/ Register

Aguilar Agro vs Earthquaker Devices Plumes

Discussion in 'Effects [BG]' started by Bert_V, Aug 6, 2021.

Tags:
  1. Aug 6, 2021 #1
    Bert_V

    Bert_V

    May 16, 2020
    Belgium
    I'm making my final pedalboard (no one ever said)

    For dirt I'm torn between an Aguilar Agro and an EQD Plumes. I'm looking for a light overdrive as a second gain stage (for more growl in the chorus of a song).

    I like the transparency and natural sounding overdrive of the Agro. It does the "breaking up sound" very well but it seems to get lost more easy in a mix.

    The Plumes sound right in the mix (kinda transparant in my head, although it is a colored sounding pedal, but seems tot lack some sustain.

    I don't really hear the lost bass frequencies as some people experience. I guess I just like a sound with a good midrange.

    I'd like you settle on five pedals, so only one is gonna make it.

    I'd love you hear some insights and feedback from people who have experience with either one of these two pedals.

    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Aug 6, 2021 #2
    King Weapon

    King Weapon

    Sep 20, 2005
    Brooklyn, NY
    I have no experience with the Plumes, but the Agro is my go to dirt for bass. You have so much control over the tone… does the breakup thing wonderfully as well as sizzly distortion.

    I have no problem staying in the mix. The trick is to keep the contour and presence low (I don’t put either above 9 o’clock). Level should be a little above unity gain. Saturation to taste.

    This works with my setup and YMMV of course! I use this with a Fender P and Ampeg SVT head/cab.

    Good luck!
     
    Bert_V likes this.
  3. Aug 6, 2021 #3
    Veldar

    Veldar

    Mar 20, 2012
    kurri kurri, NSW, Australia
    I know it's not either of them but the EQD Westwood is their "transparent" OD pedal, might be a good middle ground between the two?
     
    BrentSimons likes this.
  4. Aug 6, 2021 #4
    Bert_V

    Bert_V

    May 16, 2020
    Belgium
    I thought the contour functions as a mid EQ, so I'm used keeping it around noon.
    Same with the presence. I dial it in around 11, thinking it will make my sound more present in a mix.

    But I'll try dialing those two knobs back around 9 o'clock and see where that gets me.

    I really want to make my Agro work. I just love that natural sounding overdrive!
     
  5. Aug 6, 2021 #5
    Bert_V

    Bert_V

    May 16, 2020
    Belgium
    I never had the chance to try out a EQD Westwood, but the YouTube demos sound really nice.
    If I ever find one for a decent price, I'll give it a go. But for now I'll have to choose between the Agro or the Plumes.

    Thanks for your tip though!
     
    Veldar likes this.
  6. Aug 11, 2021 #6
    sunbeast

    sunbeast Supporting Member

    Jul 19, 2006
    Denver, CO
    The Contour is only a mid-scoop circuit, with the “flat” setting being fully on and the biggest scoop with it all the way down. The voice of the distortion is inherently very mid-forward, so the scoop actually helps compensate for that inherent mid-boost (why the contour can sound like a mid-boost when it is actually set “flat”). When I had an Agro I generally used the contour to being the bass up relative to the mids as I felt it lost some low punch when engaged otherwise.
    Here’s the manual for ya:
    https://www.aguilaramp.com/wp-content/uploads/agro-manual-v1.2.pdf
     
    BrentSimons likes this.
  7. Aug 11, 2021 #7
    Bert_V

    Bert_V

    May 16, 2020
    Belgium
    Thank you for your comment!

    Though I'm still struggling cutting trough the mix (drums, guitars and synths) with my Agro.
    The Plumes seems to do that a bit better in mode 1. But I hear some low end loss, even with the tone knob fully CCW.

    What would be your contour and presence settings for a light and warm sounding overdrive that cuts well trough a mix of guitars and synths?
     
  8. Nov 3, 2021 #8
    deepestend

    deepestend Supporting Member Commercial User

    Feb 21, 2003
    Brooklyn via Austin and NOLA
    Website and Social Media at Sadowsky
    Wanted to pop in to say that I was confused by the plumes for a long time due to the low end loss. However, I have found that if you run it into a muff or a comp with a tone knob you get that low end back. It's fine on it's own, but I think the real magic is having it early in your chain to goose the other pedals and add some 3D mid-focused sound.
     
    triviani, Bert_V and RJ like this.
  9. Nov 3, 2021 #9
    melloncollie

    melloncollie Supporting Member

    Nov 27, 2016
    I’ve got the plumes and really like it. The second mode was my favorite. It’s the most open sounding of the 3 modes. Probably the best way to describe it would be as a gritty boost in that mode. I’ve tried the agro and liked it but it was a little too furry sounding for me.
     
    Bert_V likes this.
  10. Nov 3, 2021 #10
    deepestend

    deepestend Supporting Member Commercial User

    Feb 21, 2003
    Brooklyn via Austin and NOLA
    Website and Social Media at Sadowsky
    It's also good to run it into an envelope filter as well.
     
  11. Nov 3, 2021 #11
    melloncollie

    melloncollie Supporting Member

    Nov 27, 2016
    Yeah it really tightens up everything that comes after.
     
  12. Nov 3, 2021 #12
    deepestend

    deepestend Supporting Member Commercial User

    Feb 21, 2003
    Brooklyn via Austin and NOLA
    Website and Social Media at Sadowsky
    1st mode is LED clipping, 2nd is no clipping diodes/op amp clipping, 3rd is silicon diode clipping