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Light Overdrives (with Sound Clip)
- Thread starter Smallmouth_Bass
- Start date
So, I decided I would record some individual clips of each overdrive and I even added a couple more from the original posting.
General info about all of the recordings:
The basses:
1) All stock Yamaha BB235, including original strings. Played with the P pickup soloed, tone all the way up.
2) All stock (except non-reverse Gotoh Res-O-Lite tuners) Fender Road Worn Jazz Bass. Strings are DR Sunbeams. Both pickups on full, tone all the way up.
3) 1993 Stingray 5 in series. Ernie Ball nickel Slinky strings. Very slight bass boost. Everything else is neutral. I normally prefer parallel over series, but understand that the 4-strings don’t have that option so wanted to get that tone covered.
The clips were recorded directly into Garage Band via a PreSonus Studio24C interface. I tried to adjust the levels as best I could, but exported the MP3 files to Audacity and leveled out each segment to get a more consistent overall balance.
All the clips were played with fingers (sorry pick players!) and generally plucked over the P-Bass pickup location; so not too close to the bridge, not too close to the neck – in the middle.
All settings generally have the tone control in the middle unless otherwise noted. The first recording of each bass is the bass by itself, the second with the drive at about 9:00, third with the drive at 12:00 and fourth with the drive at 3:00. I have put gaps in between so you don’t have to concentrate too much on where the changes are happening.
For those pedals that have blend controls, I set them at 75% wet (3:00 position).
So here they are (in alphabetical order):
Darkglass Alpha Omicron
General comments:
I put the drive character knob in the center. It would have been just too much to try and capture all the range of distortion. Rotate the control towards Alpha (counter clockwise) and it’s a lighter, more polite and rounded top end. Rotate the control towards the Omicron (clockwise) and there’s more mids and agressivness. Both the growl and bite buttons were engaged, I just liked them better that way. Just know that it can get lighter and less aggressive.
Pros:
Cons:
Darkglass Vintage Microtubes
General comments:
I put the drive ETA control at 1:30, just because it seemed to sound best there.
Pros:
Cons:
Fairfield Circuitry Barbershop
General comments:
The tone was set at center for all the clips and the sag control at about 2:00.
Pros:
Cons:
Genzler Magellan 800 (built in overdrive in the amp head)
General comments:
I thought I would add this one for fun. Many people think that pedals are better and offer more versatility than built in overdrives in an amp, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Pros:
Cons:
Night Owl Edison Preamp
General comments:
So, this is not a overdrive pedal per say as much as it is a boost with a little character. It can get into overdrive territory. This is the only soundclip that has more clips in the range. Starting off with just the bass, each gradually add more gain/tube to the signal.
Pros:
Cons:
Spaceman Saturn VI Harmonic Booster
General comments:
This is very similar to the Barbershop in that is designed as a light and subtle overdrive. I would say that it sounds a little fatter and 3 dimensional than the Barbershop, but it is really close.
Pros:
Cons:
Tech21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI (v2)
General comments:
I boosted the mids slightly (about 2:00) to even out the inherent mid scoop baked in tone. The presence was also at around 1:30, just because that seemed like the sweet spot where it added some sparkle.
Pros:
Cons:
Final words:
I would say that each drive sounded and reacted differently to each bass. For example, the drives were more subtle on the Jazz Bass until you get into higher drive settings. I always found I liked overdrive more on a P-Bass anyway, but that’s just me.
The more touch sensitive ones (Barbershop and Saturn VI) could benefit with some compression in front of them to even out the peaks and allow you to get an overall higher volume. On the other hand, if you want that extra character when you dig in, you would want to avoid that.
I think each drive is good in their own way. As with any advice, the best thing is to try them yourself with your own instrument, setup and playing style if you can. I know I have been swayed by internet demos only to be disappointed with something that sounded great or similarly, disregarded some really nice stuff that didn’t sound so great.
General info about all of the recordings:
The basses:
1) All stock Yamaha BB235, including original strings. Played with the P pickup soloed, tone all the way up.
2) All stock (except non-reverse Gotoh Res-O-Lite tuners) Fender Road Worn Jazz Bass. Strings are DR Sunbeams. Both pickups on full, tone all the way up.
3) 1993 Stingray 5 in series. Ernie Ball nickel Slinky strings. Very slight bass boost. Everything else is neutral. I normally prefer parallel over series, but understand that the 4-strings don’t have that option so wanted to get that tone covered.
The clips were recorded directly into Garage Band via a PreSonus Studio24C interface. I tried to adjust the levels as best I could, but exported the MP3 files to Audacity and leveled out each segment to get a more consistent overall balance.
All the clips were played with fingers (sorry pick players!) and generally plucked over the P-Bass pickup location; so not too close to the bridge, not too close to the neck – in the middle.
All settings generally have the tone control in the middle unless otherwise noted. The first recording of each bass is the bass by itself, the second with the drive at about 9:00, third with the drive at 12:00 and fourth with the drive at 3:00. I have put gaps in between so you don’t have to concentrate too much on where the changes are happening.
For those pedals that have blend controls, I set them at 75% wet (3:00 position).
So here they are (in alphabetical order):
Darkglass Alpha Omicron
General comments:
I put the drive character knob in the center. It would have been just too much to try and capture all the range of distortion. Rotate the control towards Alpha (counter clockwise) and it’s a lighter, more polite and rounded top end. Rotate the control towards the Omicron (clockwise) and there’s more mids and agressivness. Both the growl and bite buttons were engaged, I just liked them better that way. Just know that it can get lighter and less aggressive.
Pros:
- Huge range of sounds, like getting multiple overdrives in one.
- Can be light and also get heavy.
- Very pleasing tube-like overdrive/distortion.
- Looks great!
Cons:
- Baked in tone (but a good one).
- Not as subtle as other light drives (but isn’t really meant to be).
Darkglass Vintage Microtubes
General comments:
I put the drive ETA control at 1:30, just because it seemed to sound best there.
Pros:
- Very pleasing tube-like overdrive/distortion, with a soft top end.
Cons:
- Baked in tone (also a good one).
- Mid heavy sound might not be for you.
Fairfield Circuitry Barbershop
General comments:
The tone was set at center for all the clips and the sag control at about 2:00.
Pros:
- Can be as subtle as you want it.
- Drive is pleasing.
- No low-end loss.
Cons:
- Some complain of a kazoo-like response when digging in on higher register notes.
- If it’s that subtle, do you really need it?
Genzler Magellan 800 (built in overdrive in the amp head)
General comments:
I thought I would add this one for fun. Many people think that pedals are better and offer more versatility than built in overdrives in an amp, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Pros:
- Can do the subtle thing.
- Drive is pleasing.
- No low-end loss.
- Saves a space on your pedalboard.
Cons:
- Additional cable to your amp if you want to engage it via a footswitch.
Night Owl Edison Preamp
General comments:
So, this is not a overdrive pedal per say as much as it is a boost with a little character. It can get into overdrive territory. This is the only soundclip that has more clips in the range. Starting off with just the bass, each gradually add more gain/tube to the signal.
Pros:
- Adds a slight bit of fatness and warmth to the tone.
- Can be placed in front of other drive pedals to make them sound more tubey.
- Super simple (one volume, that’s it).
- Looks amazingly cool with the glowing tube.
Cons:
- Maybe too simple; would have to have an additional level within the chain if you want it at a level other than unity.
- Conceived more for guitarists as a boost to drive other pedals or an amp.
Spaceman Saturn VI Harmonic Booster
General comments:
This is very similar to the Barbershop in that is designed as a light and subtle overdrive. I would say that it sounds a little fatter and 3 dimensional than the Barbershop, but it is really close.
Pros:
- Does the subtle thing well.
- The overdrive is pleasing.
- No low end loss.
Cons:
- Also seems more for guitarists as a boost to drive other pedals or an amp. That seems more of a thing for guitarists than bassists.
Tech21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI (v2)
General comments:
I boosted the mids slightly (about 2:00) to even out the inherent mid scoop baked in tone. The presence was also at around 1:30, just because that seemed like the sweet spot where it added some sparkle.
Pros:
- Adds girth to your tone.
- The overdrive is very tube-like, never being overly harsh, even when pushed hard.
- Sounds amazing with a pick.
- Build in DI.
- Massive tube sounds, without the weight!
Cons:
- Baked in mid scoop sound might not be for everybody.
- Noisiest drive of the bunch.
Final words:
I would say that each drive sounded and reacted differently to each bass. For example, the drives were more subtle on the Jazz Bass until you get into higher drive settings. I always found I liked overdrive more on a P-Bass anyway, but that’s just me.
The more touch sensitive ones (Barbershop and Saturn VI) could benefit with some compression in front of them to even out the peaks and allow you to get an overall higher volume. On the other hand, if you want that extra character when you dig in, you would want to avoid that.
I think each drive is good in their own way. As with any advice, the best thing is to try them yourself with your own instrument, setup and playing style if you can. I know I have been swayed by internet demos only to be disappointed with something that sounded great or similarly, disregarded some really nice stuff that didn’t sound so great.
Last edited:
Great, thorough work. Thanks!
If you have the ability to run the Barbershop & Saturn IV at higher voltages, or with a tone-neutral comp in front, that be interesting to hear.
Nice work man. Like Dbass35 my favourite tones were the Edison, Saturn and Magellan.
I can hear what people refer to as the kazoo tones when the Barbershop is pushed hard but I don't dislike it and think it could work in a mix.
Id really like to try the Barbershop, 5th Gear etc but those pedals will never be readily available here so I really appreciate the work here that gives an idea how these pedals sound.
I can hear what people refer to as the kazoo tones when the Barbershop is pushed hard but I don't dislike it and think it could work in a mix.
Id really like to try the Barbershop, 5th Gear etc but those pedals will never be readily available here so I really appreciate the work here that gives an idea how these pedals sound.
Thanks for the post. I liked #2 the most and #5 a close second-- although I've been around long enough to know that #3/#4 probably sound great in a mix. Coincidentally enough, I was just looking into the Saturn yesterday. I ended up buying a Solid Gold FX Beta MKII. Also, I'm a little surprised that I liked the BDDI as I have not generally liked what I've heard from it in the past.
I have always like the demos I have heard of the Solid Gold FX Beta MKII. They're local too! I could drive by the factory/shop on my way home from work.
- Nov 12, 2006
- 2,224
- 1,699
- 52
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist:Ernie Ball / mike lull
I’ve been scraping for a good sound demo of overdrives.. particularly the barbershop bass demo. You are the first person that gives the character of the pedal rather than 90% “go for the jugular” tones. Thank. You. Sir!! Much appreciated
My favourite is #1 because it has that tube breakup sweetness, then #3 in second because it emphatizes the p-bass tone. #2 sounds really close to #1 but has less clarity.
EDIT: Just saw that #1 is the Barbershop. I have this one on my GAS list. Maybe it's time to get one for me...
EDIT: Just saw that #1 is the Barbershop. I have this one on my GAS list. Maybe it's time to get one for me...
Haha, funny. I was like 1,2 or 5 are good, I don't like 3 or 4.
Taking the blindfold off reveals that my ears and eyes seem to have some overlap.
I owned a Barbershop and liked it very much.
I have a Saturn VI on my board, and a Sansamp on the small board, while I don't particular like the sound I get from Darkglass pedals.
Taking the blindfold off reveals that my ears and eyes seem to have some overlap.
I owned a Barbershop and liked it very much.
I have a Saturn VI on my board, and a Sansamp on the small board, while I don't particular like the sound I get from Darkglass pedals.
Am I the only one that could never hear the difference between them in a band mix?
FWIW, I liked them all except for #3.
FWIW, I liked them all except for #3.
I find that overdrive can easily get lost in a mix. It's a wonder that I have so many! I like the idea of overdrive, but I tend to play clean 98% of the time.
