Distortion pedal that won't colour my tone too much?

Murph_Orpheus · #1 07-26-2010, 10:04 PM

I'm looking for a distortion pedal(definitely don't want fuzz as it's not my thing) that won't colour my tone all too much. I currently use an MXR M-80 which is fine but I'd like to try and get a pedal that keeps the tone I have running through my amp. I really like the distortion in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7ppIn6vFhI. I know he's using other effects too but the distortion itself sounds really nice. And I know the obvious answer would be to get the EBS Valvedrive he's using in the video but from what I've read it kind of works like a pre-amp with the bass and treble controls etc and I'm trying to avoid that. So, is there a pedal out there that can just give me that layer of distortion I'm looking for? I've been reading good things about the Voodoo Lab Sparkledrive, would that do the trick?

**TheMutt** · #2 07-26-2010, 10:10 PM

Get a distortion with a blend on it like the Pork Loin.

Murph_Orpheus · #3 07-26-2010, 11:15 PM

Cheers will look up that pedal.

Here's another video of the kind of dirt I'm looking to get http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOR0hUIGb4Y. Although I'd like a bit more low end than this sound but the distortion is amazing.

chicago_mike · #4 07-26-2010, 11:23 PM

I think that sound is the ebs valvedrive.

bongomania · #5 07-26-2010, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murph_Orpheus

I know the obvious answer would be to get the EBS Valvedrive he's using in the video but from what I've read it kind of works like a pre-amp with the bass and treble controls etc and I'm trying to avoid that.

There's really no inherent difference between a "preamp" and an "effect". If you don't want added EQ from the Valve Drive, set the EQ knobs to their "flat" setting. Done.

*insertcoolname · #6 07-26-2010, 11:35 PM

EBS multidrive. I love mine, especially for it's transparency. My sound + crunch. Sounds great with my Warwick Thumb.

Murph_Orpheus · #7 07-26-2010, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *insertcoolname

EBS multidrive. I love mine, especially for it's transparency. My sound + crunch. Sounds great with my Warwick Thumb.

I was looking at that and also the EBS Metaldrive, the samples on the site for the metaldrive are quite good. It seems to me that the metaldrive is basically the multidrive, but with more gain which is kind of what I'm after. Damn this infernal search for the right OD sound!

vibhas_2310 · #8 07-26-2010, 11:46 PM

anyone here tried the Xotic pedals for bass ? The distortion in the RC Booster and BB preamp is not balls to the walls type of distortion but its good enough for me .

*insertcoolname · #9 07-27-2010, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murph_Orpheus

I was looking at that and also the EBS Metaldrive, the samples on the site for the metaldrive are quite good. It seems to me that the metaldrive is basically the multidrive, but with more gain which is kind of what I'm after. Damn this infernal search for the right OD sound!

I demo'd the Metaldrive a while back, I remember not being as impressed but it wasn't bad by any means, just not my thing.

As far as distortion goes, my favorite way to do it is run my Multidrive into my BDDI. Set the BDDI for a slight crunch (remember to cut bass and treble on the BDDI cause it's scooped at 12) and then set the Multidrive with it's gain maxed out and volume to unity. Now THAT is how ya do it.

**TheMutt** · #10 07-27-2010, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vibhas_2310

anyone here tried the Xotic pedals for bass ? The distortion in the RC Booster and BB preamp is not balls to the walls type of distortion but its good enough for me .

The Xotic Bass BB and Bass RC get a lot of love around here.

jet_king · #11 07-27-2010, 12:47 AM

im just baffled you don't like a fuzz/muff. I guess thats what makes all us bass players different eh? PLAY ON!!

MNAirHead · #12 07-27-2010, 01:09 AM

Before mutliple stomps.. I'd encourage you to consider multi effects that you can also tweek tone, compression, modelling, delay etc.. you can then tweek the tone "coloring" back to where you need/want it.

Before picking up a used Zoom B2.1u I was skeptical, someone encouraged me to at least try it (personalizing multiple characteristics in conjunction with desired effect).. as it turns out many studio sounds I've heard were a string of multiple effects.. my preferred sound has a tinge of slap back delay, reverb, compressor, para EQ, distortion and gated chorus.... to do this with stomp boxes would be a total headache... plus I'd probably use TOO MUCH of each effect.

I also bought the boss and line6.. they both left due to size and lack of DI out

=====

the M-80 isn't known for it's distortion (unless you're Beck)... it has the same characteristics as the famed original Distorition+ pedal -- it's really a guitar distortion design.

DO NOT sell the M-80... for the money it may be the best Tone shaping DI box out there.. solid as heck.. takes phantom.. quiet.. switchable etc.. I've played them against my $$$$$$ pedals - from FOH, you can not really tell the difference.

Tim

Murph_Orpheus · #13 07-27-2010, 11:35 PM

I've read quite a bit on here about the Xotic BB being used as a clean preamp as well as for overdrive. But purely on the overdrive aspect of the Xotic, could I get a heavy distortion from it?

Matt Dean · #14 07-27-2010, 11:53 PM

I get a pretty heavy distortion with mine (Bass BB) and it's fairly transparent.

fivestringgecko · #15 07-27-2010, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMutt

Get a distortion with a blend on it like the Pork Loin.

+1, I have a Pork Loin and it's really good.

The Voodoo Labs Sparkle Drive is another good "transparent" overdrive. Not bad in it's stock form, but send it to Keeley for modding... worth every cent!!!

5sg.

Mike19 · #16 07-28-2010, 05:55 AM

As for the sound on the 2nd vid, I come very close with a Devi Ever Dark Boost in front of a Fuzzhugger Arcflash (switched to heavy mode).

The Arcflash alone (in non-heavy mode) beats the distortion sound from my BDDI.

jgroh · #17 07-28-2010, 06:03 AM

Ok Ill throw in my 2 cents...I really like my DHA VT1-MK3 overdrive pedal. I bought it and then eventually got a VT Bass Sansamp as well, and I like the DHA better because it doesnt mess with my tone EQ-wise like the VT bass does. I do like the Sansamp for recording though, but IMHO, I prefer the DHA.

JasonNL · #18 07-28-2010, 06:54 AM

Isn't the Fulltone OCD supposed to sound quite transparent? My uncle has one of these and it sounds great (and transparent) on guitar, but I sadly never tried it out on bass, might be worth a try though.

Mr. BassmanPT · #19 07-28-2010, 07:49 AM

useful information:

http://darkglassfx.blogspot.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89x0Z-YcUAk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORsK2c2N5M4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW6qAHmdbWY

email Douglas Castro for more information
douglas@darkglasselectronics.com

fivestringgecko · #20 07-28-2010, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmaranhao

useful information:

http://darkglassfx.blogspot.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89x0Z-YcUAk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORsK2c2N5M4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW6qAHmdbWY

email Douglas Castro for more information
douglas@darkglasselectronics.com

Lol. I saw Doug's post in that other thread... I'm probably going to email him today! Might not jump on the B3k for a while yet though, with the custom Fromel overdrive in the planning stages. Course, the Fromel will take a minimum of 12 weeks, wonder how long Doug's pedal would take to get to the States from Finland... lol

Stupid G.A.S.

lol

5sg.