Worship Bass Pedalboards

[rhyharmel]

How do you like the Broadcast? What similar pedals have you tried, and how do they compare for saturation/OD?

The Broadcast is great for that grunty, transformer saturation that sits in the mix so well. Upper register gains some beef and sings out more. It does have a bit of low end loss that needs to be compensated for, especially if you play with a low B or lower. The parallel fx loop with dry blend on my Trilobite takes care of that issue quite nicely.

I find transformer saturation that mimics hitting a console channel much different than most ODs that try to mimic hitting an amp. To that end, I've mostly preferred OD pedals in tube form. Favorites include the Verellen Meatsmoke and Siegmund Double Drive, but those take up a lot of real estate and deserve to be stand alone preamps on their own. The SLO could be overdriven for more of a woolly texture, that was ok. I really liked the EBS Valve Drive I had years ago, but again it's huge.

Most recently I've been impressed by the Quimper Retrofier Bass Glow...it's been in the rotation before. I've been curious to compare the Broadcast to other harmonic boost pedals like some of the Spaceman pedals, but geez they're pricey. I'll get around to it some day.

 

[furym]

Curious --

Of the pedals on your board, how many would you consider "essentials", meaning, you use them every Sunday / they are your main tone?
How many pedals are one trick-pony / novelty pedals that you "might flip on every once in a while"?

I've seen some absolute spaceships and I've also seen 2 pedal rigs or just a DI and both parties have said every part of their rig is essential to their tone.

I understand in gigging outside of church that there might be a more broad spectrum of sound required so some of those pedals could be needed for that.

Thoughts??

I have been running this since Christmas. It will do everything I want it to do, either as minimal tone shaping or as wild as you want to get.

 

[epoxo57]

Curious --

Of the pedals on your board, how many would you consider "essentials", meaning, you use them every Sunday / they are your main tone?
How many pedals are one trick-pony / novelty pedals that you "might flip on every once in a while"?

I've seen some absolute spaceships and I've also seen 2 pedal rigs or just a DI and both parties have said every part of their rig is essential to their tone.

I understand in gigging outside of church that there might be a more broad spectrum of sound required so some of those pedals could be needed for that.

Thoughts??

Haha..."spaceships"....great comparison! Great question to ask I've often wondered myself when I see posts of these massive pedalboards for church. Not at all knocking those that love lots of pedals and goodies and get their sacred tone from that, but in comparison to my tonal needs (all IEMS) for a decent size congregation and songs that range from Elevation, Hillsong, etc. to hymnals, just a compressor and EQ DI pedal works great, especially in the mix. In my case, either the SLO or Tone Hammer with my Becos Stella to make it sit nicely in the mix when I listen to the online stream. The TH doesn't get enough recent love on here...great, versatile pedal and the AGS really gives some warm tubey wool to the tone when desired. The SLO, too, oozes tubey tone (and grunt) that sounds great in my IEMS. We don't do anything that I feel would enhance with a flanger, phaser, synth, or distortion. But I am open to hear who does and how it has enhanced the mix. I play a TF fretless occasionally so a chorus pedal may show up someday but that's about it besides the tuner. Maybe an octave pedal....if I could learn how to set it correctly I resisted getting a pedalboard for years but its such a worthy investment to tidy everything up and get hooked up and playing in seconds (CIOKS DC-7 is worth the investment).

But...on the other side, I love the "chase" and getting new goodies for bass is fun (though expensive). Plus, I do enjoy talking shop on here about new gear and other's impressions, suggestions, etc. Are we just jealous of guitar players that have so many goodies to play with? lol

 

[dwagner]

The TH doesn't get enough recent love on here...great, versatile pedal and the AGS really gives some warm tubey wool to the tone when desired.

I absolutely adore the TH. I was actually surprised so see that not many boards were actually using one. That AGS is a work of art. The dynamic range of that thing is super impressive. The way the signal compresses slightly like a tube amp makes the sound guys happy too. Usually the only thing they do for me at the console is the Waves CLA-2A with -1 or -2db compression and some slight room-adjustment eq.

But...on the other side, I love the "chase" and getting new goodies for bass is fun (though expensive). Plus, I do enjoy talking shop on here about new gear and other's impressions, suggestions, etc. Are we just jealous of guitar players that have so many goodies to play with? lol

Agreed. I think you hit the nail on the head about "jealous of guitar players that have so many goodies to play with". I'll be talking to a guitar player about their board and then they'll say, "let's see yours!", but of course mine is much smaller and less complex in comparison . So definitely something worthy to bring up. It's fun to try new stuff out. Somehow I always find myself going back to the essentials though.

 

[jacoby75]

. . . We don't do anything that I feel would enhance with a flanger, phaser, synth, or distortion. But I am open to hear who does and how it has enhanced the mix.

I have a fairly large pedalboard, but most of it is just for fun and my enjoyment. Most of it never gets turned on in church. I love overdrives and distortions, as well as different preamp flavors. But in a 3-5 song worship set, there isn't much call for most of it in the post-modern worship world in which I live. I mean, you can get crazy with octave pedals and fuzz if you're looking for synth tones and the like, but for me, a solid preamp and compressor are really all I "need." Don't even use an amp any more most of the time. The other stuff is just for fun, and rarely . . . if ever . . . gets turned on in church.

There are two chief exceptions:
1) Chorus. I love throwing some subtle chorus on in slow jams and vamps during prayer time or something. But I have an affinity for chorus because I'm a child of the '80's. It's not everybody's thing.
2) Overdrive. The only time I have actually used overdrive successfully in church is when I play my p-bass with a pick (like "This is Amazing Grace" by Wickham). It adds just that subtle amount of hair that makes it sound like I'm playing through a grindy tube amp. Totally love it.

Anything else is just icing on the cake for me.

 

[SteveC]

IBut in a 3-5 song worship set, there isn't much call for most of it in the post-modern worship world in which I live. I mean, you can get crazy with octave pedals and fuzz if you're looking for synth tones and the like, but for me, a solid preamp and compressor are really all I "need." Don't even use an amp any more most of the time.

Yeah, I sometimes toy with going down this path, but I usually reign myself in. I have a tuner, my IEM box and a REDDI. That has been sufficient for me. The REDDI gives a bit of that "playing through a tube amp sound and feel" and I rarely use an amp any more. I waffle on compression. At the moment, I don't feel I need it with the REDDI. Yet, sometimes when I use GarageBand to record a line for a friend or something I'll use it and it sounds good but recording and live are different animals. I sometimes think a drive, or chorus, or whatever would be nice for occasional tunes, but I just can't justify the expense and haul for something I use for maybe a single song per set or even gig. I let my guitar and synth players do all the cooky stuff. I just lay down a solid foundation... for now.

 

[epoxo57]

I have a fairly large pedalboard, but most of it is just for fun and my enjoyment. Most of it never gets turned on in church. I love overdrives and distortions, as well as different preamp flavors. But in a 3-5 song worship set, there isn't much call for most of it in the post-modern worship world in which I live. I mean, you can get crazy with octave pedals and fuzz if you're looking for synth tones and the like, but for me, a solid preamp and compressor are really all I "need." Don't even use an amp any more most of the time. The other stuff is just for fun, and rarely . . . if ever . . . gets turned on in church.

There are two chief exceptions:
1) Chorus. I love throwing some subtle chorus on in slow jams and vamps during prayer time or something. But I have an affinity for chorus because I'm a child of the '80's. It's not everybody's thing.
2) Overdrive. The only time I have actually used overdrive successfully in church is when I play my p-bass with a pick (like "This is Amazing Grace" by Wickham). It adds just that subtle amount of hair that makes it sound like I'm playing through a grindy tube amp. Totally love it.

Anything else is just icing on the cake for me.

We're just adult kids playing with fun toys, right? I agree about the chorus; we do the same thing with the vamp thing during prayer, communion, etc. and I like to do little, quiet slides on my fretless where that would shine. Same with overdrive, I do it with a pick on my Pbass as well with my TH, AGS engaged, Gain @ 9, and wow that sounds good, even with flats. Almost too much hair in my IEMs but when I listen to our set online its subtle and "fat" but unobtrusive. Our sound crew really shines and its been awesome watching and hearing them learn more and more ever since the challenges Covid brought last year.

 

[epoxo57]

I absolutely adore the TH. I was actually surprised so see that not many boards were actually using one. That AGS is a work of art. The dynamic range of that thing is super impressive. The way the signal compresses slightly like a tube amp makes the sound guys happy too. Usually the only thing they do for me at the console is the Waves CLA-2A with -1 or -2db compression and some slight room-adjustment eq.



Agreed. I think you hit the nail on the head about "jealous of guitar players that have so many goodies to play with". I'll be talking to a guitar player about their board and then they'll say, "let's see yours!", but of course mine is much smaller and less complex in comparison . So definitely something worthy to bring up. It's fun to try new stuff out. Somehow I always find myself going back to the essentials though.

Its like when I was a kid in the late 70's early to mid 80's, trying to get all of the new Star Wars action figures, scenes, and the ships and then playing with my best friend and what he got to play with when we got together. He had the AT-AT and that was my SVT at that age....lol. So much great gear coming out. Its a great time to be a bass player!

 

[Treblefree]

Yesterday, in 4 songs I used:

Vintage Microtubes on two of them on somewhat subtle setting. Usually I crank that up when doing stuff like Phil Wickham This is Amazing Grace and it sounds perfect for that song. Otherwise, I use it subtly fairly often for a little breakup and warm sound.

My EHX Bass Microsynth on one with just enough hair to know there was a synth on. Not over the top, but nicely noticable on top to stand out some.

My MXR Bass Chorus Deluxe on one song with crossover engaged. I love that it sings when playing up higher, but is not standing out when playing deeper. It mainly shimmers when on

 

[jacoby75]

My MXR Bass Chorus Deluxe on one song with crossover engaged. I love that it sings when playing up higher, but is not standing out when playing deeper. It mainly shimmers when on

Yes. Chorus with a crossover has been a revelation. I use the EHX Bass Clone, which has a similar crossover function. Leaves the lows intact while applying the shimmer to the upper registers. It's really awesome. Without the crossover, the low end gets too washed out, in my opinion.

 

[Treblefree]

Yes. Chorus with a crossover has been a revelation. I use the EHX Bass Clone, which has a similar crossover function. Leaves the lows intact while applying the shimmer to the upper registers. It's really awesome. Without the crossover, the low end gets too washed out, in my opinion.

Totally agree on the wash out in the lower register. For me, I like to use it on songs during the quiet moments and before builds softly playing;noodling above 12th fret on A string or pretty much anywhere on D or G strings. Or like a higher register slide in during first verse/vamp into first chorus, then come in deeper and bigger as the song builds and then the chorus effect drops out. Adds a neat dynamic in my opinion.

 

[ShrimpHeavenNow]

For the last ten years or so I've exclusively played drums and guitar for worship stuff, but in the last few months I've gotten just VERY into bass (started playing bass for a band and it just snowballed from there...)

Got a Pelican for Christmas and I'm now super excited for when I can start playing at other churches again because for bass I'll be able to rock the one-trip-from-the-car setup.

 

[Kristian Hansen]

For the last ten years or so I've exclusively played drums and guitar for worship stuff, but in the last few months I've gotten just VERY into bass (started playing bass for a band and it just snowballed from there...)

Got a Pelican for Christmas and I'm now super excited for when I can start playing at other churches again because for bass I'll be able to rock the one-trip-from-the-car setup.

View attachment 4124315

Nice choices in pedals! <3 :-D

 

[SteveC]

Looks familiar. The Boss has been replaced (after about 20 years of use) with a Sonic Research ST-300.

 

[dwagner]

Looks familiar. The Boss has been replaced (after about 20 years of use) with a Sonic Research ST-300.

View attachment 4124674

What are the dimensions of that case/ what model is it? I’ve been looking for something to hold a 18x12.5 classic jr.

 

[ExaltBass]

BACK TO BASICS (Bassics?)

The next couple of Sundays I am filling in for a friend at a fairly large church, with pro FOH system and techs. I am going to go VERY basic. Sonic Research ST-300 mini > Cali76 CB > microThumpinator > Broughton ETDI. Using my smallest PB, Metro16 with a Cioks DC-7 for power. They run phantom power, so I am also using my Triton Audio Phantom Blocker to protect the ETDI.

Now, I just need to dial in my CB... it's been a while, and all the knobs got bumped in the install.

 

[B-Lo]

BACK TO BASICS (Bassics?)

The next couple of Sundays I am filling in for a friend at a fairly large church, with pro FOH system and techs. I am going to go VERY basic. Sonic Research ST-300 mini > Cali76 CB > microThumpinator > Broughton ETDI. Using my smallest PB, Metro16 with a Cioks DC-7 for power. They run phantom power, so I am also using my Triton Audio Phantom Blocker to protect the ETDI.

Now, I just need to dial in my CB... it's been a while, and all the knobs got bumped in the install.

View attachment 4124852

Quick question - when dialing in your compressor when going to FOH, do you go out into the house as far as your cable allows and make adjustments based off how it sounds out there, or do you simply adjust your compressor based on what you hear in your IEMs?

 

[Bassworship1]

Quick question - when dialing in your compressor when going to FOH, do you go out into the house as far as your cable allows and make adjustments based off how it sounds out there, or do you simply adjust your compressor based on what you hear in your IEMs?

I have a Noble Preamp- Broghton Messenger-Cali76CB-Shure Wireless. I always use my Wireless to walk out into the audience where I'm playing and make sure what adjustments if any are needed.

 

[ExaltBass]

Quick question - when dialing in your compressor when going to FOH, do you go out into the house as far as your cable allows and make adjustments based off how it sounds out there, or do you simply adjust your compressor based on what you hear in your IEMs?

I have a photo of my typical CaliCB settings that I start out with. That was originally done with the help of FOH and my feed from iems. It has served me well for 4+ years. I may tweak it occasionally.

(By request)

 

[B-Lo]

I have a Noble Preamp- Broghton Messenger-Cali76CB-Shure Wireless. I always use my Wireless to walk out into the audience where I'm playing and make sure what adjustments if any are needed.

Cool, I also run a Shure GLXD16 wireless and do the same. I've been really curious how folks who aren't wireless make their adjustments. Hopefully some more folks chime in.