A Bass Guitar Processor is the Answer to Tonal Flexibility
The bass guitar is often an overlooked instrument when it comes to recording music. While undoubtedly the melodic backbone of any rock or pop band’s rhythm section, when compared to the attention received by electric guitars it can sometimes be discouraging to be a bassist. When walking into a music store it is far more common to find a guitar pedal, guitar workstation, or guitar multi effects processor being showcased as the next piece of hot gear than to run into a display devoted to bass effects. This is no surprise to anyone – guitarists typically get all the glory, especially at a music shop. How many store clerks trying to get people to buy a guitar effects processor or guitar amp are themselves frustrated guitarists whose dreams of stardom have been dashed? But the glut of electric guitar products shouldn’t stop the aspiring bass player from exploring the many ways bass guitar processing can add personality and individuality to their craft.
Bass amps - a key component of a bass guitars sound
While it would be nice to have a room devoted to housing your Traynors, Ampegs and Fenders waiting for you to plug your guitars into, the reality is most musicians are on a limited budget. And even if you had the money to spend on owning every possible amp and speaker combination, how would you fit them all in the van on the way to your next gig? The answer to this problem is amp modeling. Amp models are software or hardware recreations of the sound characteristics of specific amplifiers. Plugging into a PC running amp modeling software such as Guitar Rig 2 by Native Instruments, or a bass guitar processor offered by companies like Line 6 and Digitech gives you access to amp and cabinet combinations ranging across the entire spectrum of musical styles. With the turn of a dial or click of the mouse, a modeling guitar processor for your bass allows you to sound like you are playing in any musical era – the fuzz box 60’s, the wild metal 80’s, or the sludged out 90’s. In addition to amp modeling you have access to a whole range of processor and guitar effects like delay, distortion, and chorus. Some guitar processors for bass even have built-in expression pedals so you can wail away on a wah-wah effect. You will also find guitar processor models that offer a drum machine component – allowing you to lay down some basic tracks late at night when you’re all alone in the studio, or even accompany yourself on stage.
Processing bass guitar can make it seem like you have no limits at all – but it can also be a big help when you find yourself in restrictive situations. Bass is one of the hardest sounds to properly mix in a live environment. Due to the resonant frequencies that can be transmitted through floors and walls, and even amplified by hollow stages and cavernous ceilings, getting bass guitars to sound right on stage can be a challenge for even the most experienced gigging musician. With a multi modeling bass guitar processor, you can take control of your audio environment by essentially ignoring your physical confines and programming your own ‘room’ directly inside your multi effects processor! More advanced processors allow for modeling parameters such as room size, mic placement, mic type and cabinet size, meaning you can plug your sound directly into a mixing board and let the audio engineer worry about fine tuning his PA system.
It goes without saying that for control of your tone, during both live performances and in the recording studio, if you choose to use a bass guitar processor you will find endless potential in your equipment and great satisfaction in your sound.
