TomRandles97 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 When switching between using a pick and fingers during a set, how can I keep a consistent volume? I've noticed a drop in volume when switching to a pick, which I suppose make sense due to the inherent characteristics of the two different styles, but it's still inconvenient. Compressor? EQ? Boost pedal? If anyone can give me some input before I splash the cash, that'd be grand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deedee Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 [quote name='TomRandles97' timestamp='1501706835' post='3346838'] When switching between using a pick and fingers during a set, how can I keep a consistent volume? I've noticed a drop in volume when switching to a pick, which I suppose make sense due to the inherent characteristics of the two different styles, but it's still inconvenient. Compressor? EQ? Boost pedal? If anyone can give me some input before I splash the cash, that'd be grand [/quote] I have this issue but the other way around - I'm far louder with the pick. I make use of the active/passive switch on my head but obviously if you don't have one...... 🤔 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 (edited) Someone with a little more knowledge will come along im sure, but a compressor seems like a good choice. It will level out everything. Other than that, just use your ears and your hands. Those are your best effects imo. Edited August 2, 2017 by bubinga5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M@23 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 I'm generally louder with a pick, but I like a 3mm pick. To balance it, I palm mute a touch and just generally try to play with a lighter touch. If you're quieter with a pick, try using a heavier gauge and playing a bit harder. Otherwise, a bit of a boost on the EQ if using an active bass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Yep I'm louder with a pick too, I just knock a tad of treble off and I'm good to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 All the above are good choices, it's difficult as some songs just lend themselves to either style. If you can't do it via compression or simple vol turn on your bass then I may have a boost pedal spare if you want. Volume knob is probably your best bet cheapest bet, after all guitarist do it for solo's, so just set up your ampnwith it rolled off for your loudest modality and then crank it. If you get your technique down to show no difference eventually then you have spent no money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 I used to use a boss eq pedal, now I use a 3dB boost 'pedal' on the Kemper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 My finger style playing is only marginally louder than my pick playing so I don't really have problem, but if I did I'd simply make up a new patch on my Bass Pod with the appropriate volume cut or boost to match. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliveT Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 On my P bass I use finger or a pick for the sound they give so I want the difference. I don't find the volume really changes for me, just the tone and attack. For a driving rock song or if I want the bass to just out of the mix the pick does the trick. But if you do need to adjust the volume then an eq, compressor or clean boost such as the MXR micro amp would work. If you use a compressor be careful not to over compress, unless that's the sound you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 [quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1501707972' post='3346855'] Someone with a little more knowledge will come along im sure, but a compressor seems like a good choice. It will level out everything. Other than that, just use your ears and your hands. Those are your best effects imo. [/quote] This ^. Left to my own devices, I sound louder with a pick but that's partly because I have so much more attack and I'm therefore more audible. Whether or not I'm actually "louder" is debatable. I've just joined a new band where I have to switch from fingerstyle to pick and back again repeatedly within each set. For the first time in years, I'm running through an always-on compressor pedal, which I'm using as much as a Limiter as a Compressor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus Lukin Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 (edited) - Edited February 25, 2022 by Jus Lukin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 Another one to try is where exactly you play the strings as in closer to the neck or bridge for each modality. Each gives its own sound and bite, but judicious hand placement will achieve something as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRandles97 Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share Posted August 3, 2017 [quote name='Jus Lukin' timestamp='1501749489' post='3347021'] An EQ pedal will also give you volume control and a way to redress any severe tonal differences (say, a very deep finger tone which dissapears with a plectrum for some reason, like on my T-bird!). [/quote] This is pretty much the problem I'm having. The deeper tone disappears when I switch to playing with a pick (which I suppose is natural) but I find I drop way down in the mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRandles97 Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share Posted August 3, 2017 Thanks everyone, I think I'll spend some time working on my technique and see if that makes much difference. I've also got a couple of different pick sizes so I'll experiment with that too. As others have said, due to all the variables with my bass, hands etc it's probably just going to be a case of trial and error. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 Rather than pick [i][b]sizes[/b][/i], I find it's pick [i][b]hardness [/b][/i]that makes the biggest difference. I always use picks made of Delrin and I have two types - similar but different. Switching from the orange (thicker) to the red (thinner) has a surprising amount of impact on my sound and my playing style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 Tom It's a great journey, I now play mainly pick, because I injured my knuckle on my first index finger playing rugby (it's fine no need for violins) but it just gets tired playing for a long time. What I am trying to do is learn to do either style without dropping the pick, or incorporate the two. I can just about use my middle finger in a co-ordinated fashion and go 1 finger james Hamer son, but I am trying to train the ring finger as well so I have this option, although I am not slapping I can pick and pop. Not a lot different to the geetar chicken picker players you see out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfox Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 If it's that noticeable (which I don't think it is with me) how about you do the old school thing of just rolling the volume back on your bass a bit when you need? As has been said where you play and attack is maybe also something you might want to check Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 I'm generally louder with a pick too. Or is it that in certain songs, pick playing means some frequencies cut through better? But I just tend to use my ears to judge, and tweak the volume control on the bass to suit.... Helps if you can sound check both options too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killstarz Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 I find my volume stays pretty much the same but I always roll off a bit of tone when switching to a pick as I find it too bright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1501752972' post='3347074'] Rather than pick [i][b]sizes[/b][/i], I find it's pick [i][b]hardness [/b][/i]that makes the biggest difference. I always use picks made of Delrin and I have two types - similar but different. Switching from the orange (thicker) to the red (thinner) has a surprising amount of impact on my sound and my playing style. [/quote] ^ This Try experimenting with different picks, even picks of the same thickness, but made of different materials, like nylon (flexible) or wood/metal (not flexible). When I played with a pick, I always preferred a softer material, as they gave a slightly softer attack on the strings. Well, I liked it anyway. Just play fingerstyle these days, sounds far better to my ears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 I've found that the harder picks sound great when you play on your own, but as soon as you get in the mix with clean sounding guitars all that lovely attack just disappears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 limiter ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byo Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 To even out volume I would suggest a compressor or maybe a bit of EQ to adjust certain frequencies in either of the styles that you play. A pick takes away some low end from your tone but gives you more mids and attack in the high end spectrum, fingers normally tend to roll off highs and give you a rounder tone. At least that is the way I have always felt it. As others have mentioned before, check other pick choices and see what works out for you as it will make a massive difference in sound. I find that even a simple switch between Tortex 0.60 and Tortex 0.73 my tone characteristics alter drastically and affect on how I approach my playing and that is in the same model, the moment you move across series and manufactures things get very interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted August 4, 2017 Share Posted August 4, 2017 I only rarely use a pick, and when I do it is way quieter. I'm going to suggest something completely different to all the above. You are, like me, probably playing too hard fingers style. I dig in big time. I know I'm not supposed to, have read up on the theory, and have even practiced turning up and playing more gently. I just can't stick to it, and quickly get back to digging in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRandles97 Posted August 4, 2017 Author Share Posted August 4, 2017 I do use different gauges depending what I'm doing, ranging between .60 and 1.14. Definitely a different tonal quality but only a slight volume difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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