What are current distortion pedals lacking?

bassplaya614 · #1 01-25-2010, 01:18 PM

I'm working on a custom design distortion pedal, and I just want to hear some input as to what the distortion pedal industry.

I'll start out:
Better art on the outside
More tonal variety

**NOTE**
This information may be used in my designs. I am looking for advice. Feel free to give as much as you can.

Thanks!

PilbaraBass · #2 01-25-2010, 01:29 PM

most important for a bass distortion is the ability to split the dry signal at a given (or adjustable) frequency, distort the upper range, and blend the dry lows back into the distorted highs...otherwise, the bottom end gets lost.

BassBrass · #3 01-25-2010, 01:31 PM

Better art? Better that what? I think my Attack Goat and Xotic BB Bass Pre look perfect. Understated and industrial black.
As for variety of tome...there is SO much variety out there today that you have to do research. And most of my distortions have a blend.
So that leaves...CHeap! They cost too much!

ok...to be helpful, what I am always looking for is low end retention and preserved note attack. I hate overdrives without a blend that leave my attack mushy. (Not a problem with the Xotic)
Also small footprint.

Wasted Bassist · #4 01-25-2010, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PilbaraBass

most important for a bass distortion is the ability to split the dry signal at a given (or adjustable) frequency, distort the upper range, and blend the dry lows back into the distorted highs...otherwise, the bottom end gets lost.

I completely disagree. That usually ends up sounding like garbage in a band mix. I preffer if the dirty sound holds lows on it's own.

RCCollins · #5 01-25-2010, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PilbaraBass

most important for a bass distortion is the ability to split the dry signal at a given (or adjustable) frequency, distort the upper range, and blend the dry lows back into the distorted highs...otherwise, the bottom end gets lost.

that's one approach... but what if you LIKE distorted lows

Exploiter8 · #6 01-25-2010, 01:34 PM

I've tried a couple of distortion pedals, the last being DigiTech Bass Driver. I could get cool tones, but I guess it was just impractical for the jamming I do! Half the sound seems to get lost in the mix, such as the lows, but otherwise the highs tend to be piercing! So, maybe a built in comp? I don't know. True bypass is a must. I don't like having something in my chain that's only used part-time coloring my sound. I'm on the lazy side with effects. I currently employ a Tech21 Character Series VT that I run full-time with just the slightest of growl. Back to the lazy part...sometimes too many knobs just add to the frustration!

TheWoodShed · #7 01-25-2010, 01:34 PM

One and only one thng you will find out on this thread: there will be no consensus that you go go from.

It's all subjective. The tone, the art, the means to get the tone. All of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassplaya614

I'm working on a custom design distortion pedal, and I just want to hear some input as to what the distortion pedal industry.

I'll start out:
Better art on the outside
More tonal variety

**NOTE**
This information may be used in my designs. I am looking for advice. Feel free to give as much as you can.

Thanks!

bassplaya614 · #8 01-25-2010, 01:36 PM

How about the price? Give me your max price you would spend on a distortion pedal.

guroove · #9 01-25-2010, 01:38 PM

I have found that the whole Sansamp bass line and the EHX Big Muff for bass are great distortion pedals for bass. These are way better than anything that was available when I first started playing.

Bootzilla · #10 01-25-2010, 01:48 PM

I also disagree with the clean blend. That way the dirty sound gets lost in the mix and the lows are unaffected so you might as well not use it. Furthermore it often sounds too much like separate instruments instead of one sound.

I would like something that has a musical eq (maybe baxandall tonestack, the fender tonestack or maybe some variation of a big muff). It could be usefull to have a tone control (low pass filter) after the gain stage to reduce some of the harsh highs. Then just add some clipping options.

Most important I want it to be able to do smooth warm and muddy overdrive.

**grygrx** · #11 01-25-2010, 02:56 PM

Not too much. The world is full of distortion pedals.

SoonerMatt · #12 01-25-2010, 02:59 PM

MID. CONTROL.

bassplaya614 · #13 01-25-2010, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoonerMatt

MID. CONTROL.

Back to the lab for me.

gnasher1993 · #14 01-25-2010, 03:20 PM

What do you have so far?

bongomania · #15 01-25-2010, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grygrx

Not too much. The world is full of distortion pedals.

Agreed. And so many people make those hundreds of distortion pedals because it's so easy to cause a circuit to distort.

That said, there is still some GASsy market you may be able to tap into, because the existing pedals don't satisfy everyone--or they are too expensive for most people. IOW the perfect bass distortion pedal for each of us probably exists already, but for some people it's going to be a $350 to $650 BJFE, Dirty Boy, or Schumann, etc., and for other people their ideal maybe isn't at such an outrageous price, but there are only so many dirt pedals the average bassist will be willing to buy on a gamble to find out which one will suit them... especially since the Sansamps and MXR's of the world are pretty decent and readily available to try out.

Here are my two thoughts on how you may succeed:

Bassists who gig regularly in a rock band want to cut through the mix. Their complaint is of pedals that rob the mids, and that muddy their tone or articulation. For them, you want to be able to advertise that your pedal will not have those failings.

Bassists who mainly play at home or in smaller band settings often want their sound to be not too harsh or buzzy--they may prefer a pedal that allows some rolloff of the highs, or where the highs are not too ice-pick-y. For them you want to be able to advertise that your pedal has plenty of grit and growl, without sounding fake or annoying.

As far as the price, I don't understand why you are asking us this. Just go to any pedal retail site and look at the prices of the pedals they already have. That is the range different people may be willing to pay.

bassplaya614 · #16 01-25-2010, 03:22 PM

gnasher1993 · #17 01-25-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassplaya614

Me?

What do you mean you?

bassplaya614 · #18 01-25-2010, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnasher1993

What do you mean you?

Sorry. You asked "What do you have so far" and I was wondering if that was aimed at me.

Guess so.

Well, I have a circuit with a TON of variations in the distortion, however only one tone control. I should probably add a mid sweet control.

This is probably going to end up with 8 (or more) knobs unless someone smacks me.

gnasher1993 · #19 01-25-2010, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassplaya614

Well, I have a circuit with a TON of variations in the distortion, however only one tone control.

What sort of variation?

K2000 · #20 01-25-2010, 03:39 PM

It's hard to find a bass fuzz that

- has gobs of texture (gravel/wool/distortion/grit/dirt)
- doesn't make your notes sound mushy/indistinct when playing loud
- doesn't squelch your sustain (or actually increases your sustain)

Those three things in combination are a rare thing, IMO