Help a pedal Noobie understand pedals.

[CaribooBass]

To put it in simple terms, I have never played my Bass with a pedal of any sort.
Why?
I have no experience with them and have no idea what they do.

Some are obvious such as a chorus or a tuner unit and maybe a distortion, but what do the others do?

Such as a compression pedal or a Sushi Box, I have no idea what these units provide.

Can some one point me to where I can find some information about pedals and maybe some songs that are a good example of how they are used.

Thanks

Clayton
Thank you in advance!

 

[HelpImaRock]

In 2022, there are multiple answers to this question, even within seemingly similar pedal types. Yeah two pedals say "compressor" on them but they're built on different circuits and behave uniquely, even though they're performing the same function.

So I would ask, instead of "what do pedals do?", what is it you're looking to achieve?

 

[el murdoque]

A pedal is a unit that processes your sound that is designed to be used sitting on the floor (or mounted to a pedal board), where you can activate and deactivate the unit or separate functions of the unit with your feet, enabling you to operate sound processing while you play your instrument.

If you're sounding good the way you are set up --- and you don't see an immediate need to change something or the advantage you get from having effects at your feet, you don't need pedals.

There are a ton of effects available, both digital and analog, from cheap Chinese models to extremely expensive boutique models that are hand made in the western world.
Sorting them in categories is not super easy and some evade or refuse the sorting process altogether.

It usually starts with a thought like "I could do with a little compression to even out my playing and there are a few songs where I would like some mild overdrive to my signal, but there are others where I need to sound clean."

From there, it's not too far to "And there are some lead passages where I could use heavier OD or distortion to fill a bit of the sonic space".
So a small pedalboard would be nice. A tuner, a Compressor and two flavors of dirt. Four pedals, nothing too wild.
Fast forward for about a year and you're buying your third board because when you migrated from the first to the second board, you chose it too small and ran out of space immediately.
It's hard to decide whether to have dirt before compression or after, which is why you have two comps and three dirt pedals now, to get every combination.

 

[bassbrad]

Pedals are used to improve, expand, enhance or modify our bass and amp basic tones.

Sushi Box FX pedals in particular are to add tube enhancement of various types to our sound and are highly recommended by myself and many others. Pedals – Sushi Box FX

 

[hrodbert696]

A little tricky to decide how to answer, when you say "some are obvious" - so what's not obvious that needs explaining?

Of examples you give, some, like the Sushi Box, are not a type of effect but a company. Sushi Box makes a number of different effects pedals. Sometimes when you see a reference like this, it's either a brand or model of pedal that's well known, not an effect per se. For instance, the ProCo RAT is a classic distortion pedal; you'll see people describe lots of other pedals with phrases like "it's their take on the RAT," meaning it's a distortion in the same style.

Off the top of my head, and I'm nowhere near an expert -

Preamp/EQ/DI - the core of my board is some version of this. I'm sure you know what EQ is, like on your amp. Just a pedal to put control at my feet instead of turning back to the amp on stage to tweak. Most preamp pedals have a DI these days, which is handy when I want to go ampless or as a backup if something is screwy with my amp.

Distortion - in flavors from overdrive to fuzz. Induces clipping in the signal in controlled ways.

Compression - volume control. Evens out your signal strength by reducing it by a given ratio when it spikes above a threshold you set. A limiter is a compressor that simply puts a ceiling on maximum volume and cuts off anything above that.

Modulation effects (chorus, flanger, phaser) - splits the signal and then detunes or otherwise modifies some of the streams from each other, producing swooping and swooshing sounds.

Filters/Envelope Filters - Kind of like an auto-EQ, often with a time function to adjust how the filtered-out frequencies are allowed through over time. A straight high-pass-filter, for instance, just cuts low frequencies and lets higher ones pass, so you're less likely to sound boomy. An envelope filter kind of opens and closes the gate, so to speak, giving bubbly and squonky sounds.

Reverb/delay - makes it sound like you're playing in an echoey room. Reverb tends to be just when the note holds over longer, delay is when you can hear it actually bounce back separately after playing it.

Octave/pitch shifter - takes the note you play and changes it to a different pitch. The most common and simplest is to make it an octave down, or more rarely an octave up. Pitch shifters can change it to any note you want, e.g. a 5th up or a minor 7th down or whatever.

There are also synth pedals where your bass largely becomes the controller, like a keyboard, and it makes whatever sound you programmed it to make.

There are probably some others I left out, but that's most of the common ones.

 

[theunknowndude]

A little tricky to decide how to answer, when you say "some are obvious" - so what's not obvious that needs explaining?

Of examples you give, some, like the Sushi Box, are not a type of effect but a company. Sushi Box makes a number of different effects pedals. Sometimes when you see a reference like this, it's either a brand or model of pedal that's well known, not an effect per se. For instance, the ProCo RAT is a classic distortion pedal; you'll see people describe lots of other pedals with phrases like "it's their take on the RAT," meaning it's a distortion in the same style.

Off the top of my head, and I'm nowhere near an expert -

Preamp/EQ/DI - the core of my board is some version of this. I'm sure you know what EQ is, like on your amp. Just a pedal to put control at my feet instead of turning back to the amp on stage to tweak. Most preamp pedals have a DI these days, which is handy when I want to go ampless or as a backup if something is screwy with my amp.

Distortion - in flavors from overdrive to fuzz. Induces clipping in the signal in controlled ways.

Compression - volume control. Evens out your signal strength by reducing it by a given ratio when it spikes above a threshold you set. A limiter is a compressor that simply puts a ceiling on maximum volume and cuts off anything above that.

Modulation effects (chorus, flanger, phaser) - splits the signal and then detunes or otherwise modifies some of the streams from each other, producing swooping and swooshing sounds.

Filters/Envelope Filters - Kind of like an auto-EQ, often with a time function to adjust how the filtered-out frequencies are allowed through over time. A straight high-pass-filter, for instance, just cuts low frequencies and lets higher ones pass, so you're less likely to sound boomy. An envelope filter kind of opens and closes the gate, so to speak, giving bubbly and squonky sounds.

Reverb/delay - makes it sound like you're playing in an echoey room. Reverb tends to be just when the note holds over longer, delay is when you can hear it actually bounce back separately after playing it.

Octave/pitch shifter - takes the note you play and changes it to a different pitch. The most common and simplest is to make it an octave down, or more rarely an octave up. Pitch shifters can change it to any note you want, e.g. a 5th up or a minor 7th down or whatever.

There are also synth pedals where your bass largely becomes the controller, like a keyboard, and it makes whatever sound you programmed it to make.

There are probably some others I left out, but that's most of the common ones.

Ny only addition to the eq/filter would also be wah - usually a foot pedal that can filter the sweep of the eq, can be used for quick "quacks / treble peaks" or for holding stationary for a different sound.

 

[Jason Schulhz]

People have answered your question adequately so far. I would add one thing: For someone as new as you, I would suggest a good compressor pedal as a first pedal. (A general rule of thumb is cheap ones sound cheap. Spend some money). They are subtle but make you sound better than you really are, especially if your playing is sloppy (most beginners have a sloppy technique whether they realize it or not.).

 

[tpaul]

Sushi box pedals make your bass sound more like a mackerel. If you think that sounds fishy, you should try adding a tuna - you'll be hooked in no time!

I'll see myself out.

 

[HolmeBass]

I would NOT start with a compressor. Start with something obvious, like a chorus, an overdrive, and an envelope filter.

Compressors are pretty subtle, but can be awesome in their subtlety. But kind of hard to get a handle on them when your ears are new to signal processing. Also, it is worth spending serious money on compressors. I thought they all sucked until I tried an expensive one. People go on and on about dynamics processing - but honestly I don't want noticeable dynamic compression from my compressor, I want it to make me bass sound awesome. Tricky to describe but you will know it when you hear it. Cali 76 CB in case you are wondering what showed me the light.

But I would start with more obvious sounds and figure out how to make them work within your band.

 

[Thumpin6string]

I have a very low need for pedals. This is what my pedal board consists of. (On Fretless, I add a reverb and chorus pedal.)

 

[edot3021]

Google The JHS Show. He deep dives into a lot of pedal and effect history and also provides a lot of great vintage, modern, break the bank, and affordable option. In my old curmudgeon days, I have learned that most brands are kind of "catch the fisherman, not the fish" and you can lust over a $1200 preamp, when 90% of us are just fine spending maybe $150-$250. I would start with a tuner, then maybe an Overdrive/Distortion/Fuzz. Good luck!

 

[Killing Floor]

They do the same things as studio effects in some cases. Any recording uses compression, for example.

As much as I love pedals, my board is actually quite small. You don't need to overdo it. But sometimes a little dirt or delay or modulation is a nice addition to a song.

Also sometimes they just look cool.

 

[Staredge]

Also sometimes they just look cool.
View attachment 4850572

Having learned to use one of those way back in the 80s, I really want to rehouse a pedal in one for my board.

 

[Nev375]

Google The JHS Show. He deep dives into a lot of pedal and effect history and also provides a lot of great vintage, modern, break the bank, and affordable option. In my old curmudgeon days, I have learned that most brands are kind of "catch the fisherman, not the fish" and you can lust over a $1200 preamp, when 90% of us are just fine spending maybe $150-$250. I would start with a tuner, then maybe an Overdrive/Distortion/Fuzz. Good luck!

This!

There's literally a guy in the world who's made it his purpose in life to educate people about guitar pedals and their history.

...and maybe sell a few from his own company. But there's nothing wrong with that.

The videos from a few years ago are where most of the best informational ones are. Lately they are a bit corny.

 

[Killing Floor]

Having learned to use one of those way back in the 80s, I really want to rehouse a pedal in one for my board.

That's a simple 1 knob FF type. FYI.
And fun fact, the company that made the dosimeters is the same company that made the Boss Tone fuzz pedals

 

[LowActionHero]

If you don't know what you like or need, I'd start with a multi effects pedal, poke around and see what you like. You might discover something you didn't know you couldn't live without.

I use a Zoom B3 as my main pedal right now.

 

[Against Will]

All pedals change your sound by manipulating the signal from your bass to your amp. So sometimes if you crank the knobs on a pedal it can edge into the realm of another pedal.

The easiest example of this is Overdrive/distortion/fuzz, which all do the same thing (increasing the gain of your signal) but to different degrees. some overdrives if you turn them up
they will sound like distortion pedals and some cranked distortion pedals will sound like fuzzes. This can also work in the opposite direction, turning down the volume on your bass and playing through (some) fuzzes can give you an overdriven sound that you might like. It depends on the make and model of the pedal. OD, distortion and fuzzes are a rabbit hole you can easily lose weeks of your life reading about.

Similarly, preamp, EQ, boost and even some compressor pedals can be used to get an overdriven sound, it's not what they were designed for, and some sound bad like this but some sound great!

Also, some pedals are called "preamp" pedals, but they're not. That is to say, you can't plug one into a power amp and gig with it (well, you CAN, but it probably won't sound very good). Some of them you can, but "preamp" is just a name not a certification. A lot of preamp pedals are really just an EQ pedal mixed with a gain stage. You can use them to shape your sound in a way you like or you can use them as a boost or overdrive.

 

[JeffTCS]

The very last thing, someone who doesn't know what they're doing needs, is a compressor. And if your playing is sloppy, as a beginner, you'll never get unsloppy if you try to use a comp to cover it up. Also if you're using a compressor to cover up sloppy playing then your compressed tone probably sounds like trash.

 

[MynameisMe]

You might want to look at the type of music you're playing, or the sound you want to achieve.
Then look for music artists who do something similar and see their gear and what type of effects they are using.
After buying and selling many pedals I have settled on a Polytune, a Darkglass OD and my Sansamp VT DI. It does everything I want. YMMV.
Different basses/ pickup combinations/ active or passive paired with same effects will not sound the same.

 

[JoeDoe]

A little tricky to decide how to answer, when you say "some are obvious" - so what's not obvious that needs explaining?

Of examples you give, some, like the Sushi Box, are not a type of effect but a company. Sushi Box makes a number of different effects pedals. Sometimes when you see a reference like this, it's either a brand or model of pedal that's well known, not an effect per se. For instance, the ProCo RAT is a classic distortion pedal; you'll see people describe lots of other pedals with phrases like "it's their take on the RAT," meaning it's a distortion in the same style.

Off the top of my head, and I'm nowhere near an expert -

Preamp/EQ/DI - the core of my board is some version of this. I'm sure you know what EQ is, like on your amp. Just a pedal to put control at my feet instead of turning back to the amp on stage to tweak. Most preamp pedals have a DI these days, which is handy when I want to go ampless or as a backup if something is screwy with my amp.

Distortion - in flavors from overdrive to fuzz. Induces clipping in the signal in controlled ways.

Compression - volume control. Evens out your signal strength by reducing it by a given ratio when it spikes above a threshold you set. A limiter is a compressor that simply puts a ceiling on maximum volume and cuts off anything above that.

Modulation effects (chorus, flanger, phaser) - splits the signal and then detunes or otherwise modifies some of the streams from each other, producing swooping and swooshing sounds.

Filters/Envelope Filters - Kind of like an auto-EQ, often with a time function to adjust how the filtered-out frequencies are allowed through over time. A straight high-pass-filter, for instance, just cuts low frequencies and lets higher ones pass, so you're less likely to sound boomy. An envelope filter kind of opens and closes the gate, so to speak, giving bubbly and squonky sounds.

Reverb/delay - makes it sound like you're playing in an echoey room. Reverb tends to be just when the note holds over longer, delay is when you can hear it actually bounce back separately after playing it.

Octave/pitch shifter - takes the note you play and changes it to a different pitch. The most common and simplest is to make it an octave down, or more rarely an octave up. Pitch shifters can change it to any note you want, e.g. a 5th up or a minor 7th down or whatever.

There are also synth pedals where your bass largely becomes the controller, like a keyboard, and it makes whatever sound you programmed it to make.

There are probably some others I left out, but that's most of the common ones.

I would NOT start with a compressor. Start with something obvious, like a chorus, an overdrive, and an envelope filter.

Compressors are pretty subtle, but can be awesome in their subtlety. But kind of hard to get a handle on them when your ears are new to signal processing. Also, it is worth spending serious money on compressors. I thought they all sucked until I tried an expensive one. People go on and on about dynamics processing - but honestly I don't want noticeable dynamic compression from my compressor, I want it to make me bass sound awesome. Tricky to describe but you will know it when you hear it. Cali 76 CB in case you are wondering what showed me the light.

But I would start with more obvious sounds and figure out how to make them work within your band.

You might want to look at the type of music you're playing, or the sound you want to achieve.
Then look for music artists who do something similar and see their gear and what type of effects they are using.
After buying and selling many pedals I have settled on a Polytune, a Darkglass OD and my Sansamp VT DI. It does everything I want. YMMV.
Different basses/ pickup combinations/ active or passive paired with same effects will not sound the same.

These cover just about everything you need to know!