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Topic: Singing effect |
Brian Waits
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 8 Mar 2017 4:44 am |
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Other than technique, what is the single most helpful effect when it comes to the singing effect of the steel ? Some just seem to ring out better than others. I am aware that the build is key but just wanting to know if any electronic effects help. I currently use a Boss DD3 and CS3. I am using the onboard reverb on the Roland GX80 and session 400 limited wedge. Wondering if a dedicated reverb would help. Any thoughts ?
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1976 Sho Bud Pro III SD10
Carvin 150 with Profex II
Carvin 100 tube amp with Transtube fex Stereo 2 15"JBL D130's
Session 400 with JBL D130 |
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Dustin Rigsby
From:
Parts Unknown, Ohio
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Posted 8 Mar 2017 6:36 am
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I'm not too keen on compression for the pedal steel. It mostly comes down to technique more than gadgets. Reverb and Delay is mostly what is used,but there are no rules when it comes to effects pedals. Having the right volume pedal technique for sustaining notes is just as critical. Paul Franklin has discussed quite a bit about not being a "pedal pumper" in the past.
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D.S. Rigsby |
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Brian Waits
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 8 Mar 2017 9:16 am Compression
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I dont use much compression but due to arthritis a tad of it helps to even things out a bit sometimes. These ol' fingers don't always move smoothly and a little compression goes along way.
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1976 Sho Bud Pro III SD10
Carvin 150 with Profex II
Carvin 100 tube amp with Transtube fex Stereo 2 15"JBL D130's
Session 400 with JBL D130 |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 8 Mar 2017 9:57 am
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At 79 I just use reverb and delay and not much of either. My fingers are not as fast as they used to be but that has nothing to do with sound, just some fast licks.
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GFI Ultra Keyless S-10 with pad (Black of course) TB202 amp, Hilton VP, Steelers Choice sidekick seat, SIT Strings
Cakewalk by Bandlab and Studio One V4.6 pro DAWs, MOTU Ultralite MK5 recording interface unit |
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Tucker Jackson
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 8 Mar 2017 11:00 am Re: Singing effect
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| Brian Waits wrote: |
| Other than technique, what is the single most helpful effect when it comes to the singing effect of the steel ? |
You already have the right gear, so... I know you said "other than technique" but are you sure you're doing proper volume pedal technique to maximize sustain?
At normal playing volume, is your pedal at about 60%-70% of the way on? If not, turn up your amp so that it's loud enough so that you can run your pedal that way. That's 'default' position and you'll leave it set there most of the time.
Be sure to pick firmly so that the notes will ring as long as possible on their own. And when you're ready to "sing," slightly step on the gas as the notes are trying to decay (this is why you leave headroom of 30-40% on the pedal). Pull it back to default a split second before picking the next note.
Takes a lot of practice. Pedal work is almost an art form unto itself -- who was it that said the volume pedal is connected to the heart? Jimmy Day, maybe?
A little bar vibrato gives it a singing quality as well.
Last edited by Tucker Jackson on 8 Mar 2017 11:11 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 8 Mar 2017 11:10 am
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It comes down to playing it to sing.
And I'd say Tucker has his amp too low.
Learn to work the guitar, then you'll be able to "sing" through the guitar.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Tucker Jackson
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 8 Mar 2017 11:12 am
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| Where do you run your pedal, Lane? About 50%? |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 8 Mar 2017 11:50 am
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I turn the amp up to 5 or 6, master volume all the way up.
Volume pedal down to the appropriate level- often less than half until I start sustaining notes.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Brett Lanier
From:
Madison, TN
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Posted 9 Mar 2017 11:17 am
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I've found that the heavier gauge plain strings are the best for emulating the human voice. That usually means the 6th string for me because I use a 20 plain.
If you're recording it also helps to layer one string/note at a time rather than playing all at once if you're emulating something like three part background harmonies. |
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