Which modulation effect(s) could you do without?

[Ritter667]

I know it gets hate because the app can be temperamental. But I can’t recommend enough the TC Plethora X1 for trying out modulations and reverbs. It’s worth it for the Corona chorus alone.

$120 used and the DSP sounds better than Line 6 to my ears

I owned the TC Electronic Helix for a short while, and I otherwise like TC Electronic and the Toneprint concept, sounded either really anemic in 4 stage phaser mode, and really cheesy, like a cheap laser toy gun effect, in higher stage mode.

Absolutely horrible phaser, that I couldn't get to sound good no matter how much I tweaked the Toneprint editor.

 

[FightMilk]

I really like the sub decay phaser because it has so many types of phaser envelopes and lfo's that get more into synth sounds. The crazy tube circuits side kick jr does the job for delay, chorus, flanger, and reverb in a small package so thats a must. I guess a dedicated flanger (used to have) to me is kinda pointless. Tremolo on bass was never desired lol.

 

[Slade N]

I can and do, do without them…love them all however

 

[jthisdell]

The Southampton Utility Kife is nice, all the mods with simple rate and depth controls.

 

[HolmeBass]

Flanger, trem, and vibrato off my board right now. I am loving the Grand Orbiter phaser by EQD.

 

[lunarpollen]

I don't like phaser for anything... I can do without flanger for bass... I also don't like Univibe-type effects; I would much rather use a harmonic tremolo or Leslie-type effect where appropriate... I definitely need my chorus though; not for all types of music, but for where it would fit... And I like a really deep/heavy chorus, like Clone Theory-type... I personally don't like light chorus on bass; it sounds too non-committal and feeble to me... I think if it's going to be used, it needs to be done so with enthusiasm and without shame!

 

[SpiderBass1965]

Chorus I use lightly all the time. Great to finish up the tone before the preamp. Tremolo rarely. That I could do without.

 

[mouthmw]

I do without flanger, tremolo and vibrato. I use phaser and chorus. Phaser always sounded more organic to me compared to flanger which always had that metallic “jet plane” sound going that I found annoying. Chorus is cool and I can sort of get in the flanger ball park with the one I use (Drunk Beaver Jellyfish). Phasers I always liked, my current one is Broughton Carina. I have no use for tremolo and vibrato pedals.

 

[Evan J]

I owned the TC Electronic Helix for a short while, and I otherwise like TC Electronic and the Toneprint concept, sounded either really anemic in 4 stage phaser mode, and really cheesy, like a cheap laser toy gun effect, in higher stage mode.

Absolutely horrible phaser, that I couldn't get to sound good no matter how much I tweaked the Toneprint editor.

Yeah I’m not crazy about the phaser either. I think the TonePrint based on the Small Stone was the most useable.

However the Hall of Fame Reverb, Flashback Delay, and Corona Chorus are all fire.

 

[deepestend]

I hate this thread! I have been loving my phaser, but knew on some level that it is anti-bass... that the actual effect blurs your attack and makes it harder to stay in line with drums etc. Reading this thread has kind of cemented that for me. I put away my phaser last night-- as much as I love it-- and put my delay back on for more of a short/slapback kind of feel that gives me the depth I want without killing my attack.

 

[Ritter667]

I hate this thread! I have been loving my phaser, but knew on some level that it is anti-bass... that the actual effect blurs your attack and makes it harder to stay in line with drums etc. Reading this thread has kind of cemented that for me. I put away my phaser last night-- as much as I love it-- and put my delay back on for more of a short/slapback kind of feel that gives me the depth I want without killing my attack.

Well, I'll give you a reason to put your phaser back on the board then:

 

[deepestend]

Well, I'll give you a reason to put your phaser back on the board then:

I do love phaser! But I'm also realizing that it's not working for me right now.

 

[corvette_br]

I really like the sub decay phaser because it has so many types of phaser envelopes and lfo's that get more into synth sounds. The crazy tube circuits side kick jr does the job for delay, chorus, flanger, and reverb in a small package so thats a must. I guess a dedicated flanger (used to have) to me is kinda pointless. Tremolo on bass was never desired lol.

That's it. The Subdecay Phase is wildly versatile, with very interactive controls. Still, I couldn't quite manage to get it to emulate the sound of the PH-1R, which is my favourite. I can get it in the very general ballpark, but it doesn't make it to me. In general I think it excels in the oscillator-y phaser sounds, but it's got more of an Uni-Vibe feel.

The EP-2, on the other hand, while not as versatile as the Subdecay, gets me more in the filter-y ballpark of the PH-1R, with more tweakability in this specific aspect. Don't get me wrong, the EP-2 is very versatile, and also in some ways the Subdecay is not (very different circuits, after all), but the Subdecay is really out there.

*Edited for spelling.

 

[corvette_br]

I hate this thread! I have been loving my phaser, but knew on some level that it is anti-bass... that the actual effect blurs your attack and makes it harder to stay in line with drums etc. Reading this thread has kind of cemented that for me. I put away my phaser last night-- as much as I love it-- and put my delay back on for more of a short/slapback kind of feel that gives me the depth I want without killing my attack.

Don't do it! Phaser is love, phaser is life.

 

[deepestend]

Don't do it! Phaser is love, phaser is life.

Believe me, I'm holding onto a phaser for sure. But also really trying to be less fiddly with my effects and focus more on my playing. I find that with phaser-- which I use for more of a chorusy effect-- I have to fiddle a lot and then it doesn't sit in the mix. While delay is not as interesting, I'm finding at again that have a short/slapback kind of delay can give me that 3D chorusy effect that I'm looking for in a phaser, but it sits better in the mix.

This isn't going to be true for everyone, but it is for me right now. It's like when someone tells you something about yourself and you don't really want to admit it's true. I don't think phase is helping my playing in a band right now even though I LOVE it at home.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I have a 25 year old Boss Bass Chorus that I haven't hardly used in earnest for decades. I used to combine it with a Boss OC-3 and a filter for synth sounds to good effect, but even that was somewhat rare. I have an HX Stomp, but haven't found any actual use for any of those models in the music I typically do. Maybe I'll rethink that for some upcoming gigs.

The only modulation I use regularly is a modulated delay on fretless. Sometimes. I actually used it last night performing The Chicken with my son at his final HS Jazz Band concert. That was a lot of fun.

 

[Parzival]

Here is another famous one for phaser. All you need is the Phase 90 dialed in about 10:00-11:00 and some very light grind/dirt and you're there.

 

[corvette_br]

Believe me, I'm holding onto a phaser for sure. But also really trying to be less fiddly with my effects and focus more on my playing. I find that with phaser-- which I use for more of a chorusy effect-- I have to fiddle a lot and then it doesn't sit in the mix. While delay is not as interesting, I'm finding at again that have a short/slapback kind of delay can give me that 3D chorusy effect that I'm looking for in a phaser, but it sits better in the mix.

This isn't going to be true for everyone, but it is for me right now. It's like when someone tells you something about yourself and you don't really want to admit it's true. I don't think phase is helping my playing in a band right now even though I LOVE it at home.

Yeah, it really sounds reasonable. You're using a modulated/tape delay?

 

[deepestend]

Yeah, it really sounds reasonable. You're using a modulated/tape delay?

I've been through a few delays over the years, but this is a very basic digital delay: DIY Rebote 2.5. Sounds a lot cleaner and brighter than some of the other analog ones I've used. Not better or worse, just what's working for me.

 

[bassbrad]

Tremolo and vibrato are efx I rarely use, especially on bass.
Chorus and Detune I use quite a bit, perhaps too much at times.
Flanger is something I plan to use more but don't.
Phase and auto pan I really like when mixing something in stereo.