This board (except the tuner) was all new for 2022, a strong EAE representation.
Also this bass was new and made me reevaluate my preferences.
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Your best of 22
- Thread starter cosmicevan
- Start date
This board (except the tuner) was all new for 2022, a strong EAE representation.
Also this bass was new and made me reevaluate my preferences.
Definetly Broughton Audio Joshwah, followed by the Synth Voice Deluxe.... my quest for synthy tones has ended.
Spaceman Explorer - fantastic phaser. Really lush, juicy sweep, 18v for high headroom, and lots of interesting modes and options. I love the Manual mode with an expression pedal.
Broughton Omnicomp - best compressor I've tried so far. Low noise, highly adjustable and versatile. I had a Monocomp before, and the Omni is just better in every way.
Broughton Omnicomp - best compressor I've tried so far. Low noise, highly adjustable and versatile. I had a Monocomp before, and the Omni is just better in every way.
I didn't acquire either of them in 2022, but from this years run of gigging I've really grown to love the combination of Hudson Broadcast-AP running into the Strymon Deco on my small pick-and-play board. The Deco provides a very warm, smooth and full sound with just the right amount of "natural" compression, and built-in modulation to boot. The Broadcast provides a beautiful touch sensitive crunch when digging in. The two together are greater than the sum of their parts.
Honorable mentions for the Broughton Omnicomp and Broughton Scorpion as well. Great additions to the shelf.
These four together make a very fun little board and saw a lot of gigs this fall.
Honorable mentions for the Broughton Omnicomp and Broughton Scorpion as well. Great additions to the shelf.
These four together make a very fun little board and saw a lot of gigs this fall.
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I can't make up my mind.
I replaced my Sushi Box FX Underground Accelerator with the handwired version of the same pedal.
And while I liked the capabilities of the UA as a drive pedal, I preferred as a preamp with maybe a hint of saturation dialed in. The HWUA can do just that, but to my ears and in my setup, the HWUA has such a sweet drive when you push it past that point, it has become my go-to for a driven sound.
And I replaced my Broughton HPF+LPF pedal with the RFE.
I wanted to add a pedal that would give my mids a bump because between the Noble preamp and the HWUA, you'll quickly end up with a bathtub EQ. I tried for a long time to use the Southampton Ictineo for that, but could not make it work. Someone suggested that I tried the RFE but I did not see the point. Well, until I tried it (reluctantly). The resonant filter thing is right up my alley because I like to boost the bass a lot and counter it with a relatively high HPF setting.
And the parametric mids on that pedal are so good that it immediately became an always-on for me. I thought I wanted a switchable mid-bump for the songs where I might need it, but the RFE gave me a bump so sweet that blends in so seamlessly that I never wanted to switch it off again.
I replaced my Sushi Box FX Underground Accelerator with the handwired version of the same pedal.
And while I liked the capabilities of the UA as a drive pedal, I preferred as a preamp with maybe a hint of saturation dialed in. The HWUA can do just that, but to my ears and in my setup, the HWUA has such a sweet drive when you push it past that point, it has become my go-to for a driven sound.
And I replaced my Broughton HPF+LPF pedal with the RFE.
I wanted to add a pedal that would give my mids a bump because between the Noble preamp and the HWUA, you'll quickly end up with a bathtub EQ. I tried for a long time to use the Southampton Ictineo for that, but could not make it work. Someone suggested that I tried the RFE but I did not see the point. Well, until I tried it (reluctantly). The resonant filter thing is right up my alley because I like to boost the bass a lot and counter it with a relatively high HPF setting.
And the parametric mids on that pedal are so good that it immediately became an always-on for me. I thought I wanted a switchable mid-bump for the songs where I might need it, but the RFE gave me a bump so sweet that blends in so seamlessly that I never wanted to switch it off again.
Well, I only bought two pedals in 2022, a Soma Cosmos and a Chase Bliss Habit... it might be a tossup, but if I have to give the edge to one it'd be the Cosmos just because it is so wonderfully overbuilt, plus I don't have to squint to see where the knobs and switches are. But Habit is definitely a very close second. 
I don't do dirt/distortion much so I wanted a single pedal that can do darn near everything.
This can get close enough to any fuzz/distortion/OD sound I'd need.
It's a wonder to me that more dirt pedals don't have graphic EQ built in.
I rocked one of these for quite a few years, it's concept is spot on. My only gripe is that the distortion circuit is a little generic and not very dynamic. It's a great pedal and it survived on my board for a while. I think if it had a 1 slider compressor and a slider to swap clipping circuit charectors then it would be pretty close to perfect. The Source Audio Ultrawave takes this to another level although that doesn't have a set of graphic EQ sliders.
Two preamp pedals for me, first the Rheingold BP2 - 2 Band Bass PreAmp Pedal and secondly the caveman audio BP1 Compact. With a passive bass I play both on and with an active bass, I use the caveman audio only. They are both totally different but they both are amazing their own way.
After a long break from playing (starting with COVID), I started gigging again in 2022.
I've tried a few different sounds for the new gig, but these two pretty much get it done:
- 3 Leaf Proton -- I have the V1, which I used for years, but I'm currently using a V2.
- Fairfield Barbershop -- also a V2, and SN 666 (serial number of the beast).
I've tried a few different sounds for the new gig, but these two pretty much get it done:
- 3 Leaf Proton -- I have the V1, which I used for years, but I'm currently using a V2.
- Fairfield Barbershop -- also a V2, and SN 666 (serial number of the beast).
Went a long time without a compressor, so I figured it was time to get one again. Really happy with it!
Biggest for me was moving my stuff to a Temple Board. I love the weight, the ease of use, the whole ecosystem really.
Pedals were the Broughton Valve Champ, which I haven't found super useful as a bass pedal, but has been killing it as a form of transparent outboard saturation through which I re-amp most instruments recorded in my home studio, and the Iron Ether Arcing Prisms, which instantly became my favorite bass pedal for delay/modulation/all-around weirdness.
Pedals were the Broughton Valve Champ, which I haven't found super useful as a bass pedal, but has been killing it as a form of transparent outboard saturation through which I re-amp most instruments recorded in my home studio, and the Iron Ether Arcing Prisms, which instantly became my favorite bass pedal for delay/modulation/all-around weirdness.
This year I bought more gear than I expected, and here are my top choices
Boss DC-2W - lovely modulation, makes your sound more 3 dimensional or spacious.
Tech21 VTDI - I use this thing every time I play out live, and it's such a great sound.
Beatbuddy Mini 2 - has made practice way more fun, and it's stupid simple to use
Boss DC-2W - lovely modulation, makes your sound more 3 dimensional or spacious.
Tech21 VTDI - I use this thing every time I play out live, and it's such a great sound.
Beatbuddy Mini 2 - has made practice way more fun, and it's stupid simple to use
Got a Broughton Omnicomp and for my appartment hobbyist headphones only playing it greatly improved the sound and is a always on pedal, havent even bothered messing around with settings, I just put everything at 12.
Also got a Tascam 12, guess its not a effect pedal but It kinda gets used as a preamp for changing frequencies etc.
Also got a Tascam 12, guess its not a effect pedal but It kinda gets used as a preamp for changing frequencies etc.
Two for me.
Effectrode LA-1A - finally found a comp that does what I want without a trace of noise. Boost is a nice plus. EQ switch is magic too.
Broughton Valve Champ - Always on tone enhancer for me. Bought it just to get in on the Halloween drop, but really like it. Prior to the Valve Champ, I was using a Scorpion for a touch of breakup. Scorpion was also great, but it did more than I needed.
Effectrode LA-1A - finally found a comp that does what I want without a trace of noise. Boost is a nice plus. EQ switch is magic too.
Broughton Valve Champ - Always on tone enhancer for me. Bought it just to get in on the Halloween drop, but really like it. Prior to the Valve Champ, I was using a Scorpion for a touch of breakup. Scorpion was also great, but it did more than I needed.
Boss gt 1000 core
But I have a king of tone coming next week, so we'll see which one is better.
But I have a king of tone coming next week, so we'll see which one is better.
Had a couple for me, most of which are newer rediscoveries of pedals I've owned before, or at least no new releases for me this year:
First, my muffs got shaken up in both bass and guitar world. My #1s continue to be Pharaoh Supremes, but the #2 is definitely the Swollen Pickle. Probably the 3rd time I've owned it, and it's not leaving now! It beat out a Grey Stache and a Supercollider '71 for my bass and guitar needs.
After that, my Rat collection started. Never got along with Rats much before, but kept the Iron Pig as it was by far my favorite. Got a few more this year when that started getting some heavy play. So far, my favorite is the Volt Thrower clone I have, but the Iron Pig is close behind. Then it's my Bass Mountain, with a Cat Tail in #4.
I also got an MBD-2 and ODB clone for my low gain needs - prior to this it was modded Pork Loin all the way. This is my biggest change, really, as the Pork Loin had been my go-to low gain drive for years. Now, it's relegated to #3, but is still excellent. The MBD-2 is new to me, but I had an ODB a few years ago. (Not sure why I didn't get along with the Dunwich stuff in the past!)
The HM-2 front was also busy, with me buying a handful of (usually cheap) clones. But the confirmation that my Throat Locust could do 18v and my Bear Amps Heavier Metal pedal really opened up the HM-2 for me. Both are phenomenal.
Honestly, though, my biggest revelation of 22 was something many of us know - it has to work in the mix! That's where most of these pedals really shone and beat out the previous competitors. The last few months of 22 I was relentlessly jamming to songs with more volume and in the mix. These ones brought the dirt to the forefront, but also managed to keep my tone, all while working in the mix.
First, my muffs got shaken up in both bass and guitar world. My #1s continue to be Pharaoh Supremes, but the #2 is definitely the Swollen Pickle. Probably the 3rd time I've owned it, and it's not leaving now! It beat out a Grey Stache and a Supercollider '71 for my bass and guitar needs.
After that, my Rat collection started. Never got along with Rats much before, but kept the Iron Pig as it was by far my favorite. Got a few more this year when that started getting some heavy play. So far, my favorite is the Volt Thrower clone I have, but the Iron Pig is close behind. Then it's my Bass Mountain, with a Cat Tail in #4.
I also got an MBD-2 and ODB clone for my low gain needs - prior to this it was modded Pork Loin all the way. This is my biggest change, really, as the Pork Loin had been my go-to low gain drive for years. Now, it's relegated to #3, but is still excellent. The MBD-2 is new to me, but I had an ODB a few years ago. (Not sure why I didn't get along with the Dunwich stuff in the past!)
The HM-2 front was also busy, with me buying a handful of (usually cheap) clones. But the confirmation that my Throat Locust could do 18v and my Bear Amps Heavier Metal pedal really opened up the HM-2 for me. Both are phenomenal.
Honestly, though, my biggest revelation of 22 was something many of us know - it has to work in the mix! That's where most of these pedals really shone and beat out the previous competitors. The last few months of 22 I was relentlessly jamming to songs with more volume and in the mix. These ones brought the dirt to the forefront, but also managed to keep my tone, all while working in the mix.
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Putting a small, Bluetooth capable mixer on my board has revolutionized home practice.
