Is the Agro for me? Looking for overdrive/distortion.

**mikeddd** · #1 07-22-2010, 01:36 AM

Debating on whether to get an Agro or some other distortion/overdrive like the Soundblox Pro Multiwave Distortion.

I have a Bass Big Muff Pi and it's not really for me. To much "crackly hi frequency mud" (no matter how I twiddle the knobs) and it kills the bottom end. I thought the BM would be for me, but in the end I realized I wasn't looking for fuzz, I was looking for an overdriven sound. The clips that I heard for the Agro seem to be what I'm looking for; low-end is still there. The Soundblox is just insane...tons of options there.

The sound I want still has the bottom end/low midrange there; I want to be able to tailor the "amount of hair" on the sound. I use a VT Bass to get my baseline tone. I want to add whatever distortion/OD pedal i get to that sound. When I need the overdriven sound I just want to stomp a box and ADD that sound to what I've already got as opposed to having to twiddle knobs and changing my baseline sound. Hope that makes sense?

I've read the top 15 or so Agro threads. Just looking for more input. Thanks much.

Mike

perogato02 · #2 07-22-2010, 02:00 AM

I have the Agro as a rackmounted preamp.
And yes you can dial in your tone, going from smooth haired fuzz just to hair curling overdrive.
And there is tons of low-end provided ... you even get a 'deep' boost if you need more 'boom'.

The Agro doesn't lay a layer of fuzz or distortion over your sound but shall have an influence on your sound, hopefully the one you are looking for.

**mikeddd** · #3 07-22-2010, 02:07 AM

Thanks for the explanation, perogato02. I'm really leaning toward the Agro and appreciate your input. Of course, the Soundblox Pro is just...silly awesome. I got GAS, man.

perogato02 · #4 07-22-2010, 05:24 AM

Only one cure for GAS: buy, buy, buy ... just 'till the moment you find your holy grail.
I have never tried the Soundblox, so can't help you with comparing.
Just try before you buy

Jonyak · #5 07-22-2010, 06:31 AM

ever thought about the fulltone bass drive?

its my favorite.

**mikeddd** · #6 07-22-2010, 06:54 AM

Thanks, Jonyak; I'll read up on the Fulltone.

itswac · #7 07-22-2010, 08:43 AM

One of the key features of the Soundblox Multiwave Bass Distortion are the separate mix/gain knobs for your clean and dirty signals. With this, you can activate the pedal with zero compromise of your low end. That feature is available on both the standard and pro units.

ricknote · #8 07-22-2010, 08:58 AM

Mike,
I've been trying to tell folks around here about Swell Pedals B-TOD. I got one about
a year ago and it replaced my Fulltone bass driver and Russian Big Muff in one pedal.
I saw this company again at Summer NAMM and I think the word is finally getting
out.
It got a Summer NAMM award from Bass Gear Magazine.
http://www.bassgearmag.com/blog/
It's a real tube pedal with no low end loss and true bypass.
They ain't cheap but their stuff is top shelf and won't wreck your tone.

Good luck,
Rick

**mikeddd** · #9 07-22-2010, 09:12 AM

@itswac: Yup, I know about the separate mix/gain knobs. That's a very nice feature to have. The Multiwave is an incredible piece of gear.

@ricknote: Thanks for the tip on the Swell B-TOD. I have seen pics of their pedals in the "show your pedalboard" threads but never checked them out myself. They certainly appear to be worth the price; the list of construction materials is top-notch. But they definitely have a price to match.

I wish I could get one of everything!

Smurf-o-Deth · #10 07-22-2010, 09:19 AM

FWIW, the AGRO retains the character of your bass without needing a clean blend to do it, which sounds more natural to me. What this means is lows and mids remain intact, and your tone still sounds like your tone, just dirtied up. The tone controls are very useful as well for not only shaping the nature of the dirt but also for maintaining clarity, even at very high levels of saturation.

**mikeddd** · #11 07-22-2010, 09:55 AM

This is really what I was hoping to hear.

It sounds exactly like what I'm looking for. Your description details exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks, Smurf-o-deth.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smurf-o-Deth

FWIW, the AGRO retains the character of your bass without needing a clean blend to do it, which sounds more natural to me. What this means is lows and mids remain intact, and your tone still sounds like your tone, just dirtied up. The tone controls are very useful as well for not only shaping the nature of the dirt but also for maintaining clarity, even at very high levels of saturation.

Stachio · #12 07-22-2010, 10:37 AM

I have the AG500 which uses the Agro pre-amp section from what I understand. I'll second everyone's opinion. Subtle OD to heavy grind with no loss of low end. And like Smurf-o-Deth said, your bass retains its character. The pedal doesn't have the tweakability of the rackmount model, but I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed.
I'd also want to throw the Fulltone OCD into the mix. Very tasty OD as well. It's the OD I use live since I can't cart the AG500 for OD.

Smurf-o-Deth · #13 07-22-2010, 11:09 AM

I owned the rackmount version of the AGRO, and prior to using the pedal version, I had sort of the same mentality: "it's missing all the eq controls, which are a big part of what makes the circuit so good!" However, after using the pedal, I can say that not only do I not miss the other eq controls, I prefer it without them. The four knobs keep it simple, effective, and don't give so many options that you end up totally re-writing your tone. It's no longer a channel, but it's, IMO, a better od/distortion now.

**mikeddd** · #14 07-25-2010, 10:55 AM

Well, we shall see if I made the right choice when it arrives! I bought an Agro online two days ago. Should be here in a week or so. I'm planning on putting after the VT Bass (the VT is the first pedal in the chain)

Side note: Where do you guys post sound clips?

Darkglass · #15 07-25-2010, 11:23 AM

I am probably not the best to talk, because I design my own stuff, but I found the Agro a bit too muddy... if you like that low end saturation, then is probably for you.
When using overdrive/distortion I personally like to have my low end very present, but cleaner, so that it remains well defined... for my taste, a Blend knob is compulsory in any bass dirt circuit... wether is a pedal, rack, etc.
But then again, that's only my opinion.

Regards!

Doug

Smurf-o-Deth · #16 07-25-2010, 12:19 PM

This is where using words to describe sound can be very difficult. I would define muddy as "lack of clarity", and I find the AGRO to have plenty of clarity, inasmuch as I define clarity as distinction between notes. Also, I find the hair imparted by the circuit to focus on the mids and highs, while the lows are distorted to a lesser degree, proportionally. Also, I personally consider a clean blend to be a second-tier choice to having a circuit that works without needing one, in respect to od/dist/fuzz, as I don't like the clash of clean mids and highs with the dirtied signal. Obviously, for anyone that wants that sort of sound, the clean blend is going to be favored. And, it goes without saying (but I'll do it anyway) that choice of instrument, amp, technique, tone goals, and whatever else you care to name all have an impact on the perception of any piece of gear.

**mikeddd** · #17 07-25-2010, 12:54 PM

I agree with you, Smurf; using words to define sound is difficult and so subjective. My "muddy" might be someone else's "smeared on the bottom a bit". But from the sound clips I listened to, the Agro seems to be what I'm looking for. A dirty in the middle, non-ear-piercing top end, and I can still hear the fundamental, sound. <--but those are my words. LOL!

Of course, reading the recommendations from yourself and others helped tremendously. For me, if someone seems to write the same way I do...describes things like I would, that helps so much.

Being new to the bass and bass effects, I found out that fuzz is not what I was looking for (I bought a used Big Muff Pi here on TB...works great and got a good deal, but it's not what I wanted). I'm keeping the fuzz but won't be using it for the songs I'm planning on using the Agro for. Ah, GAS. The never-ending quest for the unobtainable sound.

busta_bird · #18 07-26-2010, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeddd

seems to be what I'm looking for. A dirty in the middle

I've been looking at the Agro for the same reasons. I believe I'll part with the Big Muff Pi and go for the Agro.

**mikeddd** · #19 07-27-2010, 12:41 AM

I'm debating selling my Big Muff Pi as well. Not using it right now...but who knows about tomorrow? Stupid pedal GAS...

Agro should be here this week. Can't wait!

SIDE NOTE: Where do you guys post sound clips?

**TheMutt** · #20 07-27-2010, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeddd

I'm debating selling my Big Muff Pi as well. Not using it right now...but who knows about tomorrow? Stupid pedal GAS...

Agro should be here this week. Can't wait!

SIDE NOTE: Where do you guys post sound clips?

If it's the Black Russian Big Muff, I'd advise against it as they are no longer made.

As far as where to post sound clips, I personally use SoundClick to post up things.