Effects n00b seeks multi-overdrive options

[The Veg]

Hey all, after playing for thirty-odd years with no effects, I've joined a band in which I find myself wanting to use some overdrive but not just one...Ideally, I'd like a slight, tight-textured overdrive, basically just a wee little added snarl, to be what I use most of the time, but with options for clean tone for a couple of mellower songs and something heavier for some selected moments here and there. The more I think about it, something that'll allow me to create the two overdrive sounds and with one switch that'll toggle between the two overdrives, and another switch that'll bypass everything. I can play in the 'A' light-overdrive most of the time, hit the toggle when I want that 'B' heavy crunch, toggle back to 'A,' and hit the bypass when we play a mellow one.

So does anybody make something that'll do that, without having to get into a big complicated multi-effect unit, and that sounds really good?

 

[Parzival]

I haven't played one, but from what I've read, you may want to look into the new Damnation Audio MBD. Supposedly has one of the best clean blends and then a second boost channel where you could really ramp up the drive. But, it would depend on if the flavor of drive suited you or not.
Trying to think of some other ideas.
The YYZ Shapeshifter can also achieve what you're looking for with its own separate boost switch.
The Two Notes Revolt has two different channels of drive.
Something to think about, two pedals may also do this job and cost the same or less depending on what you get.

 

[TOOL460002]

I have a Le Bass, but the Revolt looks like it does that and more for about the same price used.

 

[bassbrad]

Source Audio Aftershock can store and recall up to 6 custom sounds with the flip of the toggle switch. You can use the great stock sounds, create your own and save them or download and customize from the Neuro Cloud that has hundreds of sounds shared by other users. There are engines for all the popular as well as classic drives that can be extensively modified with Neuro app. There is only one footswitch but it can be used to change banks red/green by press and hold then bypass by tapping the footswitch. Each bank has 3 slots that are selected by the toggle switch.

The Ultrawave Bass is another option but it is a bit of a deep dive but offers not only distortion but EQ and studio quality compression.

@Sushi Box FX has to preamp pedals that are 2 channel tube preamps that may do the Dreamcatcher or Detective

 

[Killing Floor]

Browne Protein. Or a KoT clone.
Or Beetronix Royal Jelly.

 

[Maxi Funkl]

Broughton Scorpion
Hamstead Subspace
Origin Effects DCX
Damnation Audio MBD

 

[kesslari]

Another vote for the simple great solution, Source Audio Aftershock.

 

[EricssonB]

Yeah although I never owned it, I love the idea of a SA Aftershock because it allows for you to sample and tweak various drives and sounds before committing to the sound that you'll end up with; huge proponent of multifx for that reason.

I am playing guitar primarily right now -- board has a GT-1000 Core, Strymon Timeline, and a bunch of MIDI control surfaces -- that's it! Do I want to have some specialized ooh-this-is-fancy tube amp or some why-did-I-spend-so-much-on-this-one-pedal boutique effects? Sure, but I don't know what I want to dump money into yet. Multifx in the meantime.

Same thought with the Aftershock for drives.

 

[timendous]

People talk about EHX Hot Wax. In theory it should do exactly what you're talking about.

My experience with it however, was not great. Possibly user error. YMMV

 

[Ggaa]

So far I've used an EXH Nano Batallion on the board and footswitching the onboard OD on either a Genzler Magellan or Rumble 800.

 

[edot3021]

Hey all, after playing for thirty-odd years with no effects, I've joined a band in which I find myself wanting to use some overdrive but not just one...Ideally, I'd like a slight, tight-textured overdrive, basically just a wee little added snarl, to be what I use most of the time, but with options for clean tone for a couple of mellower songs and something heavier for some selected moments here and there. The more I think about it, something that'll allow me to create the two overdrive sounds and with one switch that'll toggle between the two overdrives, and another switch that'll bypass everything. I can play in the 'A' light-overdrive most of the time, hit the toggle when I want that 'B' heavy crunch, toggle back to 'A,' and hit the bypass when we play a mellow one.

So does anybody make something that'll do that, without having to get into a big complicated multi-effect unit, and that sounds really good?

Like a Sansamp Bass Driver Programmable?

 

[logdrum]

Browne Protein. Or a KoT clone.
Or Beetronix Royal Jelly.

Another vote for the simple great solution, Source Audio Aftershock.

I don't know. Even though I am fully Sourced [ Pedal board has most SA pedals ] -- Bee Jelly and Brown Protein [bar] are enticing propositions. Sensible and logical choices be damned.

 

[Killing Floor]

I don't know. Even though I am fully Sourced [ Pedal board has most SA pedals ] -- Bee Jelly and Brown Protein [bar] are enticing propositions. Sensible and logical choices be damned.

The Royal Jelly is so easy to dial in.

 

[DrThumpenstein]

Genzler 4 on the Floor checks all your boxes. I, too, played for many years before using overdrive. This one does clean boost well, and can go from light overdrive to mild fuzz. Four different "gears" give four different tonal variations, each infinitely adjustable from just a touch to heavy drive. HPF and LPF allow further fine-tuning. Separate drive and clean volume controls allow you to blend in as much or as subtle as you like. I got it to help me sit better in a rock mix in my current band, which plays a lot of metal-type rock, and mission accomplished. It's mostly on with the band, with just enough grind to help me stand out in a mix with keys and guitar.

 

[The Veg]

Something to think about, two pedals may also do this job and cost the same or less depending on what you get.

That certainly sounds the simplest. I don't mean to sound like an idiot, but all these 'glorified pedals' that I'm seeing look pretty complicated and their websites & YouTubes certainly don't make them look easy to understand (are they competing for complexity???). Simplicity and user-friendliness are definitely virtues; I don't want to be so distracted by button-sequences that I forget what else I'm doing.

Thanks for all the suggestions though and more are welcome!

 

[Parzival]

That certainly sounds the simplest. I don't mean to sound like an idiot, but all these 'glorified pedals' that I'm seeing look pretty complicated and their websites & YouTubes certainly don't make them look easy to understand (are they competing for complexity???). Simplicity and user-friendliness are definitely virtues; I don't want to be so distracted by button-sequences that I forget what else I'm doing.

Thanks for all the suggestions though and more are welcome!

Right now I've got a Sushibox Underground Accelerator for an awesome edge of tube breakup to just breaking up and an EHX Nano Battalion for getting nastier. Sounds great. The EHX has lots of tonal variety on tap, but it's easy to dial in many different drive tones.

 

[Zbysek]

Jad Freer Capo

 

[jcburn]

My take would be either the EBS Billy Sheehan Deluxe Drive or Ultimate Drive.
Levels for clean and overdrive which means you can make the drive as subtle as you like.
The boost channel increases drive saturation without really affecting the overall volume and is foot switchable. The gain increase for boost is also adjustable via internal trimpot.
The compression settings sound really good and add punch to each note of that's what you like (and again the mid setting is adjustable by internal trimpots).
The Tone knob is actually note like a high end roll off. It has its own EQ curve that can make the drive go from warm\woolly\smooth to bright and cutting.
To top it off each channel has an affects loop for whatever EQ and effects you want to add.
Incredible pedal. I bought 2, just in case one of mine goes down.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Like a Sansamp Bass Driver Programmable?

There ya go! This would be the simplest and most effective approach IMO. I believe there are a few Tech 21 products embracing the same multi-channel (?) options.

Riis