ring modulators or bleepy modulation pedals that work well with bass?

[Devo-lution]

Hi lot

I'm looking around to expand my pedalboard. I've always been one to try and keep things simple and for that reason my pedalboard never grew larger than this:

xotic x-Blender
=> granny puker (sometimes used for mild overdrive... sometimes I used to create subsonic mess)
=> groove regulator
=> maxon phase tone 999
xotic x-Blander

Recent times have seen me playing more and more in psychedelic rock or funkbands and I feel the need to have something else at hand to go with the gooish flow. Something that might serve a "secret weapon"sound purpose.

*turns around on a big chair and starts petting kittycat*

I have been looking for ring modulators (only tested the EHX and wasn't that impressed). I'd love to try the ZVEX or the moog but haven't had the chance up till now. I quite like ring mod sounds on guitar and the few bass examples (mars volta) I heard were also quite nice.

So, here's the Q: (are we not men?)

How useful is a ring mod on a bass guitar in a band? I'm quite sure it won't be an always on effect, but the fixed frequencies seem to make them somewhat limited in their use.

What are great ring mods?

Any other "secret weapon advices"? Right now I'm mostly looking at ring mods, but if there's something else that absolutely kicks ass, more win.

Greetz

Kim

 

[putsia]

You should take a look at EHX Ring Thing. Its ring mod can be tuned with a foot switch so you don't have to bend over. It also does all kinds of crazy modulation your average ring mod doesn't. Costs less than most of the other alternatives aswell.

 

[byronkowalski]

The Ring Stinger is your friend


of course it goes for like 700 on ebay so might not be much use to you but i had to pitch in.

 

[khabalah]

MOOG MF102

 

[Devo-lution]

ring thing is too digital sounding for me

Moog seems like a nice deal, but then I'd have to buy a bypass looper and some expressions

 

[Basehead]

Try an analog ring mod like Randy's Revenge. I just got one the other night and I'm loving the sounds (Thanks Adam!). Bassfuzz.com has a bass-specific video for it ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed]). I put it after an overdrive pedal and it gets lots of different, USEFUL sounds. It is expensive but I think it's worth it.

 

[clmayhew]

Have you looked into the Digitech Space Station?
http://www.noiseguide.com/product_info/digitech_space_station_xp300
Around $400 on the 'Bay.

 

[bassman1185]

Have you looked into the Digitech Space Station?
http://www.noiseguide.com/product_info/digitech_space_station_xp300
Around $400 on the 'Bay.

Or you can pick up a used Digitech EX-7 for about one bill and have the space station sounds along with a whammy, a couple of wahs, cool chorus, and some pretty solid distortions.

 

[kevteop]

You could also try a sample rate reducer like the Bugbrand Bugcrusher or Catalinbread Heliotrope. You get some ring mod-like sounds from them but not so unpleasantly unmusical.

 

[G.Bisson]

Heliotrope is my secret weapon pedal. People are always startled by the sounds coming from my bass when I turn on that pedal. The classic nintendo tones puts a smile on anybody's face. Heliotrope gives you ring mod and sample rate reduction in one. And it pairs up nicely with octavers and filters.

 

[guroove]

How useful is a ring mod on a bass guitar in a band?

Not very, but that shouldn't stop you from getting one. They are used a lot in drum-n-bass / jungle music, so it could be cool if you want to do a bass and drums breakdown section, but they are usually used to make very dissonant sounds. The bass becomes less of an instrument for holding down harmony when it is making dissonant sounds.

 

[MetroDetBass]

Eventide makes a pretty nice box I think

 

[BruceBass3901]

There is a new Way Huge ring mod coming out after NAMM (AFAIK) called the Ring Worm. Maybe wait to have a look at that?

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Heliotrope is my secret weapon pedal. People are always startled by the sounds coming from my bass when I turn on that pedal. The classic nintendo tones puts a smile on anybody's face. Heliotrope gives you ring mod and sample rate reduction in one. And it pairs up nicely with octavers and filters.

+1