FX help please

[Beedster]

I don’t use FX and pretty much never have. But our next band project requires being able to change a few things on the hoof. Most likely I’ll be able to do a lot/most of it via the footswitching on my Mesa M-Pulse, but A) I’d like a little more versatility and B) I don’t have those options in my other amps which makes me anxious if I have an amp problem. Most of what I need will be - for example - switching EQ from bright to dub, adding heavy compression and/or distortion, possibly some synth tone, and shifting volume as I do all of these. I was looking at the Bass Fly Rig but reviews are a bit negative. Suggestions welcome

[pete.young]

Since this is a single band project and you're starting completely from scratch, maybe a multi-effects unit somewhere between an HX Stomp and a Zoom MS-60B? You might get better replies in the Effects forum.

[LukeFRC]

On 24/01/2025 at 18:26, Beedster said:

A) I’d like a little more versatility

you might need to define this a bit more. 

[Beedster]

3 hours ago, LukeFRC said:

you might need to define this a bit more. 

 

Hi Luke, having played around a little more yesterday I think the M-Pulse will enable me to do all I need

1) Switch between standard gig EQ and a heavy dub EQ (switch in the para EQ)

2) Compress the dub EQ (switch in the compressor)

3) Increase the volume of the dub eq (switch in the solo channel)

But I'd like to be able to replicate those functions using the simplest pedal possible just in case I use a different amp for any reason

[Sean]

Hi Chris

I switched to an HX Stomp for exactly this kind of versatility a few years ago. It's one of those things that I'd replace ASAP if I lost it.

You can make recipes of effects and switch between them on the fly.

Yours would be:

1. Standard

2. On/off Switch to Dub EQ

3. On/off compressor setting 1 to 2

4. On/off Boost

 

There are lots of multi FX units that can do all that and much more for you. It's a matter of budget, footprint and how inclined you are to set it all up. Some have a computer interface, others are done through the unit. Most are fairly straightforward and once you've nailed it, unlike separates, you can save it and use it through the FX return of anyone's amp especially if you can toggle the pre-amp on/off.

 

As an example, I have duplicates of all my patches set up, one with the amp and cab models switched on, one with the amp and cab off. That way I can use anyone's amp that has FX return or go DI.

 

For home practise it also means I have my patches with the 400+ sounds without lugging the beast and a cab into the house.

 

Edited February 11 by Sean

[Beedster]

3 hours ago, Sean said:

Hi Chris

I switched to an HX Stomp for exactly this kind of versatility a few years ago. It's one of those things that I'd replace ASAP if I lost it.

You can make recipes of effects and switch between them on the fly.

Yours would be:

1. Standard

2. On/off Switch to Dub EQ

3. On/off compressor setting 1 to 2

4. On/off Boost

 

There are lots of multi FX units that can do all that and much more for you. It's a matter of budget, footprint and how inclined you are to set it all up. Some have a computer interface, others are done through the unit. Most are fairly straightforward and once you've nailed it, unlike separates, you can save it and use it through the FX return of anyone's amp especially if you can toggle the pre-amp on/off.

 

As an example, I have duplicates of all my patches set up, one with the amp and cab models switched on, one with the amp and cab off. That way I can use anyone's amp that has FX return or go DI.

 

For home practise it also means I have my patches with the 400+ sounds without lugging the beast and a cab into the house.

 

Many thanks @Sean, hope all's well mate

 

I think an HX Stomp might be a little more than I need (and can justify spending). I'm wondering whether the Tech 21 VT Deluxe might get the job done, I've owned one before (albeit for different reasons) and found it pretty easy and versatile. No comp or course but I think I'm more in need to switching EQ/tone in real terms?  

[Sean]

4 hours ago, Beedster said:

Many thanks @Sean, hope all's well mate

 

I think an HX Stomp might be a little more than I need (and can justify spending). I'm wondering whether the Tech 21 VT Deluxe might get the job done, I've owned one before (albeit for different reasons) and found it pretty easy and versatile. No comp or course but I think I'm more in need to switching EQ/tone in real terms?  

From what I've been reading, yes, the VT deluxe we'll do that. If you add in a compressor, you're all the way there. 

 

I'd either buy a used comp here or go for an MXR Dynacomp M282. I had one. Small and quality. Designed for bass.

[Norris]

It's a few years old now, but my Roland Boss GT-6B can do pretty much any effects. They are cheap to buy used now (<£200). Obviously a lot more than just a compressor (actually a choice of several compressor emulations), but can also do that weird synthy/flangy/ring-mod/echoey sound you need for that one-off song.

 

I mostly use mine with a "flat" pass-thru for most songs, but then on the odd song I'll use up to 4 different patches. It's also handy as a mute between sets and a tuner

[jonnybass]

I used to use a Zoom b6.  This was to switch between various 'styles' of sounds Vintage, modern, dubby that sort of thing.  really easy to use, has dual inputs (if thats important) balanced DI out and a great tuner,  used you'd be looking at around £200=£250.  I moved it on to get a HX stomp XL but thats as i was no longer playing live with the band where i needed these styles of sounds and i was wanting to do more experimental effects.  

 

Jonny

[warwickhunt]

I bought a Zoom 60B for this very reason.  You can select something as simple as a basic EQ (variable/para or fixed) or even a fairly flat amp model that allows you to create the dub sound and you can switch on/off or better still the Zoom allows you to designate each patch/function as A, B, C etc and you can call them up (all or as few as you choose) and then a single click of the footswitch takes you from A > B > C etc.  Make one of the options (A) a bypass (it gives that facility) and you are sorted.

 

A = bypass

B = distortion (many editable options available from slight OD to buzz... the latter I can't see the sense in  )

C = compression (lots of classic compressors inc)

D = EQ (basic to full parametric)

E = Synth

F = Phaser

G = Chorus

etc etc etc

 

One thing I like is that I can have set 20 presets tweaked/edited by me, save them in the 50 available slots but then just select the 3 or 4 I'll use with any particular band... or bass, as you could select an EQ and tweak it for 2 or 3 different basses and name/save each individually.  You then select the patches you want and they will be the only options that will be available with each click.  

 

Jazz: patch A - D (Bypass/OD/Comp/EQ)

Precision: E - H (same as above but tweaked for P bass)

Ray: I - L (see above)

 

Of course this last bit is useless info if you only ever use one bass!   

 

Oh and I paid about £60-70 for mine 2nd hand.

 

Edited February 12 by warwickhunt

[Sean]

31 minutes ago, warwickhunt said:

the Zoom allows you to designate each patch/function as A, B, C etc and you can call them up (all or as few as you choose) and then a single click of the footswitch takes you from A > B > C etc.  Make one of the options (A) a bypass (it gives that facility) and you are sorted.

 

 

 

 

I used to have one and can’t remember exactly why it didn’t work for me. 

 

Does what you’re describing mean that you have to cycle through the designated menu of patches to get back? Is there any way that you can switch easily between two patches for one song without having to cycle through the 4 or 5 that you’ve chosen? 

 

In one of my bands, I switch between clean and fuzz/chorus from verses to Choruses. Will Chris be able to do that?

[warwickhunt]

4 minutes ago, Sean said:

 

I used to have one and can’t remember exactly why it didn’t work for me. 

 

Does what you’re describing mean that you have to cycle through the designated menu of patches to get back? Is there any way that you can switch easily between two patches for one song without having to cycle through the 4 or 5 that you’ve chosen? 

 

In one of my bands, I switch between clean and fuzz/chorus from verses to Choruses. Will Chris be able to do that?

 

You can't switch backwards but it'd be very easy to just replicate a patch and switch forward.

 

A (flat) > B (OD) > C (EQ for Dub) > D (Compression)

 

If in a particular song you wanted to go from flat to OD and then 'back' to flat you could as easily be...

 

A (flat) > B (OD) > C (flat same as A) > D (EQ for Dub) > E (Compression)

 

It would get quite complicated if you did something different like that for every song in a set but easily done for the occasional song.  Theoretically you've got 50 slots you could name each step in a song based on the song title... but it really isn't set up for that and a multi-pedal effects unit might be easier.  

 

I have my presets for a whole song and they tend to be an effect for the 'whole' song and at the end of each song a couple of taps is all that is required to get to my 'A' sound which is a basic amp EQ (I might have even put a compressor in that baseline setting but I'd need to check).  You can even add different cab tones to certain amps (IIRC), so you can have an SVT with 810 or a 410 or 115 as your baseline setting (or bypass completely if you have a great amp tone that doesn't need 'extras').