Fly rig choices

[DonaldR]

Tech21 BFR for me. Very simple, can go to FOH or in front of amp or into an amp effects return. Direct access with real knobs instead of menus.

I'm using this adapter frequently with rechargeable 9v batteries:

I'm also using a usb 5v to 9v 2.1mm adaptor, so I can play 4-5 gigs on the same usb rechargeable battery:

 

[shirojiro]

Tech21 BFR for me. Very simple, can go to FOH or in front of amp or into an amp effects return. Direct access with real knobs instead of menus.



I'm also using a usb 5v to 9v 2.1mm adaptor, so I can play 4-5 gigs on the same usb rechargeable battery:

This solution is great. I thought I had bought one off of Amazon but now I can't find it. I knew those various USB lithium batteries would be useful someday....

 

[DonaldR]

I'm also using rechargeable 9v lithium batteries also for that purpose. 3-4 in my gigbag and I'm secure for the gig. Not those ones but same principle:

 

[DaveParker39]

So I agreed to play a gig in Ireland at a meeting that I'm attending.
In retrospect, this sounds like a terrible idea, but that's a different discussion.

I'm trying to figure out what to bring regarding effects and preamp while not really knowing what gear will be available. I've been told there will be a backline and PA, but I have no specifics yet.

My options include:
-Separate pedals for tuner, compressor, preamp, octave, filter, chorus, DI, headphone amp.
This is my least favorite option, but I have some great pedals for this.

Other options -


-Tech 21 Bass Flyrig v.1
Great Sansamp amp simulator. Decent enough compressor. Boost pedal built in. Headphone amp built in. Chorus is decent. I can get a couple of decent sounds from the filter. The octave and fuzz are really not great for me though. This is a big minus.

I thought I'd just grab this and toss it in a bag with me. It is tiny and super slim.

-Zoom B3
The old standby. Only 3 slots though. Has headphone amp. Runs on batteries. Easy to turn effects on and off with dedicated foot switches. Has a looper that I never use. Has drums for practice. XLR out with pre and post control.

-Zoom MS60b
The new old standby. Updated firmware makes it sound better than the B3 regarding octave and filters which are some of the effects I use. Interface isn't great for a gig, but with some setup, one can cycle through patches pretty easily.

It turns out that the MS60b with a Sansamp BDDI is a great combo for a small footprint flyrig. It does require one extra cable, but the sound is great. Together, the two pedals are smaller than the B3, and they both can run on batteries. I could use the MS60b on its own and use a simulation of the BDDI, but then I'd lose the XLR out, and the ability to drive a power amp if needed.

For a headphone amp, I have a Vox Amplug v.2 with the rudimentary drum beats for practice. It does have an Aux in though, unlike the Zoom B3 or the Tech 21 BFR.

Anybody out there have a different view or other ideas for traveling and playing?

I don't have any sponsorships or roadies, and I fly economy!

Funny, the FlyRig octafilter fuzz is one of my favorite fuzzes on bass.

But... anyway, it's one gig, just grab the FlyRig, I'm assuming you aren't going to be playing a ton of fuzz at this one off meeting gig, the FlyRig has your tuner and chorus and compressor and amp sim and di and it's tiny.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

If I were you and if I did not have any effects needed:

I would 1st decide on what minimum effects I need for the gig, that's "need" and not "want" (that would be a different discussion). After I figured what I need, if they are not too many effects and if I think I have done my homework, I'd get individual pedals that is unless there's a multi-FX pedal that has everything like.

If I decided I will need more than a few effects and I'm not sure if I've done my homework yet, I would buy, or better rent, or even better borrow a multi-FX for the gig only.

 

[shirojiro]

Funny, the FlyRig octafilter fuzz is one of my favorite fuzzes on bass.

But... anyway, it's one gig, just grab the FlyRig, I'm assuming you aren't going to be playing a ton of fuzz at this one off meeting gig, the FlyRig has your tuner and chorus and compressor and amp sim and di and it's tiny.

That's interesting. Can you tell me what kind of bass you're using and what basic settings you use to make the Fuzz useable? For me, it's super high pitched and fizzy with a Aerodyne P bass. i'd love to figure out how to make it useable though.

If I were you and if I did not have any effects needed:

I would 1st decide on what minimum effects I need for the gig, that's "need" and not "want" (that would be a different discussion). After I figured what I need, if they are not too many effects and if I think I have done my homework, I'd get individual pedals that is unless there's a multi-FX pedal that has everything like.

If I decided I will need more than a few effects and I'm not sure if I've done my homework yet, I would buy, or better rent, or even better borrow a multi-FX for the gig only.

I think part of the problem is that I have several options including individual effects.
I'm trying to avoid checking a bag, so I'm trying to carry as little gear as possible.
I have found that even a little gear takes up a lot of room in a small suitcase.

 

[Stephen Moore]

Seriously, as a bass player, we play bass. The reason the P bass is such a wonderful instrument is because of its simplicity. The tone is generated by how you ( the bassist ) plays it. The need for effects and such are surpassed by quality playing. The interplay with the drummer and other musicians totally outweighs the need for effects and such. Honestly, unless you are playing some outlandish music like disco, or metal... or techno, then really the fundamentals is all you need in the bag. Bass, and a way to connect to the console. Seriously, if you had Davy 504 or Geddy or any bassist of merrit, theybwould be capable of rocking the house with nothing more than a bass and a Di. Is it ideal? Maybe not? But it does add the need for being tight and in the pocket before all else.

 

[TheArchitect]

Unless the music absolutely demands all of those pedals I would leave them at home.

 

[Stephen Moore]

Unless the music absolutely demands all of those pedals I would leave them at home.

Yeah, thats my point. Even with my Kemper toaster I rarely use an effect. Maybe some compression? And thats a big maybe. I do use the eq quite a lot because,... and this is not for everyone, I can achieve a consistency in tone that is harder to get just using the active controls ony bass. So as funnybas it may sound, while others have effect on their buttons, I generally have eq's set. Wierd, I know.

 

[Parzival]

Seriously, as a bass player, we play bass. The reason the P bass is such a wonderful instrument is because of its simplicity. The tone is generated by how you ( the bassist ) plays it. The need for effects and such are surpassed by quality playing. The interplay with the drummer and other musicians totally outweighs the need for effects and such. Honestly, unless you are playing some outlandish music like disco, or metal... or techno, then really the fundamentals is all you need in the bag. Bass, and a way to connect to the console. Seriously, if you had Davy 504 or Geddy or any bassist of merrit, theybwould be capable of rocking the house with nothing more than a bass and a Di. Is it ideal? Maybe not? But it does add the need for being tight and in the pocket before all else.

And here we go again.

 

[shirojiro]

I would agree that our main job as bassists is the groove and harmony, but even the most die hard no effects players love the sound of compression and distortion, even if they don’t want to admit it. That’s the recorded sound of bass guitar, even on the vintage stuff.

Regarding whether effects are necessary - well… I’d say they’re about as necessary as a Precision vs a Jazz vs a Stingray etc. For some songs, there is an iconic sound that might make the song different without that tone.

Does the audience really notice? Maybe not, but I notice when I’m playing and it makes me play differently for sure.

These arguments that effects aren’t important end up a mess of opinions that seem rather meaningless when we’re also talking about $1,600 preamps and how great the tone is.

 

[sloppy_phil]

Seriously, as a bass player, we play bass. The reason the P bass is such a wonderful instrument is because of its simplicity. The tone is generated by how you ( the bassist ) plays it. The need for effects and such are surpassed by quality playing. The interplay with the drummer and other musicians totally outweighs the need for effects and such. Honestly, unless you are playing some outlandish music like disco, or metal... or techno, then really the fundamentals is all you need in the bag. Bass, and a way to connect to the console. Seriously, if you had Davy 504 or Geddy or any bassist of merrit, theybwould be capable of rocking the house with nothing more than a bass and a Di. Is it ideal? Maybe not? But it does add the need for being tight and in the pocket before all else.

Buddy, this is the effects sub-forum, to discuss the usage of effects, and the OP has a practical question in need of some informed responses.

People such as yourself, from the Tort 'n' Flats Brigade, who come here and do nothing except turn your nose up at the use of effects, contribute the square root of f**k-all to any meaningful discourse on these topics. But, you know, thanks for that riveting insight!

 

[TheArchitect]

I would agree that our main job as bassists is the groove and harmony, but even the most die hard no effects players love the sound of compression and distortion, even if they don’t want to admit it. That’s the recorded sound of bass guitar, even on the vintage stuff.

Regarding whether effects are necessary - well… I’d say they’re about as necessary as a Precision vs a Jazz vs a Stingray etc. For some songs, there is an iconic sound that might make the song different without that tone.

Does the audience really notice? Maybe not, but I notice when I’m playing and it makes me play differently for sure.

These arguments that effects aren’t important end up a mess of opinions that seem rather meaningless when we’re also talking about $1,600 preamps and how great the tone is.

We are talking about ONE gig with air travel involved. How many songs actually use an octave?

 

[Zooberwerx]

We are talking about ONE gig with air travel involved. How many songs actually use an octave?

If a full array of quality effects is NOT required, I'd go with the BFR. If the more advanced FX...including filters, octavers, etc...are mission-critical, I'm sticking my B3n in the bag and praying there's a DI available at the destination.

One caveat and beyond my realm of expertise: it's my understanding that the aforementioned tracking FX come in 2 classes. They're either great or barely passable. If faced with an ongoing need, I'd be looking more closely at a high-tier multi FX unit. As @TheArchitect pointed out, the octave won't be missed in this context.

Riis

 

[shirojiro]

We are talking about ONE gig with air travel involved. How many songs actually use an octave?

I was hoping to get away with no effects at all, but the sets include some Muse, RHCP, Madonna,George Michael, as well as some other pop and older rock.

I guess it’s really the Muse tune(s) and maybe some of the synth bass lines that have me thinking that I would want some effects available.

If I were playing this gig at home, I’d have several different pedals. I’m trying to make do with the bare minimum because of the travel.

But yeah, no one will die if I just play bass guitar, and I’m not one of those cover purists who demand that the tune be exactly as recorded, but I would like to make it kinda close.

 

[Stephen Moore]

I would agree that our main job as bassists is the groove and harmony, but even the most die hard no effects players love the sound of compression and distortion, even if they don’t want to admit it. That’s the recorded sound of bass guitar, even on the vintage stuff.

Regarding whether effects are necessary - well… I’d say they’re about as necessary as a Precision vs a Jazz vs a Stingray etc. For some songs, there is an iconic sound that might make the song different without that tone.

Does the audience really notice? Maybe not, but I notice when I’m playing and it makes me play differently for sure.

These arguments that effects aren’t important end up a mess of opinions that seem rather meaningless when we’re also talking about $1,600 preamps and how great the tone is.

Oh I didn't suggest that effects arent important but, in the end if you have to ride the horse bareback its kinda the purest form. Not the end of the world.

 

[Stephen Moore]

I was hoping to get away with no effects at all, but the sets include some Muse, RHCP, Madonna,George Michael, as well as some other pop and older rock.

I guess it’s really the Muse tune(s) and maybe some of the synth bass lines that have me thinking that I would want some effects available.

If I were playing this gig at home, I’d have several different pedals. I’m trying to make do with the bare minimum because of the travel.

But yeah, no one will die if I just play bass guitar, and I’m not one of those cover purists who demand that the tune be exactly as recorded, but I would like to make it kinda close.

Well you ould take whatever effects you require for specific music, but seriously, I would approach your local music vendor and ask them to test drive a unit like a Stomp if possible, give em half down. Rent it if needed with a deal to purchase it if you like it.
I was just looking at the Line 6 stuff... man that looks pretty attrective! I may even buy a rack mount and floor setup? The Kemper is cool but GAS is real lol

 

[shirojiro]

We are talking about ONE gig with air travel involved. How many songs actually use an octave?

A surprising number of 80s tunes have synth bass that has an octave as part of the tone. It’s not critical for sure, but if I can cop that tone without a ton of gear and giant pedals like a Deep Impact, why not? It make it more fun for me as well.

I’m not arguing that I have to have an array of effects. I’m just trying to figure out how to get the most bang for my buck regarding space in my carry on bag. The other travel gigs I’ve done were domestic and simpler and so I brought stuff like a GK MB200 amp and a couple of multi effect pedals. The cords alone took up a lot of space though.

I don’t want to go down the rabbit hole of wanting to separate music gear from my clothing. Those guitar cords get pretty dirty and end up on some really dirty floors….

 

[Stephen Moore]

A surprising number of 80s tunes have synth bass that has an octave as part of the tone. It’s not critical for sure, but if I can cop that tone without a ton of gear and giant pedals like a Deep Impact, why not? It make it more fun for me as well.

I’m not arguing that I have to have an array of effects. I’m just trying to figure out how to get the most bang for my buck regarding space in my carry on bag. The other travel gigs I’ve done were domestic and simpler and so I brought stuff like a GK MB200 amp and a couple of multi effect pedals. The cords alone took up a lot of space though.

I don’t want to go down the rabbit hole of wanting to separate music gear from my clothing. Those guitar cords get pretty dirty and end up on some really dirty floors….

Really dirty floors! Duck tape infested beer stained, puke covered and never cleaned! As for pedals, Im kinda thinking that only the die hards that have an army of boutique pedals bother with them anymore. The shift is digital emulations and all in one options. Which conveniently is fairly compact

 

[Rickplaysbass]

A surprising number of 80s tunes have synth bass that has an octave as part of the tone. It’s not critical for sure, but if I can cop that tone without a ton of gear and giant pedals like a Deep Impact, why not? It make it more fun for me as well.

I’m not arguing that I have to have an array of effects. I’m just trying to figure out how to get the most bang for my buck regarding space in my carry on bag. The other travel gigs I’ve done were domestic and simpler and so I brought stuff like a GK MB200 amp and a couple of multi effect pedals. The cords alone took up a lot of space though.

I don’t want to go down the rabbit hole of wanting to separate music gear from my clothing. Those guitar cords get pretty dirty and end up on some really dirty floors….

For $40 you can rent an HX Stomp for a month. I'll even send you my presets for synth and regular stuff I use with a wedding band.
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