Back... With a question

D

Doc

Joined
Jul 24, 2009
Messages
425
Reaction score
3
Hi guys and girls. It's been awhile since I've posted but I've checked in a few times over the past few months. My father passed away back at the end of January and for very personal reasons I was unable to visit here for long until now. But all is well and I don't want to dwell on negatives. :)

In the time since then, I've auditioned for, and been hired into, a new band with a vastly different musical style than I'm accustomed to: Modern Country.

Oh yeah...

Anyway, I'm having a great time with the guys in the band and it's a lot of fun to play something different. I am in a bit of a quandary, though.

This band plays to crowds of between 300 and 4,000 people and has a somewhat large following in the region where they play. As a hired gun, I just learn the tunes then go play them and get paid. Problem is, sticking to an original "sound" can be difficult with my setup and, ummm, philosophy. Sooooo...

...I've had to abandon my "no effects" policy. I got some equipment suggested to me, most of which is familiar. My ignorance in the realm of racks and effects, however, is what puts me in a pickle. My question is: "In what order do i hook this stuff up?"

I have a wireless now, so obviously that's first, but here's the rest of the rack:

- Sabine RT-1601 tuner
- Line 6 Bass Pod Pro
- Samson S-Com Compressor
- BBE 362 Sonic Maximizer

My thought is top to bottom, just like that. Any advice?
 
Hi Doc, and welcome back! My sincere condoleances....


Ok... back to the topic...
If you want to stick with those effects (pros and cons), then I would do the following:

Bass - Wireless - Line 6- Compressor - Sonic maximizer

For tuner I would use the tuner output of the Line 6 or amp

You experiment with the compressor - before or after Line 6. Trust your ears. Before it will make sure you ahev a steady signal inside Line 6, but it will mess with envelope controlled filters (auto wah)
------------I don't believe in BBE --------------------------------

I hope it helps,

Flo
 
Thanks Flo! I actually considered using the tuner output of the Pod for the tuner but wasn't sure if it would still mute (I just bought the Pod and it has not yet arrived for me to play with).

Personally I hate compressors, but for some of the bigger outdoor places we'll be playing over the summer, I think it's necessary. I have mixed feelings about the BBE's - I had one before and it never seemed to make a difference, but supposedly makes a huge difference to overall sound away from the stage. I don't know. It was cheap, so I'll be a good boy and hook it up. :d

Thanks again.
 
Ah.. country. No wonder you want to visit Nashville :)

I learned to play on country music so I still have a spot for it.
 
Welcome back Doc - I wish you my most sincere sympathies.

I'm afraid I can't offer any advice about your rack setup - I'm effects-less myself. I just wanted to drop in and say welcome back.

;)
 
shaft311 said:
Ah.. country. No wonder you want to visit Nashville :)

I learned to play on country music so I still have a spot for it.
Click to expand...

Thanks Chris. Actually, I'm not really "into" country... Weird, huh? Nashville is just a cool place. Plus I'm that much closer to Memphis and the restaurants there. :)


Eberbachl said:
Welcome back Doc - I wish you my most sincere sympathies.

I'm afraid I can't offer any advice about your rack setup - I'm effects-less myself. I just wanted to drop in and say welcome back.

;)
Click to expand...

I appreciate the sentiment Luke. It's all good now.

You know I really hated to drop the money into this stuff because I've never seen a use for effects. My contention has always been you either spend a lot on a great bass that sounds awesome or you buy a cheap bass and make it sound however you want with effects. Now I have a great bass and am going to ruin its sound with all of this crap. LOL

Actually, the Pod is the only thing that'll really color the sound to a degree of noticing - and that's just for some mild distortion on a few pieces and the modeling capabilities of the Pod for emulating the bass sounds from recordings. I saw it as the best bang for my buck and the reviews have been overwhelmingly good.

Guiltily, I look forward to it somehow...
 
Hey Doc...my sincere condolences man !

But it'z kewl to see you're back, unfortunately I know almost nuffin bout effectz and how to use em...
I have da Bass Pod Live Xt and sum other stompboxez like da Basballz and a Morley Wah but tbh tonite we have a gig and I leave em all at home.
For sum reason effectz only sound kewl when somebody else'z using them ... ;)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Welcome back Doc. My most heartfelt condolences for your loss.

I've always liked a tad bit of compression just to tight things up a bit (if that is the right term) and personally I would put it at the end of the chain. It just seems to me that the pod and the sonic maximizer would defeat the purpose of the compressor if they were put in line after it, but that is just me. I think Flo said it best when he said experiment a little and see what sounds best to you. Just remember, a little compression goes along way. Too Much, and you can totally kill your sound, also a cheap crappy compressor can do more harm than good so do some experimenting. I personally have never used a sonic maximizer, but I have seen a lot of DJs use them at clubs and from what I heard, they do seem to add some boom to the bottom end. If your playing country, that is probably what the band is looking for. If I were to take a guess at why a compressor and sonic maximizer was suggested to you, my guess would be because of your wick. I would guess that these cats your playing with are not used to so much mid range and that's what is throwing them off. If that's the case, you might try scooping your mids and see if that makes them happy. Then you can just start bringing them back a little bit at a time to ease these guys into the 21st century .. hahaha

Good Luck Bro, and again, welcome back!
 
Thanks for your help guys! I went with: Wireless - Tuner - Pod - Compressor - BBE

I put the tuner in loop so I could still use the mute. BUT...

...the POD has a built-in tuner and compressor. Didn't know that beforehand. Anyone wanna buy a tuner and compressor? :)
 
I'd keep the tuner if I were you. I like my Pod very but the tuner is really not efficient enough for my taste....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top