I am, but I still have that niggle I was telling you about, I believe its too powerful to be played loud in my room, so I'll be checkin' it out in the garden tomorrow.
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Metal, with or without distortion...
- Thread starter René_Julien
- Start date
Yeah... but I think I mean retire as they are going to be used as paper weight or something.
Now that is a good idea, fashionable and handy!
Its a good idea to keep 'em around, they're always there if you want to jam with one.
I haven't used most of my effects in monts on end, but I know they are there if I need something different.
I-m using sansamp for live ,,,clean tone set on it most of the time,use ebs valvedrive for od parts,also using a syb5 ocasionaly and I think I need a comrpessor pedalfor live also
and I think I need a comrpessor pedalfor live alsoI'd agree that it's easier to cut through the mix of distortion, especially heavy distortion with a clean tone (with proper mid eq of course), but I've listened to bands like the Melvins where there is fuzz on top of distortion...it works for them.
Bottom line is use what you like. If you like a clean bass tone, then dump the dirt pedals, if you like dirt...
Bottom line is use what you like. If you like a clean bass tone, then dump the dirt pedals, if you like dirt...
I play quite a few metal songs with my new band, and i never prefer distortion. I think it makes the sound too muddy with 2 guitars and a bass having distortion.
Clean tone suits me fine in most gernes though
Clean tone suits me fine in most gernes though
I remember how clean and clear the bass sounded on the first Van Halen album - I always wanted to sound clear like that & leave the distortion to the six shooters. I replaced a number of guys in my teens who were playing overdriven through Ampeg stacks. I would bring my SUNN head & Yamaha cabinets & they would love actually hearing the notes.
I'm thinking I'd rather some method of getting a wet/dry mix when playing live. I like the tone I get from OD, but I need my bass to be clear...lucky for me I just picked up a stereo chorus pedal. Hadn't even thought of that method before I got it...
Well, I only have one guitarist in my band (also hardcore but still...) and my Metal Muff is on 80% of the time. It really only gets turned off for ambient breakdowns or when I feel the need to kick on my fuzz for some doomy goodness.
If it works in the song then I say use it but if it doesn't then don't use it. But don't be afraid to try it out because you never know.
i have a pd7. its good stuff. i mainly use when jamming by myself, not so much in a band setting. when it comes to a 'dirty' sounding bass, a grinding sound rather than a distorted sound is whats really needed. 'grinding' is probably the wrong word, but im sure someone here knows what im talking about. your typical heavy industrial metal bass sound. i borrowed my churches sansamp bddi for a week and i got very close to that sound. and from what i hear the behringer bdi21 isnt too far off from the sound of the sansamp
anyway, distortion is good every once in a while, and even a fuzz in stoner metal. but be careful though. distorted bass is one of those things best left in small quantity
anyway, distortion is good every once in a while, and even a fuzz in stoner metal. but be careful though. distorted bass is one of those things best left in small quantity
I recently discovered a death metal band, Vader, which employs very clean and clear basslines through their music. In my opinion, it sounds great - deep and powerful.
They're not as crunchy as some other bands, but I think an important distinction should be made between fuzzy/crunchy and "heavy."
Even with guitar, a whole lot of distortion doesn't necessarily equate heaviness. Anyone who's familiar with Dimmu Borgir (especially on the Stormblast album) knows that their intros and bridges with clean guitars are just as dark-sounding as the distorted parts of the songs. Likewise, put on some Kelly Clarkson and you'll probably hear rythym guitar more distorted than the first few sabbath records.
What's my point? Mood can be set by more than just tone, don't anchor your approach merely on whether you're playing clean or dirty. (though bandmates usually appreciate good hygene)
By the way, I play in a band without guitar on many songs, and my recently-purchased green sovtek big muff has been a very great tool of expression on songs that warrant it. And it is definitely not heavy music at all.
They're not as crunchy as some other bands, but I think an important distinction should be made between fuzzy/crunchy and "heavy."
Even with guitar, a whole lot of distortion doesn't necessarily equate heaviness. Anyone who's familiar with Dimmu Borgir (especially on the Stormblast album) knows that their intros and bridges with clean guitars are just as dark-sounding as the distorted parts of the songs. Likewise, put on some Kelly Clarkson and you'll probably hear rythym guitar more distorted than the first few sabbath records.
What's my point? Mood can be set by more than just tone, don't anchor your approach merely on whether you're playing clean or dirty. (though bandmates usually appreciate good hygene)
By the way, I play in a band without guitar on many songs, and my recently-purchased green sovtek big muff has been a very great tool of expression on songs that warrant it. And it is definitely not heavy music at all.
+1
A distortion or fuzz pedal that sounds good when you're trying it alone, might sound like crap (or make you disappear) in a band situation.
i think distorted guitar and distorted bass can sound pretty cool, but it doesn't always. in post-metal, i sometimes hear a heavily distorted bass with clean guitar, and it really sounds awesome. when i write a bassline, i just try it in both distorted manner and clean, and just try to hear which sounds better. for solos, it really depends on the nature of the solo. is it a fast, metal-ish, short solo and the guitars are still going strong? you can use distortion. but is it a really atmosferic, long, slow solo, it's better not to use distortion.
I smell what you're stepping in, OP. Although, I know it stinks, but you hafta wander into the different genres of metal to really sort this out, as you would have to do with rock and pop and everything.
To me, IME, I've never used a pedal or effect for my bass when playing metal. However, that was when I was young and gear-stupid, and i thought that all effect pedals only worked for guitar and wouldn't make any noise with a bass. (stupid.)
knowing what I know now, a full four years later, The only thing I would have liked back in the day was mah sansamp BDDI. It gives me the grindy tone that I think works wonders with holding down the bottom end in all kinds of metal and rock, without overdoing it on sounding distorted.
anyway, to allude back to the OP's post, I think that metal bass is more about dirt than distortion. Lots of attack and drive is all you need in my opinion.
To me, IME, I've never used a pedal or effect for my bass when playing metal. However, that was when I was young and gear-stupid, and i thought that all effect pedals only worked for guitar and wouldn't make any noise with a bass. (stupid.)
knowing what I know now, a full four years later, The only thing I would have liked back in the day was mah sansamp BDDI. It gives me the grindy tone that I think works wonders with holding down the bottom end in all kinds of metal and rock, without overdoing it on sounding distorted.
anyway, to allude back to the OP's post, I think that metal bass is more about dirt than distortion. Lots of attack and drive is all you need in my opinion.
i know its not metal, but joe principe of rise against runs a liiiiittle bit of dirt ALL the time, and it sounds bloody amazing. he cuts like nobodies business.
with that said, thats what i like to hear in metal (then i can stand to listen to it). just enough tube breakup to give it edge. super clean bass bores the crap out of me.
i hate to say it, but cliff took it too far sometimes. he got lost in mixes. then again.. some of them were a little low budget, and he just wanted to **** **** up. listening to his stuff soloed out on youtube, i can appreciate his playing more because i can actually hear it. maybe it was a mix issue, but in think metal mixes, too much drive will get you lost. not enough will make you boring.
i dont play metal, but i play in a very heavy proggy rock band, and when i choose to use overdrive, its for good reason. like if im driving the song. or solos. or if i, like cliff, just want to **** **** up.
with that said, thats what i like to hear in metal (then i can stand to listen to it). just enough tube breakup to give it edge. super clean bass bores the crap out of me.
i hate to say it, but cliff took it too far sometimes. he got lost in mixes. then again.. some of them were a little low budget, and he just wanted to **** **** up. listening to his stuff soloed out on youtube, i can appreciate his playing more because i can actually hear it. maybe it was a mix issue, but in think metal mixes, too much drive will get you lost. not enough will make you boring.
i dont play metal, but i play in a very heavy proggy rock band, and when i choose to use overdrive, its for good reason. like if im driving the song. or solos. or if i, like cliff, just want to **** **** up.
