How to solve: Fuzz/Synth getting buried in mix

[SeanSaliSE]

You may have already tried this, but I've often found the simplest answer is just to crank the fuzz or synth pedal's volume so that it is much louder than your clean tone.

When practicing or playing around at home it seems to make the most sense to have pedals set to unity gain. But in a mix a substantial volume boost really helps. My fuzz settings seem WAY too loud when playing alone but I've found that's what is needed for a band setting.

Just my two cents.

+1.

If you're playing with fuzz and there's OD guitar or whatnot, the similar nature of the audio waveforms will blend together and you'll be able to pick out individual sounds less (IIRC). Volume boost helps suppliment this issue. Being able to blend clean with OD is nice, and a feature I use standard on my EHX Bass Muff Pi.

 

[Samsound]

That's what I was about to suggest - blend in some of the clean signal.

 

[WaldoNova]

I have run into similar issues. I run a clean blend through my BDDI and mic (421) my cab. I am using a Brown Dog Bass Fuzz by Chunk Systems(I actually bought this from Hollow man) that does get a little lost in the mix. I love how the BD sounds through my AgentOO Funk so I am reluctant to replace it. I do have a Frantone Bassweet and a MXR Blowtorch on the way to see if one these may work better. It's an interesting thought to think a GEB7 would work for this. I will be waiting to hear if this will work or not. Please let us know what your solution is when you find one.

 

[Robertron]

I use to love, love, love the way my Russian Black muff sounded at home, but it ended up sucking with my band. I had to go on a hunt for a new fuzz that I liked both on its own AND in the mix. It was hard but I did it. Maybe the Micro Fuzz just isn't the fuzz for your mix.

Talk to the band, work out your whole EQ as a band, because really, you all are working toward a collective sound; having settings just how YOU like them mixed with how THEY like their settings don't just naturally work out most of the time

+1

My guitarist likes to EQ his amp to the point where his lows almost match mine. Can you imagine how muddy that sounds sometimes? I have to tell him to stop playing and re-EQ a lot during rehearsals!

 

[scotch]

Talk to the band, work out your whole EQ as a band, because really, you all are working toward a collective sound; having settings just how YOU like them mixed with how THEY like their settings don't just naturally work out most of the time

+1!

I've learned that when I find myself wanting to "cut through in the mix" more, it's almost always a case of:
a) my tone really isn't appropriate in context -and/or-
b) my note selections aren't the best

When things aren't "working", simplify. Trying to fight your way through a mix usually just make things worse. Finding appropriate & musical places to feature your more interesting tones is just as important as the tones themselves!

 

[Robertron]

I want to sig all of that.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Talk to the band, work out your whole EQ as a band, because really, you all are working toward a collective sound; having settings just how YOU like them mixed with how THEY like their settings don't just naturally work out most of the time

Yes! The context of the song and the whole band is important here. If the effect is necessary for the song (whatever your reason), the other players must take the entire frequency spectrum into account. Just as you are responsible for finding an effect that works as the bassist, the guitarist(s) is responsible for not stepping on your tonal toes either. They should have the consideration and mindfulness to adjust their eq settings to accomodate the effect being "heard".

Now, keep in mind that any kind of dirt (fuzz, disto, OD, whatever) is never going to be perceived as quite equal in volume to your clean tone as it is a form of clipping which cuts transients and robs the fundamental freq. of its oomph. Guitarist stsruggle with this all the time, especially those who use crazy high gain distortion.

Many possible solutions have been suggested, I would just advise you to keep the whole in mind as you work out your part.

 

[Nolifer]

I just found this while browsing http://www.tonefactor.com/manufacturers/e-w-s-bass-mid-control.html
Maybe you might find it useful.

 

[cubanbass]

It has already been suggested but I would raise your effects volume.
I used to hate my fuzzes and effects in a band mix. I fixed that by raising them 3 to 5db louder than I was used to and I was able to control the sound better in the mix (gave myself a lot more headroom and I would even back off my attack if needed). It also helped keep my clean tone tight/punchy (I dig in a little more on the clean).
A good friend and bass mentor once told me "when I kick in a bass effect I want it to be noticed". He is a tasteful and in demand player so I am sure he did not mean it in an obnoxious way.
An LS2 is also a great tool. I use it with a boost before it and my synth/filter/octave pedals and fuzz set up in the two loops. It has independent volume for each loop and a number of ways to set them up. Works for me.

 

[BrandonBass]

get a HBE hematoma

 

[Gadgetjunky]

You may have already tried this, but I've often found the simplest answer is just to crank the fuzz or synth pedal's volume so that it is much louder than your clean tone.

When practicing or playing around at home it seems to make the most sense to have pedals set to unity gain. But in a mix a substantial volume boost really helps. My fuzz settings seem WAY too loud when playing alone but I've found that's what is needed for a band setting.

Just my two cents.

I have to agree. I really tried to balance my gain at unity and even set it up with the ipad monitoring my input on the mixing board, but there's more to it than gain, the volume just needs to be higher on the fuzz. Going with more mids helps a little, but the best solution I've found is using the LS2 pedal, then I can mix dirt on top of my regular tone and it seems to keep my volume consistant and get the fuzz in there I want.

 

[BrandonBass]

Heres a clip of my band covering show me how to live, Im using vtbass overdrive though the whole song and uses a HBE Hematoma during the chorus/solo. It cuts through pretty well and you can hear the bass even though its recorded through an iphone.

The deal with dirt is that, you cant afford to scoop the tone else its gonna get lost with the distorted guitars. With the hematoma, it sounds like it lost abit of low end in the bedroom but it evens out at gig level.Its really all about the mids. I didnt have much treble in my tone since my strings were more or less dead. Heres the clip.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[BrandonBass]

I have to agree. I really tried to balance my gain at unity and even set it up with the ipad monitoring my input on the mixing board, but there's more to it than gain, the volume just needs to be higher on the fuzz. Going with more mids helps a little, but the best solution I've found is using the LS2 pedal, then I can mix dirt on top of my regular tone and it seems to keep my volume consistant and get the fuzz in there I want.

It may work in some context, but I wouldnt recommend doing it for all situations. I faced similar problems with my muff and while you hear yourself if you engage it at a much higher volume than ur clean sound, you run the risk of it being overbearing and disrupting the vocals which imo, is worse than the bass getting buried.

Thing is, always try a dirt pedal in band context before judging. that is all. bedroom tone doesnt mean much

 

[Hollow Man]

Semi-zombie thread!

Since I'm the OP, I guess I'll chime (back) in. I ended up sending the Micro Fuzz back to Max for a midrange mod, and now the pedal sits perfectly. The original design is fairly scooped, which sounds awesome alone or in solo passages, but struggles a bit in a full band setting (at least, in the mixes I'm in).

 

[RCCollins]

Fuzz blends. Cleanliness cuts.

I'm not a big fan of blended tone, but a little goes a long way, and it would probably work quite well in the OP's situation.

 

[HolmeBass]

You may have already tried this, but I've often found the simplest answer is just to crank the fuzz or synth pedal's volume so that it is much louder than your clean tone.

When practicing or playing around at home it seems to make the most sense to have pedals set to unity gain. But in a mix a substantial volume boost really helps. My fuzz settings seem WAY too loud when playing alone but I've found that's what is needed for a band setting.

Just my two cents.

This is also what I am finding, especially with fuzz.

 

[cubanbass]

+1 to this! All my effects are louder than unity, it works really well in the mix that way. I almost try to find the clean/unity tone in the fuzz...if that makes any sense

 

[caeman]

You could add something like the EWS BMC (Bass Mid Control) to the GR2 loop so the mids are only boosted at that point? It is a fairly small pedal. Or maybe a transparent/clean boost just before the fuzz pedal in that loop?