Hey guys! I just bought an Agro pedal new and I like the tone but there's a definite loss in low end when I turn it on. My engineer noticed it too. It's so drastic that I couldn't use the pedal. I've been googling all over the place to find the problem. Anyone have any idea what's up? Thanks guys!
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Aguilar Agro losing low end??
- Thread starter SkinnyP411
- Start date
I do not use distortion or fuzz pedals myself but I was curious as I like aguilar products and here is what I have found and to me it doesn't seem to be a problem in this video. Keep in mind that he might be using a compressor in the mix. Anyway, you will see how he has it set up and maybe that can help with your issue.
Good luck with this.
Good luck with this.
Owned one for a year and a half and I don't really have any low end loss.. some folks do have low-end loss others don't? IMO it's a pedal voiced like no other, and I'd suggest, if possible, a clean blend with it. Really great pedal.
That's why I am selling mine, now that I have a V-microtubes. The Agro *does* sound good - it just sucks the umph outta my bass.
MDBass
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- Nov 7, 2012
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I've never had a problem losing low end with mine...definitely check out the video above, a little goes a long way with the presence and contour knobs (~4kHz and 800Hz respectively) and excessive boosting can definitely cause a perceived loss of bottom.
First make sure to match your output levels, then try starting with both a bit left of center.
I've been on the hunt for a new OD, and while (according to all the clips I've heard) the tone of the Agro is what I'm after, there have been too many complaints of low end loss...I can't help but feel hesitant and want to search elsewhere.
Now there have been some people who say that the pedal keeps the lows well, so I'm wondering if it's a set up to set up issue. Or maybe even inconsistent quality?
Now there have been some people who say that the pedal keeps the lows well, so I'm wondering if it's a set up to set up issue. Or maybe even inconsistent quality?
I can tell you for sure that with Aguilar, it is NOT a quality problem. That leaves your other option, which is more than likely spot on.
Yeah that would make more sense, since Aguilar makes some quality products.
Another factor could be personal taste. I currently use the MXR M80 for distortion, and while I'm losing my taste for the actual tone, I love how when I kick on the pedal, I can set in such a way that it ADDS low end. I feel like most things I've tried since then...better tone or not...sound weak to me.
Also, there is a tweaking thing which some have mentioned
i had an agro and it definitely does not lose low-end.... aggressive distortion will ALWAYS kill Thump (it is truly compressing the signal) that's why some products have a clean mix (Soundblocks OFD for EX)
that agro was (is?) the best meanest distortion i ever owned that wasn't on the amp that is (my Mesa Titan V12 killlllls and switchable
)I have the Agro as well...There is no low end loss at all! In think what some players hear as low end loss is actually compression and the dominant high-mids/presence in this pedal.
- Sep 26, 2005
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I definitely lost low end with the agro. The low end disappeared drastically when the pedal was engaged.
I have been on the drive quest for a long time, spending huge swathes of cash on the next hyped pedal, but in the end I bought an ehx glove and have not looked back.
I have been on the drive quest for a long time, spending huge swathes of cash on the next hyped pedal, but in the end I bought an ehx glove and have not looked back.
I noticed he started out with the presence and contour more around 8 or 9 I clock. I'll you around with the settings a little more. Thanks
!
I has this one as well.
At first, I really like it and perceived no low end. But the more I tweaked it, the less I liked it and the more some kind of low end went missing (although using a high quality clean blend).
As the Darkglass was mentionned, any of these aren't my cup of tea either....
At first, I really like it and perceived no low end. But the more I tweaked it, the less I liked it and the more some kind of low end went missing (although using a high quality clean blend).
As the Darkglass was mentionned, any of these aren't my cup of tea either....
I'm struggling with the low end loss. A mix control would have definitely helped! Any recommendations for a subtle drive? I'm looking at the strymon deco
- Sep 26, 2005
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What I personally find with the Agro is that the Contour and Presence controls, when set around noon or higher really emphasize the mids and low treble which gives a perception of the pedal being louder than it is. So people turn it down to what they think is unity gain only to find that they aren't cutting through the mix. If you're going to have a good deal of the grit and clank from those controls (especially presence) then I feel you really have to turn the gain up significantly louder than you think it should be. Soloed it will probably seem way too loud but in the mix it will work better.
The Agro (at relatively high saturation) is a very high gain box. It can do some overdrive but I think of it more as a distortion which means significant clipping and thus compression. By nature it won't be as present in the mix as a clean tone. That's the trade off for that sort of high gain sound without a clean blend or bi-amped rig. So it's always a balancing act of finding enough grit to have the impact you want while also slotting well against the rest of the band.
I can understand someone hating that aspect of the pedal. Personally I love it. I really do not like the sound of dirt through tweeters. My rig doesn't have them but when going through FOH it comes through.
The Agro (at relatively high saturation) is a very high gain box. It can do some overdrive but I think of it more as a distortion which means significant clipping and thus compression. By nature it won't be as present in the mix as a clean tone. That's the trade off for that sort of high gain sound without a clean blend or bi-amped rig. So it's always a balancing act of finding enough grit to have the impact you want while also slotting well against the rest of the band.
I can understand someone hating that aspect of the pedal. Personally I love it. I really do not like the sound of dirt through tweeters. My rig doesn't have them but when going through FOH it comes through.
If you need a clean blend with the Agro, use a cheap Boss LS2. Works like a charm, and helps retain definition if you find the saturation is compressing your signal too much.
All in all though, the Agro has the most appealing voicing I've ever heard out of any OD/Distortion pedal. It's just so natural, unique, and diverse.
All in all though, the Agro has the most appealing voicing I've ever heard out of any OD/Distortion pedal. It's just so natural, unique, and diverse.
