Cure for overdrive w/ an anemic low-end found, and its name is Xotic (sound clips)

davecheng · #1 07-17-2009, 08:02 AM

Taking a few hints from this thread on overdrives with little low-end loss, I went out on to try my lackluster Fultone Bass-Drive (non-MOSFET) up against this fabled Xotic Bass BB Preamp.

(Disclaimer: I'm one of those "rnb/jazz/gospel guys" who has little idea of what a good "rock tone" is supposed to sound like, aside from "P into a cranked SVT".)

The result? Exactly what I was looking for. The Xotic seems to have less compression, less emphasis on mids, and really allows the natural tonal characteristic of the bass to come through. The high/low EQ is a nice touch and very usable.

Since we all like sound clips, I made a few recordings.

The difference in the low end presence should be pretty evident in these DI'ed recordings, but it's a night-and-day difference through a cab with a wide voicing, like the Epifani UL410.

Quick riff, first clean, then Xotic, and Fulltone:
http://davecheng.com/sounds/roscoe-xotic_fulltone.mp3

Riff in the lower register:
http://davecheng.com/sounds/rock-clean.mp3
http://davecheng.com/sounds/rock-xotic.mp3
http://davecheng.com/sounds/rock-fulltone.mp3

Riff in the higher register:
http://davecheng.com/sounds/purple_haze-clean.mp3
http://davecheng.com/sounds/purple_haze-xotic.mp3
http://davecheng.com/sounds/purple_haze-fulltone.mp3

Roscoe LG > overdrive > Radial JDI > Edirol UA25EX

Any thoughts? Or am I late to the party and just stating the obvious now?

(Thanks to everyone who pointed me to the Xotic BB!)

dannybuoy · #2 07-17-2009, 08:17 AM

I'll check the clips later - I guess I should do some with the BB going into a VT Bass, which makes a glorious sound.

NewLaw83 · #3 07-17-2009, 08:22 AM

Wow what a difference! The Xotic sounds great! I was looking into maybe purchasing the Fulltone but now Ill look into the Xotic. Again nice purchase!

Mark Olson · #4 07-17-2009, 08:26 AM

The Xotic does have better low end than the Fulltone. I've owned them both. But you should play harder with an overdrive!

davecheng · #5 07-17-2009, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Olson

But you should play harder with an overdrive!

Old habits die hard.

Light touch, light strings, and ultra low action don't seem to like rocking out very much.

scotch · #6 07-17-2009, 10:36 AM

Yeah, the Xotic Bass BB is pretty much a Fulltone killer. It's not as flexible as a Bass-Drive, but the fundamental overdrive tone is the same and the added eq and more even frequency response is hard to beat!

I would think that most Fulltone Bass-Drive users would prefer the BB except for the players who use the comp-cut mode a lot or rely on the boost function. (of course add a Bass RC Booster to the equation and you have all of the bases covered!)

I obviously prefer the BB to the Fulltone. However, if I know I'm doing a live gig that is going to be a more aggressive P-Bass, pick, overdrive situation- I still like the Bass-Drive. It snarls more.

dannybuoy · #7 07-17-2009, 10:42 AM

BTW, I replaced my Humphrey Bad Monkey with the BB... but whilst I had them both in I did a lot of A/B-ing and there wasn't much between the two. Very similar sounding, but the BB wins because of smaller form factor, true bypass and booteek coolness!

Hollow Man · #8 07-17-2009, 11:18 AM

I just got my Xotic Bass BB in the mail, and it's exactly what I hoped it would be! Not very high-gain, but perfect for an OD. Super happy with it!

scotch · #9 07-17-2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

BTW, I replaced my Humphrey Bad Monkey with the BB... but whilst I had them both in I did a lot of A/B-ing and there wasn't much between the two. Very similar sounding, but the BB wins because of smaller form factor, true bypass and booteek coolness!

Yeah, but boutique is sooooo 2003! The new boutique is decidedly consumer grade!

Andy Walhor · #10 07-17-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

I'll check the clips later - I guess I should do some with the BB going into a VT Bass, which makes a glorious sound.

Please do.

Jared Lash · #11 07-17-2009, 12:55 PM

Glad you're digging the Xotic. I think it's a great pedal.

cnltb · #12 07-17-2009, 01:04 PM

I much prefer the xotic!! sounds good.
Still a little muffled tho, as I've found on MANY overdrives.
Nice tho!!
Thanks for the clips too as the xotic is something I have been tempted by for a while now.

jufros · #13 07-17-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnltb

Still a little muffled tho, as I've found on MANY overdrives.

Exactly why I sided with the MI Audio Blue Box Deluxe. I loved the BB too though and it's definitely more traditional sounding which can be good or bad depending on your needs.

cnltb · #14 07-17-2009, 04:16 PM

My all time favorite is still the Proco Rat.
It's just that it doesn't retain the bottom so well.

Does anyone know what the Rat mods usually do to it?

davecheng · #15 07-18-2009, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnltb

Still a little muffled tho, as I've found on MANY overdrives.

I always thought that the slightly muffled (but not muddy) sound of an overdrive gives it warmth and smoothness, as opposed to the sharper sound of a light distortion.

cnltb · #16 07-18-2009, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davecheng

I always thought that the slightly muffled (but not muddy) sound of an overdrive gives it warmth and smoothness, as opposed to the sharper sound of a light distortion.

Yeah, there is that but it's just not for me...
I just like "a little hair" on my sound and want to retain the openness that I am used to.

Unrepresented · #17 07-18-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotch

I would think that most Fulltone Bass-Drive users would prefer the BB except for the players who use the comp-cut mode a lot or rely on the boost function.

You've just described my use of the BassDrive to a tee. If you can find something that'll improve on the CompCut mode in boost, fire away.

davecheng · #18 07-18-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unrepresented

You've just described my use of the BassDrive to a tee. If you can find something that'll improve on the CompCut mode in boost, fire away.

So you use the Bass-Drive comp-cut as a clean boost to overdrive a preamp?

Unrepresented · #19 07-18-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davecheng

So you use the Bass-Drive comp-cut as a clean boost to overdrive a preamp?

No. I use the comp-cut, but don't use the pedal as a clean boost. I use the "boost" channel, set towards roughly unity gain, but it still increases the overdriven tone over the first channel.

Closest thing I've found to this tone is the HAO Rust Ride, which unfortunately drops far more low end than the Bass Drive. If HAO could improve this, It'd take my BassDrive's spot on my board.

dannybuoy · #20 07-18-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnltb

Yeah, there is that but it's just not for me...
I just like "a little hair" on my sound and want to retain the openness that I am used to.

For a little 'hair' I recommend the Pork Loin. I still favour the BB as it has a bit more grit and bite, but the Pork Loin great for adding a bit of smooth 'hair' to your tone. Or you could just use shampoo.