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Effects- where to start

I first gor the Boss ME 50B, a multi effect pedal. It allowed be to understand whant kind of effects I could use to reproduce songs that I liked. It's not great, but it gives a pretty good idea. Then, I noticed I used the reverb on quite a few tunes, so I got myself a dedicated reverb pedal (Boss RV-5).Then, I noticed I used the compressor quite a bit, so I got myself a good compressor (Markbass Compressore). Now I notice I really like the Fuzz, so i'm looking for a deal on a good Fuzz pedal (I'm looking at the Tech 21 Fuzz Boost)... And so on I prefer doing that then buying something i'm not sure i'm going to like/use enough. I'm pretty sure I will get an octaver and a chorus also.
 
My first pedal was the EHX Big Muff Bass. I really like that kind of distortion. Than I was searching to adapt the tone so I got (probably in 10th hand :) ) a Equaliser Pedal (the behringer one). It can help getting the tone you want (not saying is THE solution). At least in my opinion.

I believe this list have the first pedals to have, at least in my opinion:

-Distortion
-Chorus
-Octaver
-Compressor

My latest pedal was the Digitech Bass Synth Wah.
 
You can't go wrong with a Invalid Link Removed because it has a lot to offer.. The most bang for the buck. Not only do you get a very wide range of decent to great effects but you also get pre-amps, amp modellers, a very good DI, a great tuner, a metronome on steroids that comes in very handy when practicing, a looper, a PC interface all in a approximately 8"x 5" x 2" box.. If you decide you like them after yoy try your friend's look here on the classifieds because they do pop up.
 
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I actually borrowed a zoom 506 from a friend a few years back, and I did like a few of the presets, but just found it a right pain to use. In the end it put me off multi fx altogether. I'm guessing the newer zoom pedals you've recommended are far easier to use. I might take the plunge on the ms-60b. I can see a few on eBay.

Thanks all

Kieran

It sounds like you might already have an idea of what you want. I wouldn't waste the time with a multi effect. What's your playing situation. Are you looking to fill sonic territory because it's you and a guitar? I started with a behringer Sansamp clone. A good unit that has lasted for a few years now. Next I tried a bass big muff. It was alright, but didn't nail what I wanted. Tried a few others and ended up with a Rat clone and an OCD clone. Nothing wrong with clone pedals, especially if you are on a budget. Behringer actually makes some decent pedal stuff.

You can get into effects on the cheap just to see what's out there. If you buy used, you should be able to recoup all your money if you end up not liking something. As a newb, I'd start with something like a sansamp. If you don't like behringer, Hartke makes one that's under $100. Then it depends on what you are missing from there. I'd look at dirt pedals, delay, phaser, wah, and maybe synth. Depends on how crazy you want to go. I could honestly get by with just the DI with compression, one dirt box, delay, and phaser. But, why not have all the other toys?
 
+1 that a multi-effect unit is a good way to explore what a lot of them sound like and what you're looking for. Having said that, I sold the one I started with (Digitech, I think a BP-60) to go to individual pedals. Something about me just didn't like the programming and cycling through presets, I'd rather have each pedal do one thing and click it on or off.

Funny how many people are saying the compressor is the one they can't do without - it's the one I use least. But maybe that's because it's a Boss LMB-3 and it's noisy, I mostly really use it as a boost rather than for tone. I'll probably try getting a better one soon.
 
A decent Multi is a good way to get a general idea on what certain fx sound like, but it kind of had the opposite effect with me. I started with fx by using Multis, but their confusing operation and poor sound quality of the ones I had used wound up putting me off fx all together. I wound up trying a Sansamp BDDI and realized that there were fx out there that actually sounded good to me, but they tended to be modular in nature. It's definitely more expensive but you can always add/takeaway stuff you aren't using without having to worry about a bunch of worthless features getting in the way, for example, I would not recommend basing opinions about compression based on what you'd find in most multi units. I've had a lot of "ah-ha!" moments with fx, since I got an understanding of their sound and function outside of a Multi unit.

Still, they're a great place to start and many folks lovingly use them with great success.
 
The effects I can see myself using seriously, in the band, are distortion, overdrive, fuzz. Saying that, I would like to play with some funky effects when at home.

As for compressors, I've been watching some videos on the MXR and the pigtronix philosopher. I can see why you lot are recommending them! I'm guessing I should be spending as much as I can on one? I've seen the MXR on eBay for around £100.

Thankyou

Kieran
 
You can't go wrong with a Invalid Link Removed because it has a lot to offer.. The most bang for the buck. Not only do you get a very wide range of decent to great effects but you also get pre-amps, amp modellers, a very good DI, a great tuner, a metronome on steroids that comes in very handy when practicing, a looper, a PC interface all in a approximately 8"x 5" x 2" box.. If you decide you like them after yoy try your friend's look here on the classifieds because they do pop up.
YES! Exactly so. ZOOM B3. Ask for it by name.
 
The effects I can see myself using seriously, in the band, are distortion, overdrive, fuzz. Saying that, I would like to play with some funky effects when at home.

As for compressors, I've been watching some videos on the MXR and the pigtronix philosopher. I can see why you lot are recommending them! I'm guessing I should be spending as much as I can on one? I've seen the MXR on eBay for around £100.

Thankyou

Kieran
Get the multi for your at home experimentation. Get the stand alones for the band.
 
I highly recommend Zoom for your situation without question. The B3, MS60B or the B1Xon/B1on. With any one of these you can play with any effect you can think of just about. And on top of that, they are inexpensive and sound GREAT. Maybe not for recording purposes, but other than that, they will stand their ground and perform awesomely live in a band setting or in your bedroom. These pedals are perfect for what you want IMO.
 
So, I picked the pedal up off my friend the other night. It's the ms-60b a lot of you recommended. Had some fun with it on my own. I set up a few patches for practice. The ones that really worked we're the bass muff, ba dist 1 and bass drive. So now I'm looking for a pedal to match what I found. The bass muff, I'm guessing, is a replica big muff pedal? And the Ba dist 1, the boss DS-1?

Cheers

Kieran
 
So, I picked the pedal up off my friend the other night. It's the ms-60b a lot of you recommended. Had some fun with it on my own. I set up a few patches for practice. The ones that really worked we're the bass muff, ba dist 1 and bass drive. So now I'm looking for a pedal to match what I found. The bass muff, I'm guessing, is a replica big muff pedal? And the Ba dist 1, the boss DS-1?

Cheers

Kieran
Not exactly. If you want a big muff for bass, you gotta make sure exactly what you want. Mild - Wild and everything in between. The most popular muff in my circle, is the Bluebeard. Do people use the BBM? Yes. I tried it for 6 months. It just didn't have the same sound I knew a muff could get. Black Russian muffs can work really well too, but most are priced in the boutique range.

Maybe check out [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I'm not sure what sound you here in you're head, but you might find it here.
 
Here's some I like
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They all are going to be different, and they may not work for you. If you describe what you want out of that tone, you'll start getting great suggestions.
 
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Wow great site. The blue beard is brilliant, if only it was a bit smoother and milder if that's possible. As I'm new to pedals and fuzz it's quite hard to describe what looking for. At the minute the only things on the tick list are: plenty of low end and mild fuzz (if that's the right terminology haha). Will have a good look through the site

Thankyou

Kieran
 

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