• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

low-end boost

prsbass

prsbass

Oct 13, 2006
1,020
0
Seattle
#1
I searched around but all the boosts I found were clean boost or overdrive. I have a need for a low-end frequency boost. Basically I just need a pedal that has a bass knob on it that functions like the bass knob on a preamp. I notice my tone gets a little thinned out when it goes through 2-3 pedals and I'd like to add some bass boost at the end of the chain to restore the loss.......or maybe just add low-end to sound even bigger.
Anybody make a simple pedal with just low-end boost?
Any kits out there?
 
#3
BEE sonic stomp does this well, the boost in volume isn't huge but it does boost your bottom nicely, I find that with distortions for keeping [adding] lows it works better than a blend, although I still keep it in my blend with my distortions because I like the faux bi-amped sound I get with the blend.
 
#4
Most EQ pedals are fine for boosting lows.
The Sadowsky outboard preamp has an excellent low boost, that's my recommendation.
There are a number of "preamp" pedals out there with bass boost. Practically every pedal that calls itself a preamp has that option.

Aside from that, bear in mind that lows which have been removed at some point in the chain cannot be put back with any kind of boost, EQ, or enhancer. There are two ways those devices can "work" for this purpose: one, if the original lows were not cut off, but only reduced in overall level a bit; or two, if you're content boosting the low mids above the rolled-off point, as that will give the impression of massive sounding lows even though the actual frequencies affected are higher than you'd think.
 
#7
You're probably going to get a more natural sounding result if you roll off some highs and then boost the overall level a bit. IME FWIW... You would be well served experimenting a bit to what sounds best with the equipment you're using.
 
#9
I designed a little bass booster that uses one dual opamp. It is basically the bass side of a Baxandall tone control with no bass cut. At the time I was really into "one knob wonders".

Invalid Link Removed

I really didn't have an application in mind. I just was fooling around.
 
#10
bongomania said:
Most EQ pedals are fine for boosting lows.
The Sadowsky outboard preamp has an excellent low boost, that's my recommendation.
There are a number of "preamp" pedals out there with bass boost. Practically every pedal that calls itself a preamp has that option.

Aside from that, bear in mind that lows which have been removed at some point in the chain cannot be put back with any kind of boost, EQ, or enhancer. There are two ways those devices can "work" for this purpose: one, if the original lows were not cut off, but only reduced in overall level a bit; or two, if you're content boosting the low mids above the rolled-off point, as that will give the impression of massive sounding lows even though the actual frequencies affected are higher than you'd think.
Click to expand...


Bongo makes a great point. A low-fequency boost may work, but it will probably be boosting frequencies other than what you are losing. A good buffer before the pedals in question might help a little, but the best remedy is always to eliminate the tone-sucking items!

That said, there are many great eq & pre pedals that do boost low frequencies. My favorite is the Frantone Thunderhead. Just bass boost & overall volume. It's true-bypass & preserves your "sound" while adding up to 25db below 300hz. It's probably not the best "bang for the buck", since it only does one thing - but it does that one thing perfectly!
 
#16
The EHX's hogfoot (mole) is a low pass filter. There is no high left.
The higher version of this is a knock out. The low end boost is natural and you can keep the highs by increasing the level of the dry source.
However, the treble was not useful for the bass.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back