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Recommended Effects for "Bass Only" Band

hibbs

hibbs

Aug 14, 2005
65
0
43
Cambridge, ON
www.myspace.com
#1
Hello there,
I have just started a new project with a member of an old band and we are going to go at it with just bass and drums. I have a pretty full sound but I thought that I would ask around to see if there are any effects that I should do some research on that would give some dynamic range to the bass sound.

I am not really looking for anything specific here, just what effects you would all arm yourselves with if you had you and you alone to fill the "stringed" section.

Thanks for the help, fire away
 
#6
along with the POG and an OD or two, try a chorus or flanger like the EHX stereo electric mistress. That'll really broaden your sound and fill in some of the empty sonic space that a guitar might take up. I'd stay away from delay and reverb though, unless you really know how to use em. For me they always just muddied things up.
 
#9
One of the best things you can do in that type of circumstance is run multiple amps/cabs, and process each channel very differently. A classic/basic example would be to run the octaved signal into a small guitar combo amp and run your clean bass signal into your bass rig. Then you can do stuff like engage a looper or delay to fill airtime on one channel and then kick in a crazy soloed sound (like distortion -> flanger) on the other channel. That way you fill a lot of air without muddying, canceling, or overstepping yourself too much.

I agree that delay can get too muddy if mis-used, but if used tastefully and carefully it can be just the ticket. E.g. put a short, single-repeat slapback delay only on your high frequencies; or only engage the delay when you plan to play a few beats of rest.

Distortion or heavy compression can really make harmonics sing. It takes practice, but you can get a cool two-instrument-sounding effect playing solid low notes "normally" alternating with bright chimey harmonics.
 
#10
And the number one effect.....

Being careful to put on a good show!

The problem with bass only bands is that they typically use a ton of effects, and after 45 minutes of playing on stage, the crowd is absolutely bored and ready for you to go home. Try to think of ways to make your show entertaining and captivating for the whole set. Remember, just because you think it is cool, does not make it entertaining for other (mostly non-musicians) to watch or listen to. Cheers and good luck though, post a link to some songs when you get rolling.
 
#13
bongomania said:
One of the best things you can do in that type of circumstance is run multiple amps/cabs, and process each channel very differently. ...
/QUOTE]

This is gold, thank you. I had already thought of bringing a small combo guitar amp and looping an actual guitar through it. I am already running an SVTCL into an 810 for my definition as well as another SVTCL into a 410 for the bottom pound. Great advice again.

The delay ran through my head as well, once again I would probably only use it once in the set at the most. Too much delay can suck the life out of things very quickly
Click to expand...
 
#15
im in a 2 piece bass and drum band... its great!

i just have 2 different overdrives and a micro pog octave pedal.. dont get too many effects.. you want to get a consistant signature sound, especially with a short set..

the main thing is to write bass lines that fill out the frequencies and not try and saturate the songs in loads of effects to compensate for the lack of band members..
 
#16
Have you ever checked out the "band" Thrones? It's a bassist with multiple channels of looping and processing and a drum machine. Yes it can get a bit tedious after the first ten minutes of each epic tune, but he does some amazing stuff.
 
#17
Good call Nickbear. I am trying to keep it a straight forward with the playing as I can. The bass parts I am writing are definitly tailor made to fill the whole band setting. I am really looking forward to this. Hey, maybe I will even get another bass player.

I think that the guy in Thrones was also in High on Fire if I am not mistaken. Awesome band(s)
 
#19
You guys are talking about Jarrod from Big Business. Him and Cody (Drummer) formed big business and later on become 1/2 of the Melvins after a tour. Melvins consists of: Jarod, Cody, Dale, and Buzz.

Recommendations for pedals: EHX Octave Multiplexer (analog); a Fuzz; and a Whammy.
 

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