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Signal Chain Advice

Discussion in 'Effects [BG]' started by Peteyboy, May 29, 2020.

  1. May 29, 2020 #1
    Peteyboy

    Peteyboy

    Apr 2, 2018
    Los Angeles
    Haven't used pedals other than tuner & muff before and I could use the benefit of some collective TB experience. I'm just gonna list the pedals I'm assembling onto a board powered by a One Spot, and you tell me the order in which they belong:

    Boss tuner - obviously 1st
    Big Muff Deluxe
    Diamond Bass Comp Jr.
    Donner Octaver
    MXR M81 preamp
    Broughton HPF (on it's way from Canada)

    Are there different sequences for different purposes, or is it a hard & fast order? I've searched (cursorily) and found conflicting answers. I expect to get a few conflicting answers here but at least they'll be from guys who have real-world experience doing what I do.

    Thanks! I'll post pics when I get it sorted out.
     
  2. May 29, 2020 #2
    Stumbo

    Stumbo Guest

    Feb 11, 2008
    You may want to check out this thread: Order of effects
     
  3. May 29, 2020 #3
    Peteyboy

    Peteyboy

    Apr 2, 2018
    Los Angeles
    Thanks Stumbo! :thumbsup:

    BTW - You're one of the main reasons I ordered the Broughton.
     
    Stumbo likes this.
  4. May 29, 2020 #4
    Peteyboy

    Peteyboy

    Apr 2, 2018
    Los Angeles
    OK, I'm already dizzy from the array of responses in that thread. Everyone does it differently! I'm gonna have to experiment and come up with my own answers. I guess I was just being lazy. :unsure:
     
  5. May 29, 2020 #5
    TOOL460002

    TOOL460002

    Nov 4, 2004
    Santa Cruz
    Or efficient.
     
    Peteyboy likes this.
  6. May 29, 2020 #6
    Peteyboy

    Peteyboy

    Apr 2, 2018
    Los Angeles
    Starting to look like there's a lot less rhyme or reason to it. For every bassist who has a reason for doing it one way, theres another dude saying the opposite. Tuner first, that's all I know. We spend so much $ on these things, I'm starting to think I was better off going cowboy as it were. Total joykiller. Anybody wanna buy some stupid pedals?
     
  7. May 29, 2020 #7
    Stumbo

    Stumbo Guest

    Feb 11, 2008
    Naw, I think you have a fun project on your hands. The joy is in the experimenting. :thumbsup:

    I suggest tuner, hpf, to start. Get those working and sounding good. Then experiment by adding and testing the others one at a time starting with the pre, octaver, muff. Test them separately after the HPF to determine what sounds good to you. Then combinations.

    Based on your testing you'll figure out what works for you.

    What I do remember is that the octaver tracks better when it is placed after the HPF. What I also remember is that some add an additional HPF/LPF last to clean up after the effect pedals. Also, Placing the pre at the end may allow you to utilize it"s eq to smooth things out as well.

    Let us know how it goes. :thumbsup:
     
    Last edited: May 29, 2020
  8. May 29, 2020 #8
    Peteyboy

    Peteyboy

    Apr 2, 2018
    Los Angeles
    Sigh. That project is not something a guy like me looks forward to. I honestly thought there was a cut and dried method that everyone adhered to. I know I'm in the minority around here but I'm not a luthier/electrician/engineer. I'm frankly not that educated. I'm a pretty damn good bass player - been playing in bands since 1983. That's what I did instead of getting a HS diploma. I'm the idiot savant who can drive the car, but don't ask me to rebuild the carburetor.
     
    Last edited: May 29, 2020
  9. Jun 9, 2020 #9
    Peteyboy

    Peteyboy

    Apr 2, 2018
    Los Angeles
    Messing with this order for now. Can't really test at full volume because neighbors. I miss the studio more today than usual. I'll try the octaver after the HPF next.
    20200609_201430.jpg
     
  10. Jun 9, 2020 #10
    Peteyboy

    Peteyboy

    Apr 2, 2018
    Los Angeles
    20200609_201430.jpg Messing with this order for now. Can't really test at full volume because neighbors. I miss the studio more today than usual. I'll try the octaver after the HPF next...
     
  11. Jun 10, 2020 #11
    Chapster

    Chapster

    Nov 11, 2019
    Parsippany, NJ
    My vote would be: Tuner-> HPF -> Comp -> Octave -> Muff -> Preamp.

    Octaves respond better to a cleaner signal, so having the HPF and then Comp before it not only keeps the Octave from trying to manipulate sub-lows (because of the HPF), but the HPF keeps the comp from compressing those same inaudible sub-lows, so now the signal going from the comp to the octave has a nice, even signal from string to string going into it. Also, it looks like you have the Muff before the Octave. My octave is analog (not sure about yours), and therefore putting dirt/fuzz before is problematic for me. YMMV.

    Thank you for coming to my TB talk :thumbsup: