Distortion/Overdrive/Modulation for Bass

[penelope tree]

I'm aware that bass players tend to orientate towards particular types of effects (filters, etc) but I had never really considered the fact that a lot of pedals may not be suitable for bass because they attenuate lower frequencies or whatever. However, I recently acquired a bass guitar for the first time and I've noticed that some of my pedals (Phase 90, VFE Choral Reef, Aroma Mario) don't seem very compatible with bass.

I know a lot of people use detuned instruments here and I wondered what people might recommend for bass effects. I've got a Mooer Fog (Wholly Mammoth clone) but I'd like another relatively inexpensive overdrive/distortion and perhaps a chorus or something.

[kbit]

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=51150

Buy the black noise. It's in a cheap plastic housing with a Meh switch, but it sounds really nice for low gain bass distortion.

& the hardwire cm-2 sounds rnice for low gain bass and can be had $50 used. Lots of low end on tap with the EQ knobs.

[ThurberMingus]

I strung up my VI neck today and the rumors are true: Mini is dope as heck in those lower registers.

Mini.

I saw this band once and the Bass player was running through a DOD stereo phaser that was running really low in the mix and it was on the entire time. Really subtle but sounded awesome when it came through.

[spacelordmother]

If you want really cheap chorus - peep the Dano Fab. Ugly as hell but sounds nice. Next step up is Boss and I always liked te Super Chorus much more than the Chorus Ensemble that so many other bass players seem to prefer.

I think you should buy a BF-2! Cheap, sound great, and have a setting with most knobs down low (manual to taste) that when you put it post dirt gets this really amazing grindy bass tone. Def one my faves.

[oscillateur]

My Boss BF-2 sounds very good on bass. It also does a very decent chorus with manual time to the max (i.e. knob at minimum position) and no resonance.

Mini indeed sounds good too. as does the super cheap but very usable Arion MDI-2 Bass Distortion. This thing sounds better than many pedals that cost 3-4 times its price.

[oscillateur]

Edit : double post.

[D.o.S.]

if we're talking flanger, the FX-72 is a great Boss alternative (or at least it was when they were both ~$40 used)

[chrisdermo]

Copilot FX molecule is 100% my favourite fx for bass. If you can stick a synth pedal with a filter sweep before it it's if you put a bass fuzz between the filter sweeper and the molecule it's like

[psychic vampire.]

RATs sound fucking good on bass, black secret is cheap, the blower box wrecks shit if you are looking for booteek on a lower budget.

People gave me good advice here:
viewtopic.php?f=149&t=50528

[spacelordmother]

the blower box wrecks shit

Truth.

[resincum]

RING MOD!!!!!!!!!! I'm using it on the bitquest and it sounds like howling wind accompanies my riffs. spooky stuff

[penelope tree]

Thanks for all the suggestions, seems as if I may have a couple of neglected pedals that might be worth experimenting with! I've got a BF-2 somewhere and a Black Secret in feedback loop. I'll investigate all the other recommendations too.

[psychic vampire.]

Bit Quest has been on my "if a used one pops up AND I happen to have money" list. I want to try ring mod again. I almost regret selling my MF102. It was just so big and expensive and big. But all that CV control, tho. (Was wasted on me at the time). But ring mods were fun on bass for horrific noises.

[lordgalvar]

Bit Quest has been on my "if a used one pops up AND I happen to have money" list. I want to try ring mod again. I almost regret selling my MF102. It was just so big and expensive and big. But all that CV control, tho. (Was wasted on me at the time). But ring mods were fun on bass for horrific noises.

Try the Copilot Robotum...I think he has one of the neat custom ones for sale right now...for the price it is really nice. Frostwave Blue Ringer is also pretty good for the price (seen them as low as 235) (you can blend in the internal and external carriers). Heavy Saturns go for like 70$ used sometimes and they are ok.

That said, I know you can find MF102s for around 175 which isn't bad. Randy's revenge is a great alternative and in some ways better than the MF102 (but the MF102 wins in other ways) but getting up there in price.

There is always the passive route too which can be done for pretty cheap (just might be a bit more work on your end) (you would just need an oscillator, but if you have a splitter of somekinda and a nice, not laggy pitch shifter that could work).

Lots of good, cheap ways to get into ring mods...

I rather liked the Hot Cake inspired mtl.asm Positive on bass. Warmjet V, Doom Bloom, and RMA Tetanus Booster where all great too.

[psychic vampire.]

If and when I do ring mod again (only looking for a Fuck and a sea machine or fx-72 until synth game gets upped, since postpunk band died but techno band is going strong), i will pick your brain so hard about it. But am probably leaning towards a copilot iteration. Or the moog again, depending where I am at in life.

Friend has had a passive one on a breadboard for months and we have been talking about what to do with it.