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Distortion/OD\DI box help!
- Thread starter Mana Latte
- Start date
I can only really speak for the MXR M80 Bass D.I +. I've owned & played with it for nearly 15 years, & while i use it purely as a Distortion pedal with an onboard EQ (as I have a dedicated D.I. box at the start of my FX chain since my bass amps do not have a direct out, old 70's solid state tanks), i use the M80 as a low gain dirt & have two others following it (earthquaker device gray channel, & DOD 250 overdrive/preamp).
I will say, it took me a long time to get my m80 to sound how i wanted it, & this is really due to the EQ frequency spectrum (& the distortion channel itself). To note, the pedal has a color switch on the clean channel, this enables a mid scoop for those deep talking bass lines (or good slap/funk music), On the dirt channel, this switch is hardwired engaged as you switch between the channels & there's a reason for it (the dirt is reminiscent of a tube screamer design - from what i've read years ago on talkbass forums). So theres no turning the color switch off on the dirt channel like the clean, & as the bassist/vocalist in my own punk (with an anything/everything blend of styles) band, the M80 is my always on dirt just for that sizzle. I do have an mxr 10 band EQ prior to it (due to different basses/various outputs, it keeps everything even when switching), & the Gray channel & 250 drives act as boosts/oversaturators to the overall sound, while the m80 holds its own.
I'd honestly suggest more the Sansamp BDDI if you want a tried & true classic. Or Darkglass alpha Omega offers a wider range that honestly really worked for what i was doing too (had tested one out & it beat the b7k ultra in terms of tone with my playing style). I feel both of those would perhaps work best if you're looking for a distortion/OD/DI box combo.
I will say, it took me a long time to get my m80 to sound how i wanted it, & this is really due to the EQ frequency spectrum (& the distortion channel itself). To note, the pedal has a color switch on the clean channel, this enables a mid scoop for those deep talking bass lines (or good slap/funk music), On the dirt channel, this switch is hardwired engaged as you switch between the channels & there's a reason for it (the dirt is reminiscent of a tube screamer design - from what i've read years ago on talkbass forums). So theres no turning the color switch off on the dirt channel like the clean, & as the bassist/vocalist in my own punk (with an anything/everything blend of styles) band, the M80 is my always on dirt just for that sizzle. I do have an mxr 10 band EQ prior to it (due to different basses/various outputs, it keeps everything even when switching), & the Gray channel & 250 drives act as boosts/oversaturators to the overall sound, while the m80 holds its own.
I'd honestly suggest more the Sansamp BDDI if you want a tried & true classic. Or Darkglass alpha Omega offers a wider range that honestly really worked for what i was doing too (had tested one out & it beat the b7k ultra in terms of tone with my playing style). I feel both of those would perhaps work best if you're looking for a distortion/OD/DI box combo.
@Mana Latte I noticed you picked up something which will lead to picking up something else sooner or later 
Here is a link to a thread I started in the last week or so with lots of good suggestions:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/bass-distortion-pedals-youd-recommend.1626360/
Here is a link to a thread I started in the last week or so with lots of good suggestions:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/bass-distortion-pedals-youd-recommend.1626360/
Hey buddy,
I am certainly an advocate of the Darkglass stuff and use the B7K as my main high gain and clean/slight drive punch tone. My country mate Jon Stockman of Karnivool was involved in developing the Alpha Omricon and I do love it, But the B7k is where it’s at for me. The DG X, I never got along with. If you want to run just a speaker? You will need a powered speaker or a speaker and power amp. So the answer is yes, you can use it as a “preamp” but sometimes it’s not completely practical.
My set up nowa days, my amp is only a stage monitor and some sound pressure on stage, my FOH sound goes direct from my pedal board, as two DI lines, one from after my tuner/Sadowsky pre/ Empress comp (clean) and second after all my effects and my ampeg pedal pre. I tried using just a powered monitor and the power amp and speaker thing but found it much easier and more useful to stick with a “normal” amp and quite simply so I can eq the amp to the room/stage and have more control over my overall sound. The great thing is with those bigger dark glass pedals is the DI out, but again, depending on where you put the pedal in your chain that may or may not be useful. But for the sound you are going for you can’t go wrong with the DG gear. also just for fun here is a vid I did for KHDK and their new bass distortion a few days back. It doesn’t have a di out however it’s got a channel split with separate dry and drive and I actually was not expecting to like it so much.
Hope it helps mate, and happy digging, rigging and gigging
Buy all the DemonFX DG knock off pedals til you find what you like.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=demonfx+bass
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=demonfx+bass
D
Have you checked out audio clips for the Darkglass BK3?
I owned one for about 3 seconds. It's one of VERY few pedals I ended up selling. It didn't work for the type of music I play AT ALL. But if I played punk/metal and wanted a dirt pedal with lots of aggressive bite, the B3K would have to be on the shortlist. Maybe the B7K too, but I haven't actually tested that one. The B7K seems to be a lot more versatile than the B3K, which is a bit of a one-trick-pony.
I guess it depends on what kind of dirt you want. If you want a fat, vintage, warm type of dirt you can forget about the B3K. But if you want a bright, aggressive type of dirt that will cut through the mix like a razor blade the B3K might be worth checking out. As far as I can remember there was no loss of lows with the B3K but it is VERY mid scooped, which may or may not be what you want. The tone seems to be specifically designed to cut through a wall of distorted guitars (and pretty much useless for anything else IMO, although I'm sure others will disagree).
I'm actually surprised that no-one has suggested the B3K yet. It used to be mentioned a LOT when people asked for advice on dirt pedals. It's probably not flavor-of-the-month around here anymore. But like I said, it only really does THAT tone, no matter how much you tweak the knobs. Not very versatile. If you listen to the audio clips on the Darkglass website you will probably be able to tell if it could work for you or not within a couple of seconds.
If you're looking for a dirty tone that will "sit" nicely in the mix... the B3K won't do that. If you're looking for dirt that will cut aggressively through the mix... yeah, that's what the B3K is all about.
Of course this also means it depends on what kind of punk/metal we're talking about too. If it's "old school" 70s-inspired punk the B3K will be a very poor choice.
As for DI boxes, I personally prefer standalone DI boxes. This will give you much more flexibility (and you will still have a DI box if your taste in preamp/dirt pedals change). A dedicated DI box can also be much better quality than the DI outputs in a preamp/dirt pedal. At least if you pay for a TOP quality DI box. I guess it depends on whether you want/need an "all-in-one-box" solution, for a simpler/faster setup.
I owned one for about 3 seconds. It's one of VERY few pedals I ended up selling. It didn't work for the type of music I play AT ALL. But if I played punk/metal and wanted a dirt pedal with lots of aggressive bite, the B3K would have to be on the shortlist. Maybe the B7K too, but I haven't actually tested that one. The B7K seems to be a lot more versatile than the B3K, which is a bit of a one-trick-pony.
I guess it depends on what kind of dirt you want. If you want a fat, vintage, warm type of dirt you can forget about the B3K. But if you want a bright, aggressive type of dirt that will cut through the mix like a razor blade the B3K might be worth checking out. As far as I can remember there was no loss of lows with the B3K but it is VERY mid scooped, which may or may not be what you want. The tone seems to be specifically designed to cut through a wall of distorted guitars (and pretty much useless for anything else IMO, although I'm sure others will disagree).
I'm actually surprised that no-one has suggested the B3K yet. It used to be mentioned a LOT when people asked for advice on dirt pedals. It's probably not flavor-of-the-month around here anymore. But like I said, it only really does THAT tone, no matter how much you tweak the knobs. Not very versatile. If you listen to the audio clips on the Darkglass website you will probably be able to tell if it could work for you or not within a couple of seconds.
If you're looking for a dirty tone that will "sit" nicely in the mix... the B3K won't do that. If you're looking for dirt that will cut aggressively through the mix... yeah, that's what the B3K is all about.
Of course this also means it depends on what kind of punk/metal we're talking about too. If it's "old school" 70s-inspired punk the B3K will be a very poor choice.
As for DI boxes, I personally prefer standalone DI boxes. This will give you much more flexibility (and you will still have a DI box if your taste in preamp/dirt pedals change). A dedicated DI box can also be much better quality than the DI outputs in a preamp/dirt pedal. At least if you pay for a TOP quality DI box. I guess it depends on whether you want/need an "all-in-one-box" solution, for a simpler/faster setup.
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Completely agree in terms of both the DG B3k and the stand alone DI. Using a separate DI is always my preference. As far as budget friendly and pedal board friendly DI pedals go, I used the Radial stage bug on my fly rig for ages and it’s great. And yeah, before any haters jump in, it ain’t an Avalon or even a JDI, but it also ain’t super expensive and not everyone needs that “studio pro” level of gear.
B3k is awesome. Love it. And highly recommend it. It was also on the fly rig. The 7 is way more flexible but the 3 is great stuff. Maybe it’s not boutique enough and it’s too “regular” for folks to mention now mate?
. Just having fun. I am actually big into the DG gear and have been since they were a “not very well known boutique pedal maker” back in the day with the first harmonic enhancer and the first drive. I never really got on with their compressors but the Harmonic Booster, Vintage tube, Micro Tube 3 or 7, alpha omricon/omega and duality fuzz are awesome in my book and staples for me
Hell yes! Great gear man, bench mark stuff. Those folks at FG are serious about their business, that’s for sure, and I love ‘‘em for that
Joyo Monomyth or Joyo Double thruster.. IV owned (and gigged with) a Darkglass Microtubes 500v2, DG BK3. IV sold both and currently still use a BK1. I like DG products, and "know" them . The Double thruster is a BK3 "clone", and IV a/b one with my BK3. Not exact, but pretty darn close.
The Monomyth is a "DG ultra" clone, with graffic eq & di. (which model, I'm not sure), but if it's anything like the double thruster, I will great sounding.
Both Joyo pedals are 25% of the cost of the DG originals .. check online demo's , or try one. I was impressed with the one I tried..
I might add, I'm currently using a Two Notes Revolt & a DG BK1, I use the Volt's Ampeg channel for clean, with BK 1 if drive warranted. The Marshall channel is my "grinder", driven clean, with Channel 3 for even more drive.
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I only got to play around for a bit but so far it’s doing what I need for it to do. I’m hoping today I get a little more time to play at higher volumes to get a better idea. I am really liking the chorus.
I’ll throw in another vote for the Source Audio Aftershock. You can get most of those pedals sounds you listed and more. It’s on my board.
Source Audio is killer, amazing, awesome! But you gotta have the patience and know how to make your own sounds (if you are not blown away by the factory ones that is) so yes, after shock, killer
