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Using effects at gigs?
- Thread starter gjbassist
- Start date
I usually use effects less then at practice then a show, though that's mostly becuase I'm all over the stage (thank you wireless) and forget to get back to my board to switch pedals.
I use a Fulltone Bass Drive mostly for dirty pick tones, a little growl or wild/crazy distortion. I don't use other effects live. In my cover band, it comes in handy to match the original song's bass tone, it also helps make my pick playing songs really stick out. Especially when the song was recorded with a really in-your-face bass tone - generally it has a little distortion added on to it.
Whatever I use has to keep the low end intact. If the low end is not there, the effect will not be used!
Whatever I use has to keep the low end intact. If the low end is not there, the effect will not be used!
I use them live. Chorus on for certain songs, phaser for parts of songs, overdrive/distortion used sparingly, or in something like Blur's Song #2. Got an EHX micro-synth on order too I'm planning on doing some damage with...I play top-40 pop and rock covers.
+1
I'm basically the synth player in my band; we'd sound really, really empty without my wall of octave-down flangefuzz.
You don't really hear much bass effects in classic rock and blues, so it makes sense that they seem out of place. EQ and amp voicing changes, along with a little fuzz now and then, are all you really need in that genre.
Depends on the gig. I regularly play jazz and 50's rock at nursing homes and for that I just bring an amp and my Rob Allen. For the funk band I bring my board but only use the env filter on one or two tunes (mostly for solo lines) and use the MicroPog in a couple of places where I want to emulate an organ. For the jazz/blues band, same thing, although I might throw some chorus in the mix as well.
It really depends on what I'm trying to do. If I'm supporting the music with a "bass" line, then I don't use any effects, instead just working the instrument with my hands. If I'm trying to emulate another instrument or fill out some soundspace, then I'll use effects. In a trio situation I'm more inclined to use effects as I'm usually covering more ground and have space to hear what's going on and get experimental. In a bigger band, I go with less effects. If the effects (or my playing) draw attention to the bass when the singer is singing or a horn is soloing, then I'm probably doing something wrong.
It really depends on what I'm trying to do. If I'm supporting the music with a "bass" line, then I don't use any effects, instead just working the instrument with my hands. If I'm trying to emulate another instrument or fill out some soundspace, then I'll use effects. In a trio situation I'm more inclined to use effects as I'm usually covering more ground and have space to hear what's going on and get experimental. In a bigger band, I go with less effects. If the effects (or my playing) draw attention to the bass when the singer is singing or a horn is soloing, then I'm probably doing something wrong.
I think knowing when to use effects and when not to is a mark of a mature bass player.
That being said, I am in a similar position as the OP, I love effects but the blues/jam/classic rock band I play in does not really call for it. However, my pedal board does have a SANSAMP BDDI on it as well as an ODB-3 and a Bassballs filter. I screw around with them both during practice.. but the Bassballs stays off for gigs (unless a jam calls for it... rare thing). The ODB-3 gets use, but I have it dialed way back and mix the wet/dry at 30/70 or so. I like my tone this way.
I have a Zoom B1 multi FX box that has a tone of stuff that I play around with at home. I love the phaser and reverb on it.
That being said, I am in a similar position as the OP, I love effects but the blues/jam/classic rock band I play in does not really call for it. However, my pedal board does have a SANSAMP BDDI on it as well as an ODB-3 and a Bassballs filter. I screw around with them both during practice.. but the Bassballs stays off for gigs (unless a jam calls for it... rare thing). The ODB-3 gets use, but I have it dialed way back and mix the wet/dry at 30/70 or so. I like my tone this way.
I have a Zoom B1 multi FX box that has a tone of stuff that I play around with at home. I love the phaser and reverb on it.
Everyone in my fusion band (except the drummer... for now) uses effects. Both guitarists, the trumpet plater, and of course... me. I have the largest board by far, and I tend to use effects more than the other members. But that's to be expected I guess. The drummer did just get a sampler pad to use with his set, so I imagine he'll be making some neat sounds in the future as well.
I guess I use effects on almost every song, most often the Hot Cake to give my tone a little edge. Many parts I'll quit playing bass completely, and I'll just play effects.
I guess I use effects on almost every song, most often the Hot Cake to give my tone a little edge. Many parts I'll quit playing bass completely, and I'll just play effects.
it's very much a personal thing. some need lots of effects, some don't. i had as many as 7 on my board at one time and now i'm down to 3, soon to be 4.
