Feedback

[Traver]

I'm not really sure where to put this topic, but I'm going with effects.

I want to add a feedback effect to my bass, like bands such as Sunn O))) and Boris are doing. However, I'm fairly clueless as how to actually accomplish this. I tried searching the net for help, but all I can find is how to avoid feedback. I also tried asking my teacher, but he really didn't know, since he's more of a blues/jazz type player. What he did say was that I could try playing facing the amp, so my pickups would get the signal from the amp as well, but looking at live performances from some bands that employ this sound, I don't think that's necessary, and that there is an easier way of doing it. I've also been told it's easier to do on a guitar than on a bass, but I still want to do it on bass.

So, any idea on how to get a feedback sound?

 

[Tomass]

Try this on for size man, its a DIY Feedback/bypass loop box
http://experimentalistsanonymous.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=134

 

[TaySte_2000]

Turn round and face your amp while playing.

Else there are a million options but depends how much you want to spend and if you want it to do more than just this effect.

 

[Happynoj]

Feedback is basically when your instrument picks up the sound from the amplifier, then it gets picked up by the pickup and sent back to the amp, then around again in a big loop. So you need your bass to be vibrated by the sound from the amp. The easiest way is to turn and face your amp. However, I would guess that the reason that you don't see bands doing it is that their volume on stage is so high that they don't have to turn around. Also, they will have monitors in front of them, which will assist them.

 

[ehque]

You could also try, as a unconventional approach, to mike your cab and feed that signal into a blend pedal, blending your bass signal with the mike signal.

 

[Swimming Bird]

+1 for doom metal. I have a place in my heart for both bands really, but it seems to me Sunn 0))) is getting feedback the traditional way: live in Brooklyn

That said, they are using distortion which makes feedback much much easier to achieve. For amp-instrument feedback gain and mids are both very important -- the more of each, the more feedback.

Otherwise, you could push a delay into self-oscillation, but that's got a different sound to it. If you want Doom metal style feedback, get yourself a fuzz pedal, play loudly and stand near to your amp.

Also, even if it doesn't look like they're getting amp feedback, they may be using a monitor in front of them. I know Adrian Belew does it, so it's in the realm of possibilities, but would be more or less a stage trick for these guys.

 

[Adam Barkley]

First of all, both of the bands are well-known for playing extremely loud.

This clip shows how Sunn does it. link. At about 45 seconds in he points his pickups at the monitors.

 

[Traver]

Feedback is basically when your instrument picks up the sound from the amplifier, then it gets picked up by the pickup and sent back to the amp, then around again in a big loop. So you need your bass to be vibrated by the sound from the amp. The easiest way is to turn and face your amp. However, I would guess that the reason that you don't see bands doing it is that their volume on stage is so high that they don't have to turn around. Also, they will have monitors in front of them, which will assist them.

Yeah, I guess that's how they do it. And looking closer at some of the videos you've posted and some of the ones I've seen myself, I can see that yes, they do face the amps. It's just not as obvious as I thought it would be.

So high mids and gain on the amp, use distortion (why wouldn't I? ), play loud and face the amp and I should have myself a nice feedback, right?

 

[Swimming Bird]

With that setup, you'd have a hard time not feeding back. Actually, you may have to be careful so you don't get unwanted feedback -- it might even happen when you're facing away from the amp if you're very close to it.

 

[Terrorstorm]

I have a lot of fun, getting feedback from this pedal... the Effector 13 Torns Peaker.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

(If you want) it feedbacks like crazy and has lots of volume, as well as some really great overtones and strange harmonics! It's also the "highest" gain fuzz I've ever come across.

For more droning, like Sunn o))) I place a DOD FX 32 Meat Box (Subharmonic Synthesizer) after it.
I also have a feedback loop pedal (also Effector 13), but I prefer it the natural way...

 

[dunce180]

It also helps to have some delay and distortion. With the delay you can 'Change' the note your fretting without the feedback dieing. Listen to Lost Keys (blame hoffman) by Tool to hear some nice bass feedback work.