How to thicken my distorted tone.

[Surco]

Thank you for your very comprehensive answers! Just to clarify, the Rattler has a clean blend and preserves the low end without any issue. And I love how it sounds! However, both my clean tone and distorted tone are missing a bit of thickness and warmth. I know it's because my cheap combo and because I go directly to an interface. I am looking for a solution that can be used for both my clean tone and distorted tone (while not totally overriding the distortion's character).

A Darkglass Harmonic Booster before your distortion works wonders! I use it for exactly what you're doing. It really beefs up thinner sounding drive pedals.

Does it work well for clean tone? How does it compare with full-fledged Darkglass pre-amps such as Vintage Deluxe?

Saturn VI before the Rat, and/or VT Bass (EQ, cab sim) after the Rat

I heard that VT Bass is very coloured. Wouldn't it override the Rattler too much? (this probably a noob question)

 

[lucas303]

Thank you for your very comprehensive answers! Just to clarify, the Rattler has a clean blend and preserves the low end without any issue. And I love how it sounds! However, both my clean tone and distorted tone are missing a bit of thickness and warmth. I know it's because my cheap combo and because I go directly to an interface. I am looking for a solution that can be used for both my clean tone and distorted tone (while not totally overriding the distortion's character).

I think you've answered your own question. Get a different amp.

 

[DJ Bebop]

You need this...

 

[mmbongo]

Thank you for your very comprehensive answers! Just to clarify, the Rattler has a clean blend and preserves the low end without any issue. And I love how it sounds! However, both my clean tone and distorted tone are missing a bit of thickness and warmth. I know it's because my cheap combo and because I go directly to an interface. I am looking for a solution that can be used for both my clean tone and distorted tone (while not totally overriding the distortion's character).


Does it work well for clean tone? How does it compare with full-fledged Darkglass pre-amps such as Vintage Deluxe?

The Harmonic Booster is 100% clean. There is no distortion circuit whatsoever. It's designed to go in front of other 'thin' sounding pedals to beef them up. The magic is in the Character knob which changes the voicing from transparent to thick and meaty.

 

[deff]

Damnation Audio MDB2 or Darkglass Vintage, preferably the Ultra version. Sell the RAT.

 

[Killing Floor]

Try an octave fuzz.

 

[Rojd]

Get a Rumble 115 cab and a nice amp.

 

[SC Bassboy]

Thank you for your very comprehensive answers! Just to clarify, the Rattler has a clean blend and preserves the low end without any issue. And I love how it sounds! However, both my clean tone and distorted tone are missing a bit of thickness and warmth. I know it's because my cheap combo and because I go directly to an interface. I am looking for a solution that can be used for both my clean tone and distorted tone (while not totally overriding the distortion's character).

Sounds like upgrading your amp would take care of the issue. I've recently been experimenting with splitting my signal and running it through two separate amplifiers and that would definitely take care of your problem. The down side is, well, you need two amplifiers.