[quote name='FretNoMore' timestamp='1384877704' post='2281765']
Well, if built-in blends are Ok but external mixing isn't, then this discussion is just an exercise in double standards or hair splitting.
[/quote]
I suppose what I was trying to get across bluntly is if you have to add pedals to a pedal to make it sound good then you're doing something wrong, the reason why I find blending ok in a pedal is that's part of the pedal's sound like the Assmaster its a very unique sounding fuzz pedal, even if you have a depth charge the Assmaster still sounds different.
Trying to draw from my experience of having massively complicated boards, if you're using 4-5 always on pedals to get your sound and another 3 pedals to get a dirt sound etc then you are likely doing something wrong, you either have the wrong amp, wrong bass or wrong pedals.
I have the same conversation with a friend near every week, he's constantly asking for my advice on pedals, quoting various bassists and what they did and how he likes to replicate this tone and how he pushes up x frequency etc and this that and the other and week in and week out I tell him he's using the wrong amp but he won't listen and continues to use a 800w pa head into 2 4x8 cabs.
While there maybe no right or wrong in music there can be massive rights and wrongs in your equipment of choice, for 14 years my Rickenbacker sat on a stand because I thought they should be strung with rounds, changed it to flats because I took a chance and went away from most internet advice and voila a new main bass and a massive cull of my other instruments.
I wish years ago someone had just let me try a really decent big muff clone instead of me pouring my money away on Fuzz Face clones and various blenders trying to get a fuzz tone that worked in a band.