Effects for reggae

What is the ME50 not doing for you? I’m not a multi-FX fan, so I’d look into an EQ pedal first, like the Source Audio, or even just an MXR graphic, to further tweak tonality, and then perhaps a synth box of some kind. What out of the ordinary is used on the original recordings?

 

I'd say reggae music would need a dedicated envelope filter...like a q Tron, or mxr bass envelope...something to give clean quacky sounds. Then an octaver of some sort, like a pog, mxr octave deluxe, or sub,n,up. Something that can get you into the deep dub sounds when needed.

 

Some of my favourites for Reggae:

• Good EQ (My favorite has been the Q strip) to boost around the 80-200hz sort of area.
• HPF and LPF to cut highs and the very lows.
• Compression with a HPF sidechain so it doesn't squish the lows too much (Empress, and FEA Opti-FET are good for this)
• Mild drive to add a tiny bit of grit (Creation Audio Grizzly Bass on mild settings)
• One Control Crimson Red (Instant dubbyness)
• Amp with a lot of headroom and a hefty 2x12 cab.

Perhaps the Boss ME50B can do some of those things, I haven't used it though.

Probably most importantly is playing technique - plucking near the neck. Don't get new strings. And roll back the tone.

You can muck about with envelope filters and octavers and synths for more modern sounds but that's not traditionally what's used for Reggae and not what I'd think UB40 used on the stuff I've heard.

 

An envelope filter? An octaver? We're clearly listening to different reggae.

 

boss OC5
Or mxr vintage deluxe
And a good comp

reggae has always been pretty clean

 

99% of reggae bass is about technique. Roll off the tone on your instrument. Turn up the bass, turn down the treble on your amp and focus on smooth, even playing with no fret noise.

Here's an older UB40 discussion if you want to copy some of their keybass sounds: noob in effects need help UB40 content

 

Too funny! I was thinking exactly the same thing.

 

+1 on rolling back the tone.

 

Classic reggae = no tweeter action, push the lows and low mids, be felt as well as heard.

 

No effects needed for reggae. Boost bass, cut treble and high mids. Flatwound strings and cabs with 15s are great for that sound as well.

 

Here are all the answers you need.

 

Indeed. Flabba Holt plays the fattest basslines with Israel Vibration on a Steinberger with - I suspect - rounds. But he FEELS what he plays, he IS what he plays. And that makes all the difference in the world.



And here with pink strings, which most likely are not flats.

 

Effects for reggae

octave down
bass boost
and a powered subwoofer

 

Spliffage.

 

What I would do: Adjust EQ at the amp for heavy bass and no treble. Use neck pickup. Compressor always on. Maybe some chorus when a special effect is desired. Nothing else. If you're still having trouble being heard, add some mids.

 

The only effect that comes to mind is the DOD FX25 as used by Bill Laswell. It's an envelope filter, but he sets it so it just barely opens up when he digs in a bit, giving a burpy sound. The rest of the time it's just removing all the high end. He's been using it on his dub lines for decades.

Heck, try a crossover

 

Effects are not the answer to being lost in the mix. Talk to your bandmates. Talk to the person running your live sound. The band needs to agree as a whole on what the band should sound like. Whether that means the bass should be upfront or the bass should be buried in the mix, that needs to be understood and agreed upon. The solution to your problem is clear communication.

 

I would recommend the One Control Red Crimson Preamp.