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Boost function in Fulltone Bassdrive

#21
Alright, I've been on both sides of this argument at different times!

I used to hate how my old (original) Bass-Drive would respond so differently with "Boost" engaged.

After upgrading to the current Mosfet version w/ the "Flat Mids" option, I have to say that the Bass-Drive is working great for me now!

I use it like the op suggests, I go from a moderately overdriven sound to a much more saturated distortion w/ Boost engaged. Is there more volume with the Boost? Yes, but it's more complex than that:

a) When fiddling around at home, the boost is noticeably louder. When I'm actually playing a gig or recording - the volume difference is mitigated by the context of the music. In other words, don't you want more volume when kicking in the extra dirt? I find that when I use "Boost" it is because the song has ramped up in intensity. Does this sound good noodling at home? - Not really (but that's the point!).

b) Apparent vs. Actual volume. When recording with a DI, I have noticed that while my ears tell me that the Boost is louder, the meters tell a different story. All of that clipping can actually reduce overall level. (and no, it's not a studio compression issue, I generally compress post tracking...)

c) It really comes down to how you use the pedal and the music you are playing. For me, the Bass-Drive works perfectly as a dual-channel drive in a band context, but definitely isn't as cool playing "solo"!
 
#22
open_space said:
Why can't I use it the way I described then? Is the difference between two channels that drastic? Is there a manual online where I can read about different modes?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately- if you want to use the comp cut mode- the difference is that drastic.
The middle setting (marked M for modern? ) will do what you are asking for- it sounds pretty good- just doesn't quite tear through a live a live mix like the comp cut setting does.
Unfortunately the manual is just a couple of sheets of A4 stapled together and really doesn't contain a wealth of information.
I have rehearsed and gigged with this pedal for over 3 years.
 
#24
Toasted said:
You can get both boost and normal to be almost the same volume, but then they're almost the same gain too. So there doesn't seem to be much point.

If it's important for you to keep the same volume I'd suggest you look elsewhere.
Click to expand...

+1: I'm a bit late here, but this is the story on this pedal. It really is cool, but I wouldn't suggest it for what you want either.

If one is gonna be on all the time, I'd prolly look into getting 2 pedals. Isn't it more important to get the tones and sounds you want than to have it coming out of 1 box? If you compromise now, you'll end up fixing it later.
 
#25
scotch said:
Alright, I've been on both sides of this argument at different times!

After upgrading to the current Mosfet version w/ the "Flat Mids" option, I have to say that the Bass-Drive is working great for me now!

b) Apparent vs. Actual volume. When recording with a DI, I have noticed that while my ears tell me that the Boost is louder, the meters tell a different story. All of that clipping can actually reduce overall level. (and no, it's not a studio compression issue, I generally compress post tracking...)
Click to expand...

Just out of interest which setting do you use?

I certainly agree with you on recording.
The comp cut setting certainly appears louder because it puts a dirty great spike in midrange of the signal- When you use it live it suddenly throws out all this extra midrange around a room/stage and it can't help but seem louder. But when recorded, the loss of low end is far more noticable, and the volume increase less so.
 
#26
dirtgroove said:
Just out of interest which setting do you use?

I certainly agree with you on recording.
The comp cut setting certainly appears louder because it puts a dirty great spike in midrange of the signal- When you use it live it suddenly throws out all this extra midrange around a room/stage and it can't help but seem louder. But when recorded, the loss of low end is far more noticable, and the volume increase less so.
Click to expand...

I use the "FM" and Mosfet settings.
 
#27
open_space said:
I listened to some samples of Hematoma and this pedal seems to cut a lot of highs. Not that I need an uber clean sound, but I wouldn't want to lose those highs.
Click to expand...

Hehe. Fair enough. It does stay pretty "open" with the EQ shift set for treble. Unfortuatly it doesn't do a really mild OD in that position IMHO.

There is definately some give/take with the hema. There is a company called Diamond that makes an OD/Boost simillar to the Hema, but im not sure if the EQing is dark or not.

You could also get a separate OD and a boost, especially if you're going to leave the OD on all the time.
 
#28
Currently, I am favouring the Vintage mode in MOFSET mode. I find it gives a great midrange overdrive which the boost mode pushes to a heavier distortion.

The FM mode was good for a while, but now I notice the lack of distortion in the midrange too much.

I've never understood what people find so great about the comp. cut mode.
 
#30
scotch said:
a) When fiddling around at home, the boost is noticeably louder. When I'm actually playing a gig or recording - the volume difference is mitigated by the context of the music. In other words, don't you want more volume when kicking in the extra dirt? I find that when I use "Boost" it is because the song has ramped up in intensity. Does this sound good noodling at home? - Not really (but that's the point!).
Click to expand...

thats exactly how I use mine. Most of the music I play for church/retreats, i don't use the fulltone. however, on some heavier songs, i'll kick it into a mild overdrive/dirty boost. During the Chorus, or a buildup, i'll switch on the boost to ramp up the volume and OD.
 
#31
Toasted said:
No it isn't - read what he wrote.

The Fulltone DOES boost gain and volume on the boost channel - which is one of the reasons that it's not useable for me. I want to be the same volume at all times.
Click to expand...

+1.

I had both Fulltones, the BassDrive and the GT-500.
I was looking for exactly the same thing as you: some dirt am some pre-dirt boost to increase gain.
As the Bassdrive did not allow this, I trid the GT-500 which allows switching the boost pre or post drive.
But it is more of a distortion sound than drive!
I came back to my trusted solution: the programmable BassDriver DI by tech21!
 
#33
If one considers the circuit design of the Bassdrive, it should be obvious that increased volume when using the boost in unavoidable. This is because engaging the boost switch puts additional gain into the pedal's feedback loop... just as if you turned up the regular gain control.
 
#34
Thanks for all the replies, guys. I knew that Bassdrive wouldn't be perfect, but out of all bass overdrive samples that I have listened to on TB, I liked fulltone, barber ltd and the mysterious blueberry. Barber is nice and almost too transparent, but not a lot of gain. Blueberry is great but it's insanely expensive. Fulltone falls somewhere in the middle.

Now, I am only starting to play with effects. I used to play guitar and it was simple: boost always before overdrive. It just sounded better to me. And I always had 2 pedals for that! But for bass? I don't know if I really need that.

I might get the fulltone and see what is sounds like. Maybe I won't even leave it on all the time and use it only as an overdrive.
 
#35
gm jack said:
Currently, I am favouring the Vintage mode in MOFSET mode. I find it gives a great midrange overdrive which the boost mode pushes to a heavier distortion.... I've never understood what people find so great about the comp. cut mode.
Click to expand...

dude, i am right with you there. i have the pre-mosfet version and i use only the vintage mode for the same tonal purposes you do. i used to only use the comp-cut mode when i first got it because i was kind of timid about overdriven sounds. that was back when i had a solid state amp. since moving up to a tube amp, i get a lot more cavalier about my drive. back to the original topic. i notice a HUGE jump in volume when i hit the boost in comp-cut mode. not nearly as much as in the other modes though. and most importantly, when i'm playing on a gig, there's almost no volume jump between "on" and "boost." just a thicker more saturated drive. my bassdrive is the pedal i've owned the longest and the only one i don't think i'd ever sell
 
#36
I think you'd be really happy with the Bassdrive MOSFET version.
I use mine on FM/MOSFET mode for pickstyle overdrive and use the BOOST as a second heavier more aggressive tone.

The Boost does provide a lot of volume boost and the overall pedal has an immense amount of gain. I normally use the Volume at 11 o'clock, TONE at noon, OVERDRIVE at 9-10 o'clock and BOOST at 9 o'clock. This makes my BOOST sound more aggressive than the normal channel and almost the same volume, it will give you a volume boost no matter what.

I also agree that in a live situation the volume bump is not that apparent. I've had it for only a month but I absolutely love it. I even sold my MXR El Grande Bass Fuzz because I could get a similar sound with the Bassdrive at extreme settings.
 
#39
I just found the magic in my BassDrive last night.

Couldn't make it work for me, until I clean blended it with my LineSelector in comp cut mode. Almost made my amp sound similar a SVT. :eek:

:)

then kick in the boost for a little more grit. nice.

I'm thinking about making that my base tone for my distortions and fuzzes. that good.
 

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