Slap bass pedal anyone?

[NickTann]

Hi, I have recently joined a band that require me today some slap. All is good except that I find that when I do, slap, I lose volume. I have fiddled wit the eq on my old Trace top which helps me out but I am off on tour in September and won't be using my own rig. I wonder if there is a pedal that I could stomp on when the slap begins? I have a Beringer per amp I could try but ...... Anyone?

[paul_5]

Compressor pedal or an eq pedal with a master volume to boost the output.

[ezbass]

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1376223341' post='2170900']
Compressor pedal or an eq pedal with a master volume to boost the output.
[/quote]+1

[lefrash]

Either of those would work, but I'd be more inclined to go with an EQ pedal boosting the lows and highs.....assuming you are wanting the scooped mids slap tone.

[NickTann]

It's the loss of volume that I am finding a slight problem, especially when popping

[andydye]

Comp would enable you to even out the volume of your notes and also pick the whole volume up to the level you need for those slapped bits to sit right with your other bits too

[paul_5]

A simple compressor with a 'Make up gain' knob would do it - it would also even out the dynamics for you, so I'd be tempted to use that rather than an EQ.

[paulieaudiobloom]

May sound a little obvious but try a new set of strings (Rounds of course) :-)

[juliusmonk]

I would start trying to know what's the reason, and whether you indeed lose volume or it is only a *perceived* lack of volume. If you only use your G string sparsely when fingering, maybe it indeed puts out less signal but you hadn't noticed, and you may need to adjust the action and/or the pickup(s) height on the treble end. If your amp is already compressing, fingered notes may be perceived as louder than strumming chords or slapping on the attack portion of the note. You may also try a heavier gauge on the G string. If all that fails, then an EQ pedal or transparent booster will help to transiently boost your signal. Compressors are generally trickier to set, may colour your tone and they are typically on most of the time. They will detract from your dynamics, so you should make sure what you really want is to even out all your playing, or just a temporary boost (e.g. if the slap is for a solo or a bridge). A boost however may drive an amp into clipping and create distortion, which can be distressing if you're playing through the house amp at each venue. So I would check that the bass is set up right first. Then maybe get both a compressor and an eq/booster, to be ready for a variety of situations?

[NickTann]

I have a brand new set of Elixers stainless steel strings, bloody lovely...

[NickTann]

I'll look into getting it set up again. Need a few more quid as it cost me a bomb last time. It's a Wal and I took it to the factory....

[cheddatom]

I find that even when I play un-plugged, slapping is quieter than plucking and picking. Maybe there's some slap technique where you can get the strings to resonate in a comparable way? But for me a pedal or two is the answer. I like compression on slap as it gets rid of any nasty spikes (another hint at my appauling technique?). I happen to love the sound of distorted slap, so I use a dirt pedal to do the compression.

[crez5150]

I think it's more to do with the nature of Slapped notes. If you listen to a fingered (ooer) note compared to a slapped note..... the fingered note generally has more body to it. It's more of a perceived drop in volume rather than a lack of volume. If you think about it, it's a similar note produced by that of a piano.... a hammered note which has a perception of having less body than a fingered note.

[NickTann]

I'll see what happens on the tour and see what our sound engineer says. I have never used bass pedals before but I have an idea what to ask for. Thanks everyone!

[phil.i.stein]

hmm, although i've never tried one before, this might still be up for sale ?

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/190290-zoom-ultra-fuzz-amt-slap-bass/

[alanbass1]

This may just do the trick.....[url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Creation_Funkulator.html"]http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Creation_Funkulator.html[/url]

[Fionn]

When I'm crossing from finger-style to slap I simply roll the highs off a bit using the control on the bass. That's what works for me. If you needed more control, an eq pedal would shape the particular slap tone you wanted. Like Crez5150 said, the drop in volume is more likely percieved due to the difference in the shape of the note played, and this can be remedied somewhat by eq'ing.

I would think a compressor (running continuously) to be essential also, in the interests of neatness.

Edited August 14, 2013 by Fionn

[EBS_freak]

Compressor... failing that, pull back your volume for finger style which will enable you to give yourself a boost for slap.

[Japhet]

Markbass Super Booster does a decent job. Boost controls the volume and one of the filters cuts the mids and boosts Low and High eq.