• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

the infamous -- chain my pedals query

robbroncs

robbroncs

Jul 12, 2012
185
112
NJ
#1
if you were to adjust my pedal chain, what would you change? I'm not sure if i have it right :D.

guitar

Markbass Compressore
Fairfield Barbershop
Bearfoot Blueberry
Fuzzrocious Grey Stache
MXR Bass Envelope Filter
MXR Micro Flanger
Wounded Paw Echo
Boss DD5
TC Hall of Fame
Markbass Mini Boost
TC Ditto x2

amp

i use the mini boost for my overall signal. my amp's volume is a touch too low and the gain knob adds a bit too much dirt than wanted. if i ever do get to mod my old vox wah....it will be moving the boost to the front of that.
 
#5
lz4005 said:
It would help if you said what some of those pedals do, instead of just what their name is.
Click to expand...
Markbass Compressore - compressor
Fairfield Barbershop - light overdrive
Bearfoot Blueberry - heavier overdrive
Fuzzrocious Grey Stache - fuzz
MXR Bass Envelope Filter - envelope filter
MXR Micro Flanger - flanger
Wounded Paw Echo - analog echo/delay
Boss DD5 - digital delay
TC Hall of Fame - reverb
Markbass Mini Boost - booster
TC Ditto x2 - looper
 
#8
Yeah, envelope filter first; a comp before it simply negates the filter's function. So, filter first, then comp next, then your dirt boxes in whatever order works best for you, however, as I am not familiar with some of those, I would have to say that one might be dynamically reactive in a pleasing way, so maybe that should go before the comp. Also, an interesting synth-like sound can be obtained from placing distortion/fuzz before an envelope filter, but remember that some dirt boxes contain a bit of a compression circuit, so try 'em all out to suss the best one for the job. Flanger, then delays, then reverb is way I would go for optimum utilization of those pedals, but then again, you might want to flange your delay repeats or loops first, it's a matter of taste and how you want to structure your sound. Actually the looper could go anywhere; boost, honestly, I'm still working on that one myself, but I suppose at the end is the most functional, so that the composite sound of the effected bass gets a kick in the butt(plus some pedals might not like being fed a hotter signal). That's all I got.
 
  • Like
Reactions: robbroncs
#9
robbroncs said:
Thats the one thing i know i do want. Im looking to clean my attack levels, but not my effects. Some i want to let their volume changes and spikes to do their thaaang.
Click to expand...

Some of the pedals will react to playing dynamic, putting the comp infront kills that.

Then again, the comp can be an effect rather than action, that would also dictate a position.
 
  • Like
Reactions: robbroncs
#10
so then:

guitar

MXR Bass Envelope Filter
Markbass Compressore
Fairfield Barbershop
Bearfoot Blueberry
Fuzzrocious Grey Stache
MXR Micro Flanger
Wounded Paw Echo
Boss DD5
TC Hall of Fame
Markbass Mini Boost
TC Ditto x2

amp

does that sound better? any other suggestions?
 
#11
iain westland said:
Some of the pedals will react to playing dynamic, putting the comp infront kills that.

Then again, the comp can be an effect rather than action, that would also dictate a position.
Click to expand...
+1 on comp and how it affects some effects.
What you may want to consider: some pedal sequences make best sound in specific combinations; you may get a blender, and hook up some effects (or their sequences) to always run together.
I'm in the process of putting together my board; one thing I'm planning to do is: hook up combination octaver+env.filter so it always runs first (octaves like clean signal to drive them), and env.filter always follows octaver (if both are engaged). That makes one effect loop that the blender will kick in.
Also consider what you really use the comp for. Is it to even out your playing dynamics, or the overall sound? If first - yes, it will do it, but may affect how some effects react; if second - consider placing it towards the end of chain, there it will act on the entire sonic picture.
 
  • Like
Reactions: robbroncs and iain westland
#12
robbroncs said:
so then:

guitar

MXR Bass Envelope Filter
Markbass Compressore
Fairfield Barbershop
Bearfoot Blueberry
Fuzzrocious Grey Stache
MXR Micro Flanger
Wounded Paw Echo
Boss DD5
TC Hall of Fame
Markbass Mini Boost
TC Ditto x2

amp

does that sound better? any other suggestions?
Click to expand...

Yeah, you're getting there. since you have so many dirt pedals, don't forget to at least try one of them before the filter for a different, 'synthy' sound. Plus, if you have the patience, play around with the order of all of those. You might try putting the Ditto(your looper, right?)before the Hall Of Fame.

tomilchik said:
+1 on comp and how it affects some effects.
What you may want to consider: some pedal sequences make best sound in specific combinations; you may get a blender, and hook up some effects (or their sequences) to always run together.
I'm in the process of putting together my board; one thing I'm planning to do is: hook up combination octaver+env.filter so it always runs first (octaves like clean signal to drive them), and env.filter always follows octaver (if both are engaged). That makes one effect loop that the blender will kick in.
Also consider what you really use the comp for. Is it to even out your playing dynamics, or the overall sound? If first - yes, it will do it, but may affect how some effects react; if second - consider placing it towards the end of chain, there it will act on the entire sonic picture.
Click to expand...

One thing to consider, though, about compression at the end of the chain is that it might bring up the noise floor of the accumulated pedals before it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: robbroncs
#14
it's definitely down to personal taste with that one I'd say. I know some folk that swear by putting the OC-2 after their dirt pedals, but I prefer how it sounds running my OC-2 in front of o/d, distortion and fuzz. I don't run a compressor, but have read many times that people think their OC-2's track better after compressors...
 
#15
Flymo Wang said:
it's definitely down to personal taste with that one I'd say. I know some folk that swear by putting the OC-2 after their dirt pedals, but I prefer how it sounds running my OC-2 in front of o/d, distortion and fuzz. I don't run a compressor, but have read many times that people think their OC-2's track better after compressors...
Click to expand...
Yup, my OC2 is after compressor and before dirt.
 
#16
typically...

Filter effects
Compressor
Overdrive & Distortion
Equalizers
Pitch Effects
Modulation Effects
Level controllers
Echo Effects

however there is no wrong way....the trick is to experiment with your pedals and set up to see what works for you...

some guys like their wah after dirt...I like mine before...
 
#18
There's some good info on here for sure.
iain westland said:
Comp seams far forward...
Click to expand...

Compressors are usually at the start or the finish, but I generally put them last so the volume-dependent effects like filters are more dynamic. However, no one will fault you for putting it first. Or 3rd or whatever. Unless it sounds bad.


lz4005 said:
The only thing I would change is moving the envelope filter earlier. All the ones I've ever used only sound good to me when they're first in line.
Click to expand...
An envelope filter into distortion/OD or fuzz is really cool with a great, biting, nasty sound, but following the distortion/OD/fuzz, you get more of a synthy sound

iain westland said:
Some of the pedals will react to playing dynamic, putting the comp infront kills that.

Then again, the comp can be an effect rather than action, that would also dictate a position.
Click to expand...
Yup.
 
#19
There's a case to be made for always putting your compressor after your drive pedals, and also after your flanger. I would personally put it after the flanger.

If you keep the compressor before the flanger, consider putting the flanger after the delay. It's a cool sounds that almost no one uses because of the rules of thumb about pedal placement.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back