Does anyone use Pork Loin as OD rather than "always on" pedal?

mouthmw · #1 10-11-2011, 08:59 AM

A lot of people seem to use it as an always on pedal, to gain a mild grit and warmth to your overall sound.
But does anyone kick it on when you want some drive (not over the top, but noticeable dirt)? Like when your guitarist is soloing or for some heavy riffs or whatever.
I like the warmth and tone I'm getting from my amp, sometimes I like to kick some fuzz, and now I'd like to add something in between my clean tone (with enough GK growl though) and Swollen Pickle fuzz that I'm using.

Jared Lash · #2 10-11-2011, 09:33 AM

When I had mine I certainly did. Because of the blend and tweakability it could be set as a very transparent OD to just add some grit when I wanted. I also used it to drive an envelope filter just to get it to "pop" in the mix a bit more.

I can see why guys would use it as an always on, but for me it was strictly a "kick it on" overdrive. I will say though, that the range of gain is fairly small. For me this was a plus actually, as I wanted an OD that was relatively mild but it isn't a really dramatic effect. In the mix it will make a difference, but it won't be a "holy crap, what did he just step on" type difference but it is a great choice for filling a bit of space when the guitar player solos or just thickening up the mix when you want things a bit heavier.

Whether that's what you want or not is up to you.

wolffman · #3 10-11-2011, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

When I had mine I certainly did. Because of the blend and tweakability it could be set as a very transparent OD to just add some grit when I wanted. I also used it to drive an envelope filter just to get it to "pop" in the mix a bit more.

I can see why guys would use it as an always on, but for me it was strictly a "kick it on" overdrive. I will say though, that the range of gain is fairly small. For me this was a plus actually, as I wanted an OD that was relatively mild but it isn't a really dramatic effect. In the mix it will make a difference, but it won't be a "holy crap, what did he just step on" type difference but it is a great choice for filling a bit of space when the guitar player solos or just thickening up the mix when you want things a bit heavier.

Whether that's what you want or not is up to you.

everything Jared said is what I used mine for, like literally to a "T". Also you mention GK- put mine through the 700rbii sounds fantastic.

LeonD · #4 10-11-2011, 10:19 AM

I use mine "when needed" as opposed to always on. Probably on 25% of our songs.

I always picture the Pork Loin as a "tube amp sound where the tubes are just starting to get over saturated". Almost like you can't tell it's on, till you turn it off.

Morning Beer · #5 10-11-2011, 10:30 AM

I just use it as an OD when needed. Also going through a GK.

BruceBass3901 · #6 10-11-2011, 10:33 AM

Combine the comments above, and you get everything that I could have said about the Pork Loin

I've only really just started using mine again and am seriously wondering why I stopped putting it on my board. Brilliant pedal

Beersurgeon · #7 10-11-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mouthmw

A lot of people seem to use it as an always on pedal, to gain a mild grit and warmth to your overall sound.
But does anyone kick it on when you want some drive (not over the top, but noticeable dirt)? Like when your guitarist is soloing or for some heavy riffs or whatever.
I like the warmth and tone I'm getting from my amp, sometimes I like to kick some fuzz, and now I'd like to add something in between my clean tone (with enough GK growl though) and Swollen Pickle fuzz that I'm using.

For my main band, I use it when my guitard is soloing but only on a couple songs. I don't use it too often with this band. The other band I play with, I have it on all the time. My other band guitard uses heavy distortion on all songs so I use it all the time to "match" the sound better. Over all, I love this pedal!!!!

Low_blow · #8 10-11-2011, 02:42 PM

I tried many different OD pedals (Xotic, Aguilar and some others) and Pork Loin is my favourite. I use it in some songs. It can definately be not "always on" pedal. It never muddies your tone and has plenty of bottom end (thanks to the Clean blend). A very warm sounding OD pedal, but also a quite transparent one.

raul · #9 10-11-2011, 06:10 PM

i've got my eye on this pedal and am going to try one this weekend...as a pedal to add some nice tubey warmth and that magical low level OD kinda tone to my GK 1001RBII...just add a kinda "Geddy" kinda breakup...i think this pedal should do it...yes? it's pretty tweakable and versatile and good for that kinda breakup?

blastjv · #10 10-12-2011, 10:31 AM

I feel like the Green Rhino (that you were also considering) might sound a bit more 'Geddy' than the Pork Loin, but they're both great pedals.

-JV

mouthmw · #11 10-12-2011, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blastjv

I feel like the Green Rhino (that you were also considering) might sound a bit more 'Geddy' than the Pork Loin, but they're both great pedals.

-JV

+1

Just got Green Rhino today, and it's awesome! Just the ammount of grit and clank that I wanted! Close enough to Geddy, and close enough to The Jesus Lizard!

dannylectro · #12 10-14-2011, 10:37 PM

I'm intrigued... I use a Swollen Pickle for kick-it-on distortion/awesomeness... but I barely crack the thing before it's out of control loud/insane. It sounds like the Pork Loin might be a better choice for me. Both are Way Huge, no?

blastjv · #13 10-15-2011, 06:00 AM

Yes, both are Way Huge, but they're very different (awesome) pedals. In order of level of overdrive/distortion/fuzz it breaks down like this (with some overlap)

Pork Loin - Green Rhino - Fat Sandwich - Swollen Pickle

I have very little experience with the Fat Sandwich. I only tried it at Sam Ash, and it sounded good, but didn't blow me away, but WH pedals usually require more effort than that to find the sweet spot.

-JV