guitar/bass effects-distortion-enhancement pedals - which ??

[Matt G]

Not one to know how they work with the tuba, but Carvin normally offers good quality stuff at decent prices.

$190:

Sales speil:

Carvin is pleased to offer the B2.1u bass pedal, by Zoom. The fundamental frequencies of an electric bass are about 40 to 600 Hz, but harmonics go all the way up to the ultrasonic frequency range. Many conventional pedal effects make the low end sound thin and lifeless. This usually is not only because of insufficient response in that range, but also because the harmonics are not handled properly.

The B2 series from ZOOM makes such problems history. 24-bit resolution and a sampling frequency of 96 kHz ensure signal processing power on a par with the best rack-mount devices. The dynamic, wide-range bass signal retains its full impact, and the result is clear, powerful sound that remains a distinct presence also when playing in a band ensemble.

- 40 preset bass effects patches, 40 programmable memory patches
- 7 effect modules with 45 effect types
- 32-bit processing, 96kHz sampling rate
- 24-Bit A/D, D/A converters
- Built-in drum machine with 40 rhythm variations
- Integrated chromatic tuner
- Sturdy metal chassis
- USB interface
- Bulit-in Expression Pedal
- Operates on 4 AA batteries, or the included AC power adapter
- Steinberg Cubase LE software bundled

[tubatooter1940]

I found a Korg effects pedal on sale for $300. It has 60 preprogramed effects that sound nice and 60 more can be written by the user.
I wrote a few custom sounds but with the pre - programmed effects, I have plenty enough for my Gibson ES330 and electric bass. This really helps change the guitar sound when playing a single act to avoid everything sounding alike.
I went through all available sounds on my miked tuba and found nine or ten that work well. I selected a distortion, a phase shift and a repeat/decay effect that I like.
I have yet to try these effects onstage with a band live. All I have to do is hook it up in line with my tuba mike and find a place to plug a nine volt transformer into 120 volt and I got a tuba stomp box with built-in silent tuning.
It would be fun to try one or more of these next time we record. I am waiting until we get our own studio completed this summer so I can experiment with no time constraints.

[eupher61]

the Peavey Bassfex ( I think that was the name, it's been a while) worked great with tuba. I never used it on a gig, but made a pretty cool demo recording, now long, long gone.

[dmmorris]

If you want to make, extreemly crunchy metal fuzz baselines, I recomend the Danelectro line. The Black Paisley if you can find one (cough-ebay-cough), is a good product with plenty of control and a ridiculous amount of overdrive...no one will believe that it's a tuba even if they see you playing.

I guess we can't talk about the Z.Vex stuff 'cause they are crazy $....but cool as heck.

For cheap....I'd buy a mess of used Boss pedals. At least 1 distortion/metal/fuzz, a chorus, a tremelo, a delay/loop, and a volume pedal.

A lot of these thingies have considerable gain. If your using a microphone rather than a pick-up, it can be challenging to control feedback. With a microphone, you will need to use a good quality volume pedal.

[Dan Schultz]

I have an old Korg 'ToneWorks' AX-1500G that I picked up a hock shop several years ago for little of nothing. It makes about every type of effect you can imagine.... even does a double and triple octave bass effect.

[tubafatness]

I've always heard good things about Electro-Harmonix pedals. They're relatively cheap, and they are great pedals for the money. A lot of pros, (not tuba pros, but still,) swear by these things.


Aaron H.

[eupher61]

just hook the fx into the line between the wireless receiver and the mixer. That way you can use AC and not have the extra weight. I wish you could try a Bassfex...I think you'd like it.

[kegmcnabb]

I have my receiver right on the pedal board with my FX. Run a cable to the amp/mixer and there ya' have it. I remain wireless but able to stomp on without having to lug my FX. No reliance on the sound guy whatsoever. Now, granted I have a Samson Airline receiver that is pedal sized but there's no reason you couldn't put a larger unit on the floor.

[rocksanddirt]

I have my receiver right on the pedal board with my FX. Run a cable to the amp/mixer and there ya' have it. I remain wireless but able to stomp on without having to lug my FX. No reliance on the sound guy whatsoever. Now, granted I have a Samson Airline receiver that is pedal sized but there's no reason you couldn't put a larger unit on the floor.

I like this idea. One thing I have learned over the years is to never ever trust the sound guy. Carrying the pedals could get heavy and cumbersome, but it might look really cool. Still, having the receiver on the floor would probably be the best idea.

it kinda depends upon why you are using a wireless. if it is just so you are not be constricted by wires, then kegmcnabb's idea seems really great (to me). If it is because everything is wireless, to avoid having to string mic wire from here to eternity, then it might not work.

[The Jackson]

Because this is in a similar area of discussion, I'll just put this here instead of in a new thread:

For you guys who do use amplification, what do you use to wire the tuba into the amplification? In a previous thread, bloke detailed his helicon rig with a *mike*, but what do other guys do? Brian Wolff ("A Boy and His Tuba" series on YouTube) uses one of those weird mouthpiece pick-ups. Are the contact pick-ups (clip-on or suction cup) any good?

[eupher61]

just hook the fx into the line between the wireless receiver and the mixer. That way you can use AC and not have the extra weight. I wish you could try a Bassfex...I think you'd like it.

Sometimes logic is unequal to function...With that (albeit logical) setup, I would have to rely on the sound-guy to know when to kick stuff "on" and "off".

bloke, even a rackmount fx unit has a pedal board of some kind. You can still have full control of your sound, no reliance on the sound guy.

you think a rock star giitar player relies on the sound guy??

[tubatooter1940]

Because this is in a similar area of discussion, I'll just put this here instead of in a new thread:

For you guys who do use amplification, what do you use to wire the tuba into the amplification? In a previous thread, bloke detailed his helicon rig with a *mike*, but what do other guys do? Brian Wolff ("A Boy and His Tuba" series on YouTube) uses one of those weird mouthpiece pick-ups. Are the contact pick-ups (clip-on or suction cup) any good?

I never tried a mouthpiece pickup. I wonder if that would limit me to use of only the one mouthpiece.
I prefer to play with my tuba on a playing stand with a Shure Sm-57 mike held by a tripod boom stand 12 inches out from the center of my bell.
We can't always afford a sound man so if I want to blow out the water keys, I can lean the tuba and stand to my left and avoid the microphone picking up that "huffing" sound.
I really like having my own tuba amp near me where I can reach the volume.