Worship Bass Pedalboards

[scubaduba]

If you want something of the same form factor as the Spectracomp check out the Becos Mini Pro:
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[jacoby75]

The Markbass is in another league. Way better sounding and performing compressor. The Spectracomp is noisy and serves better as a " tone altering device" than a versatile compressor.

If you want something that sounds and feels similar to the Markbass but is smaller, check out the Union Tube & Transister Lab.

Listen to this guy. He knows what he's talking about. Read all of his reviews, and then read them again. And then read them again. I still don't understand it, but I'm getting there. And then read all of the reviews at Ovnilab. I had a Spectracomp for a while and loved it, primarily because it was only the 2nd or 3rd compressor I've ever even tried in my entire life and I just didn't know better. But when I wanted something different and got a Fairfield Accountant and compared it to the Spectracomp recently, there's really no comparison. I can't say I ever had issues with noise, except in some toneprint settings. But it's very digital and processed sounding. Which makes sense. Cuz it's digital. It's incredibly, incredibly flexible. Even overwhelmingly so. And the app to edit it is pretty intuitive. But once I upped my game a little and started trying some better analog compressors, there's really no comparison. If anything, I think the Spectracomp might be good for slappers, because there are a ton of toneprints that seem to be geared towards slappers. YMMV.

 

[jacoby75]

thanks, thats kinda what I was thinking after watching some vids on it today. I really should just be happy with the Markbass. I just need to mess with it some more. The instructions are kinda weird with the attack and release knob.

Compression is really hard to understand. At least for me. I had the Compressore many years ago, but couldn't get a good sound out of it because I just didn't know what the heck I was doing with it. Too many parameters to adjust. I think there was some guidance on the Ovnilab site that has helped me some since, but I don't think that site existed back when I had the Markbass. That's why I thought the Spectracomp would be ideal. One knob. But you'd be better served with just about anything Scuba recommends, I'm sure.

 

[MTN.bass72]

ok volume pedal ruled out!

raise your hand if you use or have used a Spectracomp... pros cons... I like the Markbass but man it takes up half the board

I tried the Spectracomp, didn't like it... I'm not one to get into the whole computer programming side of it, so I sold it. Got an Empress... LOVED IT ... wanted something smaller with top Jack's, got a Cali 76CB... LOVE IT... but having to unfortunately sell it...
When I'm able, I just may just go back to the Empress

 

[projectapollo]

Hey can anyone recommended a pedal that just adds some low noise, nice easy overdrive? I've used Tech 21 SansAmp and Bass VTI and a Darkglass thing - and they are too noisy and too much color and too much tone shaping. I have a nice Sadowsky Bass that I go direct into a Neve RNDI but would like just a touch of wool when I dig in. My Bergantino B/Amp has a nice polite neutral overdrive and distortion effects, but my main church prefers that I do not add that to the signal chain. We are amp-less with IEM's and buttkicker. We play all the popular worship songs from full out rock to gentle bass underscoring of delicate piano and vocals. Eager to hear some suggestions.

 

[tedsalt]

Hey can anyone recommended a pedal that just adds some low noise, nice easy overdrive? I've used Tech 21 SansAmp and Bass VTI and a Darkglass thing - and they are too noisy and too much color and too much tone shaping. I have a nice Sadowsky Bass that I go direct into a Neve RNDI but would like just a touch of wool when I dig in. My Bergantino B/Amp has a nice polite neutral overdrive and distortion effects, but my main church prefers that I do not add that to the signal chain. We are amp-less with IEM's and buttkicker. We play all the popular worship songs from full out rock to gentle bass underscoring of delicate piano and vocals. Eager to hear some suggestions.

Darkglass Vintage Microtubes or I have heard that the Fairfield Barbershop works also. The Barbershop may color the sound less.

I have used the Darkglass VMT but not the Barbershop. I expect others will chime in with more experience.

 

[ExaltBass]

Hey can anyone recommended a pedal that just adds some low noise, nice easy overdrive? I've used Tech 21 SansAmp and Bass VTI and a Darkglass thing - and they are too noisy and too much color and too much tone shaping. I have a nice Sadowsky Bass that I go direct into a Neve RNDI but would like just a touch of wool when I dig in. My Bergantino B/Amp has a nice polite neutral overdrive and distortion effects, but my main church prefers that I do not add that to the signal chain. We are amp-less with IEM's and buttkicker. We play all the popular worship songs from full out rock to gentle bass underscoring of delicate piano and vocals. Eager to hear some suggestions.

I typically have used the Darkglass Vintage Microtubes for that purpose.

 

[jacoby75]

For clean yet tubey breakup, this:
TC Electronic Spark Booster. Underrated champion of low-gain overdrives

DSM Sub Atomic is also a new addition to my board which can do a great low-gain no-color drive. And is capable of much more.

Until recently, I was using the EBS Fuzz'mo on low gain, curve, and low blend settings with fantastic "touch of hair without color" results. It's a bit of a sleeper. Someone on the forum recommended it to me a while back.

 

[SteveC]

Hey can anyone recommended a pedal that just adds some low noise, nice easy overdrive? I've used Tech 21 SansAmp and Bass VTI and a Darkglass thing - and they are too noisy and too much color and too much tone shaping. I have a nice Sadowsky Bass that I go direct into a Neve RNDI but would like just a touch of wool when I dig in. My Bergantino B/Amp has a nice polite neutral overdrive and distortion effects, but my main church prefers that I do not add that to the signal chain. We are amp-less with IEM's and buttkicker. We play all the popular worship songs from full out rock to gentle bass underscoring of delicate piano and vocals. Eager to hear some suggestions.

Tech21 YYZ pedal. I have one for sale.

 

[fauxtoe]

Tech21 YYZ pedal. I have one for sale.

I would also say this. I had a VMT and the YYZ replaced it on my board.

 

[MTN.bass72]

Hey can anyone recommended a pedal that just adds some low noise, nice easy overdrive? I've used Tech 21 SansAmp and Bass VTI and a Darkglass thing - and they are too noisy and too much color and too much tone shaping. I have a nice Sadowsky Bass that I go direct into a Neve RNDI but would like just a touch of wool when I dig in. My Bergantino B/Amp has a nice polite neutral overdrive and distortion effects, but my main church prefers that I do not add that to the signal chain. We are amp-less with IEM's and buttkicker. We play all the popular worship songs from full out rock to gentle bass underscoring of delicate piano and vocals. Eager to hear some suggestions.

This works well, also for sale..

 

[scubaduba]

Hey can anyone recommended a pedal that just adds some low noise, nice easy overdrive? I've used Tech 21 SansAmp and Bass VTI and a Darkglass thing - and they are too noisy and too much color and too much tone shaping. I have a nice Sadowsky Bass that I go direct into a Neve RNDI but would like just a touch of wool when I dig in. My Bergantino B/Amp has a nice polite neutral overdrive and distortion effects, but my main church prefers that I do not add that to the signal chain. We are amp-less with IEM's and buttkicker. We play all the popular worship songs from full out rock to gentle bass underscoring of delicate piano and vocals. Eager to hear some suggestions.

This compressor would do the trick: Testing Compressors: Cali, Smoothie, Empress, Diamond, Keeley, FEA, Darkglass, Doc Lloyd, JHS & more

Or the Becos Stella with tape saturation: Testing Compressors: Cali, Smoothie, Empress, Diamond, Keeley, FEA, Darkglass, Doc Lloyd, JHS & more

Some of the settings on the Fairfield Accountant would probably work too: Testing Compressors: Cali, Smoothie, Empress, Diamond, Keeley, FEA, Darkglass, Doc Lloyd, JHS & more

 

[jacoby75]

Hey can anyone recommended a pedal that just adds some low noise, nice easy overdrive? I've used Tech 21 SansAmp and Bass VTI and a Darkglass thing - and they are too noisy and too much color and too much tone shaping. I have a nice Sadowsky Bass that I go direct into a Neve RNDI but would like just a touch of wool when I dig in. My Bergantino B/Amp has a nice polite neutral overdrive and distortion effects, but my main church prefers that I do not add that to the signal chain. We are amp-less with IEM's and buttkicker. We play all the popular worship songs from full out rock to gentle bass underscoring of delicate piano and vocals. Eager to hear some suggestions.

If you're interested in trying a Fairfield Accountant as noted above, I have one I was about to list for sale. Let me know and I can send you some pics. It's technically a compressor, but can add grit as well, and it's very musical in its grit. Thanks.

 

[Jasmeece]

Long post/quick question, My board consists of tuner-Xotic sp comp-MXR octive- Grey Stash (lots of mods)- VMT- Zoom 60b- Subway DI- OCSD or shiftline cab ir . From a Lakland or parts p-bass. I spend a lot of time working on my tone at home and I have used every pedal on the board in service. So the question is this; now and then I find my self looking a more pedals,helix etc to help "fill a gap" but there is a little voice in my head that shouts that after playing for three years and improving my gear, technique and tone not once has anyone ever, ever (not WL, soundman, parishioners) made a comment on the bass tone at the service. Good or bad. Not when I thougt I sounded great or when I forgot and got a fuzz chorus combination that was really bad. So the question is this. Does all these pedals matter? I really like playing with them but would I be better just chucking the lot and getting a P bass and Di? At this point I think I would be the only one that noticed since I don't think anyone else knows they are there in the first place.

 

[projectapollo]

Hi - can you all comment on the Noble preamp/DI or the REDDI DI or the Neve RNDI? Since I use no amp, I don't mind spending a little on a nice DI. I'm working towards a simple set-up of a single pedal for some drive (Fairfield barbershop and accountant incoming) into a nice pre/DI. Thanks....

 

[timendous]

Long post/quick question, My board consists of tuner-Xotic sp comp-MXR octive- Grey Stash (lots of mods)- VMT- Zoom 60b- Subway DI- OCSD or shiftline cab it . From a Lakland or parts phase. I spend a lot of time working on my tone at home and I have used every pedal on the board in service. So the question is this; now and then I find my self looking a more pedals,helix etc to help "fill a gap" but there is a little voice in my head that shouts that after playing for three years and improving my gear, technique and tone not once has anyone ever, ever (not TL, soundman, parishioners) made a comment on the bass tone at the service. Good or bad. Not when I thougt I sounded great or when I forgot and got a fuzz chorus combination that was really bad. So the question is this. Does all these pedals matter? I really like playing with them but would I be better just chucking the lot and getting a P bass and Di? At this point I think I would be the only one that noticed since I don't think anyone else knows they are there in the first place.

I have been thinking a lot about this recently! I don't have a massive board myself, but I've been slowly putting one together to use at church. At all of our campuses they have a Tonehammer for all the bassists to use but it just isn't my cup of tea, which is why I've been putting a simple board together for myself (basically tuner, compressor, light OD, EQ/DI). But, I've been wondering if anyone is going to notice any difference or care except me. Our church has excellent sound systems and very talented sound people/musicians, but I just don't know how much anyone is really going to care what the bass tone is (as long as it's not overly horrendous).

The way I look at it, I enjoy it. It's a hobby and I have a good time researching and finding pedals and playing around with them at home. I have a rule with my wife that I don't spend money we don't have. If I want something new, something has to go to pay for it.

So my conclusion is, even if no one comes up to me to talk about how nice my tone was, if I get enjoyment out of it why not??

 

[BlueShox]

From a spiritual perspective, I look at it as giving God my best. You have a responsibility to help lead others in worship, wouldn't it make sense to bring the best bass tones possible? If the congregation doesn't care, I'm quite certain God loves a sweet bass tone. God uses Malachi to confront priests about offering blemished lambs for sacrifices so they didn't "waste" the best on burnt offerings, because God required the best.

 

[jacoby75]

From a spiritual perspective, I look at it as giving God my best. You have a responsibility to help lead others in worship, wouldn't it make sense to bring the best bass tones possible? If the congregation doesn't care, I'm quite certain God loves a sweet bass tone. God uses Malachi to confront priests about offering blemished lambs for sacrifices so they didn't "waste" the best on burnt offerings, because God required the best.

This is what I tell myself to help me sleep at night. Because all of the money I've spent on basses and gear over the years probably could have fed some widows and orphans for a decade or two. But it sure is fun.

 

[Trigga Happy]

Hi - can you all comment on the Noble preamp/DI or the REDDI DI or the Neve RNDI? Since I use no amp, I don't mind spending a little on a nice DI. I'm working towards a simple set-up of a single pedal for some drive (Fairfield barbershop and accountant incoming) into a nice pre/DI. Thanks....

I used to use the REDDI and switched to the Noble because it's smaller, has an eq and can power other pedals. Side by side if I set the eq on the Noble flat as a pure DI, I liked the REDDI better. I can't comment on the RNDI because I've never used it but I hear it's fantastic. Just know that it requires phantom power.

 

[jacoby75]

. . . I spend a lot of time working on my tone at home and I have used every pedal on the board in service. So the question is this; now and then I find my self looking a more pedals,helix etc to help "fill a gap" but there is a little voice in my head that shouts that after playing for three years and improving my gear, technique and tone not once has anyone ever, ever (not TL, soundman, parishioners) made a comment on the bass tone at the service. Good or bad. Not when I thougt I sounded great or when I forgot and got a fuzz chorus combination that was really bad. So the question is this. Does all these pedals matter? I really like playing with them but would I be better just chucking the lot and getting a P bass and Di? At this point I think I would be the only one that noticed since I don't think anyone else knows they are there in the first place.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. When it comes to the never ending search for the "best" bass/tone/pedals, etc. I believe we do most of this for ourselves (and maybe you could argue for Jesus). We could all do well enough just plugging a bass into a DI. Maybe add a tuner, just so we're not offering out-of-tune praises. For the most part, nobody except our fellow musicians (if even they) will ever notice our tone. Unless you're doing something flamingly obvious, like using pedals to turn your bass into a synth with fuzz/octave/chorus or something, nobody cares. And even then, the congregation probably wouldn't notice or care where that cool synthy tone was coming from. They're just listening to the music and worshipping. The bass is not out there in front. It's more of a feeling/presence in the low end.

After years of playing at my old church, the sound guy (also a bassist) told me I sounded great last week, like better than I had for the past couple of years. I'm not sure what to attribute it to, because I flipped a bunch of pedals (compressor, preamps, eq) and used a new bass. So it could have been any number of those variables - or all of them - that led to him thinking I sounded better. But I've been playing in church(es) for decades, including that one. And I'm pretty sure that's the ONLY time someone has commented on the quality of my tone. And he only noticed because he's a long-time bass player himself. Nobody else on the team said a word. And that's fine. I don't do it for them. But it's nice to get a complement from time-to-time.

I think the best, strongest tone I could ever get out of my bass would be just plugging it straight into an active DI and letting the sound person do their job. But I started this whole pedalboard search after many churches started going "ampless." I live in a small town with notoriously under qualified sound personnel who I did not trust to EQ/compress my tone properly. So I developed a board that enables me to send the best EQ'd/compressed tone I can to the board. All they have to do is just turn it up. The rest (overdrive, chorus, etc.) is just the icing on the cake. I do it for me, because I think it's fun. The main electric guitar player has been using the same amp and guitar since about 2001. And it still sounds good. The other bassist has one bass he plugs into an amp. The rebel.

I primarily use a nano board with as few effects as possible, so things are not muddying up my tone. Even when everything is bypassed (even with true bypass pedals), there is tone suck just due to having additional pedals and cables in line. Less is more when it comes to good tone, in my opinion. When I use my "big board," (which I actually have yet to do outside of the home, but I put it together for a cover band that never materialized), I use a bypass looper to keep as few effects as possible in the chain.