Tone and my ODB-3

Strongjag · #1 01-22-2008, 02:02 PM

Hi, LONG time lurker, first time poster.

So, I've been playing for myself and for fun for years now and I will be gigging soon with some friends in town, furthermore, I've recently started dabbling with effects.

Now, Im still new to this but my Boss pedal KILLS my tone. I know I can rework my eq but I was wondering if there was something I could do to try and reduce the effect the pedal has when plugged into the loop.

I know it has to do with my bass being active as my others dont see as much effect, do I need a limiter?

Running a Yamaha BB614 (active), into a peavey TNT 115for now

JanusZarate · #2 01-22-2008, 02:05 PM

The loop?

Yep, you're new.

If you're using the amp's effects loop, take it out of there! The ODB-3 is not designed to handle line-level signals. It won't damage anything if it's there... but you'll certainly notice a HUGE volume loss, and a crazy amount of overdrive that the pedal usually doesn't have.

Most pedals go into the regular amp input. So... start there.

bongomania · #3 01-22-2008, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strongjag

I know it has to do with my bass being active as my others dont see as much effect, do I need a limiter?

I'm not sure it really has anything to do with your bass being active- the others may just not have output levels as high as the active one; but not all actives are higher-output than all passive basses.

I would either replace the ODB with a pedal that doesn't suck tone, or I would get a "bypass loop switcher" which allows you to completely bypass the ODB with no tone suck.

Matthew Bryson · #4 01-22-2008, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strongjag

Now, Im still new to this but my Boss pedal KILLS my tone. I know I can rework my eq but I was wondering if there was something I could do to try and reduce the effect the pedal has when plugged into the loop.

The blend knob on the ODB 3 is what will keep it from killing your tone. That and the EQ.

I like to blend in more dry signal than the wet, then crank up the high EQ to get that buzz saw / massivly overdriven SVT kind of tone.

You've got to learn to use the blend knob to your advantage. If you learn to tweak it, I find the ODB 3 can sound great.

Strongjag · #5 01-22-2008, 03:00 PM

Lol dont worry, I dont think I've actually ever met anyone who uses the effect loop. Im not an r-tard. So I'll chalk that one up to my own miscommunication.

So really, Im just gonna have to learn to tweak this pedal more there is no easy fix. As a rule I've always run it about 75% dry since Im looking for overdrive not noise.

And as for active vs passive, I just came to that assumption because I didnt notice a huge tone drop-off in my other basses. Since this pedal was a gift from a friend can anyone suggest a pedal that has less of an impact on my tone?

JanusZarate · #6 01-22-2008, 03:09 PM

It all depends on what you're after in terms of overdrive. From personal experience, the ODB-3 is one of my least favorite pedals...

Are you aiming for a particular type of overdriven tone, or are you just more concerned about the bypass?

**grygrx** · #7 01-22-2008, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

From personal experience, the ODB-3 is one of my least favorite pedals...

+1 I've owned it twice, I was somehow hoping I was just being a snob.

Strongjag · #8 01-22-2008, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grygrx

+1 I've owned it twice, I was somehow hoping I was just being a snob.

Lol, I've heard mixed reviews, I'll likely keep it for a over the top OD Box, but to answer what Im looking for, another post popped up and I want something smoother.

Think Tim Commerford, nothing extreme. A true bypass would be ideal but I can cope.