Spikeedog Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 [size=5]Just started playin bass with a rock outfit - got a Muse number (Uprising) and a Gorillaz (Friends inc) in the set. Bass sounds OK with lots of valve overdrive but do I need a Synth pedal - if so, which one - and no I don't want to spend £200 for just a few numbers (yet)... [/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 If you don't want to spend too much I'd probably go with an octave pedal and a fuzz, the two together can give some fairly decent synth sounds and of course, they're each great in their own right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyquipment Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Bsy600 yeah!! Cheap as chips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbandit599 Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Digitech bass synth wah is a great little pedal. Fuzzy synthy sounds, funky wah and an octaver all in one. Great fun. Think I even saw some gear review of the Muse bloke once and he had one on his board. Usually about £40used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamfist Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 (edited) I bought the Digitech BSW for that very purpose, and returned it instantly. I found that a decent fuzz was better overall in a band situation. If you feel you can, and want , to add an octaver and/or a filter pedal that could make it more "synthy". But if funds were tight I'd just stick with a fuzz. The audience won't notice the difference. Edited June 28, 2013 by hamfist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 If you are looking to spend that much on a pedal, you are probably better off buying an actual synth second hand. Most synth pedals will require you to modify your playing technique to some degree in order to get usable and consistent results. In the end I found it quicker and easier to teach myself enough rudimentary keyboard skills to play the parts that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbandit599 Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 I think that the thing with the Digitech BSW is that there are a lot of pretty useless sounds in there, but also a few good settings that are a lot of fun when you find them (even my drummer likes it!). I agree that a fuzz is more generally useful though, but if the OP considered going down the seperate fuzz and octave route then the BSW has the added benefit of then being able to do Fuzz into Wah (which sounds great) as well as covering the octave duties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spikeedog Posted June 28, 2013 Author Share Posted June 28, 2013 [size=5]It's like going to Bass University here - thanks for the information. Think I'll price up a second hand synth pedal first (can't resist the idea of a good deal) - any recommendations? When I learn I can't afford that it'll be the fuzz option though I do like the idea of getting a bit of wah with the Digitech - handy for the Muse number [/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spikeedog Posted June 28, 2013 Author Share Posted June 28, 2013 ..I mean any suggestions in addition to the Digitech. I had a Behringer pedal once on a 6 string but it was noisy and put me off the make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 I didn't really find anything useable on the Digitech Synth, and the straight envelope filter is lacking IMO. However if you ever want to play Technologic by Daft Punk, the EXACT sound is on that pedal lol. I would personally go down the route of seperate Fuzz, Octave, Envelope/Wah pedals. Simply so you have an approximation of the synth sound, but you can also use them individually for any other tunes.....therefore spreading the cost across your set rather than £200 on two songs For example: EHX POG (I think an OC-2 is a better -1 octave, but the POG gives you +1 which helps for synth sounds) MXR Envelope (love this filter, one of very few pedals where I appreciate the clean blend) Fuzz (take your pick of brand) Whether the Fuzz sits in front or behind the filter is your call. To clarify, I've not listened to either track you've mentioned, so just going on 'generic' synth sounds here Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbandit599 Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Sibob's approach would definitely trump the BSW, although cost more of course. It depends if you just want a cheap dabble for starters with a second hand pedal that you can move on if it doesn't do what you need, or are sure that you want to invest a broader set of quality pedals. Playing about with them is fun and dangerously addictive (watch out!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 I agree, you have to draw the line between a dabble and actually wanting to acheive something. If you actually want to achieve something, I wouldn't try a pedal that may well simply put you off, you'll move on 3 decent pedals at no loss (if bought second hand) in the same way you can move on 1.....so actually it just comes down to what you can manage as an initial outlay. Again, the benfit of a modular system is that each pedal indivually can also be used for other things.....a synth pedal essentially has one function Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spikeedog Posted June 28, 2013 Author Share Posted June 28, 2013 ....been through this dilemma with 6 strings - in the end you always come back to 3 or 4 good pedals so good advice guys (specially the named pedals above)....I was looking at a very reasonably priced Markbass Distortion pedal .....so here starts the journey..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spikeedog Posted June 28, 2013 Author Share Posted June 28, 2013 EHX and MHR = Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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