Mixing expensive and not expensive effects, will it work?

[ELynx]

I specifically did not use word "cheap" because when something has good bang/buck ratio it is not so bad.

My current GAS list is very short, I dream of Source Audio Aftershock. What I have is Zoom B1Xon processor which I use to test out different effect types and combinations. I also use it as a practice station.

Question is, if I ever buy Aftershock, will it make sense to put my Zoom into same signal chain with it? E.g. as compressor or EQ.
In general, if I buy one expensive effect, should I buy only same $ level gear afterwards, or I can build from whatever I have at hand, and if it is not a piece of junk in itself it should be fine. Maybe going $$$ -> $$ -> $ order make sense, or reverse.

This is aimed at people who ever did this, because I want to map my "growth strategy" for possible future pedalboard.

 

[Bassbeater]

It might help to sidechain or loop the cheaper units, because they tend to add more noise to the chain and running everything in series, the noise can add up quickly... Not always the case, but frequently.

 

[Rambazamba]

Yes it will

 

[bongomania]

Works great-- I have combined old with new, cheap with expensive, popular with unpopular, and never had any problems with combining them (as long as their power supplies and grounding were compatible).

 

[Karlson541]

I do it.

Really depends on the specific effects though.

Some cheap effects sound amazing while some expensive effects sucks, also even two effects that sounds great independently can sound bad stacked, has nothing whatsoever to do with price though.

 

[ELynx]

It might help to sidechain or loop the cheaper units, because they tend to add more noise to the chain and running everything in series, the noise can add up quickly... Not always the case, but frequently.

Did not think about noise, thank you!
Some "loop switcher" may be necessery any way, because now with Zoom I change entire preset with one button press, and with more than 1 effect I would have to do a little tap dance.

 

[ELynx]

Works great-- I have combined old with new, cheap with expensive, popular with unpopular, and never had any problems with combining them (as long as their power supplies and grounding were compatible).

Yes, kind of thing I was thinking about. I also keep my eye on "used" effects posted in couple of small shops, effect name talkbass is one of my popular searches. Some stuff there is old.

 

[ELynx]

I do it.

Good, another point to data.
When I wrote work/not work I didn't mean sonically. That is where "magic" land is. I meant is more technical. E.g. very good boutique warm comp and old tuner or HPF/LPF. Maybe some gear bring such losses to the chain that no matter what is before or after sound is lost.

 

[dave_bass5]

I specifically did not use word "cheap" because when something has good bang/buck ratio it is not so bad.

My current GAS list is very short, I dream of Source Audio Aftershock. What I have is Zoom B1Xon processor which I use to test out different effect types and combinations. I also use it as a practice station.

Question is, if I ever buy Aftershock, will it make sense to put my Zoom into same signal chain with it? E.g. as compressor or EQ.
In general, if I buy one expensive effect, should I buy only same $ level gear afterwards, or I can build from whatever I have at hand, and if it is not a piece of junk in itself it should be fine. Maybe going $$$ -> $$ -> $ order make sense, or reverse.

This is aimed at people who ever did this, because I want to map my "growth strategy" for possible future pedalboard.

Yes of course. The issue will come when you mix good with rubbish. That has nothing to do with cost though. There are great and poor boxed at all price points.
I have a Q/strip (£300) and a Joyo Ultata Drive (£30) on mine and both work great together, as they should.
Saying that, i do have the B1Xon and i too use it for home headphone practice. I’m not sure I’d want to use it live as it can be a bit noisy. Then again, as a lot of use use OD that creates noise anyway maybe its not a big deal.
The As is a great pedal, i dont use mine at the moment, but i will again one day.
Just buy the pedals you want and dont worry about cost. Just make sure you power them properly.

 

[Microbass]

my chain has a Joyo tremolo near the start, which then reaches a B3k which then feeds into a Behringer BDI.

No harm done.

 

[LSMFT6]

I specifically did not use word "cheap" because when something has good bang/buck ratio it is not so bad.

My current GAS list is very short, I dream of Source Audio Aftershock. What I have is Zoom B1Xon processor which I use to test out different effect types and combinations. I also use it as a practice station.

Question is, if I ever buy Aftershock, will it make sense to put my Zoom into same signal chain with it? E.g. as compressor or EQ.
In general, if I buy one expensive effect, should I buy only same $ level gear afterwards, or I can build from whatever I have at hand, and if it is not a piece of junk in itself it should be fine. Maybe going $$$ -> $$ -> $ order make sense, or reverse.

This is aimed at people who ever did this, because I want to map my "growth strategy" for possible future pedalboard.

Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t consider the Zoom to be a “cheap” brand in the first place. I see plenty of them on TGP boards.

Either way, the Aftershock is the best bass OD pedal I could want, and I’m sure you’ll like yours just as much when you get it.

 

[Karlson541]

Good, another point to data.
When I wrote work/not work I didn't mean sonically. That is where "magic" land is. I meant is more technical. E.g. very good boutique warm comp and old tuner or HPF/LPF. Maybe some gear bring such losses to the chain that no matter what is before or after sound is lost.

Again that has nothing whatsoever to do with price of pedals and unless you reformulate the question in your OP I don't think you are going to get the answer you are looking for from anyone, and honestly I also think that will be a matter depending on the specific pedals you combine and not something you can generalize on for instance based on price tag.

 

[Deleted member 261632]

I use a combo of both cheap and less cheap pedals... it works for me without any audible issues.

 

[cnltb]

Why wouldn't it work?

 

[Jantelagen]

If the pedals you're using work like they are supposed to then there shouldn't be any problems. The Aftershock and the Zoom should be fine together. The Aftershock also has a noise gate, eq's and low cut. Its i/o and routing options are made for using with other pedals

 

[RattleSnack]

Agreed, no reason to avoid cheaper pedal if it sounds good.
Just keep one thing in mind - some pedals have horrible bypass. And most of these are cheaper...

 

[Sunset Shalom]

Price doesn't always equate to sound quality or usefulness. And especially on a budget if you can accomplish something fairly cheap that saves more $ for other gear. There are plenty of amazing cheap new and used pedals too.

The only real issue is when pedals alter your clean signal, IE tone suck or add noise. But there are cheap and expensive pedals that do that to varying degrees, and it has more to do with individual pedals then price range.

Some of my favorite effects have been pretty cheap, and some more boutique pedals have ultimately disappointed me more just because I expect more for the price when a cheaper pedal can accomplish the same thing just as good.

Also side note, there are thousands of free VST effects many of which sound great and are very versatile and unique. And you could absolutely mix them with fancy expensive pedals and get amazing results. Whatever sound goods works.

 

[Mister Boh]

As long as it sounds good.

 

[basscapes]

I use FOUR DIFFERENT compressors on my board , though not all at the same time!

They all sound different, so they are of value to me.

They are all priced differently too.

Most expensive was a Keeley Bassist.

Least expensive was an Orange DIY clone.

 

[vonbladet]

Some say you have to be careful to match the "effective dollar impedance" along your signal path to avoid an over-carrotted gain stage. But luckily that makes no sense at all and it's all fine.