Bass guitarists require effects that cannot easily be recreated using pedal boards alone or by stacking one effect upon another, so many opt for rack gear as a solution.
Most modern rack processors feature an expansive display and multiple direct access controls for easy navigation of sound. Many also come equipped with software editors that make creating and sharing presets easy and manageable.
Preamps
Preamps are essential pieces of rack gear for bass guitarists. These units receive the signal from your instrument and offer various sound shaping options, from compression to EQ controls. Furthermore, preamps can provide pedals with clean signal or add drive. Many are also compatible with MIDI foot controllers to facilitate control.
Historically, pedals have typically been placed before a preamp and run through either its effects loop or directly into its input jack. This arrangement works best when dealing with time-based effects such as delay or reverb; however, tuners or wahs may work better at the beginning; distortion or pitch shift pedals that serve a specific function may need to be placed closer to the preamp for maximum effectiveness.
As the ’80s came to an end and grunge music became trendy, players started seeking more natural, organic tones. This led to an explosion of boutique pedals designed specifically for bassists; some manufacturers even created effects specifically geared toward creating this effect; such as Eventide’s harmonizer which became a go-to pedal in many ’80s bass rigs.
In the ’90s, bass pedals became increasingly popular and so manufacturers like TC Electronic, KORG, and Yamaha created rack effects processors designed specifically for bass players. These multi-effects processors could serve as plug-and-play alternatives to traditional stompboxes; often rack mountable with control via MIDI foot controllers so as to make setup much more portable than before.
Many rack processors feature an interface similar to what’s found in stompboxes, including rotary knobs for gain and EQ settings, buttons or switches for changing presets, and sometimes graphical displays that make dialing in your sound quick and simple. Some units like the TC Electronic G-Major II and G-System as well as Line 6 POD X3 Pro even come equipped with computer-based software editors that make editing sounds an easier process; other units, like TC Electronic Spectracomp and TonePrint library units also allow musicians to share presets created by others for download by users!
Multi-Effects Processors
Not only will your effects rack require a bass guitar preamp and pedals, but you may also require multi-effects processors for your effects rack. Multi-effects processors combine different kinds of effects into one convenient unit for limitless possibilities – some even incorporate amp and speaker simulation so you can create complex tones without carrying around multiple pedals and an amplifier!
Multi-effects processors tend to be pricier than individual effects units, but can save you money in the long run by eliminating pedal costs altogether. Some models offer modes specifically tailored to bass playing such as ultrabass, rotary speaker phaser and voice box effects – saving time and money when switching instruments between songs!
Some models are tailored specifically for bassists, offering effects and settings optimized for their guitar’s unique characteristics. These options make an excellent way to reduce the size and weight of their live rig and make transporting between venues simpler and simpler.
Behringer Bass V-Amp Pro combines an amp modeler with a stereo multi-effects processor to offer numerous bass effects such as chorus, flanger, rotary speaker and auto wah that help craft unique tones. Another pedal designed specifically for bass is BF-3 which features two distinct flange modes (standard and Momentary), with footswitch control between them; when in Mono mode this pedal also acts as a gating effect that creates rhythmic pulses similar to those found in chopper-type effects when set on extreme settings.
POD Go and POD Go Wireless pedals offer another excellent choice for bassists looking to streamline their rig without compromising quality or performance. These portable pedals from HX effects feature amp, cab, and effect models from their impressive catalogue; as well as large color displays, touch-sensitive footswitches that let users edit parameters with just one tap, cast aluminum expression pedals, up to nine effects at the same time and can save one preset upon pressing of a footswitch – perfect for smaller gigs!
MIDI Foot Controllers
Most effects racks can accommodate MIDI foot controllers, with various models to suit specific purposes. While the Voodoo Lab Ground Control Pro may offer more features than others, for those only needing to control a few pedals and one processor it may be overkill – in which case more cost-effective alternatives such as Behringer FCB1010 would be more appropriate.
Most MIDI foot controllers feature input jacks for connecting one or more pedals, enabling users to easily adjust settings such as gain and tone. Others provide continuous controllers for tweaking aspects such as wah effects, tremolo speed or delay repeats – the type and quantity of pedals available depends on each controller design.
Some MIDI foot controllers offer input jacks for connecting an expression pedal, enabling you to control effects such as distortion and compression without stopping playing. With an expression pedal attached, it becomes possible to quickly tweak your amplifier’s sound without having to stop playing altogether.
Connect a MIDI foot controller simultaneously to two pieces of gear by linking their respective MIDI IN ports, then pass along any commands from one device that come in through its MIDI THRU port to the second device via its MIDI THRU port.
The Helix Rack features a MIDI THRU port that makes connecting any MIDI foot controller with your multi-effects processor easy. Furthermore, this rack comes equipped with a built-in MIDI to USB interface so it can also be controlled from computer software as well as any other MIDI compatible programs or hardware devices.
The Source Audio Soleman MIDI Foot Controller is an extremely flexible and customizable MIDI foot controller, designed specifically to serve as the hub of your Neuro Effects system. Furthermore, its versatility extends to other MIDI-compliant hardware/software and pedalboard.
Power Supply
Rack equipment may seem intimidating for guitarists who prefer minimalist pedalboards, yet many touring pros make use of both stompboxes and rack gear in their effect setups. Yet even those who favor more minimal setups can benefit from its extreme flexibility.
Step one in creating a great bass guitar effects rack is selecting its components. There are numerous choices of preamps, multi-effects processors, MIDI foot controllers and other accessories; but before making your selection it is essential that you consider which features you require before purchasing anything. Many manufacturers provide guidelines or suggestions on their websites as to where you should begin when building such an array.
Many guitarists opt for multi-effects processors as a starting point, as these tools can open up an entirely new realm of sounds and offer more power than most pedals can deliver. Plus, these pieces of gear can often be controlled using a MIDI foot controller making them the ideal way to combine rack-mounted processing with pedalboard effects.
Multi-effects processors designed with guitars specifically in mind are abundant. Eventide harmonizers and Yamaha and KORG models are popular choices, while compressors, EQs and noise gates may also prove invaluable for building out a rack of effects processors.
Once you have decided on which modules will make up your rig, it is time to figure out how best to wire everything together. When possible, try to keep all cables within one rack enclosure, so rerouting cabling in future should you decide to change up your signal chain becomes much simpler.
Consider installing a power conditioner for your rack modules to prevent voltage fluctuations from negatively affecting the tone. Many power conditioners can fit on one rack unit of space in your cabinet without taking up too much of its valuable real estate.
Label both ends of all cables you use to connect modules, as this will make it easy to determine what each cable connects to and will also aid when setting up quickly at gigs. Many products also feature LED indicators which show what’s on or off, saving time when trying to start performing quickly.