Worship Bass Pedalboards

[Erithon]

I posted this in the Pedal Breeder's thread as well, but my primary bass guitar outlet has always been church and this board was design principally with CCM in mind so I want to share it here as well.

I've pretty much had the same pedalboard since 2010, but after getting a C4 in October 2019 I started rethinking things. My needs have changed, I'm more knowledgeable about and experienced with pedals, and technology has progressed. One thing led to another and I ended up completely overhauling it: everything from the pedals and power supply to the cables and the board itself. Here it is:

The signal chain is:

• LBA2020 transformer
• Source Audio C4 Synth
• Damnation Audio Low-Passed Loop Blender
  • Loop 1
    • Origin Effects Cali76 TX-L compressor
• LBA2020 transformer
  
• Free The Tone Black Vehicle Bass Overdrive
• Damnation Audio MBD-2
• LBA2020 transformer
• Grace ALix preamp
  • Loop 2
    • Chase Bliss Audio Wombtone MKII phaser
    • Chase Bliss Audio Warped Vinyl HiFi chorus
    • Chase Bliss Audio Tonal Recall Red Knob Mod analog delay
    • Chase Bliss Audio Dark World dual channel reverb
  • Loop 3
    • TC Electronic Polytune 3 Mini

• Disaster Area Designs DMC-6 (Gen3) MIDI controller
  • controls the C4 Synth and the Chase Bliss pedals

The board is a flamed Maple West Coast 12 x 24 model (comes with a cool case as well) that I picked up in the classifieds some months back. I installed an XLR output so I can run ampless. I could have done that by running straight out of the Grace ALix too, but one point of this board is clean cables in and out.

I'm especially pleased with the cable management I have going on underneath:

This was a big project. It took roughly a year because of pandemic-induced delays and the sheer time of researching/comparing sounds. I played around with a number of different pedals before arriving at this particular configuration. It involved some Tetris to fit everything on/under there!

The Cali76 TX-L is in the Bloop because the price of Cali76 TX-LPs is crazy inflated. Using the Bloop lets me run a clean (non-compressed) signal with just the lowest frequencies in parallel with the compressed signal. The idea is it mimics the HPF side chain on the Cali76 CB, only rather than leaving the lowest frequencies uncompressed here I compress all frequencies and then mix in some uncompressed lows.

I'll likely never employ the Delay, Reverb, or Expression pedal live (unless I needed to provide some pad atmosphere), but they sure are fun to use on my own

 

[dwagner]

I posted this in the Pedal Breeder's thread as well, but my primary bass guitar outlet has always been church and this board was design principally with CCM in mind so I want to share it here as well.

I've pretty much had the same pedalboard since 2010, but after getting a C4 in October 2019 I started rethinking things. My needs have changed, I'm more knowledgeable about and experienced with pedals, and technology has progressed. One thing led to another and I ended up completely overhauling it: everything from the pedals and power supply to the cables and the board itself. Here it is:
View attachment 4151928

The signal chain is:

• LBA2020 transformer
• Source Audio C4 Synth
• Damnation Audio Low-Passed Loop Blender
  • Loop 1
    • Origin Effects Cali76 TX-L compressor
• LBA2020 transformer
  
• Free The Tone Black Vehicle Bass Overdrive
• Damnation Audio MBD-2
• LBA2020 transformer
• Grace ALix preamp
  • Loop 2
    • Chase Bliss Audio Wombtone MKII phaser
    • Chase Bliss Audio Warped Vinyl HiFi chorus
    • Chase Bliss Audio Tonal Recall Red Knob Mod analog delay
    • Chase Bliss Audio Dark World dual channel reverb
  • Loop 3
    • TC Electronic Polytune 3 Mini

• Disaster Area Designs DMC-6 (Gen3) MIDI controller
  • controls the C4 Synth and the Chase Bliss pedals

The board is a flamed Maple West Coast 12 x 24 model (comes with a cool case as well) that I picked up in the classifieds some months back. I installed an XLR output so I can run ampless. I could have done that by running straight out of the Grace ALix too, but one point of this board is clean cables in and out.

I'm especially pleased with the cable management I have going on underneath:
View attachment 4151929

This was a big project. It took roughly a year because of pandemic-induced delays and the sheer time of researching/comparing sounds. I played around with a number of different pedals before arriving at this particular configuration. It involved some Tetris to fit everything on/under there!

The Cali76 TX-L is in the Bloop because the price of Cali76 TX-LPs is crazy inflated. Using the Bloop lets me run a clean (non-compressed) signal with just the lowest frequencies in parallel with the compressed signal. The idea is it mimics the HPF side chain on the Cali76 CB, only rather than leaving the lowest frequencies uncompressed here I compress all frequencies and then mix in some uncompressed lows.

I'll likely never employ the Delay, Reverb, or Expression pedal live (unless I needed to provide some pad atmosphere), but they sure are fun to use on my own
View attachment 4151927

Nice! I used to use a 2020 for a little while but didn't really notice enough for it to be worth it. The TI box sounds good though.

 

[Erithon]

Nice! I used to use a 2020 for a little while but didn't really notice enough for it to be worth it. The TI box sounds good though.

I completely get that. It's real subtle (even with three of them). Noticeable, yes, but hardly dramatic. I'd characterize it as a slight high-end roll off. I found the placement matters a lot. For example, I originally had one in between the overdrive and distortion, but I didn't like the tone of that; after moving it, I like the tone. The effect is so subtle, though, that I don't think it's a matter of better and worse so much as two different sounds.

 

[Kristian Hansen]

I posted this in the Pedal Breeder's thread as well, but my primary bass guitar outlet has always been church and this board was design principally with CCM in mind so I want to share it here as well.

I've pretty much had the same pedalboard since 2010, but after getting a C4 in October 2019 I started rethinking things. My needs have changed, I'm more knowledgeable about and experienced with pedals, and technology has progressed. One thing led to another and I ended up completely overhauling it: everything from the pedals and power supply to the cables and the board itself. Here it is:
View attachment 4151928

The signal chain is:

• LBA2020 transformer
• Source Audio C4 Synth
• Damnation Audio Low-Passed Loop Blender
  • Loop 1
    • Origin Effects Cali76 TX-L compressor
• LBA2020 transformer
  
• Free The Tone Black Vehicle Bass Overdrive
• Damnation Audio MBD-2
• LBA2020 transformer
• Grace ALix preamp
  • Loop 2
    • Chase Bliss Audio Wombtone MKII phaser
    • Chase Bliss Audio Warped Vinyl HiFi chorus
    • Chase Bliss Audio Tonal Recall Red Knob Mod analog delay
    • Chase Bliss Audio Dark World dual channel reverb
  • Loop 3
    • TC Electronic Polytune 3 Mini

• Disaster Area Designs DMC-6 (Gen3) MIDI controller
  • controls the C4 Synth and the Chase Bliss pedals

The board is a flamed Maple West Coast 12 x 24 model (comes with a cool case as well) that I picked up in the classifieds some months back. I installed an XLR output so I can run ampless. I could have done that by running straight out of the Grace ALix too, but one point of this board is clean cables in and out.

I'm especially pleased with the cable management I have going on underneath:
View attachment 4151929

This was a big project. It took roughly a year because of pandemic-induced delays and the sheer time of researching/comparing sounds. I played around with a number of different pedals before arriving at this particular configuration. It involved some Tetris to fit everything on/under there!

The Cali76 TX-L is in the Bloop because the price of Cali76 TX-LPs is crazy inflated. Using the Bloop lets me run a clean (non-compressed) signal with just the lowest frequencies in parallel with the compressed signal. The idea is it mimics the HPF side chain on the Cali76 CB, only rather than leaving the lowest frequencies uncompressed here I compress all frequencies and then mix in some uncompressed lows.

I'll likely never employ the Delay, Reverb, or Expression pedal live (unless I needed to provide some pad atmosphere), but they sure are fun to use on my own
View attachment 4151927

Very impressive board man! I totally agree on your underside cable management - NICE!

 

[ExaltBass]

I posted this in the Pedal Breeder's thread as well, but my primary bass guitar outlet has always been church and this board was design principally with CCM in mind so I want to share it here as well.

I've pretty much had the same pedalboard since 2010, but after getting a C4 in October 2019 I started rethinking things. My needs have changed, I'm more knowledgeable about and experienced with pedals, and technology has progressed. One thing led to another and I ended up completely overhauling it: everything from the pedals and power supply to the cables and the board itself. Here it is:
View attachment 4151928

The signal chain is:

• LBA2020 transformer
• Source Audio C4 Synth
• Damnation Audio Low-Passed Loop Blender
  • Loop 1
    • Origin Effects Cali76 TX-L compressor
• LBA2020 transformer
  
• Free The Tone Black Vehicle Bass Overdrive
• Damnation Audio MBD-2
• LBA2020 transformer
• Grace ALix preamp
  • Loop 2
    • Chase Bliss Audio Wombtone MKII phaser
    • Chase Bliss Audio Warped Vinyl HiFi chorus
    • Chase Bliss Audio Tonal Recall Red Knob Mod analog delay
    • Chase Bliss Audio Dark World dual channel reverb
  • Loop 3
    • TC Electronic Polytune 3 Mini

• Disaster Area Designs DMC-6 (Gen3) MIDI controller
  • controls the C4 Synth and the Chase Bliss pedals

The board is a flamed Maple West Coast 12 x 24 model (comes with a cool case as well) that I picked up in the classifieds some months back. I installed an XLR output so I can run ampless. I could have done that by running straight out of the Grace ALix too, but one point of this board is clean cables in and out.

I'm especially pleased with the cable management I have going on underneath:
View attachment 4151929

This was a big project. It took roughly a year because of pandemic-induced delays and the sheer time of researching/comparing sounds. I played around with a number of different pedals before arriving at this particular configuration. It involved some Tetris to fit everything on/under there!

The Cali76 TX-L is in the Bloop because the price of Cali76 TX-LPs is crazy inflated. Using the Bloop lets me run a clean (non-compressed) signal with just the lowest frequencies in parallel with the compressed signal. The idea is it mimics the HPF side chain on the Cali76 CB, only rather than leaving the lowest frequencies uncompressed here I compress all frequencies and then mix in some uncompressed lows.

I'll likely never employ the Delay, Reverb, or Expression pedal live (unless I needed to provide some pad atmosphere), but they sure are fun to use on my own
View attachment 4151927

Nice rig! I love the nice, clean cable layout and execution! Well done

 

[SteveC]

Maybe thats why I don't like pedalboards...mine never have clean cable layout.

 

[ExaltBass]

Maybe thats why I don't like pedalboards...mine never have clean cable layout.

Steve... it's hard not to with only 3 pedals!

 

[dwagner]

I made a video about the Benson Preamp for those interested. Great little pedal.

 

[WilbursaurusRex]

I made a video about the Benson Preamp for those interested. Great little pedal.

Thanks for the insight. I was wondering how it handled bass. It would be nice to hear with/without the preamp

 

[dwagner]

Thanks for the insight. I was wondering how it handled bass. It would be nice to hear with/without the preamp

I'll keep that in mind for future vids. FWIW, I was using a Fender Jazz bass, neck pickup only.

 

[chiphaleonbass]

I'll keep that in mind for future vids. FWIW, I was using a Fender Jazz bass, neck pickup only.

I also use the Benson pre before my Shift Line Olympic, really just sounds like your bass running through a Benson tube amp, can add the grit, top end punchiness or even boosted lows to your signal. Great pedals, and I liked the demo; love the tones you captured with your Jazz Bass. Hoping to be scoring one of their germanium fuzzes here soon

 

[dwagner]

I also use the Benson pre before my Shift Line Olympic, really just sounds like your bass running through a Benson tube amp, can add the grit, top end punchiness or even boosted lows to your signal. Great pedals, and I liked the demo; love the tones you captured with your Jazz Bass. Hoping to be scoring one of their germanium fuzzes here soon

Thanks! I too am interested in the germanium fuzz. Sounds like it has a lot of capabilities at lower "gain" so should be cool to test out.

 

[johnyrocksville]

I am looking for a little input on signal chain. I have seen a lot of differing opinions on the subject, so I figured I would reach out to the brotherhood of worship bassists. The pedals I am using:
TC Electronics PolyTune3
EHX Bass Clone
EHX Big Muff
Darkglass Hyper Luminal Compressor
Darkglass Microtubes X Ultra

 

[soundsupport1]

I am looking for a little input on signal chain. I have seen a lot of differing opinions on the subject, so I figured I would reach out to the brotherhood of worship bassists. The pedals I am using:
TC Electronics PolyTune3
EHX Bass Clone
EHX Big Muff
Darkglass Hyper Luminal Compressor
Darkglass Microtubes X Ultra
View attachment 4155220

I generally find that modulation should go last. If it were me, I´d go:
Tuner>Muff>Microtubes>Clone>Compressor, but it´s just a question of what appeals to you.
The biggest difference will probably be where you put the compressor. It can sound VERY different going before or after distortion effects. Experiment!

 

[johnyrocksville]

I generally find that modulation should go last. If it were me, I´d go:
Tuner>Muff>Microtubes>Clone>Compressor, but it´s just a question of what appeals to you.
The biggest difference will probably be where you put the compressor. It can sound VERY different going before or after distortion effects. Experiment!

I am going to make it slightly more difficult...I have to run the Microtubes last because I use it as my DI for FOH

 

[SteveC]

Stick your compressor after your tuner and you've got it. At least that's how I'd do it.

 

[gzarruk]

I am looking for a little input on signal chain. I have seen a lot of differing opinions on the subject, so I figured I would reach out to the brotherhood of worship bassists. The pedals I am using:
TC Electronics PolyTune3
EHX Bass Clone
EHX Big Muff
Darkglass Hyper Luminal Compressor
Darkglass Microtubes X Ultra
View attachment 4155220

I'd go Comp>Big Muff>Chorus>Tuner>Microtubes X

It sounds crazy, but hear me out:

- Microtubes X last, because of the XLR out.

- Why in the world would I place the tuner at the end of the signal (before the Microtubes)? Years ago I saw someone explaining that if you have the tuner at the end and anything goes wrong with any pedal before it, you can instantly mute the signal and find the issue fast. It's worked well for me ever since.

 

[dwagner]

I am looking for a little input on signal chain. I have seen a lot of differing opinions on the subject, so I figured I would reach out to the brotherhood of worship bassists. The pedals I am using:
TC Electronics PolyTune3
EHX Bass Clone
EHX Big Muff
Darkglass Hyper Luminal Compressor
Darkglass Microtubes X Ultra
View attachment 4155220

Definitely put the chorus after the muff. It'll sound better. I'd say comp after tuner. X7 at the end

 

[TrevorR]

I'd go Comp>Big Muff>Chorus>Tuner>Microtubes X

It sounds crazy, but hear me out:

- Microtubes X last, because of the XLR out.

- Why in the world would I place the tuner at the end of the signal (before the Microtubes)? Years ago I saw someone explaining that if you have the tuner at the end and anything goes wrong with any pedal before it, you can instantly mute the signal and find the issue fast. It's worked well for me ever since.

For me, personally, there are more downsides to that tuner placement than the fairly unlikely upside. Too easy to accidentally leave an effect on in front of it and mess up the tuning accuracy - for me that seems a more likely problem than catastrophic board failure (which, if it's the power supply which goes down would kill your tuner's ability to mute anyway)! So for me it's tuner first for the cleanest signal, always!

 

[jacoby75]

I am looking for a little input on signal chain. I have seen a lot of differing opinions on the subject, so I figured I would reach out to the brotherhood of worship bassists. The pedals I am using:
TC Electronics PolyTune3
EHX Bass Clone
EHX Big Muff
Darkglass Hyper Luminal Compressor
Darkglass Microtubes X Ultra
View attachment 4155220

I likewise typically run tuner first for accuracy of tuning and buffer purposes after a long cable run from the bass.

Compression before or after the Muff is a topic of debate around the boards and a matter of personal preference. I used to always run compression before drives and dirts to make the response of those drives and dirts more consistent. But when you do that, particularly if you use a more noticeable compressor setting, you lose all or most touch-sensitivity out of your dirts (the harder you play, they won't get any dirtier, or as much dirtier, because you're compressing the signal before it.) And I was never that happy with my dirty tones. Now I'm a fan of running my compressor after my dirts, that way I still have the amp-like touch-responsiveness of the dirts and drives, but the overall signal is compressed.

And some like modulation effects like wah and chorus before drives, but I prefer it after for a more noticeable effect. That way if you use both, you get more of a "swirly overdrive" vs an "overdriven swirly tone." But it's a matter of preference.

And of course Darkglass at the end because it's the amp sim and DI.

So I'd go:

Tuner > Muff > Chorus > Comp > Darkglass