newbie here..need help..planning on using effects for my bass

[MDBass]

fyi, my bass is active cort C4 artisan and my amp is hartke A70..im planning to use effects, I've never used effects before as I'm really not into effects and have little knowledge until I've joined talkbass and reading some stuff here..

Here are my list, MXR bass preamp, MXRT studio compressor and ditto loop tuner (or X2 looper).

I'm planning to include Boss Tuner just for the bypass and buffer thing, I'm not sure if I need it since my pick up is active.

Is this is a nice set-up for someone starting to use effects?
Is this the basic set-up?
I like to begin with just a simple set-up to understand more clearly and not just use effects.

Feel free to comment, love to hear all the feedbacks from you all
You can advise other brands too as I'm not too familiar

Thank you

A preamp w drive channel and compressor are both definitely pedal board basics, but a looper certainly isn't.

You'll likely never use the looper in a group setting, but may frequently if you practice/perform solo.

It all really depends on what you sounds you need/want to add to your palate in a live setting, no one aside from you really knows for sure.

I myself have a variety of different drive pedals/preamps, fuzz, octave, and a compressor

 

[Amajew]

Narrowing down your music style, sounds / bass tones you’re trying to accomplish from your favorite bass players etc would give some of us a better idea of what might be useful to you.

What one of us digs may not remotely be interesting to you.

I do recommend a good compressor if you play both fingers and with a pick and your right hand control isn’t equal in all playing situations. It helps me not spike the crap out of my speakers when I want to get aggressive and use my thumb on rhythms. It keeps the sound nice and even.

 

[hrodbert696]

I can't really respond because I don't know what the goal is. My philosophy is to add an effect to the board when there's a particular... well, a particular effect I need to have for something I'm doing... a tone or whatever that won't come from my fingers and amp settings. If I want to have a grindy rough tone, I add an overdrive... if I want spacy wooshiness, add a chorus or flanger... funky squonky bubbliness, add an envelope filter. Otherwise I would feel like I was spending money just for the fun of spending money.

Of course, if you just want to play around and see what different effects do, nothing wrong with that. As others have said, that's a good situation to get a multi, like the B2. Then you can play with different ideas without breaking the bank.
But I would never advise anyone, "you need one of these or one of those" unless I knew they had some sound they were trying to achieve that needed these or those.

 

[phil-am]

A preamp w drive channel and compressor are both definitely pedal board basics, but a looper certainly isn't.

You'll likely never use the looper in a group setting, but may frequently if you practice/perform solo.

It all really depends on what you sounds you need/want to add to your palate in a live setting, no one aside from you really knows for sure.

I myself have a variety of different drive pedals/preamps, fuzz, octave, and a compressor

yeah, the looper idea came from the years and years of practicing solo in my room..boredom I guess and for a change..

I like to emulate the tone of pino palladino..I really like his works..the feel and the subtle changes..nathan east as well..but of course I can't copy their tone exactly..

personally I'd like to be that bassist that's somewhat versatile

 

[TrevorR]

Can I suggest a slightly different tack... there is little value in asking us or yourself, “What pedals should I get.” You'll Just get as many conflicting answers as there are people who respond. Instead ask yourself...

What sounds do I want to make?

If you don’t know the answer to that question then you’re not ready to buy a pedal yet.

First thing though, a pedal tuner is a no brainer. You’ll never regret getting one. My favourite is the Polytune, followed closely by the Boss TU pedals. Both very good and bomb proof. Korg Pitchblack gets a lot of good reviews too. Being in tune is never a bad thing and, as this isn’t an effect pedal per se - ie it doesn’t effect the sound - my comment above doesn’t apply.

Listen to demos of different TYPES of pedal online: chorus, flanger, overdrive, fuzz, wah, envelope filter, octave, tremolo, phaser... decide which two or three sorts of effects you love the sound of and just need to have as part of your sound. Then you are starting to have a list of effects to add to your sound. That creates a list of types of effects to consider buying and then you can start to think about what is the chorus you like most, or the auto wah, or the octave... etc and THEN you can get opinions on why each pedal if someone’s favourite...

This is why a lot of folks are suggesting a basic multi-effects unit. It would allow you to spend a small amount of cash and try out a whole range of effects to see which ones really do it for you.

As to loopers, they’re a kinda thing unto themselves... different to the effects listed above. They are kinda more of a performance tool than a unit to affect the sound of your bass. Listen to some folks who loop on bass and see if that’s something you want to explore. Consider how they are using the looper and how they are using effects within the loops...

Hope that helps!

 

[phil-am]

Narrowing down your music style, sounds / bass tones you’re trying to accomplish from your favorite bass players etc would give some of us a better idea of what might be useful to you.

What one of us digs may not remotely be interesting to you.

I do recommend a good compressor if you play both fingers and with a pick and your right hand control isn’t equal in all playing situations. It helps me not spike the crap out of my speakers when I want to get aggressive and use my thumb on rhythms. It keeps the sound nice and even.

I like Pino Palladino, Nathan East and the bassist from Dave Matthews band..yeah of course wooten..Incognito also..

I play mostly fingers..I haven't experienced that nice and even sound that you guys get in a compression..maybe its my curiosity..

 

[phil-am]

I can't really respond because I don't know what the goal is. My philosophy is to add an effect to the board when there's a particular... well, a particular effect I need to have for something I'm doing... a tone or whatever that won't come from my fingers and amp settings. If I want to have a grindy rough tone, I add an overdrive... if I want spacy wooshiness, add a chorus or flanger... funky squonky bubbliness, add an envelope filter. Otherwise I would feel like I was spending money just for the fun of spending money.

Of course, if you just want to play around and see what different effects do, nothing wrong with that. As others have said, that's a good situation to get a multi, like the B2. Then you can play with different ideas without breaking the bank.
But I would never advise anyone, "you need one of these or one of those" unless I knew they had some sound they were trying to achieve that needed these or those.

thank u hrodbert696..you're definitely right on not breaking the bank..my wife will definitely break my bass if that happens lol..
I'll revisit my B2 and start from there..

 

[Johnny Mac]

It's tough to comment on your choices without knowing A) the style of music you play, and B) how you plan to use the effects.

That being said, I think your amp might make some of your pedal choices redundant - it already has a DI, so the MXR preamp would be less useful, and it also has a built-in limiter, which (assuming it's at least a decent one) will solve many of the problems that the compressor is designed to deal with.

I would probably look at an overdrive first. If you're a rock/metal player, the uses are obvious, but even funk/soul players like a little bit of subtle drive on their sound. The Digitech Hardwire CM-2 is a good first pick for how affordable it is, but if a new MXR Bass Compressor is within your budget, I'd look at a Broughton Audio Terraformer (cost of shipping may jack up the price though), as it can do both heavy and softer sounds well, and has EQ and a blend.

If you're dead set on a preamp with a DI, I'd still probably opt for one with a little bit of dirt built in. I use a Two Notes Le Bass for this, but if that's too pricey the Sansamp Bass Driver is ever popular and gets results (go for the V2 with the mids knob).

 

[phil-am]

Can I suggest a slightly different tack... there is little value in asking us or yourself, “What pedals should I get.” You'll Just get as many conflicting answers as there are people who respond. Instead ask yourself...

What sounds do I want to make?

If you don’t know the answer to that question then you’re not ready to buy a pedal yet.

First thing though, a pedal tuner is a no brainer. You’ll never regret getting one. My favourite is the Polytune, followed closely by the Boss TU pedals. Both very good and bomb proof. Korg Pitchblack gets a lot of good reviews too. Being in tune is never a bad thing and, as this isn’t an effect pedal per se - ie it doesn’t effect the sound - my comment above doesn’t apply.

Listen to demos of different TYPES of pedal online: chorus, flanger, overdrive, fuzz, wah, envelope filter, octave, tremolo, phaser... decide which two or three sorts of effects you love the sound of and just need to have as part of your sound. Then you are starting to have a list of effects to add to your sound. That creates a list of types of effects to consider buying and then you can start to think about what is the chorus you like most, or the auto wah, or the octave... etc and THEN you can get opinions on why each pedal if someone’s favourite...

This is why a lot of folks are suggesting a basic multi-effects unit. It would allow you to spend a small amount of cash and try out a whole range of effects to see which ones really do it for you.

As to loopers, they’re a kinda thing unto themselves... different to the effects listed above. They are kinda more of a performance tool than a unit to affect the sound of your bass. Listen to some folks who loop on bass and see if that’s something you want to explore. Consider how they are using the looper and how they are using effects within the loops...

Hope that helps!

Thanks trevor, yeah im gonna revisit my B2..
and ur right, pedal tuner is a no brainer..definitely on my list now

 

[phil-am]

It's tough to comment on your choices without knowing A) the style of music you play, and B) how you plan to use the effects.

That being said, I think your amp might make some of your pedal choices redundant - it already has a DI, so the MXR preamp would be less useful, and it also has a built-in limiter, which (assuming it's at least a decent one) will solve many of the problems that the compressor is designed to deal with.

I would probably look at an overdrive first. If you're a rock/metal player, the uses are obvious, but even funk/soul players like a little bit of subtle drive on their sound. The Digitech Hardwire CM-2 is a good first pick for how affordable it is, but if a new MXR Bass Compressor is within your budget, I'd look at a Broughton Audio Terraformer (cost of shipping may jack up the price though), as it can do both heavy and softer sounds well, and has EQ and a blend.

If you're dead set on a preamp with a DI, I'd still probably opt for one with a little bit of dirt built in. I use a Two Notes Le Bass for this, but if that's too pricey the Sansamp Bass Driver is ever popular and gets results (go for the V2 with the mids knob).

thanks for the advise johnny mac..
for the style of music, it's jazz, Motown and crossover songs I guess
for the use of effects, just to have a nice tight sound, subtle changes, refined sound I guess

I'll take a look at the Broughton Audio Terraformer.
yeah I also notice the Sansamp Bass Driver..

 

[TrevorR]

I like Pino Palladino, Nathan East and the bassist from Dave Matthews band..yeah of course wooten..Incognito also..

I play mostly fingers..I haven't experienced that nice and even sound that you guys get in a compression..maybe its my curiosity..

Hmmmmm... Other than Pino’s early 80s fretless playing which is swathed in chorus, none of these players are really renowned for being effects monsters (tho I don’t really know the Dave Matthews Band). Their signature sounds tend to be pretty straight and more reliant on touch and phrasing. Certainly there will be compression applied on studio recordings but their tone really comes from great technique and note placement. When I listen to Randy Hope Taylor’s playing on Tribes Vibes and Scribes or Julian Crampton on 100 and Rising (my two fave Incognito albums) it’s mostly pretty straight jazz bass...

Mind you, that’s no reason not to have some fun with pedals...

 

[phil-am]

Hmmmmm... Other than Pino’s early 80s fretless playing which is swathed in chorus, none of these players are really renowned for being effects monsters (tho I don’t really know the Dave Matthews Band). Their signature sounds tend to be pretty straight and more reliant on touch and phrasing. Certainly there will be compression applied on studio recordings but their tone really comes from great technique and note placement. When I listen to Randy Hope Taylor’s playing on Tribes Vibes and Scribes or Julian Crampton on 100 and Rising (my two fave Incognito albums) it’s mostly pretty straight jazz bass...

Mind you, that’s no reason not to have some fun with pedals...

yeah, mostly are pretty straight..
how about live? do you think they're using compression?..
I also like incognitos album, love the total package of the band not just the bass..

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

The ditto looper you mentioned is a great choice. Aside from the obvious use (jamming with yourself) they're super useful for sound-checking. Like, if you're trying to dial-in a tone with a pedal or amp, you can loop a bassline, allowing your hands to be free to mess with all the knobs on the amp and pedals to see how they affect the sound.

Compression is a good one as well. The MXR gets good reviews and is a solid choice. IMO it's really good subtle effect for helping your bass sit nicely in a live or recorded mix. Just be careful to use it sparingly, or as some others have said, you can squash all your dynamics.

I would probably not get a preamp in your situation. Your bass has a preamp, your amp has a preamp, so it's probably the least necessary component IMO. I'd spend that dough on a dirt pedal, myself. Fuzz, overdrive, or whatnot. EHX Green Russian is cheap, fun and awesome pedal to try. $60 US.

Good luck. Have fun! Keep all the pedals you buy, even if they fall out of favor. You will cycle back to them eventually

 

[pbass2]

yeah, mostly are pretty straight..
how about live? do you think they're using compression?..
I also like incognitos album, love the total package of the band not just the bass..

Live there will certainly be compression being used on the bass at the FOH. Some of these guys might use a compressor onstage in their rig, but not all pros do that, not by a long shot. In fact, lotsa top guys don't track with any compression on from their own rig, but the engineer/producer will typically have a little on for tracking, and then in the mixing stage is when the real finessing with compression happens.
Of course, there's more than one way to use a compressor--ranging from subtle leveling to extreme squashing as an obvious effect, and various points in-between . . .
While I poo-poo'd it earlier as a first pedal for a noobie, if you want to try one, go for it but also be sure and not use it ALL the time when you're practicing, etc. You don't want to become dependent on it for making your sound "even" or "smooth". Control your dynamics with your hands, and then try a compressor and see what it brings to your palette.

 

[phil-am]

The ditto looper you mentioned is a great choice. Aside from the obvious use (jamming with yourself) they're super useful for sound-checking. Like, if you're trying to dial-in a tone with a pedal or amp, you can loop a bassline, allowing your hands to be free to mess with all the knobs on the amp and pedals to see how they affect the sound.

Compression is a good one as well. The MXR gets good reviews and is a solid choice. IMO it's really good subtle effect for helping your bass sit nicely in a live or recorded mix. Just be careful to use it sparingly, or as some others have said, you can squash all your dynamics.

I would probably not get a preamp in your situation. Your bass has a preamp, your amp has a preamp, so it's probably the least necessary component IMO. I'd spend that dough on a dirt pedal, myself. Fuzz, overdrive, or whatnot. EHX Green Russian is cheap, fun and awesome pedal to try. $60 US.

Good luck. Have fun! Keep all the pedals you buy, even if they fall out of favor. You will cycle back to them eventually

thanks for the advise ThinCrappyTone..
maybe I'll leave the preamp thing as of the moment..
cannot afford it also financial wise lol..

 

[phil-am]

Live there will certainly be compression being used on the bass at the FOH. Some of these guys might use a compressor onstage in their rig, but not all pros do that, not by a long shot. In fact, lotsa top guys don't track with any compression on from their own rig, but the engineer/producer will typically have a little on for tracking, and then in the mixing stage is when the real finessing with compression happens.
Of course, there's more than one way to use a compressor--ranging from subtle leveling to extreme squashing as an obvious effect, and various points in-between . . .
While I poo-poo'd it earlier as a first pedal for a noobie, if you want to try one, go for it but also be sure and not use it ALL the time when you're practicing, etc. You don't want to become dependent on it for making your sound "even" or "smooth". Control your dynamics with your hands, and then try a compressor and see what it brings to your palette.

definitely taking note of this..not to use it ALL the time in my practice..and controlling my dynamics with my hands..
yeah I prefer subtle changes if just in case I use a compression..
thank you pbass2

 

[Amajew]

I like Pino Palladino, Nathan East and the bassist from Dave Matthews band..yeah of course wooten..Incognito also..

I play mostly fingers..I haven't experienced that nice and even sound that you guys get in a compression..maybe its my curiosity..

You know dude. A buddy of mine who’s into jazz and fusion doesn’t use a compressor. His compressor is in his hands. He’s got a super light touch and his tone is clear like a bell. Very different than my rock / metal style heavy, grindy tone.

 

[pbass2]

definitely taking note of this..not to use it ALL the time in my practice..and controlling my dynamics with my hands..
yeah I prefer subtle changes if just in case I use a compression..
thank you pbass2

But I will add, knowing how to use compression (and not just for bass) is a crucial audio engineering skill, so what the heck, the sooner you get used to working with one the better I guess!

 

[phil-am]

You know dude. A buddy of mine who’s into jazz and fusion doesn’t use a compressor. His compressor is in his hands. He’s got a super light touch and his tone is clear like a bell. Very different than my rock / metal style heavy, grindy tone.

i guess I need more practicing..hopefully I can be like ur buddy..
also I haven't mentioned earlier that I've been playing a bass for 10 years I think or more..and for almost 1 or 2 years I did not pick up my bass and got addicted to playing basketball..late bloomer in basketball..

maybe I need to practice more to bring back my level to what it was..if there's any lol

 

[pbass2]

i guess I need more practicing..hopefully I can be like ur buddy..
also I haven't mentioned earlier that I've been playing a bass for 10 years I think or more..and for almost 1 or 2 years I did not pick up my bass and got addicted to playing basketball..late bloomer in basketball..

maybe I need to practice more to bring back my level to what it was..if there's any lol

10 years? You're not a newb at all! But I hear ya, I've been playing for 35+ years and I still have a lot to learn . . .