Death by Audio Interstellar Overdriver

emjazz · #1 06-27-2008, 12:02 PM

Just got an Interstellar Overdriver in today. So far it's exactly what I was looking for. It sounds like the sound of your bass, just through a raging amplifier that's at the breaking point. I've got a gig that I'll try it on tonight but it looks very promising so far. There doesn't seem to be much loss of the low end until you start to really crank the overdrive. I'm hoping to have Death by Audio or someone else mod it to retain even more of the lows. Where I have it set at now though, I don't think that I'll notice any low end loss on the gig.

Compared to my Analogman modded Ibanez TS9DX, the Interstellar Overdriver is much clearer; not as Woolly in the midrange. Both pedals are fabulous though. The TS9DX adds it's own color, but it's a good one for sure. I can't see getting rid of either pedal over the other, however, I do think that the IO will cut through a mix better. The TS9DX is warmer (darker), thicker, and more full sounding, while the IO is clearer, more true to your instruments sound, and sounds more like an amp in overdrive.

http://www.deathbyaudio.net/

OhThePeacock · #2 06-27-2008, 12:07 PM

Wooo I've been waiting for this one. I'm pretty sure I asked this before but does yours have the master volume controll? Any chance of making clips?

emjazz · #3 06-27-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OhThePeacock

Wooo I've been waiting for this one. I'm pretty sure I asked this before but does yours have the master volume controll? Any chance of making clips?

Oh yeah...mine does have the master volume control. I lucked out and found a great deal on a new one on Ebay. I think the master volume is a must have for sure.

Not sure about clips. I'll see what I can do. If I can do them than I'll be sure to make clips comparing the IO and the TS9DX.

OhThePeacock · #4 06-27-2008, 12:13 PM

Awesome man, looking forward toyour post-gig impressions.

emjazz · #5 06-28-2008, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OhThePeacock

Awesome man, looking forward toyour post-gig impressions.

Well....the pedal didn't make it to the gig. I tried it briefly at a rehearsal before hand and put the TS9DX back on the board...and that pedal killed for the gig so I'm glad that I did. The IO ended up losing too much low end when I pushed it towards more overdrive. I'm really disappointed as it has so much potential. I've heard some clips of the one and only Bass Overdriver made and those are unreal. I can't seem to get a response through email from Death by Audio about modding it for bass (been trying for a few weeks). If they won't get back to me, or if they say they won't mod it than it goes....although, with a blend pedal I think it would work marvelously. I'm almost tempted to try...it really is that good as far as the characteristics of the pedal.

OhThePeacock · #6 06-28-2008, 12:44 PM

There was only one bass overdrive made? That's a darn shame.

emjazz · #7 06-28-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OhThePeacock

There was only one bass overdrive made? That's a darn shame.

yeah, and they aren't taking custom orders right now.....

OhThePeacock · #8 06-28-2008, 05:47 PM

Who has the only one made?

emjazz · #9 06-28-2008, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OhThePeacock

Who has the only one made?

It was a guy on here but he got rid of it. Apparently it had cost around $350...but it had an extra boost function as well...which I wouldn't care for myself. I just want the Overdriver with master volume modded for bass.

SnakeAnthony · #10 06-29-2008, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emjazz

It was a guy on here but he got rid of it. Apparently it had cost around $350...but it had an extra boost function as well...which I wouldn't care for myself. I just want the Overdriver with master volume modded for bass.

Ron Now is the one you speak of. I'm sure a PM his way would be at least mildly helpful on what was done to the pedal, as well as his experiences with DBA.

emjazz · #11 06-29-2008, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnakeAnthony

Ron Now is the one you speak of. I'm sure a PM his was would be at least mildly helpful on what was done to the pedal, as well as his experiences with DBA.

I know...I've PM'd back and forth about it. I'm not sure that he knows what was done to change the pedal for bass though. He does wish that he hadn't gotten rid of it.

**5stringwonder** · #12 06-29-2008, 04:05 AM

The Interstellar Overdriver Supreme on the website looks like it has a Bass Overdrive setting. Wonder if it's the same as the modded Interstellar Overdriver.

Mudfuzz · #13 06-29-2008, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OhThePeacock

Who has the only one made?

Me, I bought it from Ron a few months ago.

What would you like to know?

emjazz · #14 06-29-2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudfuzz

Me

What would you like to know?

Do have any idea what was done differently to make the pedal work well with bass? How do you like it? Does your pedal sound full and retain your basses sound?

Mudfuzz · #15 06-29-2008, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emjazz

Do have any idea what was done differently to make the pedal work well with bass? How do you like it? Does your pedal sound full and retain your basses sound?

Yes, there is a and tone circuit on a extra pc board [which also holds the boost circuit that is wired to a switch that brings it it in and out of the main circuit. The thing is though that it is on the input end rather than the output end of the circuit so it changes the sound of the whole thing when switched on, at lower drive settings it adds bass, at higher it add a synthy quality to the sound [and if you are using a bass with a active EQ this is even more pronounced], but still retains the lows a bit better.

I like the low gain setting better the the high with after about 2 o'clock sound more like fuzz to me then OD, which is cool for some sounds. I never had problems with low retention and it did retain my basses sound, but I like it on passive basses a little more than active.

My favorite sound with it is when a envelope filter is run into it, it really does a wonderful dirty filter sound. Also it does a nice job on getting the sound of a old bass amp being pushed, so depending on your EQ setting you can nail Aston Barrett's live sound as well as Dusty Hill's tone rather well.

In the end though it is not on my live board, after a month I when back to my blend>HAO Rustride>BBE sonic stomp combo to get my OD sound, it just fits better with my sound and what I play. Also it DOES NOT WORK with a 105Q in front of it which is a BIG thing for me; I like to go Fuzz>WAH>OD.

So it is going into my recording and special occasion board I am putting together, with is going to be basically the lid of a Turntable coffin case with all the pedals run through a furman patchbay .

emjazz · #16 06-29-2008, 01:46 PM

Yeah, I'm thinking a blend pedal is next for me to go with my TS9DX....and maybe the Overdriver to try.

emjazz · #17 07-03-2008, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudfuzz

....Also it does a nice job on getting the sound of a old bass amp being pushed, so depending on your EQ setting you can nail Aston Barrett's live sound as well as Dusty Hill's tone rather well.

I would agree with this statement for sure. I'm having a difficult time deciding if I'm going to keep this pedal or not. I haven't heard from Death by Audio still so I'm guessing that I won't as I've sent 3 emails now.

I will say that with more playing time, I can hear that there is certainly a small drop off of the lows and a slight bump in the upper midrange. I can see this being great for cutting through in a live setting though. The pedal sounds so good, but for my needs, if I could get that upper mid bump pushed down to the low mids than it'd work.......I would've turned it around by now if it wasn't for the fact that this thing sounds so good. It really does have the sound of a tube amp being pushed. It's really something. The only other pedal that I imagine being better for this would be the Blueberry....but I don't see myself spending $400 on an overdrive pedal.

NickyBass · #18 07-03-2008, 09:23 AM

Andy, have you researched the Flipster? I don't know much about it, or if it can even overdrive, but it's supposed to be based on the Ampeg SB12 circuit. IMO, the overdriven fliptop tone is 'it' for me.

emjazz · #19 07-03-2008, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickyBass

Andy, have you researched the Flipster? I don't know much about it, or if it can even overdrive, but it's supposed to be based on the Ampeg SB12 circuit. IMO, the overdriven fliptop tone is 'it' for me.

I haven't....I had heard the name but didn't know anything about it. I am really happy with my TS9DX. I've played with it more and found some really great settings that has made it even more usable to me than before. At this point I just want to try the MI Audio Blue Boy Deluxe and possibly the upcoming Music Electronix Overdrive. There's also the option of sending in my TS9DX for the silver mod, which should even out the mids a bit. I may find something else for that though and the it as is. I haven't decided.

musicelectronix · #20 07-03-2008, 10:47 AM

Did you ever tried the SWR Interstellar Overdrive? (The original one with power tubes and all)