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So, Effects noob with some questions.

calmb4tehpwn

calmb4tehpwn

Jan 2, 2011
607
0
Burnsville, MN
#1
Alright! I've finally gotten my rig with the power and ability that I want, now it's time to fine tune the sound that I require. The only effect I have ever used was the in house sub-wave in the SWR 350x. It was fun, and I'm getting a sub octave pedal to replace it, but I can verify that as far as sub-octaves go, the sub-wave was crap.

Anyways, so I've narrowed it down to a couple sub-octave pedals.
Micro-POG is top of the list, with octabass and a couple others, but it's looking like the digitech synth wah will be in my possession much sooner, only due to my being able to get it for about 40 bucks.

So, aside from sub-octave, what should I be looking at? I'm in a band that practices LOUD, and I've been advised to look into a High Pass Filter, and to set it at 30Hz, but I don't know what a HPF actually does, and I'm interested in learning. Also, I have a drivecore 2000 power amp, and it has an in house HPF, but the lowest setting is 50Hz. Should I still invest in a filter? Also, have been told to look into Limiters.

That said, it still leaves a world unmentioned.
Compressors, OD, and a million others I probably haven't even heard of. Not to mention pedals like the year 4545.

So. What should I look into? What pedals will give me what sort of sound? What specific pedals will give me the best sound? What are hunks of crap I should steer clear of?

I know the basics, OD adds dirt, right? I can't even claim to know what a compressor does, or why I would need one. So I'll start with -my- sound. I like clean, but happy with synth, not a fan of dirt, just not my style. I have a grit channel on my GK 2001RBP, and it never gets touched.

I love you guys, you know that, right?
Michael
 
#2
compressors basically even out the dynamics of your playing so that the volume is the same across the board.

i'm also a big fan of chorus, flanger, phaser, and delay sounds. i don't have any sound clips of phaser or delay, but check Link Removed . on the desert, i used a flanger to add to the sound during the parts that only the bass was playing, and on earthbound emanations, there's a chorus pedal on the whole time.
 
#3
Just FYI, the octave setting on the Synth Wah has an enveolpe filter sound blended in with it, it's not a standalone octave sound. :)

A high pass filter cuts out any frequencies below a certain point, letting the higher frequencies pass through to your speaker. Most modern amps (like yours) have them built in and you won't need to worry about getting an outboard filter. I'm no expert, but 50hz sounds like a reasonable cutoff. Even though a 5-string goes down to 30hz, what you're really hearing is fundamentals and harmonics anyway, not the actual 30hz frequency. Few cabs can actually go that low.

If you're not sure about effects, I'd suggest a decent multi-effect pedal. It'll give you a good idea of what you do and don't like. They do a lot of different effects reasonably well. Then once you figure out what you're after, you can jump to single effects that do only one effect, but really well.

A compressor essentially smoothes out your sound. A very basic explanation is that it makes the quieter stuff you play louder and keeos the loud stuff from getting TOO loud. Bongomania has a huge thread about compressors with LOTS of great info.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=229874

Don't totally discount overdrive either... I used to have the same feeling as you, couldn't stand it. But I came to realize that some subtle, "they might not even notice it's on" overdrive can really add some cool color and warmth to your tone and now I'm an overdrive junkie. Check out the Catalinbread SFT. They have a great Motown video on the SFT page, THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!

My favorie effect of all time though... envelope filter. Hands down. I've owned or played 18 now. Man, I seriously love the funk that a good filter can bring. My top filers: 3Leaf Groove Regulator (now the GR2) and Pigtronix EP2.

There's SO much good stuff out there. Go to sites like Tonefactor.com, Pedalspluseffectswarehouse.com and pedalgeek.com. They both break it down by brand or effect type, whatever your pleasure. You'll definitely have fun exploring! ;)

5sg.
 
#5
Just to clarify on the HPF subject, I play a 4 string, currently in BEAD setup, but tuned down to G# drop, so, G# D# G# C#, which from what I'm told brings me down into ~15Hz territory. My band plays at ridiculous volumes, so I threw on the HPF included in the power amp, without regard to sound, to ensure I don't blow my cab. Also in the sake of full disclosure, I'll just give you guys my entire set, from my hands to my cab:
Steinberger style Lotus headless bass, 4 string
GK 2001RBP
Crown Drivecore XLS 2000
Acme Low B-4, series 2

I'm really happy with my rig, I got the drivecore 2000 with the intent of getting a second B-4, because they're gorram rock solid, but with the volume and frequency we play, I'd rather not blow such a beautiful cab, so I've gotten a set of double ball end 6 string bass strings, and am going to use the high 4, ADGC, and tune up a half step, and drop the A# to a G#, which brings me an octave up from where I want to be, hence the sub-octave pedal. I'm hoping with this setup, I can get a string tension I'm more comfortable with, because a .130 string in G# isn't doing it for me. And at the same time, save my Acme cabs some heartache, as well as get a groovy synth octave sound going.

My band plays death metal, of the AS I LAY DYING, and Whitechapel vein, but I am really feeling this groovy bass line behind it (which is still only in my head).

Thanks, guys, for the links and information. I'll be looking through the resources provided and will get back to you on what I'm thinking in regards to what I need, or can avoid (for clarification, what I want > what I can afford. This equation is true at all times, without exception)
 
#6
Okay, so I still don't understand what a HPF -does- but its effects are obvious, and apparently, necessary. Compressor might be nice, as well. My bass, being a hunk of crap lotus (with EMGs, by the way) has a really hot output, and could do with some evening out. So, also, a limiter might be nice too, from what I hear you can set the limiter to specific wattage, and nothing great can pass through? Am I right on this? It would be nice knowing that no matter how high I turn my volume, I have a safety net.

That leaves envelope filters, OD, and such to look into. What does the envelope filter do to the sound?
 

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