Pedal that clarifies bass?

[scotch]

It's so OBVIOUS that the op needs the Basscompaculator pedal from Geartrocious Electronics!


Sorry! I echo the sentiments that, without more information from the op, it's a fruitless endeavor trying to diagnose & offer suggestions! I love pedals as much as the next guy (if not more!), but just adding circuits to the mix may be a little premature.

 

[scotch]

Too many variables - first you need to figure out why your notes ARENT well defined. It could be any number of things from your instrument to your amp/cab.

Right! Although I'd augment by saying: "...from your hands to your instrument to your amp/cab."

 

[TimWilson]

You want a this. It does EXACTLY what you want (it does for me, anyway). far and away , my favorite stompbox in the whole wide world of sports.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[JimmyM]

How could adding something between your bass and amp help with clarity?

 

[Ayliffe]

How could adding something between your bass and amp help with clarity?

i think hes using the wrong words..

 

[TimWilson]

How could adding something between your bass and amp help with clarity?

It's simple: by reducing tones that our ears perceive as 'muddiness' and pumping narrow frequencies that we like more. Of course, it's all in the ear of the beholder, but generally, more upper mids and less lower mids...

 

[bass player 48]

One thing I want to know more about - using an Envelope filter for this purpose.

I have been through different things going for a well defined bass tone. Strings, technique, playing with a healthy amount of mids. They all helped and I feel I’m pretty well defined in my band’s mix – most of the time. I’ve read about these things a bit, and I was of the opinion that the only other thing I could do would be to add a compressor. I have not experimented with compression at all yet.

Then – I was buying an EBS Bass IQ triple envelope filter. The salesman at Bass North West demonstrated it for me and told me quite a bit about the different settings. As I recall, he mentioned that some people will use just little bit of envelope to get better definition, kind of similar to how people use compression (which I know nothing about). I never thought much about it, I just bought the envelope filter to make wild Bootsy Collins Space Bass Sounds.

Then, at a recent band practice, I had the Bass IQ set to a very mild setting and had it on while playing classic rock… I didn’t even realize it was on, and I quickly noticed that some notes (higher “fill” type notes) that didn’t usually stand out much in the mix were much clearer and easier to hear – more well defined in the mix. I did NOT hear any “quack” or nifty “space bass” tone that I associate with envelope filters. More like what the salesman had explained that I never understood until I heard it.

Does anybody use mild envelope to get more definition to the different notes? I’d like to hear more about how to do this (on purpose).

 

[lug]

I've found that the only thing that I've found that helps clarify my bass playing is the "off " switch. It does make me hit all the rests perfectly.

 

[JimmyM]

It's simple: by reducing tones that our ears perceive as 'muddiness' and pumping narrow frequencies that we like more. Of course, it's all in the ear of the beholder, but generally, more upper mids and less lower mids...

I can do that with the preamp in my heads.

 

[Pilgrim]

My guess: turn the bass down and the mids up. If you're using distortion or overdrive, turn it off. Both will help.

 

[scotch]

Until the op chimes in with some details, I maintain that the Basscompaculator pedal from Geartrocious Electronics is the logical choice!

 

[JimmyM]

Until the op chimes in with some details, I maintain that the Basscompaculator pedal from Geartrocious Electronics is the logical choice!

Only the vintage model. The reissue blows.

 

[Nikoubis]

Only the vintage model. The reissue blows.

Everyone knows that it's all about the IC chip used.

 

[scotch]

Only the vintage model. The reissue blows.

You can have it modded at: idratherspendtwiceasmuchmoneytomodacrappedalthanbuyagoodone.com

Ask for the "Make me sound like Tim Commerford and Justin Chancellor had a baby" mod.

 

[JSK5String]

How about a sonic maximizer?

+1 on a BBE Sonic Maximizer - IF you have good chops and decent equipment.

I have decent chops and good equipment and I love mine. It's one of those "always on" pedals for me.

 

[Al Bass]

Where in the signal chain should I install the BBE sonic maximizer with a simple setup consisting of just a bass, tuner, amp, and cab? Tanks!

 

[Fuzzbass]

My guess: turn the bass down and the mids up.

Yeah... my hunch was that the OP was referring to muddy tone, so I was gonna suggest turning down the lowest bass frequencies.

 

[megadan]

That was my first thought. BBE Sonic Stomp.

This is the pedal you want.

However as mentioned in the thread, a pedal may not really be the solution to this problem. Looking at amp EQ, playing technique, pickups, bass, other effects, cabinet could all be good choices first.

Maybe borrow a BBE first and see if you like it.

 

[scotch]

How can any of us know what the op needs based on the single sentence in the original post & no clue what gear he/she is using or what settings/environment are involved?