The first bass effect pedal I ever used was a “distortion effect pedal.
I was so excited that I could make such a sound with my bass!
Today, let’s introduce such distortion effectors♪
【This article is recommended for】
・Want to distort your bass sound?
・What does “distortion” sound like?
・I want to listen to the distorted sound♪
・There are so many kinds of effectors that I don’t know what to choose.
Introducing the standard “distortion effects pedals” used by many artists.
Lists here
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“Tech 21/ SANS AMP BASS DRIVER DI“
“MXR / M80 Bass D.I. +“
“Boss / Bass Over Drive ODB-3“
“ZOOM / MULTI STOMP MS60“
・The first half of the article explains “distortion”.
・The second half of the article, you can listen to a sample of the “distortion effector sound”.
※skip to effectors sound→Go to distorted sounds here!
What kind of sound does it make?
Please listen by this.
Let’s get start it!!
Hope you enjoy♪
About distortion effectors
Let’s start with “knowledge of distortion”.
What is distortion?
【Distortion】
When the volume level exceeds a certain level, the sound “cracks” or “crushes”
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“hmm…I don’t really understand…
I can’t tell what it sounds like from the words alone.
Let’s listen distortion sound first♪
The distorted sound of a guitar♪
When you distort the guitar sound like..
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Like this!
When I started playing bass, I thought “distortion is only a guitar sound”.
The distorted sound of a Bass♪
“Let’s try to get this sound on bass as well”
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The bass distortion sounds lower range than the guitar.
If you want “low and fat sound,” you need a good shield too!
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Good shield cables is here→Recommended cables
Types of distortion effectors〜over drive, distortion & fuzz〜
There are several types of distortion effectors.
The type of distortion and how it is applied will change.
Let’s check it out!
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Overdrive type
【Overdrive】
・The most natural sound among distortions.
・Used when you want a light distortion.
・A strong presence in a band ensemble.
Distortion type
【Distortion】
・Distortion level is higher than overdrive.
・Sometimes used in bass solos.
・If distorted too much, the low end will lose.
Fuzz type
【Fuzz】
・Distortion that goes beyond distortion.
・A crushed sound like swarm of bees.
・Sound that makes you think “Is my amp broken?”
3types there.
You can use it for different band ensembles and genres.
I’ve used distortion during bass solos♪
３types of distortion clear difference？
There is no clear difference in sound.
If you distort “overdrive type” more and more, it can sound like “distortion type”.
So, it is good to know the distortion as a rough guide.
Your choice depends on your preference!
Distort it with an amplifier
Not exactly what I was going for here, but…
Some amps have a distortion function.
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The “GAIN” knob raises the distortion level.
As you increase the GAIN, the volume will increase at the same time.
So adjust the volume with the “volume knob” at the end.
※Not all bass amps distort, so make sure they do when you get one!
My opinion is that the amp doesn’t need to be distorted.
Amp’s article is here→6 Small Bass Amps here
Are major artists almost distorted?
Especially rock band type basses are distorted.
Rock, Punk, Metal band.
GREEN DAY, Bon Jovi, SAM41, IRON MAIDEN, METALLICA, Billy Sheehan(MR.BIG) and more.
That is lightly distorted.
If the guitar is distorted, the bass sound can be lost in the band sometime.
So, if you distort the bass a little bit, it will have a nice presence!
Distortion effectors for bass
Let us introduce you to our recommended distortion pedals.
Check out what it sounds like too!
That I’ve played both the “no effects sound” and the “with effects sound” let’s compare!
Let’s listen the clear sound first♪
These are “no effects sound”.
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①Finger picking
②Flat picking
③Slapping
④With guitar and drums/finger picking
【Played with】
“FENDER JAPAN JB62-US“→Learn more here!
Let’s listen♪
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Play these techniques with effects.
Sounds like..?
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Distortion effectors~SANS AMP BASS DRIVE DI~
It has a long history of use since its launch in 1989.
This time, we present the latest model (released in 2016).
About SANS AMP here→Lear more!
This is the first effects pedal I ever bought.
SANS AMP Features
・Natural distortion can be obtained.
・The new model has more control knobs for more sound creation.
・Can be used as a pre-amp without distortion, as a direct box, or to correct sound quality.
・Many artists use it.
SANS AMP Controls (knobs)
【Controls】
①LEVEL: Adjusts the volume.
②BLEND: Adjusts the balance between the effect sound and the no effect sound.
③TREBLE: Adjusts the high range.
④PRESENCE: Adjusts the higher than TREBLE.
⑤DRIVE: Adjusts the amount of distortion.
⑥MID: Adjusted the middle range.
⑦BASS: Adjusts the low range.
⑧MID SHIFT SWITCH: Select MID frequency 500Hz or 1000Hz
⑨BASS SHIFT SWITCH: Select BASS frequency 40Hz or 80Hz
SANS AMP / Settings
【Setting point】
・BLEND：effect side
・PRESENCE：little cut
・MID：boost
・DRIVE：boost
The core of the sound coming out when I turn up the MID!
MID is valuable!
SANS AMP ~Soundtrack♪~
①Finger picking
②Flat picking
③Slapping
④With guitar and drums/finger picking
Go listen SANS AMP♪
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Sands sounds as cool as ever!
Especially the pick playing sound!!
If they’ve been in use for years, that means they’re trusted to sound that good!
MXR/ M80 Bass D.I. +
Here is a distortion effect pedal that is just as popular as the SANS AMP.
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MXR Bass DI /Features
・Stronger distortion than sans amps.
・Can switch between clean and distorted sounds.
・Can be used as a preamp or direct box.
MXR Bass DI /Controls (knobs)
①CLEAN VOLUM: Volume control for clean sound
(Does not function when using a distortion sounds)
②VOLUM: Volume control for distortion sound (does not work when using a clean sound).
③BLEND: Adjusts the balance between distortion and clear sound
④TRIGGER: Level adjustment to remove noise (does not function unless the GATE switch is turned on)
⑤GATE switch: switch to activate the TRIGGER function.
⑥GAIN: Adjusts the amount of distortion
⑦BASS: Adjusts the low frequency range.
⑧MID: Adjusts the mid range.
⑨TREBLE: Adjusts the high range.
⑩EFFECT switch: Turns off all effect functions when turned off.
11.DISTORTION switch: Switch between clean and distorted sounds
※CLEAN VOLUM will not function when the DISTORTION switch is turned on.
MXR Bass DI/ Settings
【Setting point】
・BLEND：center
・TRIGGER：MAX
・GATEスイッチ：on
・GAIN：boost
・MID：boost
・DISTORTION switch：on
MXR / M80 Bass D.I. + ~Soundtrack♪~
①Finger picking
②Flat picking
③Slapping
④With guitar and drums/finger picking
Get it on♪
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Sounds different from the SANS AMP.
More distorted than that♪
Sometimes used with equalizer.
For mid-range.
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Use the middle of the equalizer boosted up.
Equalizer’s article here→Use a Equalizer
BOSS/ ODB-3 Bass Over Drive
Here is an effector for those who want to distort even more!
This is distortion type.
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BOSS/ ODB-3 Features
・The standard for distortion
・No worries about sound fading by adjusting the equalizer
・Used in the intro of “Around the World” by Red Hot ChiliPeppers.
・It might be good to use it in a bass solo.
BOSS/ ODB-3 Controls (knobs)
①LEVEL: Adjust volume
②EQ-HIGH(Upper): Adjust high frequency range
③EQ-LOW (lower): Adjustment low frequency range
(② and ③ controls are two-stage structure)
④BALANCE: Adjusts the balance between distortion and the clear sound.
⑤GAIN: Adjusts the amount of distortion
Two band equalizer (upper & lower)
Equalizer is divided into upper and lower.
Upper is high frequency.
Lower is low frequency.
How does it work?
BOSS/ ODB-3 Settings
【Setting point】
・EQ-LOW：boost
・BLANCE：center
・GAIN：little cut
LEVEL is adjust at the end.
BOSS/ ODB-3 Soundtrack♪
①Finger picking
②Flat picking
③Slapping
④With guitar and drums/finger picking
Go ahead!
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GAIN is on the downside, but so distorted!
With the equalizer on LOW, you’re really getting the original bass sound!
Play the intro to “Around the World” with BOSS OB-3
“Around the World” like this
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Maybe like this.
ZOOM/ MULTI STOMP MS60
Effects pedals with many built-in effects are called “multi-effects pedals” “multi-effector”
Its typical effector is the “ZOOM/ MULTI STOMP MS60“.
ZOOM/ MULTI STOMP MS60 Features
・You can create various distortion effects with this one effector.
・You can also simulate the 3 distortion effectors introduced above, “Sands Amp”, “MXR Bass D.I”, and “BOSS OB3”.
・Many effects other than distortion (more than 100 types!!)
There are many more simulations.
“BIG MUFF” “Metal Zone” “DS-1” “FUZZ FACE”etc.
ZOOM/ MULTI STOMP MS60 Controls
The MULTI STOMP knobs serve various functions for each effect.
You can experience all kinds of effects!
Like a textbook on effects pedals.
ZOOM/ MULTI STOMP MS60 Settings
I selected “fuzz” tones.
【Setting point】
・GAIN: boost
・TONE: little boost
・Bal(Balance): 50%
LEVEL adjusted at the end.
ZOOM/ MULTI STOMP MS60 ~Soundtrack♪~
①Finger picking
②Flat picking
③Slapping
④With guitar and drums/finger picking
Rock’n roll let’s go!
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Fat sounds!
If you want to go wild, distort it with fuzz!
There are so many more tones to try!
Distortion effectors for bass〜closing〜
Thank you for reading!!
It was introduced “Distortion effectors for bass”.
Did you find an effector you like?
・SANS AMP is used so many artists in the world.
・MXR/BASS D.I is royal road of distortion sounds.
・BOSS/ OB3 is using solo you want to get more distorted.
・ZOOM/ MS60 is Multi-functional and has good sound.
It is an effector that you can expect.
I use all of them.
I hope your bass sound is complete with distortion effects pedals.
Best of all, the band’s sound will be powerful!
Please try it on your own bass♪
Get a new sound!
Back in the day.
The impact of the moment when I distorted my own bass.
oh my goodness…
“It’s OK I can distort the bass sounds”
And so… to the legend…
See you soon!
peace out♪
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