Tech 21 Steve Harris Fly Rig

[bassmonkeee]

Interesting choice- why did you choose the SH-1 for solely clean pre duties? It has some great sounding clean tones to be sure, but for my uses a more neutral box makes more sense for clean duties (I don’t find the SH-1 to be great at “neutral” tones). Are you using it for the amp-style emulation? It does do this pretty well IMO

That's just kinda how it has worked out so far. I have it set up so I have the Darkglass VMT Deluxe in the clean channel of the EBS, too. So, I can drive the SH pedal with it if I want, or use them each by themselves, or with the EBS dirt in parallel. I have the drive of the second SH channel set higher so I can use that for dirt, too. I'm not so much looking for neutral tones from the SH--I like the clomp I get from the bite switch. It works well with my style. I have messed with the Geezer settings and a couple of other included settings. I'm sure they will all eventually come into play. Right now, I'm enjoying having a combo of my two main influences growing up in the 80s as my tone.

 

[sunbeast]

That's just kinda how it has worked out so far. I have it set up so I have the Darkglass VMT Deluxe in the clean channel of the EBS, too. So, I can drive the SH pedal with it if I want, or use them each by themselves, or with the EBS dirt in parallel. I have the drive of the second SH channel set higher so I can use that for dirt, too. I'm not so much looking for neutral tones from the SH--I like the clomp I get from the bite switch. It works well with my style. I have messed with the Geezer settings and a couple of other included settings. I'm sure they will all eventually come into play. Right now, I'm enjoying having a combo of my two main influences growing up in the 80s as my tone.

I wish the SH-1 had separate tone controls for the channels, or even just a dedicated Bite switch for each! I think some of the darker lightly driven sounds in the SH-1 would actually sound great underneath a clanky high-frequency drive tone, but at least for me I think all that clank on both channels would be too much. I might try experimenting with mine in a split-channel setup.

 

[sunbeast]

So how are you guys using your SH-1, in the effects loop/di or straight into the amp? I'm redoing my pedalboard and trying to sort out my new setup (DI-2112 to work with as well) and would love some ideas.

Into the front of an amp, though it works well direct as well. I don’t think the gain structure would be ideal in an FX Loop unless you are using it in place of your amp’s internal preamp.

 

[MOTORHEADBANGER]

Into the front of an amp, though it works well direct as well. I don’t think the gain structure would be ideal in an FX Loop unless you are using it in place of your amp’s internal preamp.

I guess I should have specified. I meant into the effects return to bypass the preamp section.

 

[toddsterbassist]

I run all the fly rigs as true preamps, not effects, and always bypass the internal preamp if running into a traditional head.

 

[FaithNoMan]

I just did another shootout between SH-1 and Oxford. Each has its own features and strengths, but there's definitely some overlap. The SH-1 is better suited for bass (as one would expect) but both are keepers.

I could bear it no longer, even though I have everything that I need(don't most of us in the effects forum??).

Prymaxe had an open box one and I pulled! It certainly sounds clanky and fuzzy enough in the demos.

Surprisingly, the Genesis setting and how low the 3K treble was set for that in Tim Starace's demo was one of the big factors. Maybe that tone + a bit more clank.

 

[jamesblue]

I forgot to post when I got this. I'm running it through the clean channel on the Billy Sheehan pedal and I have a mute switch for the distortion channel on the Sheehan. So, my main tone these days is a PBass with Geezer EMGs with the Steve Harris clean tone mixed with the Sheehan distortion tone. It sounds amazing.

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Are there any Pedal toppers that fit the Tech 21 Fly Rigs like th SH1??

 

[jamesblue]

Just got the SH1. IMO the controls are Very Sensitive and need to use your ears vice eyes when setting the controls (slight tweaks/nudges can significantly change the tone). For me it seems thi pedal would be good when you need to find a place to sit in a dense mix with alot of other isturments; as this pedal sounds best to me in the nutural kinda tone settings (not too much of anything as the bass is a bit boomy and highs a bit harsh when levels pushed). Takes pedals infront very well too if you set the SH1 for low gain.
The input is very sensitive, I got good results putting a compessor set mildly in front of it and then adjust the level going into the SH1 - this really goes along way to get the pedal to react to playing dynamics. To me the gain/drive is very different than other Tech 21 pedals, it sounds more like an old Ampeg Portaflex 15 Speaker (can get speaker-fart sounding to me). The speaker simulation gets boomy and the overal signal looses articulation/note definition when on (so I prefer it off). The SH1 is capable of alot of tones, but much different that the YYZ Geddy pedal and other Tech 21 products.
I've had the VT Delux, and currently have the YYZ and Para Driver (the para driver does well with just about any insturment).

 

[Fuzzbass]

The speaker simulation gets boomy and the overal signal looses articulation/note definition when on (so I prefer it off).

True, which is why I run speaker sim and Bite together. Works for me, because I like edgy rock tones.

Tech 21 devices usually have really powerful controls. Because of this, the fly rigs can be especially tricky to dial in: small knobs, so a tiny tweak makes a huge difference (also true for the DP-3X). But that's OK with me, because I'm a set-it-and-forget-it guy.

Final note: it's nice to have flat as a reference point, but if my ears are happy then I don't worry about where the knobs are pointing.

 

[FLV]

Do you use the SH1 with or without a compressor? I've noticed that there is a slight compression effect, especially when the gain knob is cranked up. I've been thinking to replace my compression-overdrive pedal combo with it, but I'd like to hear some feedback first.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Do you use the SH1 with or without a compressor? I've noticed that there is a slight compression effect, especially when the gain knob is cranked up. I've been thinking to replace my compression-overdrive pedal combo with it, but I'd like to hear some feedback first.

I sometimes use compression, but rarely when running any kind of overdrive, SH-1 or not. This is mostly out of laziness -- dirt + comp can be an effective way to emulate the cranked amp vibe, but I usually don't bother.

That said, you make an interesting point. I think I've heard what you're referring to with the SH-1. It's funny, I thought I also heard compression when I played through a friend's Orange amp. Makes me wonder whether compression is a secret feature of some distortions.

Anyway... go with whatever works for you. Maybe SH-1 is all you need, regardless of whether it has secret sauce or not.

 

[FLV]

I sometimes use compression, but rarely when running any kind of overdrive, SH-1 or not. This is mostly out of laziness -- dirt + comp can be an effective way to emulate the cranked amp vibe, but I usually don't bother.

That said, you make an interesting point. I think I've heard what you're referring to with the SH-1. It's funny, I thought I also heard compression when I played through a friend's Orange amp. Makes me wonder whether compression is a secret feature of some distortions.

Anyway... go with whatever works for you. Maybe SH-1 is all you need, regardless of whether it has secret sauce or not.

Technically speaking distortion is a form of compression so it all sounds right However, I think there's something extra in the Sh1's signal. It sounds very subtle though, when I've done an A-B test with a B7k-SuperSymmetry combo the compression was barely noticeable. But overall, it just sounds so good, especially with the speaker sim and bite engaged.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Technically speaking distortion is a form of compression so it all sounds right

Absolutely! But when I think back on my cranked-vintage-SVT days, most of the goodness came from warm power tubes, but I suspect that some also came from 10" speakers being pushed near the limit, which isn't necessarily overdrive/distortion per se. So, that's why I think dirt+comp can work beautifully without being redundant.

Hmm... given what I just said, it might be logical to put comp in the speaker sim. But I can't believe that's the case -- speaker sim probably doesn't mean "speaker pushed near the limit" sim!

 

[J Troska]

speaker sim probably doesn't mean "speaker pushed near the limit" sim!

Tech21 Speaker Sim basically just means high frequency cut off and a low frequency bump to compensate for the treble tilt of the Bite button.

The SH1 works similarly to the VT Bass in that way but the Bite and Speaker Sim are more extreme in the SH1.

I find I don’t need additional compression with the SH1. It doesn’t have an obvious squishy compression. But the crunchy overdrive keeps the output level consistent in a good natural way.

 

[Pantofolaio79]

Have any of you tried the tech21 steve harris with a jazz bass? do you think using the neck pickup you can get a sound similar to precision with the sounds of steve harris? thank you very much!

 

[Pantofolaio79]

A comparison with the bass fly rig would also be curious .. has anyone ever compared them? thank you!

 

[Rnr..........4]

Have to admit I am not a fan of all these signature pedals. I think most of it is marketing. I also don't care for signature basses but that's another story.

I prefer to let the amp do the talking but I do have the YYZ and use that for any sort of grit and feel it's a good middle ground between grit and clear deep lows without going full on crunchy because that is what the Steve Harris pedal sounds like. I don't need things like that with a lot of dials to make tones overly complicated. The Rick already growls why add a huge layer of static grit to it? None of those demos claiming to be Lemmy's sound sounded anything like Lemmy.

All my board consists of is a compressor, YYZ and a Boss tuner. That's it. For a DI, I use the Bass Block or one of those small Radial ProDI things.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Have to admit I am not a fan of all these signature pedals. I think most of it is marketing. I also don't care for signature basses but that's another story.

Yes, of course it's marketing. In fact some signature gear is essentially the same as an existing product except maybe in a different color. Not always true, though. E.g. the Fender Roscoe Beck bass was unique and innovative. Roscoe is a great player, but he's not why I bought the bass.

Same is true for the dUg Pinnick and Steve Harris pedals. I bought both because they have great tones and features. The fact that they happen to have signatures on them is totally irrelevant to me: isn't a pro or a con. Never has been for me.

 

[sunbeast]

Have to admit I am not a fan of all these signature pedals. I think most of it is marketing. I also don't care for signature basses but that's another story.

I prefer to let the amp do the talking but I do have the YYZ and use that for any sort of grit and feel it's a good middle ground between grit and clear deep lows without going full on crunchy because that is what the Steve Harris pedal sounds like. I don't need things like that with a lot of dials to make tones overly complicated. The Rick already growls why add a huge layer of static grit to it? None of those demos claiming to be Lemmy's sound sounded anything like Lemmy.

All my board consists of is a compressor, YYZ and a Boss tuner. That's it. For a DI, I use the Bass Block or one of those small Radial ProDI things.

Curious if you’ve actually tried the SH-1? Because it’s capable of everything from squeaky clean (even most of Steve Harris's tones are mostly clean) to high-gain, and the EQ options make it quite versatile and unique vs other Tech-21 options I’ve tried.

I view the “signature” aspect more as a baseline set of options with which to approach tone-building than anything that needs to only be associated with a specific player’s sound. The Dug Pinnick pedal approaches sound using a crossover distortion technique, the Geddy does separate signals but more utilizing separate filtering/EQ (vs true crossover) for clean and dirty, while the Steve Harris adds that signature “bite” option that is essentially a pre-drive boost. All three of those can do a plethora of sounds besides emulating the player with their name on it, and all offer very distinct approaches to sound sculpting that will appeal to different people and projects. Ain’t nothing wrong with having options to choose as a player!
I no longer have any of the T21 sig pedals, but I think they are all great pedals and couldn’t care less whose signature is on it.

 

[LowEndGroover]

Curious if you’ve actually tried the SH-1? Because it’s capable of everything from squeaky clean (even most of Steve Harris's tones are mostly clean) to high-gain, and the EQ options make it quite versatile and unique vs other Tech-21 options I’ve tried.

I view the “signature” aspect more as a baseline set of options with which to approach tone-building than anything that needs to only be associated with a specific player’s sound. The Dug Pinnick pedal approaches sound using a crossover distortion technique, the Geddy does separate signals but more utilizing separate filtering/EQ (vs true crossover) for clean and dirty, while the Steve Harris adds that signature “bite” option that is essentially a pre-drive boost. All three of those can do a plethora of sounds besides emulating the player with their name on it, and all offer very distinct approaches to sound sculpting that will appeal to different people and projects. Ain’t nothing wrong with having options to choose as a player!
I no longer have any of the T21 sig pedals, but I think they are all great pedals and couldn’t care less whose signature is on it.

+1

Being in a wedding/corporate event band, versatility in tone is paramount. @sunbeast is absolutely right. The SH-1 is extremely versatile and what I use for most of my gigs. Any drastic change in tone is accomplished with the bass’s on board EQ and my right hand attack.

The other two are also great for what they do. The DUG is my go to for Rock/Club gigs and my GED is for home use.

IMHO, the best part of the SH1 and DUG is that they have a DI. My band goes amp-less and go off our IEM’s on stage.