• 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.

Where do I start?

Killens84

Killens84

Supporting Member
Sep 3, 2008
2,205
5,083
42
Mississippi
#1
I consider myself to be a proficient bass player, I gig ALL the time, and I've learned a lot over the years about basses and amps. However, I've recently become interested in using effects, and I don't know the first thing about effects, the differences in all of them, how to use them, etc. I'm basically clueless when it comes to the world of effects.
So my question is, how do I get started using effects? I saw Michael League from Snarky Puppy play live a few times, and he always uses effects. I liked the stuff he was doing and the variety of sounds he was getting, so that got me interested in using effects myself.
Any advice on how to get started? When I hear people talking about phasers, envelope filters, flangers, fuzz, etc., it's all a foreign language to me.
 
#3
I'd suggest you do some research before you spend any money (though if you want to experiment with lots of different things without having to audition stuff in a music store, a multi-effect unit would be a good way to go).

If you're not sure what something does, there's a good chance there's a video of it on YouTube. Also, more and more manufacturers have demos on their websites, so make a note of some of the major brands out there and dig around.

If you think you want something but aren't convinced you're going to fall in love with it, go for a used unit. The classifieds here are a great way to buy & try and a great place to turn around and unload something without taking much of a hit (if any) on your investment.

Google "effects pedals explained" (leave the quotes out) and you'll find a lot of good resources for getting a grip on what the more common categories of effects do and how they do it.

Good luck! Have fun!
 
#4
Woodsbass said:
Personally, I would say start off with a multi-effect pedal, then buy individual effects based on the sounds you like. The Zoom 506II bass pedal is really quite nice, and it's only about 80$. It has every effect you could ever want, and then some. Lately I've been playing around with the "Defret" effect on it, and getting some really neat sound
Click to expand...

+1

After you figure out what sounds you like, start do your research on other pedals.
I went:
multi effect
wah
fuzz
second multi effect.
 
#7
Compressors are great for leveling out you signal, but I've never heard anyone say "Wow! What compressor was that? It sounds amazing!"

I'd recommend getting a good compressor and a multi like the M5 if you want to use just a few effects or the M9 if you want a lot of effects.
 
#8
A good multi effect is like any multi tool, not the perfect end all be all tool for every job but darn handy to have around.
Something like the Zoom B2 or Digitech BP90 are good starting places because of their multi functionality and they have a good selection of effects that are well done at less than 100 bucks, the same or less than most effect pedals. Tuner, practice tool and even gig worthy with the proper editing.
Going used is a good place to start but be aware lots of folks are selling off older multi effects that don't offer the quality and features of more current units, while not bad things have come a long way in the past couple of years as far as multi effects go.
 
#9
Woodsbass said:
Personally, I would say start off with a multi-effect pedal, then buy individual effects based on the sounds you like. The Zoom 506II bass pedal is really quite nice, and it's only about 80$. It has every effect you could ever want, and then some. Lately I've been playing around with the "Defret" effect on it, and getting some really neat sound
Click to expand...


$80? whew, this side of the pond they go for about £15 ($25)...

They are good sounding - and 'feel good' to play, which IMO you can't say about all multi-fx.

On the other hand they are not that straightforward to edit if you don't already know what you're doing...

How about a second hand Boss ME-50B? A few more knobs to play with - pick one up off ebay, have a tweak, if you don't like it, sell it again...
 
#11
The Boss ME-20B is something to consider. I've had one for about a year now and it works

great. Some effects can be a little . . .cheap, but the price is good for a multi effect with

Wah and volume pedal. It has a real nice Chorus and Flanger. With 18 effects, tuner, EQ

and lotsa other stuff i would say its money well spent.
 
#12
bassbrad said:
A good multi effect is like any multi tool, not the perfect end all be all tool for every job but darn handy to have around.
Something like the Zoom B2 or Digitech BP90 are good starting places because of their multi functionality and they have a good selection of effects that are well done at less than 100 bucks, the same or less than most effect pedals. Tuner, practice tool and even gig worthy with the proper editing.
Going used is a good place to start but be aware lots of folks are selling off older multi effects that don't offer the quality and features of more current units, while not bad things have come a long way in the past couple of years as far as multi effects go.
Click to expand...

Nicely done.

:)
 
#15
carlthegroover said:
What are good brands for compressor and distortion effects, on their own, not on a multi-fx? And relatively affordable.
Click to expand...

For compressor reviews, your best bet is to read what bongomania has written about the subject (ALOT!!!). As for distortion, what kind are you looking for? Alot of people lump fuzz and overdrive in with distortion, even though they are different things.
 
#16
Killens84 said:
I have a slight understanding of compressors, and I've heard that recommended more than anything else. Do you feel like that's an important component to have?
Click to expand...

Compressors are the effect that you aren't meant to hear...(usually) If you are new to them I would recommend the new MXR one because it's one of the only ones that has a meter on it so you can "see" the effect until you learn to hear it. It has also gotten some rather good reviews.

For a true virtuoso that has rock solid control of his signal levels through his fingers at all times a compressor isn't necessary. For the rest of us humans out here who can blurt out a loud or soft note here and there or who use lots of different settings/techniques/effects and levels go all over the place a compressor helps a lot. Not necessarily to "fix" things as that would be unmusical to remove those elements, but to make them less obnoxiously deviant.
 
#17
Remember that you don't need a compressor to get compression - an od pedal is also going to smooth out your dynamic range, and will of course have more of an audible effect than a compressor - which may or may not be a good thing.

I tend to find pedal compressors boring because most don't have the full range of basic controls -Attack, ratio, release, threshold, and make-up gain are found on most rack compressors, and allow you to get more effects.

As the previous poster alluded to, not having decent metering is a pain too.
 
#18
Woodsbass said:
For compressor reviews, your best bet is to read what bongomania has written about the subject (ALOT!!!).
Click to expand...

Who's bongomania?

Woodsbass said:
As for distortion, what kind are you looking for? Alot of people lump fuzz and overdrive in with distortion, even though they are different things.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, good question. No doubt they're different, but something that gives me kind of a grungy tone. I guess distortion would be the one. I don't even know what fuzz sounds like.
 
#19
carlthegroover said:
Who's bongomania?



Hmmm, good question. No doubt they're different, but something that gives me kind of a grungy tone. I guess distortion would be the one. I don't even know what fuzz sounds like.
Click to expand...

Do a search for bongomania, and select that you want it to search for users, not for posts.

Part 1: Electro Harmonix Bass Big Muff Pi Demo - YouTube - This is a fuzz pedal, a pretty standard one by EHX.

Boss ODB-3 Bass Overdrive Pedal - Nevada Music UK - YouTube - This is a fairly standard OD pedal made by Boss. This might be more like the sound you're going for.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back