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What pedals do I need?
- Thread starter hadendm
- Start date
It's hard to believe when it's itching your wallet and wanna buy stuff, but the truth is: you don't need any effects at all. Just get a good bass and a good amp and don't waste money on anything else until you have a specific need for an effect and you can't do things without it.
a tuner is indispensible. other than that, you don't really NEED anything but a bass and an amp!
you don't really need a tuner you need to tune to the keys that you are playing with in church so guess all you need is a bass and amp 
With respect to the other guys, I think they may be taking "need" a little too seriously. Here is a quick list of some pedals that might be worth checking out for P+W stuff:
Tuner - it's already been said, but if you're not in tune, you're making things worse.
Compressor - helps keep your dynamics under control and can add sustain as well. Not absolutely vital. But very useful.
Octave - having a sub-octave can really help thicken stuff up. Use with caution, because it can make stuff pretty muddy if you overdo it.
Chorus - nice for adding a bit of sparkle to your overall sound.
Overdrive - you don't have to be over the top with it, but a touch of grit is pretty handy to add some more texture to your sound.
Hope that helps!
Tuner - it's already been said, but if you're not in tune, you're making things worse.
Compressor - helps keep your dynamics under control and can add sustain as well. Not absolutely vital. But very useful.
Octave - having a sub-octave can really help thicken stuff up. Use with caution, because it can make stuff pretty muddy if you overdo it.
Chorus - nice for adding a bit of sparkle to your overall sound.
Overdrive - you don't have to be over the top with it, but a touch of grit is pretty handy to add some more texture to your sound.
Hope that helps!
As someone who plays the same music, it is true that you can get by without any pedals. However, you are posting on the effects forum so you definately want pedals.
I use 10+ pedals even in worship music, but some are used much more than others.
The ones that i find indispensable are overdrive, modulation, and maybe a filter. Depending on the type of worship music you use, a fuzz could also be an option.
Overdrive is probably the effect you will use the most. Something to add mild grit and warmth to your bassline without taking it over the top. My pedal of choice here is the Way Huge Pork Loin, but there are a number of options that will suffice that I'm sure others will chime in on. The Pork Loin has a clean blend that lets the signal retain bass which many other overdrives I've tried are not so good at.
Modulation is also great for filling out some softer parts. I use chorus and flange for this application. For the most part chorus will be the way to go. I would recommend the Boss CE-5 for a solid cheap chorus.
If you play some funky lines in there, then a filter will be a fun effect for you. I've tried a number of filters and they are tempermental beasts and somewhat difficult to tame. However, you should check out the 3Leaf Groove Regulator. It sound great at any knob setting and has no volume spike that plague other filters. It is really a top notch filter that you should check out.
If your worship band plays a bit heavier songs sometimes then you should look at a fuzz pedal. Every bass player needs a fuzz pedal.
It's difficult to find a good fuzz that retains the low end. I love the Earthbound Audio Supercollider for this application, but they take a while to get a hold of. The Way Huge Swollen Pickle also sounds good and is much easier to access.
I use 10+ pedals even in worship music, but some are used much more than others.
The ones that i find indispensable are overdrive, modulation, and maybe a filter. Depending on the type of worship music you use, a fuzz could also be an option.
Overdrive is probably the effect you will use the most. Something to add mild grit and warmth to your bassline without taking it over the top. My pedal of choice here is the Way Huge Pork Loin, but there are a number of options that will suffice that I'm sure others will chime in on. The Pork Loin has a clean blend that lets the signal retain bass which many other overdrives I've tried are not so good at.
Modulation is also great for filling out some softer parts. I use chorus and flange for this application. For the most part chorus will be the way to go. I would recommend the Boss CE-5 for a solid cheap chorus.
If you play some funky lines in there, then a filter will be a fun effect for you. I've tried a number of filters and they are tempermental beasts and somewhat difficult to tame. However, you should check out the 3Leaf Groove Regulator. It sound great at any knob setting and has no volume spike that plague other filters. It is really a top notch filter that you should check out.
If your worship band plays a bit heavier songs sometimes then you should look at a fuzz pedal. Every bass player needs a fuzz pedal.
It's difficult to find a good fuzz that retains the low end. I love the Earthbound Audio Supercollider for this application, but they take a while to get a hold of. The Way Huge Swollen Pickle also sounds good and is much easier to access.
Why do you think you *need* a pedal? Very few pieces of music really call for any effect on Bass --
I have pedals, but in truth I mostly just like diddling with them - I more often just don't use them at gigs (aside from a tuner pedal).
Yep. Totally agree. I tried to talk myself into an M9 and I just don't need it. I am a bass --> amp guy. I don't even have a tuner in line. I use the tuner out. That's what works for me. Of course, everyone is different, but if you can't define what pedal you need or what sound you are missing, save your money.
Well that changes things. I play at church as well. They have a Pod so I use that sometimes on the tube DI setting with no cabs or effects. Sometimes I bring my amp (Genz Benz Shuttle) and use the DI on that.
What do you use right now for a DI?
The DI 100X is nice. Go easy on the Sonic Maximizer part. A little goes a long way. Other nice DI's are the Radial JDI and Countryman. If you want some tone and overdrive options the SansAmp BDDI is popular as well.
If the sound guy isn't running a comp - then a compressor pedal would be good to make sure your dynamics don't surprise him. As SteveC. said above a good DI is necessary, (but the church sound guy might already have something good) If the church building is really large and you have passive pickups, look at some of the active DI's (Radial, BSS etc.) If the mic run to the board is a long one, with passive pickups you might lose some tone going into a passive DI. It's also good to read about all the different preamp and tube emulation pedals that are around. All these things together will help keep your basic tone, but can sweeten things for the system.
I'll advise these:
1) Chorus - Visual Sound Liquid Chorus. This thing is absolutely dreamy
2) Compressor/limiter - My amp has one built in, so I don't really run into much issue with it, but i love having it.
3) Flange - I use the Boss BF-3. I like it, nice, compact, customizable sound.
4) OD/distortion - I use 2 difference SansAmps, the SansAmp BDDI deluxe prog. and the normal BDDI, for tone shaping and OD purposes.
Those are the 4 I take with me on every gig (I have a rack mounted tuner, so that handles my tuning) minus my volume pedal and my wah.
Adding this: I'd say go with the SansAmp. If not, I believe MXR makes a good passive DI that's relatively cheap ($85 give or take) but don't quote me on that.
1) Chorus - Visual Sound Liquid Chorus. This thing is absolutely dreamy
2) Compressor/limiter - My amp has one built in, so I don't really run into much issue with it, but i love having it.
3) Flange - I use the Boss BF-3. I like it, nice, compact, customizable sound.
4) OD/distortion - I use 2 difference SansAmps, the SansAmp BDDI deluxe prog. and the normal BDDI, for tone shaping and OD purposes.
Those are the 4 I take with me on every gig (I have a rack mounted tuner, so that handles my tuning) minus my volume pedal and my wah.
Adding this: I'd say go with the SansAmp. If not, I believe MXR makes a good passive DI that's relatively cheap ($85 give or take) but don't quote me on that.
