Effects (Was: what a loop has to say)

[Kevin <kevin@TheNettles.com>]

At 10:28 PM -0700 3/16/06, Kris Hartung wrote:
>Speaking of which, does anyone find it easier to freely improvise 
>when you aren't using layers and layers of effects, tone mangling 
>devices, etc?  I've found this to be the case with me. I love all 
>the cool effects at my disposal - the Boss VF-1, hundreds of VST 
>effects, LXP5, etc - but they sometimes produce artificial 
>restrictions or boundaries on my creativity.

I go through periods of expansion and contraction in my effects chain 
on my guitar.  I have an analytical mind but it gets in the way of my 
creative mind.  So I've finally decided I don't like playing with 
altered tunings, multi-effects boards, sound modules or anything that 
requires non-musical thought.  I like listening to other people do it, 
mind.

So I'm now down to a guitar with the effect loops:
1. pitch-shifter-->distortion-->wah-->chorus
2. clean acoustic

with an EQ (for solo boost), delay, reverb and volume following.

In addition:
   a mic that I can play various objects or sing through
   a drum brain for "playing drums" with triggers

I find it easier to turn knobs than to use patches.  I only use 
record, overdub, undo, multiply and feedback on my EDP which I  keep 
on the same settings all the time.  I prefer continuity in effect. I 
guess I'm an analog guy in a digital world.

I have a good palette of sounds to paint with.  But I still think my 
signal chain is too complex.

Cheers,
Kevin

The Nettles: Progressive and Exciting Celtic Music
www.TheNettles.com