💥How to stack Bass Preamps and Distortions - The complete guide for Bass! (Metal Bass Monday Ep.68)

[@ciddax754]

I use "Tyler - The Frequency Splitter" from KMA Audio Machines to split the signal into two chains. One for the lows and one for the highs and mids. In the chain for the lows I use a compressor and a little bit of saturation. That way the low is tight and a little bit growly but not too much. For the up-mid part a Tri-Parallel Mixer is next. There you find serveral gain pedals. The higher you go in the frequency, the more gain you get. - I can't wait to get my hands on an Ultrawave.

[@RodneyMcG]

Very cool! Sounds like the ultrawave might be your style of gear

[@WizardOfArc]

I want that Tyler but it is a bit pricy for me right now

[@ciddax754]

@@RodneyMcG I hope so very much. And I fear, that it will make a lot of my gear obsolete. Truth be told, even the Tyler is more or less obsolete as I use a Aftershock split in two pedals for the highs and the lows. That pedal could do the job of the Tyler, but have to admit, it's nice to turn some knobs.

[@RodneyMcG]

@@ciddax754 I had a aftershock, great unit

[@jonmoser484]

Nice!! As a guitar player, getting a good bass tone has always been like shooting at an unknown target. This not only demonstrates how, but also a monstrous tone to aim for. Thanks

[@RodneyMcG]

Glad it helped!

[@brentheathersimons7042]

I love Preamp Palooza! :)-Brent

[@kevmac1230]

Rodney, you've made my day.I love preamps and own a bunch of pretty good ones.This is priceless info for me and I know I'll be coming back to this a lot.Many thanks!

[@MisIzUlja]

I love your honesty and vibe in this video! Keep em coming!

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks! I'm here each week!

[@DaxterZA]

I will probably always have my Tech21 Bass driver on my pedal board, still one of the best! Awesome video as always man, I'm very tempted to get a DP-3X

[@RodneyMcG]

The bass driver is a classic and a staple. You could do a lot worse than picking up a Dug ;)

[@blackarchmage91]

Definitely some new ideas to how have my pedalboard set up. Sick tone.

[@RodneyMcG]

Glad got for something from it. Let us know how the experiments go!

[@TheGarageRecordingSC]

That tone is crushing brother!!! 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks, Mike!

[@jean-sebastienchaumont8005]

Hi Rodney! i'm the type of guy who always tries different stuff and just like you I split my signal in 2 with the weather box by the gig rig. 410 + 212 hydrive cab and a passive bass (VVT with Nordstrand dual coil humbucker) that I plug into a 10 band equalizer and which goes directly into the weather box then a Hartke lh1000 for clean and an aguilar tone hammer di and then with the weather box I can balance the sound between my clean and my dirt to make it a monster of tone and I end up in a compressor to clip the unwanted sound and tighten everything. And I thought to put a second compressor after the 10 band equilazer to tighten my fundamental sound So thanks Rodney as always you are my hero haha!! 🤘 Now i'm sure i'm really on the good track! a lot of my friends tell "your setup is to complicate and bla bla bla" so i sand up your video to my friends right now and let see what's happen 😂

[@RodneyMcG]

Sounds like you have a killer set up! And the only set up too complicated is the one that doesn't work. Otherwise, it's all good!

[@revluvv]

The dug is the essence of mine too. So sic

[@RodneyMcG]

It's the beast machine

[@calangobass6044]

Best Chanel I discovered in 2021, no doubt. Such a great content

[@RodneyMcG]

Much appreciated! Thanks for watching.

[@CarlosKTCosta]

I'm new to the channel and I have to thank you because you have the format I've been looking for for a long time, a metal bass channel At one point I had the MXR bass Compressor into a Source Audio Aftershock, that would split into high channel with or without distortion (depending on the preset) and low channel always clean, the high channel would go into the distortion channel of EBS Microbass II and the Low into the clean of the EBS. More recently I used the Nordstrand Starlifter to start the chain, into an EHX Black Finger compressor, then into a B7K, the distorted side of the B7K going into the distorted channel of an EBS Microbass 3 and the parallel out of the B7K into the clean side of the EBS.

[@BrainDeadTX]

Super badass tips!

[@jackshittle]

I've had the Tech21 Bass VT pedal (v2) for over 10 years & love it. I really haven't wanted a pedal since then but once I actually heard the Dug Pinnick pedal, I feel like I have to have that. My amp & cab are old school though; SWR SM-400 into a SWR 2x12. BTW - when you said the word "snarl" - I instantly got a flashback of the old Bass Player Magazine ad's for "Charlie Stringer's Snarling Dogs Bass Strings". Great video. Looking forward to some more you + Alfie content.

[@RodneyMcG]

I remember that ad!!😂

[@jackshittle]

@@RodneyMcG 😀

Very cool!!

[@zachcoffindaffer8735]

Hey rodney great stuff what really got me was the compressor cause i recently bought one forever i just ran my bass driver v2 or yyz pedal through my ampeg an thought it was good until i bought this keely compressor my what a difference! The boost an definition is insane so happy i got one never realised how much compression helps an defines.

[@RodneyMcG]

Wow, that's an interesting combo. Compression is definitely the secret weapon. I went into it specifically on last week's show if you want more info.

[@zachcoffindaffer8735]

@@RodneyMcG i havent seen that one yet i ll check it out thanks

[@brentheathersimons7042]

Really looking forward to the Tech 21 comparisons Rodney! Awesome!- Best wishes- Brent, VT

[@RodneyMcG]

Hey Brent. It will be up later in the week. If you want to check it out ahead of time, it's in this months online edition of Guitar Interactive - it's free.

[@brentheathersimons7042]

@@RodneyMcG Thank you kind sir! Stay healthy Rodney :)

[@Bassmeister_Jay]

Grest Video Rodney! Would love to see more videos like this. Don't know if you saw my board set up on the Metal Bass Moshpit page? Glad you're on the same page with the experimentation side of things. Hope to have the means to share the tone I made with you soon. Be good to hear your feedback on it.

[@RodneyMcG]

Definitely post something up. Would love to hear it!

[@evil-um4yi]

Very valuable advice here!!

[@RodneyMcG]

Glad you think so!

[@evil-um4yi]

@@RodneyMcG Every rock and metal bass player owes it to themselves to check out your videos, thank you for sharing your knowledge, saves us a lot of time/guessing/endless experimenting/wading through tons of BS!

[@metalfather8139]

not asking for much are ya all the best bass tone in one.... me too man

[@markminor70]

I'm using a zoom the preamps help me thank you.

[@sakreth1113]

Awesome tone and nice tips! Most bass players tone building stops at buying a Darkglass pedal and hope for an epic tone :D

[@RodneyMcG]

#facts!

[@stevenhirsekorn3444]

Too true

[@christophebrebion760]

Pretty much! 😂 great video, very interesting.

[@WilDBeestMF]

Heck. It may not be the be all end all of great heavy tone, but it sure helps out a bit.

[@paulhopkins686]

Guilty as charged!

[@MartinPeterWhitney]

I have been trying something like this with a Try Parallel Mixer from Electro Harmonix. This video is very helpful!

[@RodneyMcG]

Great to hear!

[@basstimenonfish4031]

Great video ! Killer sounds ! Suncoast analog came out with a new pedal called the HD-1 Harmonic driver ... you may dig it . I just added it to my board . It has the Lab series L4 harmonic generator in it . Plus the classic Pearce BC-1 preamp front end .

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks! HD-1 sounds cool. I'll check it out

[@petergetzoni8538]

Having just discovered your channel you've already given me things to think about with my tone. The compressor is one. Preamps are another now. I'm currently running into my MXR M81 ‐>Mark Bass Compressore->Source audio after shock. The last of which I have setup Mono In->Stereo Processed(1 channel dist. Highs and Mids, other channel clean lows)-> Mono out to amp. I wonder about stereo out into 2 more preamps and possibly another compressor at the end Getting a severe case of G.A.S. here

[@MightyGodlikeG]

I have a similar way of chaining things, still i need to find the spot with all the units. As i already mentioned in your distortion/compression video, i'm gonna toy around and build up the tone i want, including each individual strengths. Thanks again for the insight and the easy to understand way of looking at things

[@basshoh]

One more comment....for a LIVE gig.....would you just run this set up into a power amp OR in the effects loop IN skipping the preamp on the head?????

[@RodneyMcG]

Both options are the same result. Whichever is easier.

[@creepymcpeepers]

I got the darkglass the sans amp and the ass master I got eq and I got a synth I haven’t made a tone for but it’s on there and I got the compression

[@stevenhirsekorn3444]

One thing i love is a bit odd but i chain boss ge7 into a modded ts9(my own custom designed mod) into an ampeg svt 400T that had the power amp section removed (i bought it like that to use as a rack preamp) into a carvin bx500 bass head,not for bass tho i use that with guitar through a 4x12 it sounds so evil.

[@RodneyMcG]

I think I need to hear this!

[@stevenhirsekorn3444]

@@RodneyMcG kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJCaY5dmbK9njdk there you go

[@tommygibson9515]

Hey bro loving the channel.. could you do something on Justin chancellor bass sound

[@RodneyMcG]

I'll see what i can do!

[@naobakonjengbam9101]

Hey Rodney, which string brand did you used here?

[@RodneyMcG]

D'addario Pro Steels - 130-45

[@basshoh]

Maybe I need to watch further...BUUUT.....wondering IF I can run my DUG with my HX Stomp????.....I mean been thinking about selling the DUG just due to there are some NICE DuG and Billy presets on the HX!!??????

[@RodneyMcG]

You can do whatever you want!

[@bublok]

A howdy from Comrade! Long time no see uncle Rodney! :D I am using an MXR M80 Bass DI for almost 7 years already. Goes really good with all of my basses (best with PP BC Riches ^^), battle tested on every gig and rehearsal since 2014. But as I got myself an Ampeg BA-108 practice amp to play at home, I gradually fell in love with the Ampeg sound. And I still love the sound that I make with MXR. So what do I do? How do I get the best of both my worlds? After pulling some strings I've got myself a used but in mint condition Ampeg SCR-DI brick (it's not a pedal, it's a literal brick by the size of it! :D). Went into the Ampeg first, dialed that tone I like, and then boosted it with MXR (only flattened out the EQ because Ampeg does that part of the job now), adding some of that clang that D.D. Verni is famous for, and both you and me love :) Tested it in the rehearsal space only once for now (not much action going on due to corona), definitely will test more and tweak accordingly. But the foundation, walls, and roof are there already :)

[@RodneyMcG]

Sounds like a killer! Post some clips!

[@charlieschueneman7363]

Do you leave the onboard pre amp of your bass flat for this? Also do you tend to use your onboard at all? pretty awesome idea with the spector preamp in a pedal! I just got the dUg pedal, now I may have to mess with with it in conjunction with my Ampeg-SCR DI now! Thanks for the great content and fresh ideas!

[@RodneyMcG]

There's no pre in my bass. I took them out when i started putting them in pedals. Sounds like an interesting combo, let me know how it sounds.

[@philcore5205]

Another great building tone lesson video ! It is to highlight, that the raw tone of the bass is already thunderous. Is the Schecter SLS with stock Fishman PU ? As you mentioned once you love to customize your basses :)

[@RodneyMcG]

I actually put a set of EMG PJ in this one.

[@MoreanMan]

Amazing tone! Just curious about the settings you used in the fishman preamp. Got this very bass a few weeks ago and I'm pretty impressed with the versatility!

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks! I actually put emgs in the bass. No on board preamp

[@MoreanMan]

@@RodneyMcG Ah! I've seen quite a few people swapping the fishman electronics with emgs, were you not pleased with the setup?

[@RodneyMcG]

I respect the fishman. Got some good sounds. The EMGS are just more my style. A bit more aggressive.

[@MoreanMan]

@@RodneyMcG Fair enough!

[@tristanchopping7976]

Would it be workable to use an EQ pedal as the first stage DI going into the compressor?

[@RodneyMcG]

Definitely

[@basroemer6764]

Thats the most awesome bass tone you have!! Would that tone be even easier to recreate on let's say the Geddy Lee 2112 rack unit as it already is a biamp? Or the Orange Bass Butler? Or wouldnt it work as most pedals would be after the respective amps? Not sure how 'clean' the dirt channels can be made so it could more easily take other drive pedal flavours.

[@RodneyMcG]

Every change you make will hcange the tone. Every unit has it's own tone. You could se this approach with the Geddy in a way, but I'm using these to get extensive control over 2 complete signals, not one signal treated to a limited degree twice. Also, most preamp pedals would be before the amp, or direct in to the power amp for completely uncolored preamp tone.

[@basroemer6764]

@@RodneyMcG I'm currious. Since this method gives you maximum control over the sound, would this be your prefered method of capturing your sound for album recordings. Or would that be with the RBI and other studio gear? Asking coz deciding between building a pedal board or just go with something like the RBI or Geddy, as I'm not that interested in playing live.

[@RodneyMcG]

It's really 6 of one, half dozen of another. I go with whatever gives the exact result I want.

[@richardcollins4977]

Where would you put whirlwind 10 band eq in that chain

[@RodneyMcG]

It depends on what I wanted it to modify and if I was using it as a boost. For Me, Maybe last in the chain before the cab Sim

[@richardcollins4977]

Really just filter out 40 and below boost 600 and 1.5

[@RodneyMcG]

I would put it last, but would probably put a comp after it to level those eq boosts

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Kinda sounds like John Myungs live sound! With his bongo bass

[@rockereivanivan]

And you have lots of people buying darkglass to get that sound and realize that you really need to get more stuff covered, not just that single pedal to have a full metal bass tone.

[@RodneyMcG]

It's all in what works for you. But I would defintely like to see more people carve out their own sound

[@WilDBeestMF]

I use my B7K for a lot more than metal. It has a pretty nice spectrum going on. But yeah, it's definitely for metal..

[@Mandarr360]

Hey Rodney, what would you think about using the tech 21 bass flyrig v2 in place of the Sansamp?

[@RodneyMcG]

Whatever works for you. I hear good things about them

[@basshoh]

I have always tried to have a clean tone that sounds like someone beating the strings in a grand piano with a wooden mallet !!...then I want to send that into the DuG and get that sound off of Dogman!!!!!

[@RodneyMcG]

The Dug does Dogman as it is, but just get some added drive and comp and you're all set.

[@andreasmou6539]

How this would work out of the studio, as I get it now you have two output signals into the pc and blend them right? But in a rehearsal how this should work? Do you need a ABY pedal or with FX loop?

[@RodneyMcG]

Just sum them both to one output inside the pedal in either situation

[@pyrotech601]

Hey Rodney, have you ever tried using any Darkglass electronics preamps and distortions? I currently am using the b7k ultra and the alpha omega.

[@RodneyMcG]

Darkglass is good gear, but it's not really my sound. I know a lot of people that are happy with them though.

[@nikolamilenkovic2445]

I can't decide between Darkglass and Sansamp drive and now I'm thinking about doing them both, just like you here with split signal. It looks like I am missing a part. How did you combine those two signals (Sansamp driver and DP) back together? ABY box/pedal? Thanks

[@RodneyMcG]

Sorry I missed this 1. I have them run separately and then combined at the AMT pangea pedal where they both run into the same cab SIM at the end of the train

[@nikolamilenkovic2445]

@@RodneyMcG Thanks! I did it with a cheap ABY pedal and I am very satisfied with it. Daekglas X7 is providing the dirt in the highs and the Driver does its clicky, scoopy thing with little drive and a lot of presence. It's a very different thing doing ot parallel as haveng them run in a row. Thanks for giving me the idea! That saved some money as well. And your advice with bringing up the highs and the middle highs with a compressor and a clean preamp before hitting the drives is a treasure! I hope you are doing better!

[@RodneyMcG]

I'm hanging in there. Glad it worked out for you!

[@Powerserg-dx5kk]

Maybe I missed it but should you run through FX loop or go through front input when you stack?

[@RodneyMcG]

Entirely up to you. Both can result in different ends, you decide what gets your sound.

[@roberthofmann932]

First of all, RIP to your friend :( ... Now that you mentioned compression twice in a row, I have a specific question. I have a darkglass hyperluminal unit. I think, I have a basic understanding of compression from a few guides and experimenting with the pedal for some months now, but in the software, it includes a sidechain parameter. As far as I understand, it sets the frequency, where the threshold only reacts to the signal above the set value, lets say 250Hz. Therefore, it should ignore the big low end hump in the spectrum. So I also experimented with the setting, but I don't seem to get a noticable difference and I can't think of a reason, where this could be beneficial. Any thoughts on that? Best Regards Robert

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks, Robert. It's mostly going to come into play with dynamics. Keeping your attack consistant, while allowing the low end to rise and fall a bit. I tend to be on the opposite end, having the lows tight, and more dynamics in my attack and upper range.

[@esposoman]

It's a curious thing the fact that before finding your video I used to apply the same principles. I put a TC Electronics Spark Booster at the beginning of the chain just to increase the signal and add some high end before hitting my Darkglass B7K. Recently I got an used Ashdown Lorenzo Drive pedal which works different (it just distorts the selected midrange) and I want to try it in parallel with my Sansamp. I like to play, but I like to experiment with FX too, so I'm always looking for new combinations or unusual pedals. Edit: I stacked a 20€ Mosky pedal (It's a clon of the Xotic BB preamp) with just a hint of drive in front of my Darkglas B3K and it's brutal . The pedal rolls the low end and adds a little of mid hump and sounds awful...but when it hits the Darkglass the resulting sound is more clanky and aggressive than the Darkglass by itself.

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks!

[@ickywyrmwood1993]

Yaas!!

[@piratebasscaptain]

Hi there, great information over here and I was looking to do something similar, but there are some parts I dont understand and you did not mention if I did not miss anything. You said your compressor a) goes to Bass Drive b) to your other preamp - how it ends though, I mean you give two outputs in your sound card ? I own Bass Driver and a couple of different distortion pedals, my last unit is Darkglass X7, my signal goes one by one, any idea how to give two seperate paths that will do the same as you do technically? but I guess you want always one signal at the end, how is this possible, at least in a gig sittiuation. Thanks in advance.

[@piratebasscaptain]

So my chain is from the start to end - Boss Comp Bc-1x - Sansamp - Vintage Microtubes - B3K Microtubes - X7 preamp. I dont say that I dont have a great sound, the small pedals are used when needed, compressor, sansamp, x7 are always on and main tone, but I think sansamp is getting lost somehow and I need to experiment as you talked on the video, any idea how to go parallel with those two preamps and end in one, or anyway what is the parallel normal think to do.

[@RodneyMcG]

If I want to use 2 different paths I will get a compressor that has two input channels at the end so that it sums into a final single path. There are options from AMT and source audio off the top of my head that can do that .

[@someone3662]

I've just discovered your channel and I'm blown away from all the knowledge around the bass and the equipment. I'm very tempted to achieve this kind of sound. I have the following. A tuner, a Boss 7 band EQ, a Boss LS-2, a darkglass Α Ω, a sans bddi v1, a low budget comp pedal, fulltone ocd, chorus, delay and other mod pedals. Any recommendations about the order/chain? I was thinking tuner into eq pedal (to treat my P bass as an active instrument) into compressor into LS 2 to make A+B mix. A would be the bddi for the meat. B the ΑΩ for the upper grit out of the LS. This is the preamp mix. Should I put the rest of OD and mods before or after the LS 2? Sorry, this was a long one. Thanks again for all the fine content. Cheers from Greece.

[@RodneyMcG]

The best way to approach something like this is stripped everything down to 1 or 2 units and get as close to the sound as you can just with that period then only add things one at a time until you get exactly What year after. Only add things as you need them, not just because you have them . Good luck.

[@creepymcpeepers]

This is the perfect video for me I think the two preamps together sounds kool But my friend says I’m stupid

[@RodneyMcG]

Keep your own counsel, and you'll always be right!

[@montonibass5013]

Hey Rodney, how are you doing? You make amazing bass videos, specially ! I would like to get this opportunity to talk about a specific bass tone, in which you talked about once. Among the Living bass tome: During years I saw maaany people saying it's the best bass tone they've head and all that stuff, but I've never seen someone getting close enough to that tone. I managed to get close to the clank part (cranking up 1k freq. and also 2k, 6k), however there is a "nasal" part that is also heard on many old records that no modern bass tone has. Would you make one day this challenge that is to approximate to Frankie's ATL bass sound? I think it would be a great video.

[@RodneyMcG]

Hey Montoni - I might do a video at some point. Frank has a great sound, but it's not hard to get. The main thing is a PJ set of EMG. That's most of it. Then, an Ampeg head, or a sim based on Ampeg. That's pretty much it. You can also use a sansamp bass driver, that will get you a similar sound too. It's pretty simple. Good luck, and thanks for watching the channel.

[@derekmerrell3658]

question, after you come out of the sans amp and the dug pedal do you re combine the signal before going into an amp or power amp? If so how?

[@RodneyMcG]

They are both going into a cab sim. I either go stright into the computer, or into the AMT Pangea Ultima pedal

[@bassimprovjams3772]

13:14 what was that noise?

[@RodneyMcG]

Not sure

[@TomMarello]

Nice clip! This is how my signal chain looks like (you can hear on my channel how it sounds): bass > 1st DI (EHX Battalion) with 1st compressor and slight drive > 2nd DI (MXR M80) with color switch engaged and additional drive stacked onto the first one > subtle chorus (TC Corona) > 3rd DI (GK Plex) with 2nd compressor and GK head emulation > send > subtle reverb (TC HoF2) > MXR Smart Gate to kill the noise > return > 3rd DI again (Plex) > output. (Each DI has its EQ engaged to certain extent)

[@RodneyMcG]

Damn! Sounds like you are dialed in!

[@TomMarello]

@@RodneyMcG Thanks!

[@TomMarello]

@@RodneyMcG plase check my last two clips - pedal settings are the same except the ND cover has both more gain and blend knob turned bit more towards the wet on the second drive unit (MXR di+) only. The first one (Battalion) is set with the exact same gain and blend values on both clips

[@pdornai]

What are your bass settings..active/passive, low,mid high?

[@RodneyMcG]

Did this a long while ago, don't remember. I do mention a lot as I got. I'm sure you could use those hints and get the rest by ear.

[@ThePigbodine]

what is the name of the hazlab clone pedal?

[@RodneyMcG]

I built it. There isn't a name.

[@4unkb0y]

really cool vid, thanks, especially the bit on splitting the signal like Billy Sheehan & Geddy Lee. There's a great vid on EBSSweden's YT channel where Billy Sheehan explains how his signature EBS drive pedal works: /watch?v=EwSpQ9a-3Lk it's a pretty impressive little bit of kit. I just watched it again; I'd forgotten about the bit where they socketed the dual op-amp so you can change it with other chips that distort differently. Geddy just uses a compressor & two Sansamps :-)

[@RodneyMcG]

Very cool, thanks for the info

[@richardcollins4977]

Passive emg’s?

[@RodneyMcG]

Active PJ set

[@tibi1687]

Question: Since, in metal, most bassists use some form of active bass (passive pups + preamp or active pups with eq). Why is there a need for an extra preamp on the board? Considering all of the levelling and push you also get from the pre comp and and post comp.

[@RodneyMcG]

An instrument preamp and a pedal / rack preamp serve 2 very different purposes. One is to tune the instrument, the other is a component of the amplification.

[@WizardOfArc]

The facial hair is looking good!

[@RodneyMcG]

😉🤘

[@rockereivanivan]

Metal bass up your... haha

[@RodneyMcG]

😂

[@GillRigged]

RIP 🙏