Agressive Distortion

tomas_almeida · #1 03-01-2010, 12:16 PM

Hey effect-maniacs!!

I don't have any pedals at the moment (never felt the need) but very soon I'm going to start a project with my written material. So I decided to get as experimental as I could.
In the long run I want to have a comp, a graphic eq, a flanger, a distortion and maybe a synth.

The compressor part I've mostly decided to go with the Multicomp, after having heard and tried one. It really does it's job wonderfully!

The part I'm clueless about is the distortion. I'm looking for a very agressive sound, pushing a bit on the high mids (800Hz to 1.5kHz), while retaing the low frequencies entirely, kind of like a double rectifier.
The sound I'm taking as reference is Meshuggah's bass sound, very chainsaw-like, but still transparent to hear the attack. Meshuggah does this by having a bass direct to a Line 6 POD. I don't want it exactly like it, because I think Meshuggah's sound is a little too honky and has not much low end. I would like it less unidimensional, with more frequency range, both lows and highs.
I would be using the pedal with a Traynor YBA200 (an all tube amp), so I don't know if I should go for something that pushes the amp into distortion, while retaining volume the most possible, or to have the distortion being all from the pedal.

So if you have any suggestions, please go ahead. Also, if what you're thinking about is a combination of pedals or other stuff please say it. Just one thing, buying a Double Rectifier is not an option.

Cheers!

bongomania · #2 03-01-2010, 12:24 PM

Well, of course there's plenty to read if you search on "distortion".

But the best "extreme" distortions I've heard, with lots of low end, are the Landmine and the 3XFX Fatman.

tomas_almeida · #3 03-01-2010, 12:33 PM

I've read some things, but generally people are not really specifically looking for what I want, so it gets very confusing, plus with lots of information to choose from.

Thanks for suggestions, will definetely check on them!

Verminaard · #4 03-01-2010, 12:39 PM

The devi ever hyperion is a pretty heavy fuzz distortion. I just recently obtained one and IMO it is a better and heavier distortion than the tech 21 xxlb (which is very middy).

I threw the hyperion in a blender and noticed no real difference with bass loss. I use it without one and it is fantastic!! Although if you don't like the glitchy stuttery decay you may not like it.

Personally I quite like the static sound it produces and it sustains forever. Plays good tight rhythm and soloish distortion well. And it's like $95 new!! Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j6Url7QnTg

tomas_almeida · #5 03-01-2010, 12:54 PM

Just heard samples of the three pedals that were recommended.

The Landmine is very close to what I'm looking for, the only thing that puts me off is that it seems to have a constant very high pitched "bzzzzzz" going on, which is very evident. Excluding that, it is really really close to what I am looking for.

The 3XFX Fatman seems to have way too much noise and is too fuzzy for me. I'm looking for a distortion, not so much the more synthy sounding fuzzes.

The hyperion is also more of a fuzz, but the samples I heard were really really great. On top of that, it seems a lot more cheaper than the Landmine, so that's a big plus.

Nevertheless, I'm still open to further suggestions.

savinggrace · #6 03-03-2010, 01:40 AM

The Eh Metal Muff is what you want.

xjeremiahx · #7 03-03-2010, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savinggrace

The Eh Metal Muff is what you want.

Pair this up w/ a simple BBE sonicstomp to help w/ some of those lows that are lost w/ distortion & you've got one fat sound.

theunknowndude · #8 03-03-2010, 03:51 AM

this is just my few I have found that I like

Ibanez PD7 - can sound very artificial and digital especially with EQ up and the attack switches on however with them off and EQ'd properly can sound awesome, quite a lot of gain on there too,... although id like something better this always seems to be my goto one

Devi ever Hyperion - I run this blended, could probably do fine without just with my metal band I find gives excellent note definition whilst still retaining the craziness of the hype! I LOVE this pedal, but mmm I will try not to over recommend it

Proco Turbo Rat - I like this but only depending on if the sound calls for it,... the way I have it set up is very brassy and metallic,... however that can get 'agressive' especially on the low E and B strings and it has alot of gain... I think with a pick and the right EQ on the pedal and rig you could almost dial in a meshuggah sound come to think of it...

They are the only pedals I have real world experience with,...
the most agressive sound I have heard would have to be from any of the DAM pedals,... (meat head, ezekiel etc)
http://bassfuzz.com/2009/05/17/fuzz-...dard-meathead/

http://bassfuzz.com/2009/05/12/dirt-...-ezekiel-2517/

tomas_almeida · #9 03-03-2010, 07:52 AM

Thanks for all the responses! I wasn't able to come to the thread yesterday, sorry.

The Metal Muff is really not what I'm going for...

I'm going to see if I find some Proco Rat soundclips, because I've never really got to hear one.

But right now I'm more inclined to either the Landmine or the Hyperion.

ourworldisgrey · #10 03-03-2010, 04:08 PM

If you're looking at a Proco Rat, you're either going to need to get it modded or get a blend pedal because they are not good with the lows. Mine is modded and it's a monster.

Crystalman85 · #11 03-03-2010, 06:53 PM

If you want an aggressive distortion, give the tech 21 xxl bass edition distortion pedal a try.

http://www.basstasters.com/effects/Tech21_XXL.html

jumbo_steelie · #12 03-03-2010, 07:12 PM

Barker Assmsater Silicon...it colours your tone....but oh so beautifully. Super agressive and if you set the sensivity just right, lots of clarity. Oh, and it sits just right in the mix...