

I'm also into filters, so I also have HBE Psilocybe phaser, MXR Bass Envelope Filter and a EHX Bassballs. Some of these are subject to change.
It's all mounted on a Pedaltrain PT1 and powered with a Power-all, though I'm considering the switch to the Voodoo Labs Pedal Power.
 
#7
erigod23 said:
Here's how I'm filling your criteria:
slight boost/grit: Smallsound/Bigsound Mini
heavier and more distorted tone: Smallsound/Bigsound Team Awesome! Fuzz Machine and Iron Ether Frantabit
Chorus: MXR Analog Chorus
Reverb: Earthquaker Devices Dispatch Master (on the way)

I'm also into filters, so I also have HBE Psilocybe phaser, MXR Bass Envelope Filter and a EHX Bassballs. Some of these are subject to change.
It's all mounted on a Pedaltrain PT1 and powered with a Power-all, though I'm considering the switch to the Voodoo Labs Pedal Power.
Click to expand...

That looks like my criteria, rather than the OP's, but here's how I ended up for comparison:

Dirt: I'm in the process of auditioning a MXR M80, a Heavy Electronics El Oso, a Fuzzrocious Grey Stache, and a Voodoo Labs Sparkle drive. I expect I'll keep the M80 for boost/grit and DI capabilities plus either the El Oso or Stache for heavy dist/fuzz. I may very well decide to keep one of the two "losers" for a third dirt option, depending on which sounds seems to work best in my current band's mix.

Chorus: Dead on with the MXR Analog Chorus.

Reverb: I went with the EHX Holy Grail nano. Can't beat the form factor, and I always wanted one of the huge old Holy Grails back in the day.
 

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