What is the difference between boost [effect pedal] , gain and volume?

jibreel · #1 01-28-2010, 10:53 PM

Been playing for 40 years so I feel a little silly asking.

My latest treasure, the amazing Empress Effects ParaEQ , has a boost control 0-30 db.

When I use the boost control , it sounds like it is doing more than just boosting volume. It seems like it is boosting the volume and the essence of the tone at the same time. Don't know how else to say it.

Am I imagining things ?

Also, is gain different than volume?

Ok,now I can go to sleep

cheapbasslovin · #2 01-28-2010, 11:03 PM

Gain as marked on a pedal or amp control is generally referring to the input signal given the pedal. Volume is generally referring to the level you're giving the output of your effect or amp. The difference is that one effects how the circuit reacts to the signal and the other determines the signal for the next circuit (or speaker). This is how it is on any pedal or amp that I have experience with.

In a more technical discussion (that would likely be over my head), this would get more cloudy and have tons of caveats, but I don't care to be a part of that today.

bongomania · #3 01-28-2010, 11:53 PM

^^^ For practical purposes that's correct. Technically, the term "gain" means "how much the signal is boosted". High gain means it's boosted a lot, unity gain means it is not boosted (or cut) at all. Because what cbl said there about input gain is generally true on most amps; and because with a typical tube guitar amp the more you turn up the input gain, the more the amp distorts; that has resulted in a lot of people using the word "gain" to mean "distortion".

"Volume" has no technically specific meaning, but on most amps and pedals it is a passive attenuator at the very end of the signal. IOW any pedal or preamp is designed to put out its maximum level right before the volume knob, which then allows you to turn it down to the output level you want.

bongomania · #4 01-28-2010, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jibreel

When I use the boost control , it sounds like it is doing more than just boosting volume. It seems like it is boosting the volume and the essence of the tone at the same time.

The "essence" you're hearing is probably a coloration characteristic of the circuit/components used to make the gain stage. Certain gain stages impart a very nice fullness or warmth or "goodness" that may become more noticeable when you increase their gain.

jibreel · #5 01-29-2010, 07:00 AM

Thanks to the both of you !