Distortion sounds to clinical

dave zilla · #1 08-26-2011, 03:19 AM

Hey

I play in a crust/black metal band and I have been using a boss odb 3. I started using it because it was the drummers then I got one uber cheap. I like the sound of the actual distortion quite alot but it sounds very clean. That's no character to it.

I've been going thru review after review and most things I hear has that same clinical sound before it turns into a full on fuzz and that's not really my thing.

So my question really is can I add addition pedals or are there dirt pedals that don't sound too clinical?

Cheers Dave

magic papa · #2 08-26-2011, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave zilla

Hey

I play in a crust/black metal band and I have been using a boss odb 3. I started using it because it was the drummers then I got one uber cheap. I like the sound of the actual distortion quite alot but it sounds very clean. That's no character to it.

I've been going thru review after review and most things I hear has that same clinical sound before it turns into a full on fuzz and that's not really my thing.

So my question really is can I add addition pedals or are there dirt pedals that don't sound too clinical?

Cheers Dave

I've been on similar quest some time ago and basically have the same opinion about Boss's overdrive. Too buzzy or artificial sounding for me. Ended up in a drawer and I never open it.

The only solid state overdrive pedal I really like is Aguilar Tone Hammer, although it can be hissy if you don't turn down the highs. Still quite useable grit if you don't need too much treble.

Currently winning tenants on my pedal board are: Markbass Distorsore for full-on distortion and EBS ValveDrive for more gentle overdrive. They are tube pedals and cost a bit, but they're well worth it IMHO.

Bass Big Muff is quite OK too, although it is full-on fuzz and will muffle the sound a bit too much (hence the name

)

Tech21 pedals get lots of love and I they are indeed great pedals in general although I think they are quite mundine as overdrives (I've only got BDDI and VT, not sure about the other ones).

Check out these tube overdrives if your local shop has them.

Hope this helps.
MP

IncX · #3 08-26-2011, 05:00 AM

im not sure what you mean with "clinical sound," but for the most part, distortion and 16 notes dont mesh well ... i guess an overdrive like a sansamp BDI would serve you better than fuzz or distortion

crapusername · #4 08-26-2011, 05:54 AM

I am using the hardwire tube od for low gain sparkle/ edginess, and a markbass bass tube marker for more full on stuff. The tones of both pedals are open and clear whilst still driving beautifully. I have no issues with cutting through in the mix
The thing I love about these Pedals is that they both allow the tone of the bass to shine through rather than overpowering it.
I also have no issues with definition and fast notes.

DeltaPhoenix · #5 08-26-2011, 07:06 AM

Iron Ether QF2 is a great distortion pedal. It has so much gain available a blend knob, it divides your frequency into 4 parts(lows, low mids, high mids, high) and you add how much distortion you want to each frequency. Plus there is a band pass filter on each frequency that you can adjust and a high pass filter on the highs to allow harmonics through. Super clear and defined yet really distorted(if you want). 16th notes are no problem, speed is no problem.

PunkRocker33133 · #6 08-26-2011, 07:33 AM

I play the same sort of stuff and I use a Black Arts Toneworks Pharaoh for really heavy parts, with a ZVex Vexter Box Of Rock for the faster/lower gain parts. Both work awesomely

wolffman · #7 08-26-2011, 07:47 AM

check out some of the dha pedals they can get nasty without being styraight out fuzz

G.Bisson · #8 08-26-2011, 08:40 AM

try an overdrive that has a tube-sim or is marketed as being tube-like. While researching reviews and descriptions look for keywords "warm" or "fat".

as suggested above; Digitech/Hardwire has the Bad Monkey/CM2 which is a cheap, readily-available option for a nice tube-like sound. It's worth trying out if your on a budget.

Tech21 & EBS both offer quality tube-sim overdrives.

For even more coin and an akward power supply you can get a overdrive with an actual tube in it from EBS, DHA, or MarkBass.

JoshuaTSP · #9 08-26-2011, 08:42 AM

The only pedal I've found to work well in all applications is a Keeley/modded ProCo RAT.

grimniggzy · #10 08-26-2011, 08:48 AM

RAT w/LM308 & you're good.

sammyfallen · #11 08-26-2011, 08:54 AM

Cheapest solution to your problem is the Dan Electro Cool Cat Drive (Fulltone OCD Copy). KILLER pedal. I can't stress enough how rippin' this pedal truly is. Sounds similar to a cranked British tube amp. It can really liven up a dull sounding head / rig. For roughly $40 it can't be beat. It also makes a rad guitar pedal. I have turned quite a few local musicians onto them. I even pushed my Bassman 300 Pro and SVT with them, that's how rad they are.

JoshuaTSP · #12 08-26-2011, 08:55 AM

The other thing that really made my dirt sound better, was a clean blending pedal.

I use the Boss Line Selector, but there are better ones.

dave zilla · #13 08-26-2011, 08:34 PM

thank you for the info

im gonna look into the digitech and a sansamp. but holy threads on which preamp is best batman.

a friend used a rat on a recording and it sounds rad but theres alot of people on here saying it loses alot of low end and we play in C so i need alot of low

dave

rratajski · #14 08-26-2011, 11:47 PM

There's a bjfe bbbod on eBay for $675

...kidding

All great suggestions. The boss pedal is what it is. Hopefully your next buy will be a better fit. I second vintage rats (not rat2's) and the OCD!

dave zilla · #15 08-27-2011, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rratajski

There's a bjfe bbbod on eBay for $675

...kidding

All great suggestions. The boss pedal is what it is. Hopefully your next buy will be a better fit. I second vintage rats (not rat2's) and the OCD!

im not up on rat issues. what is consider rat 2 and vintage rat?

yeh the markbass is out of my league so the bjke is WAY out of my league.

dave

Hutzbordello · #16 08-27-2011, 04:52 AM

Check out the tri pi, russian tall font, and pickle pie b.

Maybe a bit too fuzzy but they pack a ton of low end.

rratajski · #17 08-27-2011, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave zilla

im not up on rat issues. what is consider rat 2 and vintage rat?

yeh the markbass is out of my league so the bjke is WAY out of my league.

dave

Rat2's are newer production models and do not have the same bass response and clipping sound as vintage and vintage reissues do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hutzbordello

Check out the tri pi, russian tall font, and pickle pie b.

Maybe a bit too fuzzy but they pack a ton of low end.

I would avoid any muff that lacks a mids control if your guitarists are playing in high gain.

The Lurker · #18 08-27-2011, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rratajski

I would avoid any muff that lacks a mids control if your guitarists are playing in high gain.

This is an excellent point.

PunkRocker33133 · #19 08-27-2011, 10:48 AM

I would also look into Ryan's (Rratajski) Rat Tail or OCD clone actually, he makes great pedals and he' a fellow forumite.

Thunderscreech · #20 08-27-2011, 02:41 PM

"Clinical Distortion" is now the name of my band. Thank you.