Effects to use for a Hardcore Bass tone? [Bass-only band]

Old Zooms are going to be crappy for dirt - the newer multi effects from Zoom are way better - but the dirt selections are limited. I like the Fuzz Face model in my MS60B better than its other fuzz sounds. But, getting away from the digital models, you're going to likely want something more coarse and ripping than the sound you're using now, with less of the mids scooped out and a bit of a clean blend. I'd go for a B:Assmaster! Still has some brightness, but none of the fizz.

 

Rusty Box for sparse hardcore, Rusty Box>Tall Font Russian (darker med/low gain muff) for thick metal-core, muff alone for dark sludge. Three sounds from two analog pedals.

Oh yeah and I agree the B:Assmaster or Diabolik are awesome as well. Also would do well driving the muff for additional sounds, but a bit more out-there compared to the Rusty Box.

 

I agree with Rusty Box being a good bet on how to achive a good bass tone for hardcore.

Personally I played in hardcore inspired math/noise rock band called Menfolk, that consisted of two bass players (I was one of them taking care of the more tebblely/melodic bass), one guitarist/vocalist and a drummer.

I was playing through an Ampeg B-15S 60W all tube amp with a single 15" cab pushed hard to the limit of it's capabillities, and the other bass player who took care of most of the more traditional bass work was playing through an old Carlsbro 100W all tube amp and a 2 x 15" cab.

For parts that needed extra dirt beside what the amps where naturally producing I was using a Boss MT-2 and the other bass player was using a Boss ODB-3.

You can listen to the result here, most of it is recorded live in the studio and with miked up cabs:

 

Subbed - I'm curious to hear about what other have to say on this topic.

I play in a trashy/sludge band with two bass players and I actually use a B7K and a Musket muff fuzz and like @jw23mind said, 2 differents dirts can go a long way.

 

Musket rules too! My recommendation if higher gain than the TFR is desired.

 

Yeah, and with two basses the mids knob is really usefull.

 

I would look into the Source Audio Aftershock.

The range of tones that it can produce will certainly get you close to what you want, it's really tweakable. But what's more important in my view of the Royal Blood sound on a budget is being able to buy gear that has routing options present, so as you grow the sound you can invest in gear like the Iron Ether Divaricator to separate high and low frequencies into two effects chains, making essentially two instruments. The Aftershock then gives you two separate voices for dirt \ fuzz \ grind etc.

With some careful programming in the Aftershock using the EQ options, you could simulate this parallel frequency routing, and tame your highs.

 

I've done this with a pog and a bass vi. It definitely worked really well. With a 4 string, make sure you have a guitar and bass amp.

 

For the price of a couple of good pedals you could get a relatively inexpensive guitar amp and split the high part of your signal into it.
That's really the key to the Royal Blood sound. Distortion and highs out of a guitar amp, lows out of a bass amp.

This video has some good tips for getting that sound on a low-ish budget:

 

If you are looking for cheaper pedals, maybe look into Joyo pedals. They do clones of other pedals at a fraction of the price. Not sure of models specifically for what tones you are looking for but there will be some drive pedals that could give you some flavor in the vein of what you're looking for.

FWIW, I did some clips of the Orange Juice here:
Joyo Orange Juice - the little pedal that could (audio clips)

The issue that sticks out to me, is that in your last comment you mention running a 25W Fender Rumble. Not to make things even more difficult for you, but it really doesn't matter what pedals you buy if the end result is still running into a 25W practice amp with a single 8" speaker. Bigger amps and more speaker = bigger sound, and there is really no work around for that.

 

To heck with the guitar amp and POG, IMO. Be a strong and independent bass who don't need no guitar amp. Check out Extinction Level Event:



They've got 3 bass players and no guitar.

The Source Audio Aftershock could get you a good gnarly and clanky bass tone, then just go for it. You could use a POG, but then you'll sound synthy, and that tone doesn't do it for me in a metal setting. Just my 2 cents.

 

I think you should acquire all of your pedals from doing bass battles, taking them from your slain bass foes.

 

Bro, I would seriously think about taking your effect pedal money and invest in a reasonable amp instead. No amount of gizmos are going to fix the problems associated with starting a band with a 25W practice amp.

 

If you have a good distortion sound you'll still have plenty of low end.