I have been looking at effects pedals, DI boxes, and processing units - all in an attempt to make my on-stage rig fit in a small duffel bag. I want to stop lugging around amps and speakers - and let the house system or the band's PA do all the heavy lifting.
My requirement list is not too long.
1) I want decent tone shaping capabilities.
2) I want a headphone amp/line out.
3) I want a mute function.
4) I am going to throw fretless and fretted basses at whatever I get - so it needs to be able to handle multiple inputs and deal with active and passive line levels.
5) I do not want a rack mount device. While I like the idea of having the controls at hip or chest height, I do not want to carry around a rack. I did that before and it becomes another piece to lug around. So, I think that means stomp boxes.
I understand I might need a few peddles to meet my requirements but I am hoping to have only a single unit to carry with me.
TalkBass has an an entire forum on bass effects.
In spending an embarrassing amount time reading the forums, I saw lots of peddle board examples. And it hit me - I have never really used peddles all that much. I used a flanger when I first started and an EQ peddle for about 5 years. Since then its been direct or direct from my amp to the main house system. Most of the peddle board examples on TalkBass had 8, 10, 13 peddles! Some of the peddle boards were massive - way to big for what I envision.
So, after thinking about it, what I gleaned from my research is I don't need lots of effects. I only need one to help shape my tone.
I have narrowed the list to the following. Images below the URL links.
http://www.eden-electronics.com/products/pedals/wtdi.aspx
http://www.tech21nyc.com/products/sansamp/bassdriverdlx.html
http://www.tonebone.com/tb-bassbone.htm
http://www.juleamps.com/bass/monique.html
http://www.ehx.com/products/tube-eq
My requirement list is not too long.
1) I want decent tone shaping capabilities.
2) I want a headphone amp/line out.
3) I want a mute function.
4) I am going to throw fretless and fretted basses at whatever I get - so it needs to be able to handle multiple inputs and deal with active and passive line levels.
5) I do not want a rack mount device. While I like the idea of having the controls at hip or chest height, I do not want to carry around a rack. I did that before and it becomes another piece to lug around. So, I think that means stomp boxes.
I understand I might need a few peddles to meet my requirements but I am hoping to have only a single unit to carry with me.
TalkBass has an an entire forum on bass effects.
In spending an embarrassing amount time reading the forums, I saw lots of peddle board examples. And it hit me - I have never really used peddles all that much. I used a flanger when I first started and an EQ peddle for about 5 years. Since then its been direct or direct from my amp to the main house system. Most of the peddle board examples on TalkBass had 8, 10, 13 peddles! Some of the peddle boards were massive - way to big for what I envision.
So, after thinking about it, what I gleaned from my research is I don't need lots of effects. I only need one to help shape my tone.
I have narrowed the list to the following. Images below the URL links.
http://www.eden-electronics.com/products/pedals/wtdi.aspx
http://www.tech21nyc.com/products/sansamp/bassdriverdlx.html
http://www.tonebone.com/tb-bassbone.htm
http://www.juleamps.com/bass/monique.html
http://www.ehx.com/products/tube-eq
I suppose I can add my current amp to the mix - Eden's WT405 - and just not power a speaker with it - go direct to the house system/PA.
And now that I reread this entire post - I am amazed I never thought about my current amp when doing all my research.
It has everything I need - it meets all my requirements.
As a means of an experiment, I can and will use my current amp and see how the concept works.
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Funny, it never occurred to me that I already have what I need. I guess it speaks for the urge to always want new toys.
We all carry the little kid with us - no matter how much we grow up.
We all carry the little kid with us - no matter how much we grow up.
