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I Don't Get Bass Distortion/OD
- Thread starter -Stingray
- Start date
I would like to go in sort of the opposite direction as OP and ask, “what is this:” OD? Fuzz? Distortion? And as always here on Jeopardy, please phrase your response in the form of a question.
Hello
I never liked the sound I got over driving a bass amp either. Then I heard "Pagliaro - What The Hell I've Got (Live à Québec)" on You Tube and decided to play along with it. The harder I drove the tube preamp the better I liked it until I was absolutely abusing that poor preamp, the clip lights were on the tube section was metering solidly red and then that devil may care raunchy distorted bass fit right in. I haven't heard a tune before or since that I like that kind of overdrive on. I like all the musicians on that gig.
I never liked the sound I got over driving a bass amp either. Then I heard "Pagliaro - What The Hell I've Got (Live à Québec)" on You Tube and decided to play along with it. The harder I drove the tube preamp the better I liked it until I was absolutely abusing that poor preamp, the clip lights were on the tube section was metering solidly red and then that devil may care raunchy distorted bass fit right in. I haven't heard a tune before or since that I like that kind of overdrive on. I like all the musicians on that gig.
To me, some of the most successful "dirty" bass tones have a parallel signal path where some direct bass is mixed with the grit to preserve the necessary impact. I've never had much success with keeping a nice solid bottom if I have too much dirt on a single signal.
No idea if TB is pro or anti Ghost here, but they consistently have some pretty great bass tones with a decent amount of stank on them.
The Deezer session recordings on YouTube are especially great. The bass sound in Cerice where the full band kicks in at tempo is just magnificently brutal.
The bass tone on the intro of the first song is KILLER.
If you are playing in a band with multiple distorted guitars, yeah I see getting lost.
Many times I played behind a slinky strat player … playing slide single notes and you need some mass to fill in. I never went overboard using OD
but here is a good take on what I mean
Many times I played behind a slinky strat player … playing slide single notes and you need some mass to fill in. I never went overboard using OD
but here is a good take on what I mean
I tend nto to use distortion or OD on a bass--at least not by pedal or amp.
However, if set a certain way--both my Boss AW-3 Auto Wah (And other auto Wahs) can overdrive the sound in a way I do like for my playing.
And an EQ can do that as well--if you set it a certain way.
However, if set a certain way--both my Boss AW-3 Auto Wah (And other auto Wahs) can overdrive the sound in a way I do like for my playing.
And an EQ can do that as well--if you set it a certain way.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,038
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- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Some of the aspects of overdrive are rather subtle (which is also why it works so well in a mix). Things like “texture”, “dimensionality”, “compression”, “feel” and maintaining “tonality” are part of the algorithms, the filtering, and clean blend components of the O/D tone.
There are many ways to accomplish this, depending on what you are trying to achieve and your willingness to accept a learning curve.
Many of these aspects are discussed in the “4 on the Floor O/D” owner’s manual, the concepts (how & why) apply to the process rather than just this pedal. This includes the block diagram that shows how the signal flow works.
https://16wtlg1ot6rc2w5qv63bnidz-wp...wners-Manual-4-29-2021-REV-2-final-web-JG.pdf
There are many ways to accomplish this, depending on what you are trying to achieve and your willingness to accept a learning curve.
Many of these aspects are discussed in the “4 on the Floor O/D” owner’s manual, the concepts (how & why) apply to the process rather than just this pedal. This includes the block diagram that shows how the signal flow works.
https://16wtlg1ot6rc2w5qv63bnidz-wp...wners-Manual-4-29-2021-REV-2-final-web-JG.pdf
My 2 cents…..
Some of those clips above remind me of all the interpersonal harassment that occurred in the bad old days
The really old clips like James Jamerson, McCartney, Ramble On… I wonder if the overdrive is mostly just a function of funky equipment. It distorts mostly on the low notes, like the equipment can’t handle that much bass. Intentional? Also, my One Control Blackberry tends to distort on low notes and leave high notes relatively clean. Funny and farty.
The best overdrive pedals I’ve found are from Darkglass and Tech21, with a clean blend and tube amp sounds. Not too harsh, not too farty. Sometimes total fuzz is cool too.
Jack Casady often has really cool overdrive bass. Really interesting under bright clean acoustic instruments. Here:
Also listen to him really get wild in the latter half of this song after 3:30, bass overdrive and feedback yet very mellow:
Some of those clips above remind me of all the interpersonal harassment that occurred in the bad old days
The really old clips like James Jamerson, McCartney, Ramble On… I wonder if the overdrive is mostly just a function of funky equipment. It distorts mostly on the low notes, like the equipment can’t handle that much bass. Intentional? Also, my One Control Blackberry tends to distort on low notes and leave high notes relatively clean. Funny and farty.
The best overdrive pedals I’ve found are from Darkglass and Tech21, with a clean blend and tube amp sounds. Not too harsh, not too farty. Sometimes total fuzz is cool too.
Jack Casady often has really cool overdrive bass. Really interesting under bright clean acoustic instruments. Here:
Also listen to him really get wild in the latter half of this song after 3:30, bass overdrive and feedback yet very mellow:
Distortion/OD are effects that should be used sparingly on bass. That being said I have multiple devices capable of distortion on my board. I have a Source Audio Aftershock and Ultrawave (i test/program a lot for SA), both great devices. With their editor its very easy to customize your sound. I also have distortion/OD in my HX Stomp and Panda Midi Future Impact. The most important thing for effective use is the blend of the effect with your dry bass tone. Never run a distortion/OD at 100% blend, All of the above mentioned devices have great options to get the mix right.
One way I use distortion is jumpered on my SVT. ie insert a distortion pedal between the jumper from channel 1 to channel 2. Then use the volume controls on both channels. The downside is I've an 85 lb blend pedal.
As an avid Doom fan: best reply in the thread so far
.There's some absolutely mental sounds and textures on the new Doom OST's that in my opinion do properly convey a point to drive.
Artistic expression sometimes needs for things to be... abrasive. Not much that works better for making sounds abrasive than distorting the crêpe out of them.
For me, I’ve come to believe great OD and distortion has a lot to do with speakers. Guitarists say the same thing. Of course there’s the bass, preamp, power amp part of it, but 15” speakers gets me to that sweet spot. And if it needs to be mic’d, a Sennheiser MD421. That’s what I like anyway.
As an avid Doom fan: best reply in the thread so far
There's some absolutely mental sounds and textures on the new Doom OST's that in my opinion do properly convey a point to drive.
Artistic expression sometimes needs for things to be... abrasive. Not much that works better for making sounds abrasive than distorting the crêpe out of them.
Indeed. I've been listening to this all day thinking my grandpa could have used this soundtrack at Pearl Harbor. He'd have shot down ten Zeroes...then he would have gotten serious.
Funny, I don't mind listening to others play O.D. or distorted bass but when I do it, it's like meh with me at the wheel. That's the part I don't get 
