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How do you use overdrive?

#2
A couple of our songs call for a grittier, overdriven tone. I have one set for the entire song. I don't bring it in and out for choruses and verses (though completely valid), and I don't use it as a volume boost, as that doesn't fly well on bass in my band. OD can be a nice way to add just enough extra cut to stand out well in the mix. Within the context of the band, it might not even sound completely overdriven. Many flavors of OD...
 
#6
I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum ... I turn the drive down until it just adds character to the sound without being obviously distorted; it makes the sound less "nice" and it sits better with other instruments in the mix. I think I hear the bass better without increasing the volume too, probably because the overdrive adds mid-range and treble content.
 
#7
andrew said:
I turn it on and adjust it until my tone is disgusting and evil and then I don't turn it off until it's time to go home. :)
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FretNoMore said:
I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum ... I turn the drive down until it just adds character to the sound without being obviously distorted; it makes the sound less "nice" and it sits better with other instruments in the mix. I think I hear the bass better without increasing the volume too, probably because the overdrive adds mid-range and treble content.
Click to expand...

I do both depending on the song... there are a couple of songs one band does where I use a heavy distortion for the chorus then less heavy distortion for the verse, but generally I use overdrive for creating tone and mood or to add synthy grit and grime in my filter use.
 
#9
I use to push low-end heavily rhythmic sections. If I'm providing a counter melody to the guitar I prefer a cleaner tone, but if I am focusing more on driving the drums or sitting under a groove I tend to kick in the overdrive.
 
#11
JBNeedsBeer said:
I push my mesa 400+'s preamp into a light od at all times and use a rat tail set to low-ish gain for songs that are supposed to sound more aggressive. I use fuzz... pretty much just whenever the mood strikes me
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I would like to hear your set up. What bass do you use?
 
#12
andrew said:
I turn it on and adjust it until my tone is disgusting and evil and then I don't turn it off until it's time to go home. :)
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:D

I use mine rather sparingly, such as beefing up the bass when the lead guitard is in his own little bubble on a few select songs. I think I only use it for a full song on only 1 of our repertoire. I love using it with the BCD on.
 
#14
that's exactly how I like to do it too.....


FretNoMore said:
I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum ... I turn the drive down until it just adds character to the sound without being obviously distorted; it makes the sound less "nice" and it sits better with other instruments in the mix. I think I hear the bass better without increasing the volume too, probably because the overdrive adds mid-range and treble content.
Click to expand...
 
#20
FretNoMore said:
I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum ... I turn the drive down until it just adds character to the sound without being obviously distorted; it makes the sound less "nice" and it sits better with other instruments in the mix. I think I hear the bass better without increasing the volume too, probably because the overdrive adds mid-range and treble content.
Click to expand...

its like I'm talkin to myself. how bizarre how bizarre
 

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