I alternate finger style and pick playing a lot. There is a noticeable volume difference between these styles. This messes up the mix in a band setting. I want a simple pedal that I can set to compensate for the volume difference and just switch between with the click of a foot switch.
Yes, I could just turn down the volume knob on my bass. But then I’m taking extra time looking down to get exactly the right level. This is more annoying on a 2-Volume knob bass, especially since I usually dial one pickup back a touch.
I also want the freedom to just… switch to finger style if I drop my pick.
I want it to color my sound as little as possible.
What would be the best, easiest, cheapest option for this? Recommendation for pedals?
Signal booster? And boost for finger style? (Or can those be used to attenuate sound?)
Signal attenuator? That turns down the pick volume?
Build my own pedal that is basically just a volume pot on a switch? Can I do that unpowered?
Thanks. That mentions the two strongest contenders for me: TC Spark Mini and the EHX LPB-1. Both <$50 on Amazon.
It does answer my biggest question, that the TC is more transparent than the EHX. Which is what I’m looking for.
I could try to save a few $$ with a budget brand like Sonicake… but I trust TC better, and that’s worth an extra $15 for an always-on pedal, rather than a fun coloring effect.
Unrelated: Also shopping power supplies. Weighing how many ports I need/want. If it’s worth spending the money for an 8-port over 6. And if I want them all to be 500mA, vs a cheaper one with 2x 500mA and the rest 100mA and 200mA.
I’d toss the Cioks 7 and the Strymon Zuma on the list too. They both use an IEC C13 cable for power (same cord you’d plug into a PC tower) rather than one of those little barrel plugs. Easy to find replacements if you need to.
I use the providence booster sometimes when I switch between basses with low output. It’s clean and noiseless. Also works really well if you have to use extra long cable on stage.
Strymon and the Voodoo Power Plus won’t work on my pedal board because of where the plug jack is located.
The Cioks is nice and would work well, but the most expensive by a notable margin.
I’m leaning strongly in favor of the Walrus. Partly on price/value. Primarily on form factor to mount neatly on my board, which is a Pedaltrain Metro 20:
The Walrus is sort of perfectly sized to tuck neatly under the middle plate, and all the plugs are along one face. The True Tone is just significantly less expensive than the competition.
Although… the voltage rating is a bit questionable. I need 500mA for my Darkglass pedal, and this sounds like it might only provide 400mA consistently.
