Explain your board

[metalinthenight]

Wow... I was already feeling inadequate with all these huge boards with lopers and midi controls and bizarre switching/routing options.
Then I read this and felt doubly inadequate since I had to shave last week.

At least you guys can grow a beard.....I'll be 23 next week and it just ain't happening.


Sweet boards guys! and thanks for the clips Bob!

 

[JTE]

Two boards...

A. The one that goes all the time, has a SansAmp BDDI, a Boss TU-2, and a One-Spot wall-wart. Explain it? The tuner is a tuner and a mute. The BDDI is an effect that alters the sound a little bit (I run the controls almost all right at noon) for specific songs, and it doubles as a reliable, quiet, and accepted DI.

B. The big board uses those two pedals, and adds an EBS Bass-IQ envelope filter, an EBS Octa-Bass octave pedal, and a Boss bass limiter/enhancer. The envelope filter is fun for some things (it's used on Sly & The Family Stone's "Thank You (Falletine Me Be Mice Elf, Again)", and some other things as the mood strikes me. The octave pedal is used to fatten things up during guitar solos (especially useful in a 3-piece riff oriented song). I've used it in covering "Superstition" when even when the keys are there, and some other stuff.

The limiter/enhancer is there to control the output of the other two- they can cause a big jump in gain, so the limiter helps keep that together. But I got it mostly because I had a $40 credit at the pawn shop and they had the pedal sitting there. Plus, I'd just read that Gail Anne Dorsey used one when she played her Precision so I popped for it.

John

 

[bobbass4k]

At least you guys can grow a beard.....I'll be 23 next week and it just ain't happening.


Sweet boards guys! and thanks for the clips Bob!

Veering even more off topic, I've had a beard since I was 15 (now nearly 21) and it's not all it's cracked up to be. I almost got kicked out of school, because when they showed visiotrs and stuff round they thought I was really old and had been held back or something, so they tried to make me to shave it off.

 

[bassman1185]

The Board:

The Chain:

Bass (Squier VM 70's Jazz, SD 1/4 Pounders, CGCF Tuning) -> Planet Waves Tuner -> Boss NS-2 -> (loop out) -> Symetrix 501 Compressor -> MXR Bass Octave Deluxe -> Pigtronix Disnortion -> (Clean out to Boss LS-2) -> Tech21 Bass VT -> Boss LS-2 -> Boss NS-2 loop in -> EHX Stereo Memory Man with Hazarai -> Amp

The explanation: I play in a heavy post-hardcore band. The Bass VT is always on, and set for a mild grit with a bit of midrange boost. The 501 is always on as well, to help keep me a bit more consistant and punchy. Most of our songs call for heavier tones than just the VT's starting point, so the Disnortion is set up for medium-gain transparent OD and all-out crazy fuzz. I don't use the octavia much. The fuzz is there for big, heavy, doomy breakdowns, and I use the OD for a generally more "beefy" tone. The BOD is used for some extra texture, as well as filling in the sound a bit on guitar solo-ish parts. The SMMH isn't getting the love it deserves, but I'll kick that on for our more ambient moments. As much as I love it, I could live without it pretty easily. The LS-2 and the NS-2 are both mainly utilities that stay on all the time. The NS-2 is always on to cut down noise, and the LS-2 stays on to blend in a little bit of clean tone.

 

[Robertron]

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.

Great sound!! Bass and band, it was really nice to listen to.

 

[Happynoj]

I do a lot of synthy stuff with my band, so I run a 2 channel setup. I have an NS-2 as the first pedal, which I basically run as a patchbay. The output of the NS-2 goes to my amp. The LS-2 is the loop of the NS-2. The LS-2 is set to A+B Mix mode, giving me two blendable channels of synthy goodness. Everything to the left of the LS-2 is in one channel, and everything to the right is in the other channel. Both sides go through the Memory Man before going back to the LS-2. The bottom row and the Memory man are the essentials that I couldn't do without. OC-2 is set to solo -1oct for those phat sub sounds, which then runs into the Muff for a bit of fuzzing. the other side then uses various combinations of BSW in Octave mode, FM-4 and DS-1 for everything from fat dubstep-style sounds to swamp noises to screaming horses. The Q-Tron, PH-3, BF-2, Pulsar and Time Machine are really just extras for noise-making at the moment. I'm planning on switching those out for other things eventually.

 

[beggar98]

No pic at work, but my current board is as follows:

POG2: I love this thing. I use it for a standard octave down as well as some really cool volume swells.

Fuzzhugger Great Wall: Awesome, super-versatile fuzz. I have an older, 4-knob version with a tone bypass switch on the side. Mostly used for a kinda synthy, sputtery fuzz.

3Leaf Groove Regulator: Best envelope filter I've owned. I use it to add a vocal quality to solos, a la Hadrien Feraud,

Stereo Polyphase: Pretty much leave it on the envelope setting. I use this for the greasy funk stuff that most people use an envelope filter for. This plays better with my fuzz pedal than the 3Leaf does.

Stereo Electric Mistress: I keep it pretty subtle, sounds great with fretless for a Jaco tone.

Worm XO: Just got this recently, still feeling it out. Mostly just using the Vibrato and Tremolo on extreme settings. Adds a very cool dimension to walking lines.

Toadworks Redux: Just your basic delay. Sounds good, though I have a hard time finding a practical use for delay. Mostly used in my bedroom to entertain myself.

OLC Flipster: I use this a lot. Takes what is a very modern sounding, solid state rig (active bass, EA Micro 300) and adds some tubey warmth.

 

[ninepoundjammer]

Link Removed

Bottom row is my "front end" -- tone shaping pedals that tend to stay enabled. 95% of the time I'm only running the VTBass, going for a fat, thick, vintage sound with a touch of overdrive. If I want more of a modern/funk sound, often for slap, I'll run the Aguilar Comp and Demeter EQ rather than the VTBass.

Little pedal on the bottom left is a Keeley looper which enables the top row where my "expression" pedals live. Since I'm impatient, I paid too much for the Keeley name on a simple looper pedal, but the ability to preset my top row is really nice. Since my usual tone is pretty full and on the edge of muddy the Fulltone Bass-drive and Xotic RC Booster are both used to brighten up my tone and give me a boost for solos, with and without added overdrive, respectively. The small bass dropout in the Fulltone actually works fine in this case; with the signal boost I end up with the same bass level but a boosted high end, and it has some balls. Envelope filter does what envelope filters do.

I'm really happy with the VTBass, Bass-drive and Xotic booster for vintage finger-style sounds. Not settled on the modern/funk front-end (Comp/EQ) though. I think I need a dual band comp (FEA, uhmmmm) and maybe a parametric EQ. I'm going back and forth between the MXR filter and a 3-Leaf Groove Regulator. GR sounds better but I think I need dry/wet mix control to be happy, which is why I keep going back to the MXR. Have a WMD Super Fatman on the way, hopefully that's the ticket.

 

[Bassnut62]

my current board is for a prog-groove-electronic-pop outfit doing all original material.

I almost always run the Keeley compressor into the ZVex Mammoth, which I often run on its own or into the Empress Trem or the Small Stone or the Small Clone. All of which create delicous modulated fuzz. I run the Mammoth on max Pinch and max Wool.

The Groove Regulator has the ZVex Mastotron in its loop for fuzz wah. I sometimes use the GR on its own and for slapping, when I engage Keeley too.

The Bass Micro Synth get splenty of use too for super phat grooves.

The SFT is usullay set to drive my amp into 70s Ampeg all valve stack territory - i love the dynamic reponse of the SFT. I use this for a quiet ballad with v loud chorus and mid8.

The DLA and the Trem are both quite recent purchases and are not yet used a great deal; can't wait to get them fully into action, especially the Trem, which is truly awesome - thanks for the tip Jared!

The Bass Balls gets used on its own with and without distortion mode and it gets used to dirty up the MBS at times. It sounds great in a simple groove we do that requires chords high up neck on E and G strings.

Not finding much use for the MXR BOD yet, but I really like this pedal; so hopefully it'll find its place in our music soon, otherwise it might get bumped off the board.

 

[80'sRocker]

I use a 20 foot cable from my bass to my amp - awesome setup!

 

[lovefist]

My board is young and made from an IKEA shelf (had it reinforced). It cost a little bit of cash to get this far with it, but I'm far from satisfied since I'm new at effects.
Most of my effects were bought right here on this site!

Boss OC-2- Plan on using this on some sections during our set
EHX Qballs Enigma- Experimenting and currently use in LP mode to made a crazy dub rap sound
ProCo Turbo Rat- When things get heavy this thing holds the low end and was a good price
Boss GEB-7- I use this to help out the distortion sometimes and to stand out on grooves
Boss TU-2- It's tuner

-I plan on getting something better then my One Spot charger and add a EHX MicroSynth/ Big Muff

 

[jucas]

my current board is for a prog-groove-electronic-pop outfit doing all original material.

I almost always run the Keeley compressor into the ZVex Mammoth, which I often run on its own or into the Empress Trem or the Small Stone or the Small Clone. All of which create delicous modulated fuzz. I run the Mammoth on max Pinch and max Wool.

The Groove Regulator has the ZVex Mastotron in its loop for fuzz wah. I sometimes use the GR on its own and for slapping, when I engage Keeley too.

The Bass Micro Synth get splenty of use too for super phat grooves.

The SFT is usullay set to drive my amp into 70s Ampeg all valve stack territory - i love the dynamic reponse of the SFT. I use this for a quiet ballad with v loud chorus and mid8.

The DLA and the Trem are both quite recent purchases and are not yet used a great deal; can't wait to get them fully into action, especially the Trem, which is truly awesome - thanks for the tip Jared!

The Bass Balls gets used on its own with and without distortion mode and it gets used to dirty up the MBS at times. It sounds great in a simple groove we do that requires chords high up neck on E and G strings.

Not finding much use for the MXR BOD yet, but I really like this pedal; so hopefully it'll find its place in our music soon, otherwise it might get bumped off the board.

I really like the board! I used to get great results outta mammoth, octave, filter, OD, and trem. I used the same mammoth settings, played with the filter, turned on the rhythms on the empress, and optionally the OD/octave. Messing with the rhythms on the empress was tonnes of fun.

 

[Crystalman85]

Although I've used multi-effects processors, I did had stomp box set-up. here's what I had.

Danelectro fab chorus pedal- I'm a big fan of chorus effects and I'm definitely amazed by the sound quality of this pedal. I like this pedal for it's smooth retro chorus sound. definitely the best affordable chorus pedal I ever bought.

Digitech xbd bass overdrive/distortion pedal- this was my first bass distortion pedal and I think this pedal sounds awesome. it may not be the best bass distortion pedal, but I dig it. this pedal I like for it's fizzy metallic sound. in my opinion, this is a pretty decent distortion pedal to own if you play hard rock and heavy metal.

This is pretty much my stomp box set up. personally I like combining distortion with chorus. it gives me a grungy but heavy sound. it's been my main sound for playing heavy music. and some some songs, I play clean with a chorus.

 

[Ric5]

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/effects.htm

 

[BioDriver]

Let's see here....

Planet Waves chromatic tuner - For getting my bass in tune. Its age and cheaper parts are starting to catch up with it, though, so it may not last much longer. Will definitely be replaced by the Sonic Research turbo tuner, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

MXR bass octave deluxe - For adding rumble, synth/dub sounds, and to work in conjunction with my other pedals. I have yet to try the Aguilar so we'll see how long the MXR stays, but it's going to be tough to top this.

3 Leaf Audio groove regulator - For that super nice, warm, analog funk sound. Works very well with the octave and many of the distortion settings I use. Despite not being a LPF it can still give some synthy sounds when blended with the other pedals properly. As it stands it's the only pedal that will never be leaving my board.

Source Audio Soundblox Pro multiwave bass distortion - Versatility out the wazoo. Produces a plethora of distortion tones, a very nice fuzz, and synthy goodness. Lacks warm, gritty drive, though, so although it's not going anywhere I'm going to need to enlist another dirt pedal (The Aguilar Agro seems most enticing at this time....).

Subdecay Echobox - The warmest, most analog sounding digital delay I've come across. Its bypass is having some issues atm (loose solder points) but it's an easy fix. Probably won't be going anywhere anytime soon, but the TCE NovaDelay is tempting, albeit out of my needs and price range for the time being.

And yeah, that's that. I'll probably invest in the Agro next, but I may also get the Aguilar TLC to keep the occasional 3leaf volume spikes at bay.

 

[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.

I'm going to be ripping the whole thing down and starting over soon. I think for this weekend gig I'm just taking the Katana and a tuner.

I might get another pedal train -[pp2?] too...

What is staying:
Loopmaster
Katana Sound Supper bass Fuzz
Fulltone Supa-trem
Demeter Compulator
Maxon AD-900

What will be added:
Mellowtone Hi Five
Fuzz Hugger Great Wall V3
Blackout Effectors Whetstone [maybe... if it works out, if not back to the 45]

As you can see I going to go filter less for a while, I just never end up using them live as much as I think I will, usually only on one song, and I am starting to wonder if what I'm doing on that song with a filter is cliché.

 

[xray]

Another one from me. This was the last incarnation of a board I used in a RHCP tribute band:

The tuner was used obviously to tune up for shows but also for a quick change to drop D (By The Way, The Brothers Cup etc)

The Turbo Rat was used for mild dirt on By The Way and heavy distortion on Invalid Link Removed.

The Groove Regulator was used for Power of Equality, Sir Psycho Sexy, 21st Century and a couple others.

The octaver and phaser were just fun for jams. The filter and dirt changed a few times (FX25, Qtron, 00Funk, XXLB, Brown Dog, VT Bass etc) but basically it was tuner, filter, dirt and some pedals for jams.

I've had this question on my mind a lot but since you're one i see most often referencing RHCP covers - a. people really want to see a RHCP cover band or b. do you do RHCP covers because they were popular two-three years ago and the gig paid well? Seriously though, RHCP cover band? They've sorta lost their push.

 

[B.C.]

This is my future board. Mostly used for my Praise and Worship Band Day 40. www.day40.net

Gemni-Drive: Perfect for the tube overdrive or a dirty boost. I usually kick it on when the song gets heavy or the guitarists are gritty.

Super-Synth: On loan atm but definitely going to replace the SYB-3 and Bass Octave Deluxe. Better tracking and great sounding octave. I use synth on some songs and octave usually with the Gemni (Think sort of Muse-esque.)

Woolly Mammoth: For the all out fuzz for heavy parts or mirroring guitar parts. Great Muse tone and the gate is perfect.

Mess-Drive: I use this mainly as a synth. At this setting, it can sound like a low synth part popular with modern Praise and Worship.

Tuner: Tunes.

 

[Bassnut62]

I really like the board! I used to get great results outta mammoth, octave, filter, OD, and trem. I used the same mammoth settings, played with the filter, turned on the rhythms on the empress, and optionally the OD/octave. Messing with the rhythms on the empress was tonnes of fun.

Hey Jucas,
thanks for the compliment and for the heads up on that combination of mammoth, trem, filter & od - I'll give it a whirl!
those rhythm settings on the trem are just awesome , aren't they.

 

[Fishyfan]

first of all, let me say that i do everything humanly possible to use at least some of my effects on everything i do, be that punk, jazz, rock, whatevs, ill add pedals to it if it sounds good. i write music around the sounds i conjure from the bass. most of it is psychedelic/krautrock stuff with a strong does of Sunn 0))) thrown in for good measure.

Bridge PUP of a Rickenbacker 4003 goes into a Boss LS-2 and then....
The HOG is used for massive chordal organ style sounds
the Yardbox is used for crazy trebly fuzz
the DS1 is used for a lighter distortion
the Flanger is used for light modulation
the Freqbox is used for synthy square wave effects usually in conjunction with the LowPass Filter
the MuRF is mainly used for either a sequence-y effect or as the main component of my auto-krautrock backing setup
the Phaser and Ring Mod are there to add color to the sound of whatever is coming before them
the Lowpass Filter is set so that the Expression pedal on the floor controls the cutoff which i use to make filter swells moreso than anything else
the Delay makes delay noizez
the Whammy is for adding clarity to the bass tone by raising the bridge pickup side of my Rickenbacker an octave
the Wah is used both for traditional bow-chicka effects and tone-shaping
the expression pedal is used to control the cutoff of the Moog Filter.
(Note: this is not the exact order of the routing of the pedals, but its fairly close)
The Neck PUP goes into an LS-2 and then...
Ampeg Sub-Blaster which is great for adding that extra dollop of low end
a Prescription Electronics Depth Charge, which is almost always on
Dunlop Rotovibe which i use for essentially two sounds: heel down, which is just a slow coloring phaser, and toe down, which is a crazy vibrato-ish sound.
The M9 and Memory Toy and DD20 and RE20 are all part of an experiment i am working on involving multiple delays stacked atop one another in a chain. so far its one of the trippiest things ive ever done.
The Visual Sound Volume is right before the amps and it allows me to mute the whole rig as necessary