Herbie The Rad Dorklift Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 My rig is as follows: Markbass Mini CMD121p Sandberg MM2 That's it! I'm using a Boss TU-2 (Soon to get a Polytune as I prefer it), and use the DI out on the amp. I'm after anything to make my sound "better", so I'm thinking EQ pedal? Compressor? Sonic Stomp? What are your never-leave-home-without pedals? I play in a pop rock band, and I EQ my bass pretty flat at the moment (All dials at 12 o'clock on the amp, the 2 filter knobs off for now as I haven't experimented with them, both humbucker pickups on the bass and flat bass EQ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 [quote name='Herbie The Rad Dorklift' post='1356099' date='Aug 30 2011, 11:32 AM']My rig is as follows: Markbass Mini CMD121p Sandberg MM2 That's it! I'm using a Boss TU-2 (Soon to get a Polytune as I prefer it), and use the DI out on the amp. I'm after anything to make my sound "better", so I'm thinking EQ pedal? Compressor? Sonic Stomp? What are your never-leave-home-without pedals?[/quote] EBS Octabass. You don't need much of it (though as Mae West probably never said, "too much of a good thing can be wonderful") to give a huge fat sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 [quote name='Herbie The Rad Dorklift' post='1356099' date='Aug 30 2011, 11:32 AM']My rig is as follows: Markbass Mini CMD121p Sandberg MM2 That's it! I'm using a Boss TU-2 (Soon to get a Polytune as I prefer it), and use the DI out on the amp. I'm after anything to make my sound "better", so I'm thinking EQ pedal? Compressor? Sonic Stomp? What are your never-leave-home-without pedals? I play in a pop rock band, and I EQ my bass pretty flat at the moment (All dials at 12 o'clock on the amp, the 2 filter knobs off for now as I haven't experimented with them, both humbucker pickups on the bass and flat bass EQ).[/quote] If you aren't happy with your core tone, no pedal is going to fix that for you. If you are looking for more smoother even tone, a compressor would be the obvious choice. Have you got any sound clips of tones you are trying to achieve, that may help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 a compressor pedal like my EBS will even out and slightly fatten up, you'll also notice springier treble and more clarity... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Define 'better'.... Could be a really nice compressor, or a little bit of tuby dirt or a smidge of chorus, or octaver. Couldnt say what would work for you though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Having said the above I like compression, not necessarily a lot, and not necessarily so you would know it was there without checking themeters, but I do love compression all the same. It helps keep the bass in the mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moos3h Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Without wishing to sound patronising (although I think I will), look at your technique. That's a NICE setup, you should sound great - if you don't then it's very possibly your technique. That's not going to be only reason, but worth checking for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrenleepoole Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Do you mean better in the context of the music you perform, or better in general? Like others have said, you have some serious gear with a load of potential tonal variation on tap should you require it. Is it really so bad, or is it a case of finding fault when perhaps there isn't any! Fiddling for the sake of it, so to speak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 I think we need a clearer idea of what you`re after. Is it more warmth, more grit, or more clarity that is required? From there, I`m sure many will be able to offer some suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low End Bee Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Turning up the volume knob always works for me Seriously. Don't overlook this. I've noticed a few bassists agonising over their 'tone' when they're just not playing loud enough for the band mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Strings? They make a massive difference to overall "tone". What do you currently use? As others have said, use of effects is not going to give you a tone you like if the starting tone is not there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herbie The Rad Dorklift Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share Posted August 30, 2011 I have noticed that volume definitely makes a difference. In short, I'm not really sure what kind of tone I want.. I'm new to bass. I just thought there was maybe something that everyone ALWAYS uses. Like, in my guitar rig I'd always use a graphic EQ pedal, but never thought about it for bass. Are compressors something you'd have on all the time if you had one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 I've used compressors in the past, but they don't do anything for my live sound (not the ones' I've tried, that is) although I do use it when recording. If you've no idea what you want in regards to pedals, get a decent Multi Effects unit. Roland, Line 6 & Zoom are all great for this & will give you an idea of what fx do what. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 [quote name='Herbie The Rad Dorklift' post='1356211' date='Aug 30 2011, 12:53 PM']Are compressors something you'd have on all the time if you had one?[/quote] Compressors are strange - at a quiet volume, they don`t seem to do much, unless you have them set quite high. However get playing with the band, and each note seems to stand out better in it`s own right. Plus, they do make the sound a bit more chunky. To see if compression is for you, rather than spend a huge amount, Behringer do one for abt £20. Worth a tryout. I find that I like a bit of compression, as I can be a bit heavy handed, and it evens out my playing a bit. Luckily, my amp has an on-board compressor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 You've got good gear-if you want to improve your sound try spending some more time either on your technique or playing with the controls on your gear. Pedals are great as added spice but getting a 'better' sound will start with you as a player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 [quote name='Herbie The Rad Dorklift' post='1356211' date='Aug 30 2011, 12:53 PM']I have noticed that volume definitely makes a difference. In short, I'm not really sure what kind of tone I want.. I'm new to bass. I just thought there was maybe something that everyone ALWAYS uses. Like, in my guitar rig I'd always use a graphic EQ pedal, but never thought about it for bass. Are compressors something you'd have on all the time if you had one?[/quote] Big topic, compression. Search on this forum for compression posts, I've explained a lot about how you can set up compressors and what makes a good (especially for a beginner) compressor. IMO & IME a single knob compressor on an amp is usually a pretty awful worse case scenario. and you would be best off just not going there, if you aren't very lucky it will probably do more harm than good. A decent compressor, well set up, definitely can be an 'always on' thing, a compressor can certainly be something that you cannot perceive in operation unless you are in a full band setting, where upon it will change the envelope of your bass such that it can be heard better in the mix, whilst remaining to your ear unchanged. A compressor can also being very obvious, both in terms of how it feels to play with it in the signal chain and how it sounds. This is usually detrimental, but again not always. My advice would be to buy a cheap rack compressor with good metering of the in level, out level and gain reduction, read up on a bunch of threads about using oine and then play abou twith it. You will get better results from a £100 rack comp than a £100 pedal comp, just because the metering is more useful. Having said that dbx did a desk top compressor with great metering and a full set of controls that sounds fine, and that could be had for asd little as £25 on ebay sometime back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funky8884 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Plug a Fender P into a Tube Amp - Problem solved !!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
civictiger Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 [quote name='Herbie The Rad Dorklift' post='1356099' date='Aug 30 2011, 11:32 AM']What are your never-leave-home-without pedals?[/quote] Sansamp Programmable Bass Driver DI I would never, ever, gig without it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 I recommend a compressor. Before I got my present amp, which has a compressor on it, I bought an Ashdown pedal. It's not bad but is quite subtle. The one on my amp can also be quite extreme if turned more than halfway up, which can be good on funky or rocky numbers, as it gives you a real nice punchy sound. They can also smooth out the dynamics of your playing and make you sound like a more competent player than you actually are (which is always handy). The EBS compressor tends to be the one that gets most peoples votes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acebassmusic Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 [quote name='Herbie The Rad Dorklift' post='1356211' date='Aug 30 2011, 12:53 PM']In short, I'm not really sure what kind of tone I want.. I'm new to bass. I just thought there was maybe something that everyone ALWAYS uses.[/quote] A good starting place to determine what equipment / settings / technique / volume you need would be to listen to bass tracks / players you like and find a sound(s) that would work with your band. From there you can add the details to your post here and also do a search on 'tinternet for "How do I get the sound of XXXX". It may be just simple EQ changes you need or a full flight case of effects - someone on here usually has a good idea of how to get it. **WARNING** Bass tone is an elusive and ever evolving medium. It has been known to be achieved for brief periods of time until its arch-rival for your money, G.A.S., becomes present (usually as a result of reading the For Sale ads on here!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Having used MB heads for a few years with no FX etc i now couldn't (or rather wouldn't like to) gig without my BDDI. I dont use it for any of that Ampeg nonsense, nor for any distortion but it does seem to bring my tone to life with just a small amount on the blend knob. A nicer, deeper low end and some nice sparkle. Seems to work well with MB heads. The Behringer BDI21 9BDDI clone) is under £30 and well worth a try IMO, and almost as good as the real thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 I'm with Doddy - practice more. The better my technique, the better my sound. Practice with your amp. Turn it up louder and play softer. Also, get your drummer to try different cymbals - that will have more effect than a compressor!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 [quote name='dave_bass5' post='1358878' date='Sep 1 2011, 03:21 PM']Having used MB heads for a few years with no FX etc i now couldn't (or rather wouldn't like to) gig without my BDDI. I dont use it for any of that Ampeg nonsense, nor for any distortion but it does seem to bring my tone to life with just a small amount on the blend knob. A nicer, deeper low end and some nice sparkle. Seems to work well with MB heads.[/quote] Nice demo here: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_56iFr402U"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_56iFr402U[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 [quote name='bremen' post='1358975' date='Sep 1 2011, 04:43 PM']Nice demo here: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_56iFr402U"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_56iFr402U[/url][/quote] Yeah, its probably the best ive seen, mainly as it covers a few different styles and not just that "how to sound like you have an Ampeg" tone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 [quote name='Bilbo' post='1358884' date='Sep 1 2011, 03:25 PM']I'm with Doddy - practice more. The better my technique, the better my sound. Practice with your amp. Turn it up louder and play softer. [b]Also, get your drummer to try different cymbals - that will have more effect than a compressor!![/b] [/quote] No it wont. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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