I've recently joined a electronica band. The line up is gtr synth/2 keys players/electronic drummer, bass, vocs. I've never used effects pedals on bass before but since I'm the only member of the band NOT using an electronically treated sound (apart from the fact I'm playing an electric bass of course) I'm thinking I should experiment with some effects. I'd don't want to spend a fortune but I do want something that sounds professional.

Also, I'd like to get some compression - would the compression on a multi-effects be reasonably decent or do I need something separate?

I'd be delighted to hear your advice/thoughts.

Compression comes in many flavours. And most on multi-fx units are not that good.
There are a couple of pedal type compressors which do stand out..EBS, for one, but most are lacking in both control and sound.

Many "pro" compressors will run much $$ (My Avalon was in excess of 2 grand) but there are some very cool ones out there for less.

Do some research on compressors and find what you might be interestred in it for. Compression is an "effect" which, when used right, should not be discernable. Altho..as a caveat to that I will add that overt "pumping" compression can be a cool effect in electronica.

Some units worth researching:
The aforementioned EBS Multicomp
ART Levelar (very inexpensive, sounds really good on bass)
FMC RNC (Real Nice Compressor..1/2 rack size. very good)
Joe Meek (forgot the model #)
and..oddly enough.the photo/optic compressor on the Fishman Platinum Bass EQ/Preamp/DI is very smooth and musical.

Might I add...for electronica, one VERY cool effect which I use, tho not just in electronica-type settings) is the Roger Linn AdrenaLinn processor. MIDI/tempo syn'd filters and fx sequences...amp modeling and a drum machine all in one.

Max

Thanks Max, I'll look into some of these suggestions although initial impression is that some of these may be in a higher price bracket than I'm looking for. My own fault for using the word "professional" in my post: I suppose I meant I'm not looking at the bottom of the price range if I can get better quality for a bit more, but as basically a hobby player I can't justify spending too much either.

Although I've not used one myself (I'm doomed to carting a huge pedalboard for my fx needs), Greenboy was a great believer in the Digitech BP-8 which is now available really cheap secondhand:

http://www.musicgearnetwork.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=001259#000015

Do a search on it, there's loads of info here you can dig up. They go for less than $150 on ebay.

Alex