Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Just wondered if anyone was like me, averse to using effects very often/at all, or perhaps are just "effects challenged" which could probably be applied to me as well. I have struggled to grasp why anyone would even want an annoying little box to mess with for years, but recently have begun to come around.

I am finally wising up to three effects that I would like to use semi-regularly: a decent compressor (looking into Markbass Compressore), a decent chorus, and the Yamaha NE-1 parametric equalizer. Other than that I really haven't had much success. Fortunately I have been able to use GarageBand's built-in settings to figure out what effects are meant to do and how, and learn which ones I like--the results of that experiment aforementioned.

With compression I generally use a short attack time (3 ms or so), a standard ratio of 4:1, and a threshold of 20-30 dB. I don't know how my threshold compares to the average user's choice. With chorus I do a lot of fiddling but almost always use a slow speed, less than 1 Hz. The Yamaha NE-1 is usually set to "Deep 4" or "Shallow 3" which basically means a big or small dB cut around 2000 Hz and a similar dB boost on both sides.

What's your "minimized" effects setup, or can you not live without upwards of five kinds of stomp-boxes in tow?

I always have an Aphex Punch Factory compressor. When I am just playing around for fun, I have a chorus/flanger, an Ibanez CF7 that I really like (A/B'd 4 pedals in it's price range and it was heads above for tone) only wish it was true bypass. Then I have the Boss Octave pedal I got from Noel that is just plain fun. But I only use the compressor when playing.

johnallg wrote:I always have an Aphex Punch Factory compressor.

Joshua, you should buy my Punch Factory. Only $75 shipped to you. I love what it does and used it for my band's demo songs which you can hear here. The only reason I am selling it is I bought a Universal Audio LA-610 Mk II.

jps wrote:

johnallg wrote:I always have an Aphex Punch Factory compressor.

Joshua, you should buy my Punch Factory. Only $75 shipped to you. I love what it does and used it for my band's demo songs which you can hear here. The only reason I am selling it is I bought a Universal Audio LA-610 Mk II.

I bought one on trusting Jeff's recomendation. Neutral and true bypass. Optical compression.

I'll add myself to the effects challenged. I used to have an Alesis Quadraverb, used it mostly for my synth but tried it for the bass. Never really found much I liked. A guitar player buddy got me to buy some sort of overdrive that sounded awesome with his guitar, but with bass, it was pretty much, meh.

I've been wondering about sub-octave effects. I've always been a fan of "how low can you go", so one of those seems like it would be cool, but without the ability to try out a bunch, it's kinda hard to know what really works...

I tried both the MXR Bass Octave Deluxe and the Aguilar Octamizer while at NAMM. They both are quite nice but the Aguilar tracked a bit better and seemed more versatile in what it offers controlwise. Keep in mind that octave pedals produce a synthy sort of deep tone, but used judiciously (or not ) can add some great sounds as long as your amp/speakers can dish it out.

I'm with you on this, Joshua. I don't consider that I'm effects-challenged, rather I prefer not use use any coloration of the sound from the amplifier.

Unless it comes installed in the amplifier.....NO effects.

Just a cord.....and a guitar....and an amp.




That said, I do like to play around with effects at home every once in awhile, but only in a novelty sort of way. Gigs are strictly no-pedal affairs.... pedals = problems and more setup, from my experience.

I may have to start using some type of overdrive though, even though I don't want to. My current main amp is a Fender Bandmaster, and getting it to overdrive means blowing the windows out with volume.

collin wrote:Unless it comes installed in the amplifier.....NO effects.

Just a cord.....and a guitar....and an amp.




.

+1
A sprinkle of chorus and thats it.

At home I like to have fun with all the boxes but when I play out I usually rely just on my amp's reverb and occasionally a little tremolo.

No effects for me either.
Not even the amp's reverb.

I've really tried to use effect boxes over the years. But every time I get a happening sound out of the stompboxes, when I A/B it, I always prefer the dry sound of guitar into amp.

I do have a couple of pedals that I actually use. A Boss DS-1 and an Ibanez TS-9. Just use one or the other for a lead boost, distortion/drive knob set to zero.

I ran with no effects for years, but I've recently added a compressor in the signal line. I'm using the Diamond Bass Compressor and really enjoying it - transparent and silent! I do have some other additional pedals for bass and guitar (VT Bass, Diamond "Memory Lane" delay and "J-Drive", Boss Bass Synth), but these are mostly for messing around at home.

I use a tape echo (old '70s Dynacord), rack compressor from ART, a Memory Man for its strange effects, and Digitech looping station, depending on what I'm doing...the Digitech, along with Audacity, lets me layer tracks and gives lots of control (considering it's free software). But I'm really a beginner in this area.

I have a VOX Tonelab that gets quite a workout once in awhile.

I still consider myself to be not really a "pedal" guy. My fave sound remains simple reverb or slap-back. Compression occasionally. I'm sure I haven't scratched the surface, but, then again, maybe I don't want to?

My favorite "effect"? A VoiceLive digital voice mod/harmony unit. More fun to play with, than a barrel of Pavarottis. We always break it out at parties for laughs. Non-musicians find it amazing.

Oh, I hasten to add--never all at once!!!)