Explain your board

[slurpy]

^^^^^^^^^im not sure why the image didn't load^^^^^^^^^^

But you should get the general idea from my post

 

[Ron Now]

I use this board in my doom band Bongripper.

The chain is Bass > Tuner > Freqbox > Agro > Murf > Delay > Amp (or two)

Tuner - well that is obvious...but it tracks a whole lot better than the planet waves one I was using (we tune to low F so that is helpful)

Freqbox - for a long time I used this for destructive synth-like swells via the expression pedal to it's right. However as of late I've been manipulating it in conjunction with the Agro to get thicker fuzz tones as well as nasally harsh tones when the song calls for it.

Agro - This is on about 95% the time, normally this is a pretty tame/clean amp grind coming out of this box...but with my low tunings and hot output (plus driving my amps and moogs past where they should) it turns into a beautiful thick and cutting sound. I've used a lot of fuzzes and distortions since Bongripper started but this one is by far my favorite.

Murf - Used to be used for spacey parts, or end of set walls of noise. However as of late I've found by running the rate super slow (like at 2) in combination with my Agro I can white noise sounds mixed into my signal as most popular stoner/post/doom bands do these day...but it's just all coming from my rig. I also use this for "leads" for a little more cut as it filters though cycles.

Delay - I love delay...this one sounds better than anything I've ever played...and I put an EHX Memory Boy into the external loop (under the board) so I can get multi-head reflections from it, as well as a bit of modulation...sounds better than my tape echo. I keep an expression pedal hooked up to the delay time so I can do essentially sub-bombs and ramp up delay trails as segues in between songs/parts/jams.

I'm going to be adding my Sanford and Sonny Blue Beard back into the board and loosing the EP-1 (delay expression) for a knob based expression control from this1smyne - seeing as I use that expression control the least.

The blue beard is set for more of a harsh tone for "black metal" kind of parts as well as it reacts wonderfully in front of the murf.


This board has been a long time coming...I'm super stoked on it.

 

[Mudfuzz]

Loopmaster:this keeps my signal togeither, allows me to use my board almost as a multi.

Katana Sound Supper bass Fuzz: main dirt sound

105Q: for wahing and synth sounds, also the buffer helps when using a active bass when using the KSSBF in to...

Devi Ever Custom dual KP/DB: used for all kinds of stuff from light dirt to nasty fuzz and what not, running the KSSBF into this pedal gets the best doom sound I have ever heard!

MXR Phase 45: I use this with my dirt boxes for synth sounds on a few songs, I also use it for rotoy sounds with....

Fulltone Supa-trem: for temolating.

Maxon AD-900: For adding atmosphere, slapback echo and oscillating at the ends of songs or for when you need that Dub oscillation to add to the mix.

Demeter Compulator: To add sustain and to keep the rest of the board under control when I start going over the top.

 

[Crystalman85]

There's just one thing I use on my board. I use a korg "toneworks" ax3000b bass modeling signal processor. this is pretty much my swiss army pedalboard. it has all the effects that I want. I use distortion and chorus. I also use a limiter.

Distortion- I play metal so I use distortion to get a heavier sound.

Chorus- I'm a big fan of chorus effects on guitar and bass. I like using chorus effects on bass. it adds color to my sound. I also use chorus with distortion. it gives my bass a grungy but heavy sound. chorus effects has always been the better half of my sound. that's the effects I always leave on.

Limiter- the limiter on my korg processor is sorta similar to the boss lmb-3 bass limiter/enhancer pedal. the way I set the limiter on my korg processor seems to add some boost to my sound. it also add some sustain to my sound. the limiter is pretty much my pre-effect.

On my korg processor, I created two patches. I created one clean chorus patch and one distortion patch. the clean chorus patch I use for like ballad type stuff and for certain parts of songs. distortion patch I use for the heavy sounds that I play. so there you have it. that's what's on my board.

 

[Unrepresented]

My POG is frequently used in conjunction with my AF-9 filter to create "synthy" sounds as it effectively masks some of the harsher artificial sounds the higher octaves can make. My POG is on for almost all of the track below, with the exception of a good chunk of the breakdown, either with the AF-9 or BassDrive, and briefly on it's own at the very end of the breakdown -- the Shiva also shows up briefly in the transition into the breakdown.

http://www.breakhousemusic.com/mp3/thebigtake.mp3

My Psilocybe is one of my favorite pedals. I use it for creating an almost klaxon type sound in the intro to this track:

http://www.breakhousemusic.com/mp3/zonetriumph.mp3

With the settings changed a little, it's good for creating a lo fi warbling sound to process synthy noises and give them more old school character -- You can hear it paired with my Bass Microsynth and a DD3 delay on the intro here, and it stays on during the minimalist verses to give a subtle chorusing effect.

http://www.breakhousemusic.com/mp3/archive.mp3

 

[FuzzAddict]

EHX Bass Microsynth: Used mainly as a texture device for intos and outros.
Morley Pro Series 2 Wah: Usually thrown to provide a little something extra to my parts.
Electronix Submarine: Prepares my tone for the mess of dirt it is about to recieve(always on).
HAO Rust Ride: Deployed for high-on-the-neck solos, often paired with the wah for Cliff Burton-esque tones.
Fulltone Bassdrive: The first layer of dirt that I use very frequently.
EHX Bass Big Muff: In Dry mode, blened with my Bassdrive for that super heavy monster tone. (I play a lot of heavy metal)
Mxr El Grande Bass Fuzz: Primarily for stoner stuff, or when I want to traumatize the rest of the band.
ISP Decimator: Makes sure all that dirt satys quiet.
I'll deploy various dirt pedals throughout a jam. But I usually use the Bassdrive/BBM combo.

 

[Spacelordmother]

But but but where's yer Cherry Pops??

 

[Mudfuzz]

But but but where's yer Cherry Pops??

I've given up on using them live for the time being. If I was going to do tons of synth sounds it would still be there. I find it on the hard to tame side at best most of the time. Now I like that about it don't get me wrong, but, for what I need to do right now....

 

[cultrvultr]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Some good synthy boards in this thread! Here is mine:

Good fat synthbass is always stacked octaves, right???

Loop A: Low + Reg Octave -> Fuzz -> Filter
Loop B: High + Reg Octave -> Dist -> Filter

Blend -> Looper -> EQ/DI

This lets me fake the classic 3 OSC synth tones.
Low octave + regular octave from the OC-2. Regular octave + high octave from the (amazing) Multiwave. Blend 'em together with the LS-2 and it sounds pretty cool.

The looper lets me lay down the synth part and then add some boogie pops on top of it. Adding the new Visual Sound Liquid Chorus for more dimension this week.

 

[BigBassBob]

It's nothing complicated. Haven't really done much band work since I finished this board, but here's how I've used it when jamming:

Subdecay Noisebox - For making weird, synthy, broken Nintendo style sounds. Brilliant way to get heads turning at the start of a gig. Mostly for fun, although I have found uses for it in the occasional song. Sometimes I run a Boomstick Bottom Feeder (Tone Factor/Mojo Hand 442 Red) in its place, but I actually find I use the Noisebox more

EBS Multicomp - For slapping and tapping... sometimes might run a slight gain boost on it depending on what songs I'm playing.

Xotic X-Blender - Blends whatever effects are in its loop with my clean signal. I use this primarily with dirt pedals. Slight bass boost with neutral treble.

Tonefreak Abunai 2 - A TS 808 clone. Not really a good pedal for bass as it cuts the low end terribly. However, there's a 3-way clipping switch on it and on bass I usually set it to no-clipping mode. I blend the Abunai 2 about 50/50 clean and use it as a grindy, yet somewhat mild, overdrive and boost (brilliant way to take the bass solo in a rock situation).

Roger Mayer Voodoobass - I'm not 100% sure if it's classed as distortion or fuzz, but I run the gain quite high, but not high enough so that the end result is mushy or indistinct. Don't usually blend this back in with the signal, although I do sometimes for covering Muse stuff or any bass line that needs a warm, fuzzy underside. I also blend it this way when using the Noisebox if I need to tame its nasaly character a bit.

Analogman Clone Chorus - For pretty, chord-ie stuff and fretless work. And of course for any covers that need a bass chorus.

And Turbo Tuner is for... well, tuning and muting

 

[Bob C]

I'm loving this thread. To the guys using Loopmasters:

Are they active? Buffered? True bypass? Series or parallel?

 

[megadan]

*Here's an updated pic based on what I wrote below*

Ok let's see here.

It starts with the Turbo Tuner, who's use is obvious.
After that it hits the Micro Pog - I really just have this for utility sakes - interesting organ sounds in a feedback loop, and generally to add a little bit of octave down to fatten the sound, especially on the higher strings.

Then we compress with the Diamond BCP-1 - set for moderate compression and with a slight low mid boost/hi-cut on the EQ, to fatten up the sound. The volume also gives me a master volume for the board so that different basses can react with different amps (from passive P and low watt tube to Active and SS amp, for example).

Then we hit the Brown Dog for some great fuzz sounds. I also run it before the filter to get some synthy sounds. I haven't had a chance to explore this fully in a band context yet but hopefully I will soon.

After that it's filter time - I'm a newcomber to the filter world and I don't use it for funk sounds (though I love funk, it's not appropriate for any of my bands right now). The WMD Fatman has been replaced with a Subdecay Prometheus which is on the way now - my hope is that the LFO and step modes will provide more interesting tones for my noise/pop band, and hopefully some deep sub-bass sounds for my post-rock band.

After that it's the Prunes & Custard which is a great dirt that just slices through the mix thanks to the synthy sound. I really like this pedal when I'm just playing with it, but I love it in the band - less synth and more 'what the hell is that sound?' slicing tone.

Then comes the Barge Concepts VFB-2 with a Polish Love OD in the loop. The Barge keeps some low end and the feedback loop is tonnes of fun. The Polish Love is a fantastic overdrive pedal and I kick it on anytime the band gets louder for a volume/grit boost. The VFB makes it easy to set how much grit I want without messing with the knobs on the Polish Love.

After that we finally hit the modulation section. The Boss CEB-3 has been replaced with an EHX Electric Mistress - similar sound on the low settings but much more over the top when it's cranked, again, great for the noise band. I used to hate chorus until I played that boss pedal. I like having some movement during long notes, and it adds a nice chewy sound to a fuzz/filter combo.

Finally it ends with the EHX Memory Boy - I flipped my DM-2 for a profit and bought this guy. It doesn't have exactly the same mojo as the DM-2, but for bass and for live use, there's no way to tell the difference. Plus it has far more options and, as always with EHX, goes from subtle to completely insane noise, which I always love! Delay on bass can be tricky but I find myself using it quite a bit - long, slow drone sections, end of song noisepoclypses, etc.

Phew, that's it.
Glad I justified everything, now I can keep it all.

 

[Mudfuzz]

I'm loving this thread. To the guys using Loopmasters:

Are they active? Buffered? True bypass? Series or parallel?

Passive except for the LEDS [it will work without power], true bypass, Series.

 

[corsair thumper]

I feel so....insignificant....

...my "board" is a Samson "C" Valve Tube Pre-amp. From there to mic board or amp. Otherwise, I'll sometimes use some on-board-amp reverb/chorus/overdrive. I like a clean line; the "fiddle factor" is something I'll leave to my bagpiping.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The point of my board is to be able to control a complex set of effects and looping commands in as simple a way as possible. All of my pedals are hooked into MIDI effect routers- this lets pedals that aren't MIDI-equipped be turned on and off via MIDI, sort of like a bypass loop strip except I can program in any combination of pedals into presets. This way I have the option of turning on my Big Muff with one preset, turning on my Blowtorch with another preset, having one preset that turns them both on simultaneously, etc. The advantage of this is that I can use my Gordius MIDI controller to control just about everything I have. The MIDI effect routers are both in the loop of my Xotic X-Blender, so I can have everything blended with a clean sound, and it also allows me an analog way of switching off all my effects if I'm not near a MIDI patch that's programmed to turn everything off.

Some of my pedals are also MIDI equipped, such as the Pitchfactor and the Boss VF-1. While they're both still turned on and off with the MIDI routers, they also have a separate MIDI cable going into them to for MIDI Control Changes. My MIDI controller is capable of making some really advanced commands, so by doing this I can, for instance turn on a delay patch with 100% feedback, then press the same MIDI button to turn off the delay but keep the patch still on, so I can play cleanly over a feedback loop. It also (obviously) allows for saving lots of different effects patches on each effect.

The expression pedal is plugged into my Gordius MIDI controller and can control any expression controllable pedal/rack effect on my board- my Looperlative, VF-1, Source Audio BMWD, and Pitchfactor all use the same exp. pedal. I have it programmed so that whatever effect is last selected is the effect that the expression pedal is currently controlling, and it's default setting is to control Looperlative parameters if no effects are currently being used. It can control multiple effects simultaneously, or even multiple facets of the same effect, as the Gordius can make it send out two or more separate MIDI commands to the same source (for example, adjusting two VF-1 parameters and a Pitchfactor parameter all simultaneously), but I haven't gotten that far into programming things yet.

The FS-6 switch is there to work as two additional buttons for the Gordius, although the Gordius firmware hasn't been finalized to where this function is active yet, so right now it's not plugged into anything. I'm actually thinking of selling my Gordius for the bigger version of it, which would mean I wouldn't need the FS-6 anymore.

The rack portion of the board holds my amp, my Looperlative looper, and my Boss VF-1 and my Voodoo Labs Pedal Power II. Having the looper point up at me is essential because my eyesight is so poor that I had real issues trying to see which loops were active when it sat a couple feet away from me in a rack on my cab. The Looperlative looper is completely MIDI controlled as well. While ideally I would have sets of MIDI banks set up for each song I do so that my looping commands would be combined with my effect commands so that a single stomp would change both simultaneously, I'm not organized enough for that, so all of my looping and all of my effect patches are separate. If I ever became a "real" gigging musician, I'd likely take the time to do this, as it would save even more tapdancing as I wouldn't be hunting for a particular effect mid-song. Most of what I play now is just songwriting at home, so I rarely play songs that I've already written again. It's nice to know that option is there though.

Also, if I know I won't be needing my effects, I can unplug my input to the amp, plug my bass right into it, and play as I normally would, and the looper with still function, as it is the only thing that I have going through my amp's effects loop. The entire pedalboard only has three cables going into/out of it: a speakon cable going to my cab, an XLR cable going to my amp for recording, and a power cable. There is a power strip located inside underneath the rack stuff in the pedalboard- it's very hard to get to though There is an active two-channel input mixer that allows me to run both my bass and my Handsonic percussion thingy (or another bass, etc.) through all the effects and my amp.

The effects themselves are just a wide range of stuff I like- I love analog fuzzes and would have a third one on there if I could fit it. Not much is missing sound-wise from my setup- The VF-1 covers most of my moduation/time-based effects, and most of the pedals are noise boxes. Synth sounds are the only thing that's lacking, but I can still get decent synth sounds with the VF-1 or combinations of fuzzes with either the analog 3Leaf or the digital filter on the VF-1. There's an Xotic BB overdrive and an EHX BBM that are a bit tough to see in this pic.

The Gordius controller is programmed with a PC editor. While most of its programming can be done on the unit itself, it would take forever to do so. None of the buttons have any predetermined PC/CC/etc. value, as they do on nearly all MIDI controllers- you can program any button to do anything, and multiple simultaneous or sequential commands as well. One really cool thing about this is you can save different setup maps for it, so that you can load in different maps for completely different button setups if you want. The one downside is that it obviously isn't a plug-and-play device- you need to program a button to do something before it will do anything. While this is quick and easy using the PC editor, it's not the best if you're testing out effects at your pedalboard that's across the room from your PC. I've been thinking about picking up a netbook that I can keep next to my pedalboard (and put in my gig bag) for just this purpose. I also have to run my XLR cable all the way across the room to my PC for recording, so a netbook with a Firewire port would be great, as I'd also be able to keep my little Firewire recording device near my pedalboard and in my gig bag, although I'm having a tough time finding many netbooks with Firewire or Smartcard ports.

 

[s_mcsleazy]

ok might i just say i use diffrent pedals with diffrent bands so keep in mind i dont use them all at once

boss tu-2
its a tuner i got out a pawn shop for £30

digitech whammy
for doing stupid crap and taking up too much space on my pedal board

dunlop crybaby
for stupid wah stuff

electro harmonix big muff
taking up too much space on my board but AMAZING for the fuzzy wuzzy stuff

digitech bass driver
i used to use it as a make shift fuzz but since i got my muff i havent used it as much

digitech hothead
for songs where i want a nasty sounding distortion

danelectro FAB overdrive
old school overdrive... mostly use when wanting a "old tube amp meltdown"

danelectro pepproni phaser
came up with the odd song using this

nobles tr-x trem
best trem pedal ever and got for £11

boss ce-3 chorus
my dad brought it out a pawn shop for £13

boss dd-3
i like the hold setting

behringer equlizer
help restore my sound or sometimes used along with a d.i box

behringer line selector
in one band i play guitar and bass and it really helps



but ive ordered 4 new pedals

behringer envelope thingy
for the synthy sounds

behringer vintage delay thingy
cos my mate is selling me it for like £30

madebymike saltbooster
i want to help a unknown pedal builder

volume pedal
why not

 

[coreyfyfe]

This is the most recent pic I have of my board, but it's fairly close to what I have now. I', in the process of rearranging and until it's final I don't see a point in taking new pictures .

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I was mainly using the DL4 for live looping and the DD20 as my delay, but I picked up an M9 which took the place of the DL4, nano small stone, and DD20, so now I have a nice big hole in my board. I'm pretty sure I'm going to downgrade to a PT-2, but I waiting on my guitarist to decide if he wants to buy my PT-Pro first.

I stopped playing with the band where I was doing all my looping back in december, so for the most part I'm not getting as much use out of my board as I was (the songs "Mello" and "Contempt" on Link Removed were where I really used my pedals). The loops were usually a part that was recorded through the HOG/DD20, as well as the HOG being used for synthy fill-in-the-gap type stuff. I picked up the BMS for its filter sounds, but didn't find my use for it with this band.

Since then, I started up a new band where I haven't been using the pedals much (except the dirt) and have joined a top 40s cover band where I've been using the HOG/BMS/M9 a ton to do synth parts and stuff like that.

The serrano picoso was initially to equalize the volume between my G3 and Jazz and to help bring up the volume of my looped parts, but I'm not really using it much these days since I'm neither playing the G3 or looping for shows. At this point, most of my effects are really just being used for synth emulation and home noodling. Maybe I'll find places to do fun things, but for now I've really stopped focusing on them.

 

[Elmo Oxygen]

No pic, but I'll play:

TU-2: I use it to stay in tune }
DOD bass Supra Distortion: This pedal is pure magic. In my band, I keep the tone knob matched with my un-affected tone so there's no change when I switch it on and the distortion knob all the way down (which does not mean 'off') for a nice warm fuzz. When I record hip-hop it actually gets used a lot more, I can dial in a lot of extra low end and usually increase the distortion. }
MXR Auto Q: I only use this for one song (so far) in my band, but again, it gets more use when recording hip-hop. I keep it pretty wet, and blend some of the shimmer-decay in for those held notes. Blending this and the distortion (the dist is first on purpose) is the ultimate in dirty-funk. }
Aphex Bass Xciter: Always on, for EQ and DI. Obviously for recording but with the band we also record all our rehearsals.

Soon to change/be added: Swapping the Aphex, either BDDI or going back to M-80 (the Aphex sounds ok but you have to dial it in [all] by ear because there is no discription of what it's doing to your signal). Also will be adding an octave (down) pedal, a phaser and possibly a chorus (stuff I can use in the band more). And if I could get lucky enough to have an extra $200, I would get one of the new(ish) Dark Echo-Delays from local builder Jack DeVille - quite possibly the coolest pedal for bass I've ever heard.

 

[scotch]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The point of my board is to be able to control a complex set of effects and looping commands in as simple a way as possible. All of my pedals are hooked into MIDI effect routers- this lets pedals that aren't MIDI-equipped be turned on and off via MIDI, sort of like a bypass loop strip except I can program in any combination of pedals into presets. This way I have the option of turning on my Big Muff with one preset, turning on my Blowtorch with another preset, having one preset that turns them both on simultaneously, etc. The advantage of this is that I can use my Gordius MIDI controller to control just about everything I have. The MIDI effect routers are both in the loop of my Xotic X-Blender, so I can have everything blended with a clean sound, and it also allows me an analog way of switching off all my effects if I'm not near a MIDI patch that's programmed to turn everything off.

Some of my pedals are also MIDI equipped, such as the Pitchfactor and the Boss VF-1. While they're both still turned on and off with the MIDI routers, they also have a separate MIDI cable going into them to for MIDI Control Changes. My MIDI controller is capable of making some really advanced commands, so by doing this I can, for instance turn on a delay patch with 100% feedback, then press the same MIDI button to turn off the delay but keep the patch still on, so I can play cleanly over a feedback loop. It also (obviously) allows for saving lots of different effects patches on each effect.

The expression pedal is plugged into my Gordius MIDI controller and can control any expression controllable pedal/rack effect on my board- my Looperlative, VF-1, Source Audio BMWD, and Pitchfactor all use the same exp. pedal. I have it programmed so that whatever effect is last selected is the effect that the expression pedal is currently controlling, and it's default setting is to control Looperlative parameters if no effects are currently being used. It can control multiple effects simultaneously, or even multiple facets of the same effect, as the Gordius can make it send out two or more separate MIDI commands to the same source (for example, adjusting two VF-1 parameters and a Pitchfactor parameter all simultaneously), but I haven't gotten that far into programming things yet.

The FS-6 switch is there to work as two additional buttons for the Gordius, although the Gordius firmware hasn't been finalized to where this function is active yet, so right now it's not plugged into anything. I'm actually thinking of selling my Gordius for the bigger version of it, which would mean I wouldn't need the FS-6 anymore.

The rack portion of the board holds my amp, my Looperlative looper, and my Boss VF-1 and my Voodoo Labs Pedal Power II. Having the looper point up at me is essential because my eyesight is so poor that I had real issues trying to see which loops were active when it sat a couple feet away from me in a rack on my cab. The Looperlative looper is completely MIDI controlled as well. While ideally I would have sets of MIDI banks set up for each song I do so that my looping commands would be combined with my effect commands so that a single stomp would change both simultaneously, I'm not organized enough for that, so all of my looping and all of my effect patches are separate. If I ever became a "real" gigging musician, I'd likely take the time to do this, as it would save even more tapdancing as I wouldn't be hunting for a particular effect mid-song. Most of what I play now is just songwriting at home, so I rarely play songs that I've already written again. It's nice to know that option is there though.

Also, if I know I won't be needing my effects, I can unplug my input to the amp, plug my bass right into it, and play as I normally would, and the looper with still function, as it is the only thing that I have going through my amp's effects loop. The entire pedalboard only has three cables going into/out of it: a speakon cable going to my cab, an XLR cable going to my amp for recording, and a power cable. There is a power strip located inside underneath the rack stuff in the pedalboard- it's very hard to get to though There is an active two-channel input mixer that allows me to run both my bass and my Handsonic percussion thingy (or another bass, etc.) through all the effects and my amp.

The effects themselves are just a wide range of stuff I like- I love analog fuzzes and would have a third one on there if I could fit it. Not much is missing sound-wise from my setup- The VF-1 covers most of my moduation/time-based effects, and most of the pedals are noise boxes. Synth sounds are the only thing that's lacking, but I can still get decent synth sounds with the VF-1 or combinations of fuzzes with either the analog 3Leaf or the digital filter on the VF-1. There's an Xotic BB overdrive and an EHX BBM that are a bit tough to see in this pic.

The Gordius controller is programmed with a PC editor. While most of its programming can be done on the unit itself, it would take forever to do so. None of the buttons have any predetermined PC/CC/etc. value, as they do on nearly all MIDI controllers- you can program any button to do anything, and multiple simultaneous or sequential commands as well. One really cool thing about this is you can save different setup maps for it, so that you can load in different maps for completely different button setups if you want. The one downside is that it obviously isn't a plug-and-play device- you need to program a button to do something before it will do anything. While this is quick and easy using the PC editor, it's not the best if you're testing out effects at your pedalboard that's across the room from your PC. I've been thinking about picking up a netbook that I can keep next to my pedalboard (and put in my gig bag) for just this purpose. I also have to run my XLR cable all the way across the room to my PC for recording, so a netbook with a Firewire port would be great, as I'd also be able to keep my little Firewire recording device near my pedalboard and in my gig bag, although I'm having a tough time finding many netbooks with Firewire or Smartcard ports.

Brilliant!

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Brilliant!

Thanks! The next step in my master plan? Learning how to play bass