effects for bass, live or recording

[ginormous]

What's your approach?

Usually, I go bass-->cord-->amp. I used to have an Electric Mistress Deluxe, just for a deeper chorus-y sound on some ballads.

When recording, I'll use a limiter with a mild ratio (maybe 4:1) to prevent overdrive on the peaks, but nothing more.

Do you like to put all the decorations on the tree, or do you just let it hang in the breeze?

 

[Great_Kazoo]

Re: effects for bass, live or recording

I've been playing with an old MXR Dyna Comp since 1984 and always use it. Depending on what I'm playing (e.g. hard picking, slapping, etc.) i'll dial it up or down to taste.

Lately, I've been enjoying playing around with an Electro Harmonix Bass Micro Synthesizer that I picked up from eBay, but just for playing by myself.

LOTS of variations in sounds, still haven't figured it all out.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: effects for bass, live or recording

Is this a question about pedals 'n' racks? I ask because my amplifier has compression and overdrive built-in.

I have a fondness for dynamic/auto filtering, chorus and bi-amping for Billy Sheehan effects. A looper delay is handy, especially for the Chapman Stick.

 

[saladin]

Re: effects for bass, live or recording

Gimme a good OD and a chorus and I'm set!
That being said, I'm a huge fan of Sting's stereo bass setup
of using a bass amp for the low notes and having another amp
for the highs and effects. Sounds killer!

 

[crguti]

Re: effects for bass, live or recording

I use a compressor and overdrive for my main tone and sometimes I use chorus and delays in the loop to spice it up a little.
The style of music you play sometimes call for an effect but most of the time (for me) is just an overdriven tone.

 

[One Bad Monkey]

Re: effects for bass, live or recording

It all depends on what I'm playing, and who I'm playing for. There are times that it's just bass --> cord --> amp, and then there are those times where there's a ton of effects, either for just slight color and space, or for full out tonal sculpting.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: effects for bass, live or recording

I use the same board for my bass that I do for my guitar save the distortion pedal, which is a Big Muff instead of a CB78.

Bass (Sterling Ray5)-> Wah (535Q)->Fuzz (Big Muff)-> Chorus (EH Small Clone)-> EQ (10 Band)-> Noise Gate (Smart Gate)-> Amp (Fender Rumble 75).

 

[ginormous]

Re: effects for bass, live or recording

Is this a question about pedals 'n' racks? I ask because my amplifier has compression and overdrive built-in.

I have a fondness for dynamic/auto filtering, chorus and bi-amping for Billy Sheehan effects. A looper delay is handy, especially for the Chapman Stick.

Mostly pedals & racks. I might use a little built-in compression on my amp, but overdrive doesn't suit the sound I'm chasing for most of the music I play.

 

[jaybonitrane]

Re: effects for bass, live or recording

The Fishman Bass Fission pedal with my M9 Carbine and full Mesa Powerhouse.
I have thought about 2 amps and Reamping....but havent actually needed to do either yet.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: effects for bass, live or recording

If I'm playing bass in a live band I'll usually have a small pedalboard with a tuner, an overdrive and a modulation effect (probably a chorus). If I'm feeling really creative I'll put a delay pedal on.

 

[Kosh Naranek]

Re: effects for bass, live or recording

I often use a Sansamp Bass Driver between the bass and amp. I don't know if that qualifies as an effect or more of a preamp. I don't use it for overdrive, and I don't use it to drastically change the EQ. It just revoices a kind of blah, tubby sounding solid state bass amp into a smooth, punchy, silky sounding rig.

Lately I have been using a BBE Opto Comp to even out dynamics. I can't even tell it's working, but the bass just sits better in the mix.

 

[BlueTalon]

Re: effects for bass, live or recording

I have a few effects, but I almost never use them on stage. I have to say "almost" because I did use a chorus when I played Have a Cigar by Pink Floyd.

I'm not opposed to effects or anything -- more power to those who use them well. I just find they're more of a distraction than they are a benefit to me personally.

(And it's not like I need more things to spend money on.)

 

[uOpt]

Re: effects for bass, live or recording

The last time I played a bit of bass before the current stint I was straight going EMG P pickup -> dbx 160x -> tc 4x parametric EQ.

It's not that anyone in the audience can hear effects other than compression while the whole band is going on

 

[Securb]

Re: effects for bass, live or recording

The name is Bootsy baby!

http://www.uberproaudio.com/who-plays-what/295-bootsy-collins-bass-rig-gear-and-equipment