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More than 4 effects for Bass?

I built a pedal board and it comes on every gig with me. I don't use all of the FX on every show, but I prefer to have a modular setup that goes everywhere
  • Keely Bubbletron (for flange) ->
  • Keeley Bassist Compressor (almost always on) ->
  • Tech 21 DUG3X (distortion) ->
  • EHX Micro Pog (Octaver) ->
  • Keeley Synth 1 (cool, but probably coming out for a EXH Bass Chorus) ->
  • MXR Envelope Filter (Quack Quack)->
  • TC Electronics Spark (volume kick for solos) ->
  • Broughton High Pass filter (not really an effect so much as an EQ tool).

Does it look like a lot on paper - yeah. Is it the same amount of effort to move the pedalboard, yep. Am I ready for anything, absolutely.
 
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My slimmed down rig. You can remove the GT1000 though as I'm not running anything from it, just the pedals through the loops.
20210413_203313.jpg
 

My entire signal chain explained in written form :


(*pedals listed in [ red/bold/underline text ] are "always on" effects*)


4 string 28,6" scale Ibanez GSRM20 neck + GSRM20B body Mikro Bass (equipped with an EMG Geezer Butler P pickup, wired directly to the output jack socket, and strung with gauge .95 - .75 - .55 - .40 D'Addario XL nickle roundwound steel core strings, tuned in F# standard tuning, 2 half steps above regular 4 string bass E standard tuning) ->>

TC Electronic SpectraComp (always on compressor) ->> TC Electronic Sub'N'Up Mini (always on digital polyphonic octaver, used as an 1 octave up effect mixed with clean bass signal, giving an effect similar to that of an 8 string "octave" bass, with pairs of respectively bass and octave strings) ->> Boss LS-2 [A+B Mix <-> Bypass] (always on, parallel effect loops mixer/switch) ={ [Loop A Send] ->> Joyo Orange Juice (always on low gain overdrive, really primarily used to enhance harmonic content, [Tone] set at about 11 o'clock, [Voice] set to boost a wide curve around a 800Hz center frequency about +3dB pre gain stage, always mixed with clean {bass+octave up} signal from parallel effects [Loop B]) ->> [Loop A Return] ->||<- [Loop B Send] ->> (empty effects loop for clean {bass+octave up} signal blend with Orange Juice in effects [Loop A]) ->> [Loop B Return] ([Loop A] + [Loop B] mixed at an about 55/45 ratio) }=>> Boss LS-2 [A+B Mix <-> Bypass] (parallel effect loops mixer/switch) ={ [Loop A Send] Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz (Boss FZ-2/Univox Super Fuzz clone, octave fuzz, always mixed with clean {bass+octave up} signal from parallel effects [Loop B]) ->> Joyo Orange Juice (lower medium gain grindy kind of overdrive, always used stacked into the Metal Zone in front of it, and always mixed with the Rat distortion in parallel effects [Loop B]) ->> Boss MT-2 Metal Zone (distortion, used with a relatively low gain setting, and always used with the Orange Juice behind it stacked into it, and always used mixed with the Rat distortion in parallel effects [Loop B]) ->> Behringer VP1 Vintage Phaser (EHX Small Stone clone, used in the high feedback and deep sweep mode, always used boosted by the Hotone Trem in front of it, and almost always used mixed with flanger in parallel effects [Loop B]) ->> Hotone Trem (Tremolo with rate and depth at 0, always used to boost either the Behringer phaser placed behind it and make it a bit brighter, since it's a few dB above unity gain when engaged and got a tone control) ->> [Loop A Return] ->||<- [Loop B Send] ->> Mosky Black Rat (RAT clone, in original classic RAT [Vintage] mode, quite raunchy, fuzz-esque, high gain distortion, always used mixed with the Metal Zone distortion in parallel effects [Loop A]) ->> Monarch MFL-22 (flanger, most often used mixed with phaser in parallel effects [Loop A]) ->> [Loop B Return] ([Loop A] + [Loop B] mixed at an about 50/50 ratio) }=>> Artec SE-EQ8 Graphic EQ (always on 8 band graphic equalizer: [100Hz LoShlv= +1dB ; 170Hz (low Q)= 0 ; 280Hz (high Q)= +3dB ; 500Hz (high Q)= 0 ; 800Hz (high Q)= +1dB ; 1.4kHz (high Q)= +3dB ; 2.3 (low Q)= +3dB ; 5kHz HiShlv= -10dB]) ->> Zoom G1Xon (Used for an always on 2 band parametric equalizer [Freq=63Hz Q=4 Boost=+1dB ; [I]Freq=200 Q=2 Boost=+1dB], and additionally used for 3 patches (all including the EQ at the end of the chain), which respectively are as follows: Tremolo+VintageCE (Boss CE-1 emulation), chorus patch :-: Plate Reverb+HD Hall Reverb+Tape Delay, prominent reverb patch :-: Plate Reverb+HD Hall Reverb+Tape Delay, extremely thick lush reverb patch, used as a reverb pad effect with volume swells) [/I]->> NUX Tape Core Deluxe (Roland Space Echo tape delay emulation) ->> Zoom MS-70CDR (always on 2 band parametric EQ [Freq=400Hz Q=2 Boost=+1dB ; [I]Freq=1kHz Q=4 Boost=+1dB], subtle plate reverb, and faux, EQ based, cab sim, consisting of a 2 band parametric EQ set as follows: [Freq=12kHz Q=1 Cut=-18dB ; [I]Freq=20kHz Q=0.5 Cut=-20dB], plus a lush Church Reverb model with a line selector behind, making it switchable on/off)[/I][/I]

->> Band rehearsal/jamming/gigging // ->> Home practice / Home recordings :

->> EHX Black Finger (always on tube driven optical compressor, dialed in to a quite subtle compression, primarily functioning as a tube preamp stage) ->> Art Tube MP Project Series (tube preamp, with HPF at 40Hz) // ->> Band rehearsal/jamming/gigging ->> [Effects Return] (poweramp input) of Peavey Solo Special 112 (160W, solid state guitar combo, with the build in 4 Ohm 12" speaker unit disconnected and instead hooked up to a The Box PA 502 PA speaker) ->> The Box PA 502 (full range PA speaker with 1x 15" + 1.7" high frequency tweeter horn) // ->> Home practice / Home recordings ->> Behringer Eurorack UB1202 (mixer) ->> [ ->> Sennheiser HD 380 Pro (headphones) ]/[ ->> Behringer Tube Ultragain MIC100 (tube preamp) ->> M-Audio Fast Track (sound interface) ->> Reaper (DAW) ]



That adds up to 17 pedals, 18 if you count the Art preamp, and 8/9 always on.
 
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View attachment 4241183 I recently put together my first pedalboard for several Iem gigs coming up- pretty minimalistic, but sounds amazing.. Korg tuner> Cali76 compressor>Phil Jones Pe-5> Khan tube Di. Incidentally, it sounds amazing with an amp too!
startrekiikhaaaaaan.png
 
I've always had enough. Hardly ever use more than 3 effects (usually just 2, BassDrv+160Comp). BUT, if I happen to run into a cheap used MS-50G (6 effects) I might get that, customize the firmware with whatever I need for bass (unofficial Zoom firmware editor), then probably sell my (therefore redundant) MS-60B. I own a B3 (3 effects), a G3 (guitar, 6 effects), a G1Xon (firmware tuned with all bass relevant stuff from the B1Xon) and the MS-60B, which still remains my fave and most used live tool.
 
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I have found that, the larger the band, the fewer effects I use. If there are two guitar players and keys, I'm usually playing clean with some occasional overdrive.

With my power trio heavy rock project I use more effects. Fuzz, phaser, wah and so on. I like to add phaser or wah during guitar solos. It thickens up the sound for the band.

I approach effects, and my basslines from a band perspective. If it doesn't serve the song or vibe, I don't use it.
 
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I don't use many effects, except the always on tuner and compressor.

I have a separate overdrive pedal that gets used on about 10% of the set list. Then I have an old Zoom B1on that I have programmed a few patches into that gets used on a handful of specific songs (chorus for a couple of old 80s covers, phaser for Dancing In The Moonlight, an octaver for Age Of Reason, a made up "fretless" sound on a couple more...).

Been thinking about getting some decent dedicated pedals to replace the Zoom, but I'd use them so rarely it hardly seems worth it.
 
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I've got something like (I lost count awhile ago) 60 pedals right now. When I'm home they see a decent amount of use.

When I was gigging (remember those days?) most times I'd only pack a DI, a tuner, and a transparent compressor. No board because I'd just park whichever ones I was using on my amp since they were always-on "set & forget" devices when I did use them.

Later on I added a mild boost/overdrive pedal to the above. And 90% of the time, they'd all remain in my gig bag - except for the tuner.

Draw what conclusions you will. :)
 
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I have found that, the larger the band, the fewer effects I use. If there are two guitar players and keys, I'm usually playing clean with some occasional overdrive.

With my power trio heavy rock project I use more effects. Fuzz, phaser, wah and so on. I like to add phaser or wah during guitar solos. It thickens up the sound for the band.

I approach effects, and my basslines from a band perspective. If it doesn't serve the song or vibe, I don't use it.
That's our bands attitude when composing, play what the songs call for. Sometimes less IS more. Instrumentally we're a trio. Our guitarist is fantastic! I try to keep it super basic a la Rudy Sarzo(Randy Rhoades)/Michael Anthony(VH) so his playing has more breathing space for creativity. Plus, it's his band and.... it's easier for me live!:woot:
 
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I actually came across the mb60 searching for a cheap buffered ABY box or stereo pedal so I could multi amp if I had to(sometimes we play outdoor/street fests)? I like the dual mono 'wet' outputs on the mb60. Since it already had the Sansamp/MXR 80 di models & the ZNR, I thought I'd give it a try especially at that price! Was looking at the B1 Four due to good reviews but it only has a single output...I think?


The b1 four has a headphone out, so easy to split into a stereo pair.
 
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I play in several styles, most often in trios so that leaves me plenty of space to cover. Effects and sound design is a big part of my playing so folks expect me to bring the goods. Since I started on guitar and cello that is always an element of my bass playing. I also like to have a mix of sounds to keep things interesting for the listener, other players and to challenge myself. I also like the surprise factor that some effects can bring.
My plain sound is already two effects ( fender baseman & room reverb) feeding to my amp and any effects are usually a combination for example if using an envelope filter or octaver I'll follow that with a limiter or EQ to tame any peaks OR pitch shifter will add delay or doubler or distortion. The possibilities are really up to you as each combination is its own unique result.
For example below is my current jam board that has been going to a funk jazz thing. The 3 dirt pedals stack up necely OD > Fuzz > Saturated OD with filter pedals between and two very odd noise makers. That old Zoom is my anchor full of 40 tones that I have spent years designing from my basis sound to full madness and mayhem.
View attachment 4240845
I don't want to hijack a thread, but what are the mods on the bassballs you have. I have one that mostly sits around...
 
I use the MS60B, and I could see running out of room in a patch. I always use the AcBsPre at the end, for the HPF. And I always use one of the compressors, so that's 2 slots already. I often use a mild reverb or subtle delay for my solo fretless playing, so that's 3. From there, if I want to combine octave and drive, drive and auto wah, octave drive and auto wah, etc, I can't.

My solution is that I picked up a second MS60B lol, and I'm also using a separate drive pedal now. I use one MS60B for reverbs, compressors, and HPF, and the other one for filters, etc., and I can separately add drive to anything.

I have been thinking of replacing the MS60B that I use for filters with a Source Audio Spectrum. My favorite part of the MS60B is the reverbs, compressors, and the HPF on the AcBsPre, and I've been really impressed with the sounds on the Spectrum. The Boss GT-1000Core really has me intrigued also, but it's pretty expensive ... though what you get is really impressive.
 
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4 effects could easily not be enough for some people. if you have compression, eq, a little dirt just for a tubey sound maybe, and an amp model thats 4. and to a lot of people thats just an always on tone shaping situation, havent even got to what some people would consider "effects" like modulation or delay.
 
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