Worship Bass Pedalboards

[tedsalt]

Alright guys I have played and played with the Alpha/Omega and it is really too much for my distortion sound. So with that being said I am looking into the DG Vintage Deluxe.

What's everyones input?

Any good clean boost into the VMT will take you there ... the VMT really likes to be pushed.

I'll be using that this next weekend for worship, from clean to overdrive, and we'll also be featuring the Beatles Revolution (heavy overdrive / fuzz). I'll be using the boost into the VMT. Will post clips afterwards when available ...

 

[kevk]

Alright guys I have played and played with the Alpha/Omega and it is really too much for my distortion sound. So with that being said I am looking into the DG Vintage Deluxe.

What's everyones input?

You might want to post a pic of your board and settings...easier to tell what's going on.

Agree with @Dan Knowlton that the AO can be tamed (particularly using 100% Alpha side)...

 

[SteveC]

The OmniCabSim is the real deal. At a time where I am dumping pedals, it has to be if I'm going to use it. I have been trying to get that "something" in my IEM/DI sound. I tried a REDDI, I tried various pedals for slight drive, nothing worked. This pedal is giving me what I was looking for - the sound of a cab in my ears. It feels like there's a cab when you play. Everyone noticed today and said my bass sounded awesome. That was after I said I was trying something new and my sound guy said you and your new stuff...until I played. Then he smiled and said how great it sounded.

 

[jacoby75]

I wish I could afford one. I've heard nothing but great things about them, and I have a feeling it could be the solution to a lot of my IEM/ampless pedalboard issues, but it's a bit pricey. And I don't have enough stuff left to sell off to get one, lol. How much plasma can you sell at one time?

The OmniCabSim is the real deal. At a time where I am dumping pedals, it has to be if I'm going to use it. I have been trying to get that "something" in my IEM/DI sound. I tried a REDDI, I tried various pedals for slight drive, nothing worked. This pedal is giving me what I was looking for - the sound of a cab in my ears. It feels like there's a cab when you play. Everyone noticed today and said my bass sounded awesome. That was after I said I was trying something new and my sound guy said you and your new stuff...until I played. Then he smiled and said how great it sounded.

 

[jmbjandfam]

The OmniCabSim is the real deal. At a time where I am dumping pedals, it has to be if I'm going to use it. I have been trying to get that "something" in my IEM/DI sound. I tried a REDDI, I tried various pedals for slight drive, nothing worked. This pedal is giving me what I was looking for - the sound of a cab in my ears. It feels like there's a cab when you play. Everyone noticed today and said my bass sounded awesome. That was after I said I was trying something new and my sound guy said you and your new stuff...until I played. Then he smiled and said how great it sounded.

I, like you, have been struggling to find that "Something" in my IEM / DI sound.

I know you said you were dumping other pedals but did you use any kind of preamp or was it just the OmniCabSim by itself today? Any kind of EQ control prior to it (pedal or active bass)?

 

[tedsalt]

I do have to say, the Super Symmetry into the VMTD are my only always on pedals.

Dan

I just noticed that the gain and volume on my Compressore are only up about half way, so I'll try skipping the Baja Mos and adjusting the gain and volume from the Compressore into the VMT and see if I can get the same effect as pushing it with the boost. Would be nice to minimize pedals. Tomorrow ...

 

[SteveC]

I, like you, have been struggling to find that "Something" in my IEM / DI sound.

I know you said you were dumping other pedals but did you use any kind of preamp or was it just the OmniCabSim by itself today? Any kind of EQ control prior to it (pedal or active bass)?

Today was Roscoe (Bartolini active) to TU-2 to OmniCabSim to FOH/IEM. My new board is going to be the TU-2, the OmniCabSim and my Rolls IEM box on a Pedaltrain Nano.

They aren't cheap, but for me, with 95% of my gigs IEM/DI it's worth $259. And that's better than a $750 REDDI or something.

 

[Colton]

You might want to post a pic of your board and settings...easier to tell what's going on.

Agree with @Dan Knowlton that the AO can be tamed (particularly using 100% Alpha side)...

Here is what I'm using right now but yes I would take any input/constructive criticism!

 

[Dan Knowlton]

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Today was Roscoe (Bartolini active) to TU-2 to OmniCabSim to FOH/IEM. My new board is going to be the TU-2, the OmniCabSim and my Rolls IEM box on a Pedaltrain Nano.

They aren't cheap, but for me, with 95% of my gigs IEM/DI it's worth $259. And that's better than a $750 REDDI or something.

I do have to say - I like having the IEM's as it really helps tighten up the band. It is probably 50 feet from where I stand to the keyboard player. Stage right - drums, then bass, then Acoustic guitar, then Electric guitar and then the keys in kind of a shallow "c" shape across the stage. Definitely set up for looks - ONLY!

While most of the churches I play at have IEM's the bass generally has an amp on stage and it helps. I generally use my pedalboard (not today, I have it torn apart to find an intermittently lost connection) into the head with a DI out from whatever head that is pre-EQ and then do the amp/cab to taste (the MoM, NOT me!). At my home church I leave my rig on the platform and the other bassist uses it also - with different pedals than I use. I have found my Desert Island cab - Accugroove El Whappo and usually run it with a Streamliner 900. It has EVERYTHING I look for in an cab - deep, punchy, clear and responsive to changes in how I play or set the tone at the bass or amp. I came late to using pedals but having them to preshape and modify my sound in other places really helps.

FWIW, my "practice" rig at home is the Darkglass M900 into a Accugroove Tri-115 and Tri-112. Having those two cabs allows me to get much of the sound I am used to in a smaller package when I take one of the cabs and the head to another place.

Dan

 

[jmbjandfam]

Today was Roscoe (Bartolini active) to TU-2 to OmniCabSim to FOH/IEM. My new board is going to be the TU-2, the OmniCabSim and my Rolls IEM box on a Pedaltrain Nano.

They aren't cheap, but for me, with 95% of my gigs IEM/DI it's worth $259. And that's better than a $750 REDDI or something.

Sounds like it definitely might be worth trying. This stuff seems to require constant experimentation. Part of me enjoys that but I think a bigger part of me just wants to find a plug in and play answer and be done with it!

 

[kevk]

Jeez, first @ExaltBass now you two with the CabSim....keeping up with the Jones's is getting harder all the time! (By Jones's I mean GAS of course).

Between @ExaltBass and this vid, I was sold...


I'm taking a needed break from playing at church atm...but if you're an IEM user, seems well worth it.

Regarding eq, I love the Sadowsky preamp in my basses...I'm planning to just schlepp a bass, IEMs, and a mid-size pedalboard (that includes an OCSD)...

It's also cool having the 2x 1/8" stereo in/out (with mini volume control) available for practice...

 

[kevk]

View attachment 2920992

Here is what I'm using right now but yes I would take any input/constructive criticism!

No worries! What are you aiming for...light/always-on OD, moderate-heavy OD/light distortion, heavy distortion, etc? Looking for simply a fatter bass tone, or a definite breakup?

 

[tedsalt]

View attachment 2920992

Here is what I'm using right now but yes I would take any input/constructive criticism!

Nice setup!

Although I don't have one, based on your settings shown, for lighter overdrive, it looks like you can adjust the following:

- turn the MOD more towards alpha
- turn the DRIVE down (some)
- possibly turn the LEVEL down
- turn the BLEND down (some)
- try different GROWL or BITE settings

I would try different increments of these individually, and then in combination with other setting changes.

Hope you can find settings that work for you. I think there are some that use this pedal combination exclusively, but I'm not sure what their tonal / drive goals are.

 

[kevk]

@Colton (and other pb users)...I found this vid incredibly informative about bass tone...including pedalboard settings and playing examples, using both the OmniCabSim and Alpha Omega pedals.

Highly recommend good headphones and watching the whole vid...but the focus on the pedalboard generally happens in the 4:00ish, 24:00 to 34:00ish sections...

Makes me want to put my AOm back on my board somewhere...

 

[SteveC]

Sounds like it definitely might be worth trying. This stuff seems to require constant experimentation. Part of me enjoys that but I think a bigger part of me just wants to find a plug in and play answer and be done with it!

I agree. I am trying to be done. This got me a long way to that goal.

 

[SteveC]

I was a no pedal guy for a long time...like decades. I recently tried some , more for my secular band, but they crossed over at times. Recently I played a gig and used no pedals and everyone said how great the bass sounded. That was telling for me...not that you all shouldn't use them if they work for you.

I have been trying to simplify a bit lately, so deciding that I love my bass, that I love my new combo amp, and now this pedal to enhance and simplify my DI/IEM board has been really great.

Roscoe Century 5
Genzler MG350 combo
Pedaltrain Nano with a TU-2, OmniCabSim DI and Rolls IEM receiver
microKorg Synth for when I need it for the cover band

If I'm honest, I have all I need. The rest is just gear lust.

 

[jacoby75]

I agree. I am trying to be done. This got me a long way to that goal.

Funny thing is every time I say " I'm done," I'm not. I don't know if it ever ends because it's all about having the right tool for the right job, and tastes are always changing. And manufacturers are constantly making fun new toys to experiment with. I was "done" for a very, very long time with just my Demeter tube pre and power amp setup, but I didn't know what I didn't know.

 

[jacoby75]

If I'm honest, I have all I need. The rest is just gear lust.

GAS is a very real condition. It's in the DSM IV. We should probably start a GAS 12-step thread.

Step 1) Admit that you have a problem.
Step 2) Make amends for that bass you still regret selling.
Step 3) Acknowledge your higher power . . . Which can NOT be a bass, piece of gear, or bassist.
Step 4) Say, "I have all I need," 20 times per day in the mirror.
Step 5) Give your wife/husband, significant other, or mother your credit card.
Step 6) When Darkglass releases a new product, don't buy it.
Step 7) When Prymaxe has a 20% off sale, don't buy anything (this is where I'll probably fall off).
Step 8) If you have more effects than will fit on a PT-1, hold a pedal purge sale in the classifieds forum.

Step 9-12?

 

[SteveC]

Funny thing is every time I say " I'm done," I'm not. I don't know if it ever ends because it's all about having the right tool for the right job, and tastes are always changing. And manufacturers are constantly making fun new toys to experiment with. I was "done" for a very, very long time with just my Demeter tube pre and power amp setup, but I didn't know what I didn't know.

True. Tastes change. New things come out. But I think you can also reign yourself in. People can justify just about purchase. I think people can also say, hey, I have great stuff that works just fine and I'm going to be happy with it and play. I need a P for this, J for that, flats, 8 drives, etc. Maybe you do, but I bet you don't.

I play with guys who are pretty into gear and sound. I didn't use any pedals. They didn't really notice except that my bass sounded awesome that night. No filter on Can't Stop the Feeling didn't really matter. It didn't sound EXACTLY like the recording, but people didn't really care. They still danced. No drive on Shut Up and Dance. Still rocked it. I know these aren't church songs but you get the idea. It was the same at church.

I'm not telling anyone what to do. Just relaying my experience. I'll still have a pedal board...with just one "effect" pedal (OmniCabSim) and a tuner/mute.

 

[Rumble Thunder]

Step 9) do not visit reverb.com, sweetwater, musicians friend, etc. and resist YouTube demo vids