Distortion/Fuzz note definition problem

[Stoom]

When I'm playing with fuzz and gain and let a note ring on one string and play another note on another string during that ring I don't get much definition out of it, I get a messy over distorted sound. I don't know whether its how I'm dialled, my box, amp or the way I'm playing, any ideas?

 

[topo morto]

When two or more notes are played through a distortion process which non-linearly transforms the audio signal, additional partials are generated at the sums and differences of the frequencies of the harmonics of those notes (intermodulation distortion)

When a normal chord (for example, a major or minor chord) consisting of three or more different degrees of the scale is played through distortion, the number of different frequencies generated, and the complex ratios between them, can cause the resulting sound to be messy and indistinct

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_chord

.... says 3 or more notes there, but same principle with 2.

That's generally just how distortion is - if you don't like the sound of the intermodulation, you just have to change your muting technique so you're not causing two notes to sound together in that way (apart from maybe 4ths, 5ths, or octaves)...

Another possible answer is the Source audio multiwave bass distortion, which splits the input signal up into different bands to avoid this intermodulation effect happening so much (and, might I add, it's also a good conventional distortion!)

 

[DeltaPhoenix]

I would suggest the Iron Either QF2, it is MultiBand as well. IMO it KILLS the Source Audio MWBD.

 

[topo morto]

Another idea - have a separate pickup for each string, and route them each to separate distortion boxes!

 

[mbelue]

Another idea - have a separate pickup for each string, and route them each to separate distortion boxes!

Like a piezo bridge? How would you prevent crosstalk?

 

[topo morto]

Like a piezo bridge? How would you prevent crosstalk?

I was thinking of single string pickups - with which I guess it would be very difficult to prevent crosstalk but I expect it would give a useful degree of separation...

I was kidding really, but actually it could be something fun to try...

 

[Jordan S.]

You could try a clean blend, that can help note definition.

 

[JehuJava]

You could try a clean blend, that can help note definition.

I agree on clean blend. Plus the multi wave is good answer too. Never played the QF2, but it sounds interesting.

 

[Stoom]

I need to work on my string muting but I also think I might be using to much fuzz and gain or I've got my controls set up funny, this how I'm set up, forgive me if it bores you, I'm going for a electric wizard sort of sound.

IbanezGSR190 (C#F#BE) - Bridge Pick-up: 0 Neck Pick-up: 10
Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz - Fuzz Level: 5 Gain: 5 Treble Boost: 0 Bass Boost: 0
Orange Crush 20B - Low: 10 Mid: 5 High: 5 Gain:10

 

[Stoom]

You could try a clean blend, that can help note definition.

What do you mean by clean blend?

 

[topo morto]

I need to work on my string muting but I also think I might be using to much fuzz and gain or I've got my controls set up funny, this how I'm set up, forgive me if it bores you, I'm going for a electric wizard sort of sound.

IbanezGSR190 (C#F#BE) - Bridge Pick-up: 0 Neck Pick-up: 10
Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz - Fuzz Level: 5 Gain: 5 Treble Boost: 0 Bass Boost: 0
Orange Crush 20B - Low: 10 Mid: 5 High: 5 Gain:10

If your sound is OK when you play just one string, then your controls are fine - you really just need to work on your muting. That, and that alone, is what will solve the problem you mentioned in your original post.

What do you mean by clean blend?

Many drive pedals for bass have the ability to mix in some of your clean signal - but I don't think yours has this. You can buy a separate one but it will cost many times more than your behringer!

This will only reduce the indistinctness - it won't eliminate it.

 

[Jordan S.]

What do you mean by clean blend?

It means that you blend in your clean, unaffected signal that's coming from your bass, with your
distortion. Check out the boss ls-2, they can be had for pretty cheap, it might do the trick.

 

[Stoom]

Thanks, in that case I think I'm just going to work on my muting and go easy on the fuzz/gain.

 

[Floyd Eye]

Ditch the Behri and get a TAFM or a Pickle Pie B.

 

[lemongrenades]

As easy as it would be to blame it on behringer. I just spent 6 months using the Orange Terror 500. It has a decent tone. But the eq on it does close to nothing.So that one tone is all your getting. I wound up getting rid of quite a few good fuzz/distortion pedals before I realized that the Orange was the problem. I now have a Markbass LM2 and plenty of options to get better defintion and no mud from fuzz.
In your case. You are using a pretty small amp. And there are much better fuzz boxes available for cheap. Check out the classifieds and companys like Devi-Ever. She makes a lot of good $100 pedals. See if you could try out another combo in the store as well.

 

[topo morto]

As easy as it would be to blame it on behringer. I just spent 6 months using the Orange Terror 500. It has a decent tone. But the eq on it does close to nothing.So that one tone is all your getting. I wound up getting rid of quite a few good fuzz/distortion pedals before I realized that the Orange was the problem. I now have a Markbass LM2 and plenty of options to get better defintion and no mud from fuzz.
In your case. You are using a pretty small amp. And there are much better fuzz boxes available for cheap. Check out the classifieds and companys like Devi-Ever. She makes a lot of good $100 pedals. See if you could try out another combo in the store as well.

I'm pretty sure if you played a tritone through a devi fuzz and a markbass, you would get a cacophony..

 

[lemongrenades]

I'm pretty sure if you played a tritone through a devi fuzz and a markbass, you would get a cacophony..

Oh yeah,nice, I will def try it then!!!

 

[DeltaPhoenix]

Turn the Gain down on the amp. A pedal sounds better when played through a cleaner amp, usually...

 

[Stoom]

Turn the Gain down on the amp. A pedal sounds better when played through a cleaner amp, usually...

For some reason my amp is as quiet as a mouse without gain but I suppose I could drop it a bit and I am using gain on the pedal too which I could turn down, thanks.