need some kind of dirt that will let me sit in the mix

\m/cliffB\m/ · #1 10-18-2010, 05:04 PM

building a pedalboard and playing now in a really heavy deathmetal band

i want some dirt that i will cut trough the mix and stand out i want to keep my low end but add more to top and really distort that sound.

i hear about alot of pedals droping people out of a mix

iv had a nyc reissue muff and a boss odb-3. they didn't do it for me

i like that all out fuzz/distortion

Jared Lash · #2 10-18-2010, 05:15 PM

Probably the best way to do this is to have a dual amp setup where you are crossing over the highs to an amp and running a distortion or fuzz into that amp.

The other way to do it would be to get a distortion that allows a crossover point to leave the lows untouched.

Maybe something like the FEA Labs Dual Band Distortion would work for you. Not a doomy fuzz or all out distortion, but I bet it would work well in the mix for you.

FEA Dual Band Distortion

Gasman · #3 10-18-2010, 05:24 PM

Or an xotic blender pedal. Same concept but not limited to distortion

\m/cliffB\m/ · #4 10-18-2010, 05:29 PM

the FEA labs dis is way to expensive in my book right now maby a good used price il jump on it

the xotic blender pedal i dont get it is it a dis a fuzz or what?

bassbrad · #5 10-18-2010, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by \m/cliffB\m/

iv had a nyc reissue muff and a boss odb-3. they didn't do it for me

Using those as a reference what was wrong with those pedals?
The OD/distortion/fuzz family has a lot of flavors most of us have more than 1 flavor and mix and match them up.
Another consideration is what your gtr players use for fuzz, IMO you don't want what they use.

scotch · #6 10-18-2010, 05:30 PM

There's no easy answer. I can respond with what has worked for me, but I've learned that's no guarantee as to what is going to work for you!

I think my best advice (as someone who owns/has owned a score of dirt pedals & plays for a living in a variety of styles) is that "sitting in the mix" often has much more to do with note selection in the context of the music being played. And that goes for any style! It's easy to just say "I like a sansamp, it really cuts", or "my Xotic BB really rocks and loses no bottom" - but often what works for player A doesn't work for player B. There's just so many variables (amp, instrument, environment, ensemble, playing approach, etc...).

Adding 'dirt' in it's various forms rarely adds anything towards standing out in th e mix. Unless, of course, we're talking about a nice volume boost with that dirt during a solo, featured part, or similar scenario. The clipping and compression associated with distortion always adds harmonics (and often can 'muddy things up').

That said, there is still certainly a dirt pedal out there that will be perfect for you! The truth is, you will most likely go through half a dozen or more choices before you find just the right one, but it's worth the search.

Consider clean blending options (many pedals have a blend built in) for low end retention and maintaining note clarity.

You mention you want all-out fuzz/distortion, so that helps narrow down the options. You didn't dig the classic Big-Muff sound (not surprising to me as I find that they lose low-end and sort of disappear in an aggressive mix of guitars), so looking for a pedal with less mid-scoop might be smart. Perhaps a tube-screamer type overdrive with the gain maxed out? Some of the ts-based circuits have more gain available and can really get dirty (Xotic BB for instance)? Or a Muff-inspired design without the scoop (Fender Sub-Lime would be one example)?

There's no one right answer, but I hope the above is helpful in guiding you towards something that makes you happy!

TheWolf · #7 10-18-2010, 05:32 PM

For Black Metal there is only the Valnott

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WcsV7hQ1V4

scotch · #8 10-18-2010, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by \m/cliffB\m/

...

the xotic blender pedal i dont get it is it a dis a fuzz or what?

No, the X-Blender is used in conjunction with a dirt pedal (or any pedal) to blend in some of your clean tone. It's an extremely useful tool (especially with it's volume control and active 2-band eq), but adds significant expense and takes up pedalboard real estate.

crapusername · #9 10-18-2010, 05:54 PM

I've had good results in similar situations with the bass grunge, pork loin, ebs multidrive, bad monkey, and the dist side of my MXR di+

fatherjohncough · #10 10-18-2010, 06:18 PM

Try the Team Awsome Fuzz machine, http://www.fuzzhugger.com/pedal-tafm.html, its got a clean blend built in and can get pretty insane with the amount of gain on tap. Oh yeah and if you wanna cut through the mix just boost yer mids, specifically high mids

wetzelman1 · #11 10-18-2010, 06:18 PM

Bass Big Muff. That's what I use it for essentially.

strke-fender · #12 10-18-2010, 08:17 PM

I use a Zvex Distortron Pedal. Its a guit*r pedal but you can adjust the low cut filter and it does a good job of staying in the mix and keeping it low. I Have never gotten around to trying it blended.