Pedals you prefer the sound of to your 'basic' tone?

[theosd]

Are there any pedals you use regularly that you actually prefer the tone to over your clean sound? I'm yet to discover another since selling my MXR M80 (rather foolishly) a couple years ago. I'm thinking things along the lines of compressors or EQ pedals will be common answers but how about a reverb pedal you just can't switch off??

Curious to know what is highly rated by individuals on here =] Any examples of them in use would be interesting too...

[Pete Academy]

[quote name='theosd' post='796532' date='Apr 5 2010, 01:40 PM']Are there any pedals you use regularly that you actually prefer the tone to over your clean sound? I'm yet to discover another since selling my MXR M80 (rather foolishly) a couple years ago. I'm thinking things along the lines of compressors or EQ pedals will be common answers but how about a reverb pedal you just can't switch off??

Curious to know what is highly rated by individuals on here =] Any examples of them in use would be interesting too...[/quote]

I've tried hordes of pedals over the years but still prefer the sound without. Apart from a tuner, that is. I've never found a compressor that doesn't squash the dynamics, despite what they claim.

Best pedal I ever used was an Akai Deep Impact. I regret getting rid because they're worth a fortune, but I have no need for one at the moment.

[theosd]

Yeah my EHX Bass Micro Synth is hella fun but I don't have the inclination to spend hours fiddling with countless possibilities in pedals. Nowadays I'd want something to sound distinctive but be simple to use. Bassballs was good for that but I guess its applications were so limited that I really had no use for it.

[cheddatom]

I can't think of a pedal on it's own. Probably a multi pedal, or a digital delay. I've been playing with the DD-20 a lot recently, that's pretty cool.

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='796543' date='Apr 5 2010, 01:56 PM']I've never found a compressor that doesn't squash the dynamics, despite what they claim.[/quote]

Who claims their compressor doesn't reduce dynamics?!?

[Oscar South]

Depending on the context, a DHA Bass Purist pedal is just perfect.

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

Two for me - both Behringers both with totally unmemorable names
The green limiter pedal maintains dynamics where you want them.
The brown acoustic preamp works as a DI & works very nicely to sweeten the tone of an acoustic bass, electric upright or ashbory as well as making my stratacousic sound like a much more expensive guitar.

[peted]

I have my Aphex Bass Xciter which I leave on constantly in front of my amp. My Harkte amp sounds really thin and weedy without it.

[markm]

EHX Knockout

[Mog]

Ibby PH-7 in clean mode. Use it as a bass boost.

[burno70]

I always leave Tube comp on for my 'clean tone' on my M9. It just sounds lovely. I've read that it's similar to the infamous Cream Pie pedal - that being the case I can see what all the fuss was about.

[Dood]

I've recently found that the Sansamp Para driver and MXR M80 in tandem are just fantastic. I've been messing about with them a lot recently - and have found that when I turn them off and have no EQ, no nothing, it all sounds a bit flat. So on they go again!

[phil.i.stein]

comp - markbass compressore. really good compressor from subtle to squash.

envelope filter - 3-leaf audio - groove regulator. don't use it that often, but like the fact you can dial in as much or as little as required.

distortion/overdrive - the new source audio mwbd. as above..see my thread in the effects forum.

i also love the aphex bass x-citer as mentioned in a previous post, as it can work very well as a low/high boost/mid-scoop when required.

it all depends on whether the bass needs to 'stand out' or just back up the other instruments.

[theosd]

What about thick creamy fuzz pedals? I'm not talking about the blowtorch either, bloody things!

[nottswarwick]

BDDI is always on. Always makes my LM2 sound way better.

I only haave the blend at about 40% effect, 60% direct though, just to add a touch of excitement and drive, while retaining the Stingray sound and punch. All oher controls at "noon" except presence which is at around 10 o'clock. And it makes a great DI, superior to the LM2 one.

[Muzz]

Cheapo Behringer BDI21 thingy. Switched it on, fiddled with it a bit*, loved it, switched it off, didn't like what I heard, so now it's never off. It may as well be nailed to the amp with the switch removed. Reading over that last sentence, I realise I really should try a Sansamp BDDI, or the DHA VT version thingy, just for the better build quality and reliability. Or spend another £28 and have a complete spare for backup...


* I'm not a fiddler - five minutes max is all I ever give kit - if I can't get a sound I like in five, I give up. Perhaps that's why I didn't like the RH450, but love Markbass. Life's too short.

[KingPrawn]

I've never found a compressor that doesn't squash the dynamics, despite what they claim.


have you tried the telenordia Kopressor(thats how it spelt on the site). I have never found a compressor to match it. it is a level above anyting else on the market.

[theosd]

I really liked the EHX black finger,. especially the valve-ness! It worked better on guitar however (and was quite chunky) so I sold it on to my Guitard at the time.

[discreet]

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='796543' date='Apr 5 2010, 01:56 PM']I've tried hordes of pedals over the years but still prefer the sound without.[/quote]

Me too. And there's enough going on at gigs without all those extra variables to worry about, IMHO. Keep it simple!

[Ancient Mariner]

Surely the point of a compressor is to affect dynamics, although whether you can adjust it in a way that you like is often as much to do with the user as the effect.

I like the GLX limiter I bought from a forumite a few weeks back. As was suggested, I practice with it off, but prefer to have it on when playing with others. Fattens the sound out, stops the drain-darts effect of an un-limited slap and just makes the whole instrument feel more responsive.

[Doddy]

I don't have any pedals that I feel the need to keep on all pretty much all the time.Although
lately I really like using the TC Nova Repeater for solos.
I'm also digging the Emma DiscumBOBulator and the Boss OC-2.

[Jarhead]

As soon as I get one, I'm fairly sure the VT Bass Deluxe will not be switched off. I can't wait to get hold of one.

Zach

[xgsjx]

My MF-101 is on 95% of the time. I just like the extra depth that it gives to the lower frequencies & having it cutting a lot of the top + flatwounds = lovely subby sounds.
I don't use my Bass Murf enough tho. Rest of the band have trouble keeping in time with it, so it either gets used for it's sweepy flangy sounds or as a distortion for the most with solo parts on the arpeggio side.

[harvey1-8]

With my old amp I always had a SansAmp on. With my Mesa I don't use it at all. I still take it with me now for when I'm not using my amp. Cracking pedal.

[Jus Lukin]

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Edited February 15, 2022 by Jus Lukin

[Lylodile]

[quote name='markm' post='797433' date='Apr 6 2010, 12:35 PM']EHX Knockout[/quote]
Likewise.