in praise of utility pedals

[superheavyfunk]

Like many of us, I've gone thru thousands of dollars (or whatever your local equivalent is) in pedals over the years.Yes, there have been regrets... Some "regrets" were later revealed to not be such, after I had repurchased them and gave them another try.

But all this having been said, one thing I rarely ever seem to regret - and in fact, most of the pedals that have stayed on my board for the longest period of time - are utility pedals. Things like compressors, EQs, LPFs, HPFs, cab sims, splitters and the like... These underrated boxes can make or break a rig, and they don't get nearly as much love as they should, if you ask me!

My board contains an LS-2, a compressor (OptiFet which is sometimes swapped out for a FloorQ), a cab sim (OSCM), a tuner (TU-2), and an HPF (Broughton Always-On), and a Rolls PM350. I used to have an EQ (Whirlwind Bass10) but I've ditched it in favor of having an onboard EQ installed in all my basses.

So I ask you, my friends: What are the utility pedals that you keep on your boards? What are the ones you love the most?

 

[Orion1985]

An H/LPF from Broughton is nice. I like how it seems to add energy and focus to my tone.

 

[rohi]

+1 for the utility board. Tuner, HPF, Compressor and a Preamp is all you need IMHO

Edit: and a cab sim for good measure!

 

[Stumbo]

Bro-ton always on HPF. Cuts mud better than a bull dozer, tames room boom and protects your speakers. Win-win-win.

 

[crguti]

LS-2 all the way

 

[Blu bro]

Yep my LS-2 has been one of the most handy purchases I have ever made.

 

[Ekajimmy]

Bro-ton always on HPF. Cuts mud better than a bull dozer, tames room boom and protects your speakers. Win-win-win.

+1
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[lowplaces]

Hmm, never thought of it that way but I guess my entire board is utility pedals.

Radial Dragster(load correction)>Broughton Always On HPF>Keeley Bassist>Radial BigShot ABY> amps

No fave really. Just can't stand to be without any of them.

 

[catcauphonic]

I got an LS-2 after purchasing about a dozen pedals that all made my bass signal sound some kind of different. After adding in the LS-2 it suddenly felt like my board had closer to 18 pedals So many routing and mixing options!

Parallel signaling is now how I roll, and I just stepped up with an EHX Switchblade Deluxe for a different board.

Next step will probably be a Saturnworks Pedals - Shop

 

[JimmyM]

I have a few but my usage of them has gotten a bit limited since playing with a couple bands where effects aren't as needed. So now the only one that I use with any regularity is my Line 6 G70. But I have a bunch that I like, and you can see them in my profile.

 

[Zbysek]

But all this having been said, one thing I rarely ever seem to regret - and in fact, most of the pedals that have stayed on my board for the longest period of time - are utility pedals. Things like compressors, EQs, LPFs, HPFs, cab sims, splitters and the like... These underrated boxes can make or break a rig, and they don't get nearly as much love as they should, if you ask me!

+1

So I ask you, my friends: What are the utility pedals that you keep on your boards? What are the ones you love the most?

Most of pedals which I regularly use can be called utility pedals: Broughton HPF DI, EBS Microbass II preamp, EBS Multicomp, TC El tuner.

I "love" them all...HPF DI is the latest addition.

 

[b_carville]

Zoom MS60B for me.
Use the tuner, exciter & the high pass filter on the AC BS PRE which I think is their version of a Fishman preamp.Use a compresser once in a while(usually the DBX clone but sometimes another).Sometimes I'll use the flanges for cheesy disco& 70's tunes.Once in a blue moon I'll use one of the envelope filters.
i might spring for a Broughton in high pass filter though.

 

[Bassist4Eris]

The LS-2 has been a key component to my board for years now. I use it for switching instantly between two tones, for switching on multiple pedals at once, and recently I've been experimenting with parallel processing.

I bring a Radial Bassbone to some gigs, in order to facilitate switching to an 8-string on a few songs.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I only use Sonic Research Turbo Tuners. Recently added an sfx Thumpinator under my pedalboard.

 

[40Hz]

I’m a big fan of utility pedals. Especially compressors, which is something I have a small shelf’s worth of - with more on the way.

I don’t have a fixed configuration for a pedalboard. I basically put a small one together for whatever thing I’m currently doing. But almost all will include a: tuner, compressor, baxandall type EQ/pre, HPF, and DI. I’ve also recently started experimenting with cab sims.

Pedals I use most often include:

• Tuner: Sonic Research ST-300, Peterson Strobostomp HD
• Compressor: Keeley Bassist, Ovnifx Smoothie, MarkBass Compressore, BOSS CS-2
• EQ: Broughton Alex-1, Barber Linden EQ, Broughton Parametric EQ, SA Programmable EQ
• Broughton HPF
• Countryman Type 85 DI

I’ve been on a quest lately to drastically simplify what I bring to a live gig. So I recently picked up a Dry Bell Unit 67. And I think I may have found my answer.

For those who don’t know, the Unit 67 is a combination boost/EQ/compressor pedal that just sounds good and makes whatever you plug into it sound better. I could see bringing it plus a tuner, HPF, and DI and calling it a day - although I still think I’d keep my parametric EQ in my gig bag just in case I found myself in a particularly problematic room.

So…for a take everywhere board:

• Peterson StroboStomp HD
• Dry Bell Unit 67
• Broughton Parametric EQ
• Broughton HPF
• Countryman Type 85

…and that should do it (I hope.)

 

[Bob_Ross]

What are the utility pedals that you keep on your boards? What are the ones you love the most?

I guess if you can consider a chorus to be a "utility pedal" then my Ibanez CS-9 takes the prize: I've used that in every stompbox configuration/pedalboard I've had since ~1983.

But I wouldn't say I love it. It just does it's job the way it's supposed to. It's a journeyman. I guess that's utilitarian.

I've got two Loopmaster flip/flop pedals that are practically the definition of "utility" since A) they don't have any controls, just a footswitch & a status LED; and B) they don't do anything without other pedals in their loops...but it's safe to say I love the way they've opened up my effects palette.

 

[clockworkcorpse]

I go tuner-comp-hpf-preamp... but I added a chorus this week to see if I can get things to pop out a bit more. I've used a korg pb tuner forever, and my favourite comp is the tlc. The hpf is a broughton, and current preamp is the bddi though I used a scrdi for the last year. I do own an ls2, and used it to switch between two preamps so i could have two premade tones on tap, but i just twiddle knobs now.

 

[two fingers]

My Broughton Always On HPF goes with me even if I'm just playing through a DI.

My Boss TU-2 Tuner has served me well for over 1,000 gigs.

 

[superheavyfunk]

I guess if you can consider a chorus to be a "utility pedal" then my Ibanez CS-9 takes the prize

chorus is an effect, so it doesn't count as a utility pedal.

I've got two Loopmaster flip/flop pedals that are practically the definition of "utility" since A) they don't have any controls, just a footswitch & a status LED; and B) they don't do anything without other pedals in their loops

THIS is a utility pedal.

 

[Oobly]

I get by with just a tuner and HPF/compressor unit (DIY). HPF is the only one that's always on. I use my preamp EQ, sometimes the tone knob on the bass. DI out from preamp, after all tone shaping (amp and can are FRFR). I use a lot more pedals (and a lot more variety of "sounds") with my "treble" guitar.