Fulltone Bassdrive Volume Issues

dirtgroove · #1 05-17-2008, 05:33 AM

I love the comp cut/boost sounds my fulltone bassdrive gives me but the jump in volume it gives is driving me insane- does anyone have any solutions? It seems however I try and adjust the levels it doesn't quite seem to work for me.... ...I love this sound but I'm starting to wonder whether to start looking at different pedals.

I thought I'd find something by searching but nothing turned up.

bongomania · #2 05-17-2008, 05:59 AM

It was designed from a guitarist's mentality- they want a big boost in volume in order to drive their little tube amp harder when they take a solo. A surprising number of "bass" overdrives have this feature. I even tried communicating the worthlessness of that feature (from a bass amp perspective) to one maker of bass overdrives, and got nowhere with that discussion.

Unrepresented · #3 05-17-2008, 08:06 AM

Getting unity gain on the compcut level isn't too hard. For me it's around 9 o'clock. As you've noted though it is extremely sensitive and as a result the slightest bump will kick you towards either extreme of volume change.

Because of this I've switched settings away from CompCut just to avoid disaster when playing live.

Shame. I wish it wasn't quite as sensitive too.

OptimusPrime · #4 05-17-2008, 09:25 AM

CompCut is useless.

thejohnkim · #5 05-17-2008, 09:32 AM

That's why i sold mine. The volume differences in comp-cut mode is a pain.

scotch · #6 05-17-2008, 09:47 AM

While I don't use comp-cut mode on my Bassdrive, I just tested it & I had no problem getting roughly the same volume level. Oddly enough - I used the "Volume" control to adjust it.... Maybe I'm missing something here?

I do largely agree w/ the "boost" for bass argument, however. It's pretty infrequent a bassist needs a 10 db boost for his/her hard-rocking shred solo during the bridge!

Interestingly, the "Boost" channel on the Bassdrive is perfect for boosting gain (as opposed to volume) when in overdrive mode. This is a case where the Boost function is pretty useful - but again, it doesn't totally whack-out your overall volume.

thejohnkim · #7 05-17-2008, 10:34 AM

try the boost in comp-cut.

scotch · #8 05-17-2008, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thejohnkim

try the boost in comp-cut.

Well, yeah... the boost channel works totally different in comp-cut mode. If I remember right, the manual even warns against it in comp-cut mode.

That's why I specifically addressed its' function in overdrive mode.

Is everyone else really having a problem matching volumes in comp-cut mode? The volume control has enough range to actually silent the level. All the "Boost" control does in comp-cut is make the signal louder. So, if you don't want a louder signal - don't engage the boost! (I must be missing something obvious - I apologize for my narrowness on this issue)

thejohnkim · #9 05-17-2008, 12:16 PM

the OP's language seems to suggest that his issue is with the un-even volumes acheived when using the 2 channels of com-cut. everyone knows how to use a volume knob. the problem is when you are using the comp-cut mode, and want more drive and step on teh boost while playing. you cant turn a volume knob when both your hands are on your bass....hence the problem

the boost in the bassdrive seems to boost into the overdrive channel creating more gain, not just volume. and the boost in comp-cut has the sound many people like the best in the bassdrive. you can max out the overdrive gain in comp-cut and still have a mostly clean sound, but once you engage the boost, the sound can get very dirty. i think the difference is pretty clear, you should mess around with it more since you dont use that mode. i'll admit that i never really bothered messing around with FM and Vintage modes since i never liked those sounds, so i can see how you're not familiar with comp-cut.

...especially since a compression-cut overdrive pedal is pretty hard to find. i only know of the NOC3 puredrive that also gives you this option in the circuit.

burno70 · #10 05-17-2008, 03:08 PM

Dirtgroove, I love this pedal and strongly recommend you don't give up on it just yet. I only use compcut and boost as I'm not that keen on it's other tones.

Yeah, the volume knob is waaaay to sensitive and can be very frustrating, but I use this pedal live and have no problems.

I just have the the volume knob set to about 8 o'clock and just mess with the boost control until you get the sound you like then either drop the volume slightly if your a bit too loud, or knock it up a touch if required.

I'm quite surprised some people don't like compcut, it's a fantastic sound and worth the hassle IMO.

scotch · #11 05-17-2008, 05:18 PM

Allright... I digress. After further tests, I totally see what thejohnkim is talking about. In comp-cut mode the "boost" function does add a lot of dirt. My previous post was totally off. Thanks for encouraging me to check my facts! My apologies... (for the record, the Bassdrive manual is rather misleading about how "boost" works in comp-cut mode...)

So, if the op wants to use the Bassdrive in comp-cut for 2 separate tones ( a)normal & b) boost engaged), then it probably won't work. There are going to be 2 very different volume levels. It may require 2 separate pedals to achieve these two distinct flavors. I would guess something like a Fulltone Fat-Boost (version 1) and then a dirty pedal like a Hematoma (or just use the Bassdrive for the dirty sound).

It just sounded to me , from the op's syntax, that he is using it for 1 sound (compcut w/ boost engaged). After re-reading the original post I guess he is trying to use the Bassdrive for 2 unique sounds. I need to lay off the Ambien.... Sorry!

dirtgroove · #12 05-17-2008, 10:35 PM

Hey guys-
Thanks for the comments.
In my first post i did mean using the bassdrive for two different sounds. I dig how the cleam boost gives my amp a bit more gain and makes it just start to break up whereas the the boost roars and cuts through any number of guitars. Perhaps I am living in fantasy land hoping that it would do both things for me without having to manage 3 vastly different volume levels in a live set. I was really wondering if anyone knew of any mods to give the pedal a little less headroom and allow for finer adjustment between the volume levels.

I can't really see myself moving on from this pedal as it took me around 5 years to find one that I really really dig the sound of... ...I'm sure there may be others pedals out there that may fit my bill but I made a promise to myself several months ago that I wasn't going to waste any more of my money/life on the fx quest when i could be writing songs.

burno70 · #13 05-18-2008, 02:39 AM

I can't help but disagree with the last two post here. there's three mods I use with this pedal - I use a clean sound with the pedal bypassed, pedal engaged for light dirt and pedal boosted for more dirt - all in comp cut mode and with no volume issues what so ever.

Whilst I totally agree that when I first got the pedal the volume sensitivity was a right pain in the ar$e, after a few weeks of knob twiddling I had it sussed.

This may assist you, here are my settings:-

Volume - 8 o'clock
Tone - 10 o'clock
Overdrive - 11 o'clock
Boost - 10 o'clock

The toggles are on comp cut and standard.

Now with the pedal engaged and without boost I have a nice dirt at the same volume level I was at when clean. The boost then adds more dirt and a tad more volume - but not much, I could lower the boost to 9 o'clock and it should be at the same volume level I was at when clean but with more dirt.

If this doesn't work then there must be a difference between my pedal and that of some of the previous posters, but I don't know what that would be?

Anyway, hope this helps.

scotch · #14 05-18-2008, 08:29 AM

There is an issue, in my opinion, that "living room" and actual "venue" volumes are not perceived the same. I.E. that when auditioning the pedal at home, the volumes sound extremely different. Fast-forward to the stage & an actual gig and the "huge" volume differences turn out to be rather subtle when the pedal is used in context with a band that employs dynamics, etc. Chances are that when you need "dirt" and then "more dirt" your other band mates are also increasing their intensity (and at the same time volume). This phenomenon naturally doesn't exist when setting up your tones by yourself at home. It's always a good rule of thumb to not finalize tonal settings until they have been tested in context. I've found that this is true even in recording studio contexts - albeit levels sometimes need to be adjusted slightly to compensate for the environment.

Of course, if you're setting up a tonal profile for just your own personal enjoyment, then the above paragraph little applies!

All of this said, I can still totally see (now) where the op is coming from. Employing Comp-cut mode on the Bassdrive along with optional Boost can be a tricky world to navigate. In the end, every player has to find what works best for them!