The TB "Essential" Pedalboard?

[MultiScaleMale]

Let's decide what goes on the "essential" pedalboard ala TalkBass edition.

1) Tuner - we'll agree that this is almost an essential for the board. I'll even go so far as to say that the TurboTuner ST-300 (mini or regular) is the king of this pedal. Faster tuning and more stable tuning probably cuts 1-2 seconds off tuning each string and the newer relay switch on the 300 series makes it silent. But - do you put it early in the chain or right before the next pedal - a DI.

2) A DI? A lot are using IEM and not showing up with an amp, or maybe there's a supplied backline. A DI of your choice probably qualifies as an "essential". Contenders might be Tech 21 BDDI, Noble DI on the high end, Mesa Subway, etc.

3) Next up, I see a compressor on most boards. And this is going to be a case where taste comes into play. From easy one knob Spectracomp to FEA or Cali76 Compact multi knob / more control, and a ton in between.

4) A HPF(optional LPF) - I think this is not a fad, but recognition that a HPF is useful enough of the time to call it essential.

I think those categories, maybe not the specific pedals will be acceptable to the super majority for the basis of an "essential" pedalboard. What else would you add to an "essential" setup?

 

[Stumbo]

Depending on your amp and effects, an
hpf/lpf at the start of your signal chain and an hpf at the end. Keep your effected signal clean of artifacts in and out.

 

[Robertron]

A good drive pedal. Sometimes clean bass just isn't appropriate.

 

[jblock]

This is TalkBass; you have to use an HPF/LPF.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I will add a HPF.

 

[Stumbo]

A good drive pedal. Sometimes clean bass just isn't appropriate.

I edited my post.

Depending on your amp and effects, an hpf/lpf at the start of your signal chain and an hpf at the end. Keep your effected signal clean of artifacts in and out.

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[MultiScaleMale]

Depending on your amp and effects, an
hpf/lpf at the start of your signal chain and an hpf at the end. Keep your effected signal clean of artifacts in and out.

Will most players give up two pedalboard slots for two different HPF/LPF pedals? I'd just put a HPF (which is on order) at the end. My Cali76 CB has a "HPF", but that's a side chain and not really a HPF. But it does help with the compressor reacting / behaving better.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

An OD is a likely choice for most because it essentially gives you "channel switching". My choice for this is the Creation Audio Grizzly. Added bonus is that I can get a slap sound and clean boost on top of great sounding OD/distortion.

 

[Stumbo]

Will most players give up two pedalboard slots for two different HPF/LPF pedals? I'd just put a HPF (which is on order) at the end. My Cali76 CB has a "HPF", but that's a side chain and not really a HPF. But it does help with the compressor reacting / behaving better.

The Broughton always-on is so tiny it can fit underneath.

 

[Seashore]

First pedal in my signal chain is always a noise gate. I've been using a Turbo Tuner for a few years now and I love it, but I found it to be a real tone sucker, so I keep it out of the path to my amp - was running it from the send on a Boss NS-2, but now I'm using that loop, so I have it coming off the dry output of a HOG. Absolute bare minimum of pedals for me would be noise gate (NS-2), tuner (Turbo Tuner), compressor (Emma Transmorgrifier). For "my" sound through my own rig, add an EQ pedal, a Y splitter, and a distortion (MXR Distortion III).

 

[buldog5151bass]

I look at pedals as tools. If I am playing a song that needs a particular time, I use that effect. Often I am just straight into an amp or DI.

 

[cnltb]

OD, Fuzz, Envelope filter.(Octave).
I think that'd by my essentials.
No tuner in the signal chain please.

 

[Keger Jupit]

Rarely used effects in the 30 years I've been playing. However, I just ordered an MXR octave & envelope filter yesterday. Should be here Monday, just in time for practice!

All the hubub on TB about HPF's has gotten me very curious...I might need to try one out...

 

[Tekkers]

I’m going to sound like a corporate shill here but tbh I think the essential pedalboard is a Tech 21 Bass FlyRig.

Tuner that tracks down below B on a six-string, reasonable compressor, Sansamp and a boost that you can use to get a good bit of grind out of it, chorus.
Also a borderline useless octaver, but it can be used as a square-wave fuzz or an adequate filter.
And a DI out.

Hoping for a ‘mark 2’ version, like they did with the guitar version. I wouldn’t do too much to it, better octaver and maybe a way to get a flanger tone out of the chorus, but beyond that it’s grand.

 

[Krisfield]

Boost Pedal. For example boost a preamp/OD, clean boost a passive bass, loud switch, boost an amp, dirty boost, mid range boost.

 

[Gaolee]

Wireless receiver/tuner -> hpf/lpf -> DI. Sometimes others end up on the board for a while, but only get used for specific reasons.

 

[Thumpin6string]

99% of the time for me it is bass>HPF>Compressor>amp. If I use my fretless, I may add chorus or Reverb or both. I'm not a fan of distortion, but if I wanted it I can crank the gain on my Streamliner to get overdrive. Tuner is in the tuner out of the amp.

 

[M-rek]

Are there others in a pedal format?

Here in Germany there‘s a guy from the (also German) Bassic forum who developed the Vong-Filter HPF/LPF pedal. He offers them as DIY kit.
VONG-Filterung – Schalltechnik_04

 

[five7]

Described mine. TU-3, Keeley Bassist, Alpha Omega, Broughton HPF. I send the XLR out of the alpha to the board minus the HPF. The 1/4 inch out from the alpha goes to the HPF and then my amp.

 

[Frank77]

This is TalkBass; you have to use an HPF/LPF.

Yup. At least one before and after each pedal that's on the board.