Worship Bass Pedalboards

[jacoby75]

Haven't had the programmable BDDI, but I never liked the midscoop of the old BDDI v1. I would still like to try a BDDI v2 some day, because I trust the mid knob has alleviated that. But I'm pretty happy with my current setup and don't really want to change anything. It all depends on what sound you're going after. If I get in the mood for that "Ampeg in a box" sound again, I would definitely want to try a BDDI v2.

FWIW, I know this is not what you're asking, but I'm so loving my Southampton Ictineo, and Jimmy posted an SVT-esque setting on it, which sounds phenomenal to me. The power and oomph of the SVT sound, but without the mid-scoop and clank.

 

[TrevorR]

Hey, first post in about a year. I have asked a similar question here before, but perhaps not specifically about the pedal I'm going to ask about. . .

I've been playing for more than a year with just a tuner and MXR M81, going DI straight to the desk by XLR. Whilst the setup has been ok, it just feels a bit too plain and recently I've had GAS for some cab sim tone which I can blend in. Every time we get sent a new song to learn, I listen to it and realise there is killer bass tone on the track which I am getting nowhere near. I know that its partly technique, not just gear, and using a pick for the right attack, etc can go some way to getting those sounds, but I am wondering if a 'magic box' will help a lot too.

We do the usual Jesus Culture, Bethel, Hillsong, Elevation type songs. At times I've seen YouTube demos of cab sims such as the Sansamps, and they can get very clanky. But I love the tone of a lot of those songs, so the thought of using a cab sim with the blend dialled back a bit (not on full) really appeals to me. I saw that the Jesus Culture bassist uses a programmable BDDI so now this has piqued my curiosity about trying this out. He says he has a 50/50 blend with just a touch of drive. Yes he has a few other pedals but says that the BDDI is the only one that everything goes through and that its the bread and butter of his bass sound.



So, question for the ampless, IEM worship bass players: Have you tried the programmable BDDI and if so what did you make of it? I must admit I like the thought of using this as an always on tone machine, and of programming in say a slightly meatier drive that I can stomp on when called for. Thanks for your help.

Clank is in the ear of the beholder and the settings of the preamp. I happen to like the Sansamp VT Bass DI and, of course that uses a couple of Ampegs as it's main reference point (including an SVT). When I first got it trying out various sample setting certainly allowed me to create an SVT clank sound easily. However, I have is set up in a different manner with a much cleaner, milder break up when you really, really dig in tone which is fat, round and clank free. And that's with 100% blend. Ultimately it's about finding a pedal YOU like that can make a tone YOU like that works with your musical context and with your bass. In that context our (or celebrity players) personal opinions are ultimately just that... personal and opinions... you are the final arbiter.

 

[Rayjay]

I love clanky bright bass tones!

The gold standard cab sim is the Omni Cab Sim, tons of options. Remarkable amount of possible tones.

 

[jacoby75]

If this is helpful, here it is. I had the VTBassDI for a few years and liked it, but finally sold it after discovering the Southampton Ictineo. But if you're looking for Ampeg sound, the VTDI is great, and very flexible. Less dark and clanky than the BDDI, in my opinion.

 

[Rickter]

Hey, first post in about a year. I have asked a similar question here before, but perhaps not specifically about the pedal I'm going to ask about. . .

I've been playing for more than a year with just a tuner and MXR M81, going DI straight to the desk by XLR. Whilst the setup has been ok, it just feels a bit too plain and recently I've had GAS for some cab sim tone which I can blend in. Every time we get sent a new song to learn, I listen to it and realise there is killer bass tone on the track which I am getting nowhere near. I know that its partly technique, not just gear, and using a pick for the right attack, etc can go some way to getting those sounds, but I am wondering if a 'magic box' will help a lot too.

We do the usual Jesus Culture, Bethel, Hillsong, Elevation type songs. At times I've seen YouTube demos of cab sims such as the Sansamps, and they can get very clanky. But I love the tone of a lot of those songs, so the thought of using a cab sim with the blend dialled back a bit (not on full) really appeals to me. I saw that the Jesus Culture bassist uses a programmable BDDI so now this has piqued my curiosity about trying this out. He says he has a 50/50 blend with just a touch of drive. Yes he has a few other pedals but says that the BDDI is the only one that everything goes through and that its the bread and butter of his bass sound.



So, question for the ampless, IEM worship bass players: Have you tried the programmable BDDI and if so what did you make of it? I must admit I like the thought of using this as an always on tone machine, and of programming in say a slightly meatier drive that I can stomp on when called for. Thanks for your help.

I do not have any of the Tech21 pedals myself, but have researched them quite a bit. I would suspect that if you are wanting to have a full tone without the "clank", look at the Bass Driver V2. You could set the mid to taste so that you can still be pronounced in the mix with some clarity, but back of the treble and presence to reduce possibility of "clank". I think someone already suggested this very thing. Someone mentioned a Tone Hammer DI, and that would also be a solid choice, very vintage and warm sounding.
I use my Darkglass Alpha Omega Ultra with the lows boosted some, 500hz cut just a touch and then I taper off the higher frequencies from there starting at center to avoid getting "clank" (which I love in other circumstances). I run it with the drive set to about 9oclock with the blend set to about 11oclock. The IR I use on my cab sim is a Lancaster Audio IR for a Boogie Powerhouse 1000. It does a great job and sounds massive with my Precision.

 

[Rayjay]

Clank is in the ear of the beholder and the settings of the preamp. I happen to like the Sansamp VT Bass DI and, of course that uses a couple of Ampegs as it's main reference point (including an SVT). When I first got it trying out various sample setting certainly allowed me to create an SVT clank sound easily. However, I have is set up in a different manner with a much cleaner, milder break up when you really, really dig in tone which is fat, round and clank free. And that's with 100% blend. Ultimately it's about finding a pedal YOU like that can make a tone YOU like that works with your musical context and with your bass. In that context our (or celebrity players) personal opinions are ultimately just that... personal and opinions... you are the final arbiter.
View attachment 3601974

I used to have the smaller VT Bass driver and I loved the Ampeg B-15 flip top setting. One of my favorite tones.

 

[JoshC]

Hey, first post in about a year. I have asked a similar question here before, but perhaps not specifically about the pedal I'm going to ask about. . .

I've been playing for more than a year with just a tuner and MXR M81, going DI straight to the desk by XLR. Whilst the setup has been ok, it just feels a bit too plain and recently I've had GAS for some cab sim tone which I can blend in. Every time we get sent a new song to learn, I listen to it and realise there is killer bass tone on the track which I am getting nowhere near. I know that its partly technique, not just gear, and using a pick for the right attack, etc can go some way to getting those sounds, but I am wondering if a 'magic box' will help a lot too.

We do the usual Jesus Culture, Bethel, Hillsong, Elevation type songs. At times I've seen YouTube demos of cab sims such as the Sansamps, and they can get very clanky. But I love the tone of a lot of those songs, so the thought of using a cab sim with the blend dialled back a bit (not on full) really appeals to me. I saw that the Jesus Culture bassist uses a programmable BDDI so now this has piqued my curiosity about trying this out. He says he has a 50/50 blend with just a touch of drive. Yes he has a few other pedals but says that the BDDI is the only one that everything goes through and that its the bread and butter of his bass sound.



So, question for the ampless, IEM worship bass players: Have you tried the programmable BDDI and if so what did you make of it? I must admit I like the thought of using this as an always on tone machine, and of programming in say a slightly meatier drive that I can stomp on when called for. Thanks for your help.

CabSim is, strictly imo, a highly overrated "effect" when it comes to P&W bass. It's true, that direct bass tone sounds bad in IEMs. But CabSims, at least the ones I've tried, add noise and don't really effect the sound in the house mix in any positive way. That sound is playing out of the house "cabs" anyway. I still have an OCSD kicking around, but it adds a noticeable level of noise to my signal that isn't there without it, my A&O ultra with cabsim was the same way. CabSim is sort of selfish in that it helps your in ear sound, while doing nothing at best, and adding noise at worst, to the house mix.

The tone you're hearing on recordings isn't the straight from the board direct tone. Which, unless you're playing at a fairly big church, is probably what you're getting in your IEM mix. Its run through effects on the FoH board and plugins too. The bassists from big churches are typically blending a direct signal from a Sansamp or a Tonehammer with a mic'd cab to get a really natural, but clear tone. That's not an option for most of us on silent stages. I would absolutely recommend using dirt like a Sansamp with a modern P&W setting though. It will sound bad in your ears. That's ok, in a mix it will sound good, you have to trust your soundguy though. I'd probably look at the Tonehammer over the BDDI though.

 

[PraiseBassing]

CabSim is, strictly imo, a highly overrated "effect" when it comes to P&W bass. It's true, that direct bass tone sounds bad in IEMs. But CabSims, at least the ones I've tried, add noise and don't really effect the sound in the house mix in any positive way. That sound is playing out of the house "cabs" anyway. I still have an OCSD kicking around, but it adds a noticeable level of noise to my signal that isn't there without it, my A&O ultra with cabsim was the same way. CabSim is sort of selfish in that it helps your in ear sound, while doing nothing at best, and adding noise at worst, to the house mix.

The tone you're hearing on recordings isn't the straight from the board direct tone. Which, unless you're playing at a fairly big church, is probably what you're getting in your IEM mix. Its run through effects on the FoH board and plugins too. The bassists from big churches are typically blending a direct signal from a Sansamp or a Tonehammer with a mic'd cab to get a really natural, but clear tone. That's not an option for most of us on silent stages. I would absolutely recommend using dirt like a Sansamp with a modern P&W setting though. It will sound bad in your ears. That's ok, in a mix it will sound good, you have to trust your soundguy though. I'd probably look at the Tonehammer over the BDDI though.

Full range speaker cabs and subwoofers are not reproducing a bass signal the same way as a bass cab, which is what those using cabsims are looking for. They're tuned very differently than what someone who is using a cabs is looking for. I won't go into a point counter-point, but just say that it is an effect, just like anything else and has compromises just like anything else.

 

[SteveC]

I don't mind my IEM tone as much any more. I was hunting for a while (Omnicab, REDDI, etc.) but I have grown to like - or at least put up with - the sound I get (IEM and FOH) with my Radial JDI. We have a pretty nice system so I get some EQ and maybe some comp, H/LPF, etc. Recordings I hear sound good. Clean, not sterile, full, solid.

 

[MascisMan]

It's true, that direct bass tone sounds bad in IEMs. But CabSims, at least the ones I've tried, add noise and don't really effect the sound in the house mix in any positive way. That sound is playing out of the house "cabs" anyway.

This is what Im starting to wrap my head around as it relates to pushing a CabSim through a PA.

 

[jacoby75]

This video actually makes me really . . . really . . . really want to try a BDDI v2. I've never heard it sound this good. Of course, getting a new preamp wouldn't make me play like this guy, any more than getting some Air Jordans would enable me to slam dunk with my current 1" vertical. Maybe 2" on a good day when I've had a light lunch.

 

[yobtaf]

This video actually makes me really . . . really . . . really want to try a BDDI v2. I've never heard it sound this good. Of course, getting a new preamp wouldn't make me play like this guy, any more than getting some Air Jordans would enable me to slam dunk with my current 1" vertical. Maybe 2" on a good day when I've had a light lunch.

Yeah I'm really liking the V2. I have my tone hammer and will never part with it, but I don't see it coming back on board anytime soon. We almost were going to do an acoustic set this weekend and I might have used it for that. But for full band full volume stuff, the V2 is here to stay.

 

[MTN.bass72]

Hey, first post in about a year. I have asked a similar question here before, but perhaps not specifically about the pedal I'm going to ask about. . .

I've been playing for more than a year with just a tuner and MXR M81, going DI straight to the desk by XLR. Whilst the setup has been ok, it just feels a bit too plain and recently I've had GAS for some cab sim tone which I can blend in. Every time we get sent a new song to learn, I listen to it and realise there is killer bass tone on the track which I am getting nowhere near. I know that its partly technique, not just gear, and using a pick for the right attack, etc can go some way to getting those sounds, but I am wondering if a 'magic box' will help a lot too.

We do the usual Jesus Culture, Bethel, Hillsong, Elevation type songs. At times I've seen YouTube demos of cab sims such as the Sansamps, and they can get very clanky. But I love the tone of a lot of those songs, so the thought of using a cab sim with the blend dialled back a bit (not on full) really appeals to me. I saw that the Jesus Culture bassist uses a programmable BDDI so now this has piqued my curiosity about trying this out. He says he has a 50/50 blend with just a touch of drive. Yes he has a few other pedals but says that the BDDI is the only one that everything goes through and that its the bread and butter of his bass sound.



So, question for the ampless, IEM worship bass players: Have you tried the programmable BDDI and if so what did you make of it? I must admit I like the thought of using this as an always on tone machine, and of programming in say a slightly meatier drive that I can stomp on when called for. Thanks for your help.

I don't have experience with the BDDI, but as for a fantastic Cab Sim... look into a DSM Noisemaker Omni cab Sim Deluxe..
It's great.. several on here use, or have used one..
When I had mine, I used it on bass, electric guitar, and even acoustic guitar... amazing, simple to achieve results every time

 

[jetgraphics]

An old Digitech RP5 or RP6 will do wonders. Very good design. When you select a particular patch, the foot switches can enable / disable FX modules within the patch.
Pedal buttons 1 - 4: [dist/compressor][mod/pitch][dig. delay][reverb]

You can set up the pre-amp "Silencer" to rise after a delay up to 2 seconds. Great for adding a "tail" of phased growl to a sustained bass note.
Very simple programming interface.
3 band parametric EQ - almost like having an active Bass.
Speaker cabinet emulators (not that great - but if you're going direct, may be useful).

DIGITECH RP5 OWNER'S MANUAL Pdf Download.

CAVEAT : Digitech continuous controller dials can get "cranky" and need contact cleaning. You might find someone selling a "broken" model that only needs a few squirts of electronic contact cleaner. I've had great results in resurrecting Digitech equipment.

 

[PraiseBassing]

Did you ever get to the point where you feel like your tone is so good that all you want to do is play . . . just so you can hear how good you sound? Like, turn the rest of the band down so everyone can appreciate your bass tone? I think I'm there.

I've said it before, and I might say it again. But for now . . . . I'm done (with the small, every day board, at least. The big board is another conversation). With the lone exception of the one time I traveled to Vegas with a band and used an Aguilar DB751 stack with a pro sound system and sound guy, this is the absolute best I have ever sounded. And heck. This might even beat that.

View attachment 3599295

So much punch. Such solid sustain. And solid, thick, powerful yet clear tone. Every pedal currently on this board has been an absolute revelation. I've acquired most of them within the past 2-3 months, as they have replaced other pedals/amp sims. They each totally changed my tone for the better in ways I did not think were possible in an ampless pedalboard setup. (Well, except maybe the tuner. That's just a tuner, after all. But a heck of a good tuner at that). I have given up on trying to get a particular amp sound through my board (like using a specific Ampeg or Fender sim or something). With this setup, I'm going for pure, clean power. This delivers it in spades. And my drive pedal still sounds good, even without an amp sim or cab sim pedal muddying things up.

I'm not exactly sure how to do this, or even how to say this, but I think I can stop looking for pedals now. I don't know what I'll do with all that free time, but I'm sure I'll think of something. Like, maybe just practice to get better, not to decide which overdrive pedal I like better. Or do actual work at my job, not sit on Youtube listening to bass overdrive pedal demos. The possibilities are endless.

(Disclaimer: If Broughton ever finds a way to keep things in stock, he might get some more of my money. But that's about it.)

Are you/were you at one point using the Shiftline Olympic MKIII?

 

[speedball3]

So, question for the ampless, IEM worship bass players: Have you tried the programmable BDDI and if so what did you make of it? I must admit I like the thought of using this as an always on tone machine, and of programming in say a slightly meatier drive that I can stomp on when called for. Thanks for your help.

Here's an example of the programmable BDDI making some nice tones.



He doesn't show the actual settings in terms of where the knobs are, but it sounds pretty good to my ears.

I have the non programmable BDDI V1, which is basically a single channel of the programmable version. It works ok (I don't use it much any more) but it takes time to understand how the controls interact and whatnot. This video was really helpful to me and he goes over a lot and plays to music too. sansamp portion starts around 3:17.



The challenge with all this is no one has the same signal chain or live FOH setup as you, so it could take some trial and error for you to really dial in something that you love. Take your time, buy pedals that are used and easily sold again, and you won't be much worse off as you search for what works for your scenario. And let us know how it goes!

 

[jacoby75]

Are you/were you at one point using the Shiftline Olympic MKIII?

Never have, but I'd like to some day. It's a bit pricey for my current hobbyist budget. Unfortunately I'm back to that, "You should play in church and use your gifts as your offering to God," place, rather than getting paid to play, like I did in Texas. Ah, the good old days.

 

[bobbybass85]

This video actually makes me really . . . really . . . really want to try a BDDI v2.

solid example of what can be done with the BDDI. One of the better videos showing it. Oddly one of the worst for the Darkglass.

 

[jacoby75]

solid example of what can be done with the BDDI. One of the better videos showing it. Oddly one of the worst for the Darkglass.

I know, right? I thought the EBS and Darkglass sounded pretty lame. And I didn't think they could actually sound that bad in real life.

 

[yobtaf]

so talk me into or out of a Fairfield Accountant... Always P bass, 80% pick player, heavy hand somtimes. 2 have Dimarzio Model P's and they are a bit hot. I really like the Markbass but man the area it takes up, and it sounds like the Accountant will add a bit of hair to it as well in certain settings.
Not looking to drop a ton of money either. Its just used at church.