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My personal pet peeves with pedals
- Thread starter Katoosie
- Start date
Wish I held onto this one, I don’t know if you’ve seen but the prices for these things have went into the stratosphere! That thing could get the “coolest” tone literally. Super cold 80s type chorus that I really dug.
I think that I've done the step from pedalboard to multi twice so far.
One time does not really count, it was back in the day when rubber boots were still made out of wood and most electronic devices were still steam powered. I got the multi off a trade, but sold it and went completely effect-less for a long while.
The other instance was a Headrush. One of the bigger problems I've had with multi effect units in the past is that they are not entirely intuitive and you have to work through the manual, which resembles a book. When I had my sound set, I would play like that for a couple of months, then find something that would be nicer if I changed some parameter. Of course I already had forgotten how all that works and it's manual-time again and I keep putting it off because I hate doing that kind of thing for the second time.
For some reason, I have no problem rerouting the entire pedalboard for an entire evening just to get the compressor to a different position in the signal chain. This is somewhat calming to me.
The Headrush is so intuitive that, upon first contact, I challenged myself to try and set up a rig with a delay where the repeats of the delay are controlled by the expression pedal. It took me about 5 minutes to get that going - so I was convinced and ordered my own. I played that for an entire gig season and suddenly, before I knew what had happened, I had a pedalboard again this time a Nano. Which was too small so I bought a Rockboard duo 2.2. Which was too small so I bought a Rockboard quad 4.2. Which is too small so I ordered a Schmidt Array.
One time does not really count, it was back in the day when rubber boots were still made out of wood and most electronic devices were still steam powered. I got the multi off a trade, but sold it and went completely effect-less for a long while.
The other instance was a Headrush. One of the bigger problems I've had with multi effect units in the past is that they are not entirely intuitive and you have to work through the manual, which resembles a book. When I had my sound set, I would play like that for a couple of months, then find something that would be nicer if I changed some parameter. Of course I already had forgotten how all that works and it's manual-time again and I keep putting it off because I hate doing that kind of thing for the second time.
For some reason, I have no problem rerouting the entire pedalboard for an entire evening just to get the compressor to a different position in the signal chain. This is somewhat calming to me.
The Headrush is so intuitive that, upon first contact, I challenged myself to try and set up a rig with a delay where the repeats of the delay are controlled by the expression pedal. It took me about 5 minutes to get that going - so I was convinced and ordered my own. I played that for an entire gig season and suddenly, before I knew what had happened, I had a pedalboard again this time a Nano. Which was too small so I bought a Rockboard duo 2.2. Which was too small so I bought a Rockboard quad 4.2. Which is too small so I ordered a Schmidt Array.
Surprised no one has mentioned the TC Electronic Corona yet. The Corona Mini is a tiny little thing, three knobs which can control three separate parameters each, lots of toneprints ready to go, and can give you pretty much any sound you could want from a chorus if you're willing to spend a couple of minutes in the toneprint editor
The problem is that I am in the state of 'My Rockboard is too small, I ordered a Schmidt'. I've got around five weeks waiting to do before I can do that. And don't worry. When that thing arrives, TalkBass will know ;-)
I have the regular one for guitar (SO I guess I could still use it on my bass)
For bass I prefer it simpler & more subtle--but the Corona is a very good chorus pedal.
On Chorus, specifically, I had 4-5 choruses, ended up saying 'I don't use it enough to make this big of a deal about it,' and tossed an EHX Bass Clone on it. Noisy chip, not a lot of knobs, perfectly does that 80s chorus though.
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,066
- 46,000
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
I'm just starting to contemplate building a few pedals to sell, but maybe not for bass so much. The artwork aesthetic is a huge mystery to me, honestly. Same with many if not most amps as well. What's your preference here?
What is so mysterious about it?
Its a pedal, it's visible, why not make it cool and unique instead of making it look generic?
I think, to me, it's a form of expression. Just like bass playing makes you express yourself through the music, pedals do it thru their art and sound.
There is nothing wrong with no/minimal art, but you won't see me buying that.
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,066
- 46,000
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
OK, something that lives on the floor mostly out of sight on a gig, but what's cool in your vision? Badly printed cartoons are most definitely not it in mine...
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I don't gig, nor do I ever plan to so when I do use my pedals, they're usually visible to me. Sometimes I put them up on a chair of table in front of me, more like a console kinda thing.OK, something that lives on the floor mostly out of sight on a gig, but what's cool in your vision? Badly printed cartoons are most defintelky not it in mine...
I like the Malombra someone posted here.
And this one by pro tones.
If we are talking about non chorus and others...
There are more but yeah. It varies and my mood has to be very specific to really like the art on a pedal.
Attachments
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,066
- 46,000
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
Thanks. Somehow I doubt you'll ever have any interest in the stuff I build (I'm all about form following function), and there's definitely nothing wrong with that!
Those are SO COOL!
Ok, that's it. I'm learning to silkscreen....
Thanks. Somehow I doubt you'll ever have any interest in the stuff I build (I'm all about form following function), and there's definitely nothing wrong with that!
Everyone can buy what they like, but I'd push back on 'form following function,' if one of the functions of pedals is to be inspiring. Musicians are visual artists too
Hehe, and my favourite -
Lichtlaerm Trugbild
But good luck buying this bastard. The guy who made this and a few other pedals joined KMA Audio Machines in Germany and that means its not made anymore.
Who's upset?! I'm NOT upset about this. You're upset!
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,066
- 46,000
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
Totally fair. I'm old and pretty jaded, but I don't gravitate towards that aspect much at all by now, and I like it that way!
I like artistically designed pedal graphics. But I draw the line with pedals with designs that make knob labels difficult to read under dim stage lighting. Probably looks great at home, but not so much at the show.
I’m a bedroom studio guy. I love pedals with looks and sound. I even have collected a few just for the art/design. I won’t tolerate bad audio just for a good look, but if I can have both then I’m taking both.
Also, my pedals live on my desk.
Also, my pedals live on my desk.
