Hi, guys. My son is now playing bass, and I told him I would hook him up with some pedals after he learned his first song. Well, he learned his first song, and although some of my guitar pedals can technically work for him (like my Green Russian Big Muff Pi), I want to make him a new one. And I figured a compressor is a great first pedal for him to have.
So I started reading online, and the Demeter Compulator seems like a popular choice, but the Vactrol VTL5C10 optocoupler seems hard to find (I looked in Mouser, Mammoth, and locally and could not find it. And on eBay, they are over $10 each plus shipping to Panama, so that's not happening). Are there any other options out there? I have an Engineer's Thumb for my guitar, and that one is not optical, but I do not know how well it works with a bass (I could order another board from MadBean if it is and do that!).
Let me know your suggestions!
Thanks!
Felipe
I built a pumpernickel compressor for my bass and never turn it off. It is a great compressor. You have to buy it in a kit though - I have never seen schematics.
This one sounds fantastic on bass, and on guitar\keyboards too. VERY transparent.
(http://www.synthdiy.com/files/2008/BOSS_LM-2.png)
This is what I gig with on bass.
http://www.thatcorp.com/pedals/4316%20Battery-Powered%20One%20Knob%20Squeezer.pdf
Other than my tuner, it is the only pedal on my board at the moment.
Quote from: Mr.Kite on September 24, 2019, 06:15:51 PM
This one sounds fantastic on bass, and on guitar\keyboards too. VERY transparent.
What is the component labeled
? between IC4 and IC5?
> I figured a compressor is a great first pedal
Disagree. Finger-control of dynamics is a Basic Skill.
I've got a kit on the build pile:
https://store.generalguitargadgets.com/kits/kits-compressors/ibanez-bp10-cp10-bass-compressor-compressor-replica-kit.html
It's based on the BA6110 voltage-controlled amp. I'm building it so I can switch between bass and guitar.
OK, I *used* to have a build pile. Stuff kept slipping off. Now I have a build bucket. Stuff doesn't fall up out of a bucket.
Quote from: Sooner Boomer on September 24, 2019, 09:24:10 PM
What is the component labeled ? between IC4 and IC5?
Mmh...I dunno! Probably a capacitor? Maybe I can check it on my original...
It kills me to say it but if you buy a Behringer BLE100 Bass Limiter Enhancer then change the crappy smd TL064 with a TL074 you will go along way with minimal effort and cost. It's a lot like the one Mr Kite posted but it's the later Boss unit.
QuoteQuote from: Sooner Boomer on Today at 09:24:10 PM
What is the component labeled ? between IC4 and IC5?
Mmh...I dunno! Probably a capacitor? Maybe I can check it on my original...
Actually that part is a thermistor. I suspect the idea is to counteract the temperature dependency
of the gain control chip.
Quote from: PRR on September 24, 2019, 09:25:42 PM
Disagree. Finger-control of dynamics is a Basic Skill.
No argument. But I think he will get more use of a compressor than a fuzz or delay... Maybe not a reverb, though... and I do have a bunch of PT2399 laying around... any suggestions on that? And also if I should go reverb or compressor?
simple but quite useful: variable high pass filter
otherwise go nuts and make a synth pedal!
Quote from: jfrabat on September 24, 2019, 10:38:26 PM
No argument. But I think he will get more use of a compressor than a fuzz or delay...
Why not an octaver? It is incredibly funny with a bass! Or an EQ if you want something really useful...One thing that I always need with a bass is something to "warm up" the tone: if you don't have one of those massive, very expensive, tube bass rigs, but just a "clean" amp, you need a pedal to give it a little more character and enhance playing dynamics...The Xotic RC Booster is good for that, there's also a bass version with a slightly differentely tuned EQ section: it is a soft clipping boost\light overdrive which compresses a little bit as you increase the gain, without much "dirt" actually. It gives the "feel" of a tube amp.
Maybe, Mictester Really Cheap Compressor? Easy to build in 1590A :icon_redface: even with indicator
dunno for bass value
http://valvewizard.co.uk/engineersthumb3.html
(http://valvewizard.co.uk/engineersthumb1.jpg)
As a long-time bass player, I have to agree with Paul. Yes, you might want to tame the wildest peaks, but part of the beauty of the bass is in the dynamics. Unless you're Kraftwerk.1 ;D If you're going to compress, keep it light and subtle.
___
1 Or anything else sequenced/electronic...
P.S. I'd build a chorus. Not that I like a bit of 80s bass or anything...! :icon_rolleyes:
Hi
Agree with paul too. If you build a compressor for a bassist beginner a blend control can be a nice feature to have and can serve training purpose (he can compare easily tamed and untamed peaks).
Else, just clone your russian muff with an added clean blend and go ham learning him the muse hysteria intro. Its very fun, simple, iconic, and if you learn him with string crossing it is a very good practicing exercice
Although finger-control of dynamics is indeed a basic skill, a compressor is extremely useful on bass for different reasons. I use mine to increase note sustain and to allow me to occasionally add a percussive tone without the dramatically louder attack that would otherwise go with it. As a tool rather than a crutch, a compressor can be awesome. But, yes, learn to play the bass first.
Quote from: PRR on September 24, 2019, 09:25:42 PM
> I figured a compressor is a great first pedal
Disagree. Finger-control of dynamics is a Basic Skill.
Absolutely right!!
I'm meeting an old band mate from 1962-65 period today, who has recently started playing in a band again after all these years - I'll ask him what pedals he uses, I think I know the answer!!! I wonder if he still has the AC30 we all played through at one time?
+1 to not giving a compressor to a beginner bass player. It really makes learning dynamic control harder. I would suggest something that makes playing dynamics more audible and therefore easier to learn. Depending on musical preferences that could be a touch sensitive overdrive (various bass adapted Tube Sound Fuzz variants) or a touch wah / envelope filter (loads of options there). Especially the latter is great for learning to play consistently and to place dynamic accents deliberately when playing finger style. And it's a ton of fun to play, if you're into that sort of music. If you are more into heavy music and/or play with a pick, the same can be said for an overdrive.
Andy
+1 for envelope filter. Mutron iii is nice.
There's nothing wrong with a compressor. Makes the player focus more on the groove/drive instead of individual notes dynamics. As recording engineers know, compressing a bassist makes him automatically focus more on staying in the pocket and being ... err ... a good/better person in general.
Maybe look at what is missing on the amp he uses and make that. By that I mean see what he wishes his amp would do. I like to use 2 different EQ settings - a typical rock bass low mid emphasised tone and a more bass heavy mellow tone for mellower songs. For me that means having an amp that will allow 2 different EQ settings, or an EQ pedal/preamp that will allow that to happen. I would be very frustrated with just an amp with a single EQ. On the other hand I almost never use any form of distortion so that would be useless to me. Find out what he is missing and make him that.
OK, important nore here; my son is 10, so asking him what he wants changes every 15 minutes... my intention is to (1) get him involved in the build to (a) teach him a bit of electronic building (he has helped me solder pedals in the past, and does a pretty good job at it), (b) get him excited about his bass, and (c) spend some quality time with him. I also want him to (2) find new possibilities to play the bass to keep interested, (3) make bass playing fun (he is taking classes, but classes tend to be less fun than playing). Since I play guitar and my daughter plays keyboards, I want to make it fun for him to join us in out home jam sessions...
Oh, and I am also making myself a new pedalboard, so my intention is to use the old power supply and case to build him a small pedalboard... and right now, he is helping me populate an Orange Phaser clone, which I may let him keep if it sounds good on the bass (may need to check i put and output caps for that, though).
Quote(b) get him excited about his bass, and (c) spend some quality time with him. I also want him to (2) find new possibilities to play the bass to keep interested, (3) make bass playing fun (he is taking classes, but classes tend to be less fun than playing).
I guess when you are a kid the pedals which attract the most interest are different to when you are an adult.
I've pretty much had access to all types of effects over my bass playing life. I'd say when I was young the most used pedal would be a flanger (or chorus); could have something to do with the 80's. As an adult I'm more interested in specific EQ's and adding a bit of compression. Things like envelope filters and Octavers are fun but I guess you have to find a place to use them.
Quotepopulate an Orange Phaser clone, which I may let him keep if it sounds good on the bass
I actually like a bit of phaser on a bass. I think I like the sound more as an adult than a kid. It's probably the only effects pedal I could be bothered building for bass these days.
Quote from: Rob Strand on September 26, 2019, 09:08:02 PM
I guess when you are a kid the pedals which attract the most interest are different to when you are an adult.
I've pretty much had access to all types of effects over my bass playing life. I'd say when I was young the most used pedal would be a flanger (or chorus); could have something to do with the 80's. As an adult I'm more interested in specific EQ's and adding a bit of compression. Things like envelope filters and Octavers are fun but I guess you have to find a place to use them.
My intention is to use the Green Russian Big Muff, a EA Tremolo, maybe the Orange Phaser (have to test it out) and I thought maybe either a compressor or a reverb (could be both in the future). I do have some boards for Little Angel Chorus around that I built trying to get them to work that I could trouble shoot and give him, but those are not for him to do but rather for me to troubleshoot...
I have a digital multi effect, so I can get just about any sound on bass that I want. What I usually use is a good compressor, a couple of EQ settings, sometimes a light overdrive (Darkglass Vintage Microtubes clone). Occasionally I will also use light flanging or phasing, bass chorus and octave. I am thinking of putting together an old style pedal board. It will have the compressor, overdrive, 2 EQ's flanger octaver and maybe chorus. Probably also a preamp with DI out. I think that most bass players use less effects than me, and I only use them sparingly.
Quote from: jfrabat on September 26, 2019, 05:17:16 PM
OK, important nore here; my son is 10, so asking him what he wants changes every 15 minutes... my intention is to (1) get him involved in the build to (a) teach him a bit of electronic building (he has helped me solder pedals in the past, and does a pretty good job at it), (b) get him excited about his bass, and (c) spend some quality time with him. I also want him to (2) find new possibilities to play the bass to keep interested, (3) make bass playing fun (he is taking classes, but classes tend to be less fun than playing). Since I play guitar and my daughter plays keyboards, I want to make it fun for him to join us in out home jam sessions...
If motivation and fun to play are major concerns, I want to put in another vote for an envelope filter. And if ease of build is another factor, allow me to shamelessly plug my own design here (with breadboard (thanks to sevrien), pcb (thanks to rankot) and strip board layout and an audio sample, too):
https://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=119101.0
Cheers,
Andy
Andy, I like the idea... Can you repost the schematic? I cant see it on the other post (may be just the phone, not sure)
Edit
Never mind... saw it in page 2
Quote from: jfrabat on September 27, 2019, 02:59:43 PM
Quote from: Fancy Lime on September 27, 2019, 06:06:11 AM
pcb (thanks to rankot)
You got PCBs available for sale?
I don't and I am unaware if anyone else has. I am about to try and find out what a small batch of maybe 50 PCB's would cost to have made professionally. If that turns out at all reasonable, I will probably do that for my own PCB design of the Quackmire, once I have that verified.
Andy
Quote from: Fancy Lime on September 29, 2019, 07:26:59 AM
Quote from: jfrabat on September 27, 2019, 02:59:43 PM
Quote from: Fancy Lime on September 27, 2019, 06:06:11 AM
pcb (thanks to rankot)
You got PCBs available for sale?
I don't and I am unaware if anyone else has. I am about to try and find out what a small batch of maybe 50 PCB's would cost to have made professionally. If that turns out at all reasonable, I will probably do that for my own PCB design of the Quackmire, once I have that verified.
Andy
I typically make mine with OSH park. Since I dont sell them, I order in batches of 3, and they come to about $20 per batch (under $7 each). For 50 I am sure the price will drop...
If you are after a simple build. I build the bass player in my band the bearhug compressor. Sounds good.
Quote from: Chris S on September 29, 2019, 07:46:18 PM
If you are after a simple build. I build the bass player in my band the bearhug compressor. Sounds good.
Gifting your bassplayer with a compressor is just another way of saying "behave, boy!", heh heh.
Quote from: jfrabat on September 24, 2019, 03:41:49 PM
the Vactrol VTL5C10 optocoupler seems hard to find (I looked in Mouser, Mammoth, and locally and could not find it. And on eBay, they are over $10 each plus shipping to Panama, so that's not happening).
UK Electronic has them for EUR 8.95. https://www.uk-electronic.de/onlineshop/product_info.php?products_id=1507 (https://www.uk-electronic.de/onlineshop/product_info.php?products_id=1507)