New to effects OD question

[SLO Surfer]

Southampton 5th Gear!

 

[dave64o]

I don't get to use many effects or drives myself, but I may grab something like what you're describing soon. A couple that I'll want to look at include the Tech 21 VT Bass and Electro Harmonix (EHX) Bass Soul Food. Apparently there are dozens of others that have potential...

One or two of our pals also gave a nod to the Damnation Audio MBD-2. After checking out a couple of video demos, I can admit that I kinda sorta want one... in case of a zombie apocalypse or something Although that pedal can apparently get pretty outrageous in what sounds like a truly wonderful way, at least one demo also showcases its milder settings and those also sound fantastic.

I neglected to mention the Bass Soul Food in my previous post, but that's another light OD that I also own and really like a lot. It really is a light OD, and I find its best tone is with the gain at no more than 2:00 or 3:00 and some of the dry tone blended in. And it’s a fairly inexpensive pedal, too.

While i'm mentioning other light ODs I own and like that could be a good fit for the OP, the Solidgold FX Beta is another great choice. It has a noticeably darker character than the Bass Soul Food, but does a lighter OD very well. Like the BSF, I prefer its tone with the gain below 2:00 or 3:00.

 

[Chamber]

EAE Model feT. I'm super impressed with this thing, I think it does both low gain and high gain exceptionally well.

 

[ThinCrappyTone2]

I’ve been liking the Genzler 4-on-the-floor

 

[lowendrv]

 

[cheapbasslovin]

I'm using a Catalinbread 5f6 with low gain as an always on, but it could easily be made to work as a selected od. Mellow drive sounds that sit in the mixes I play in.

There's too many ODs. What I like might not be what you like. Good luck.

 

[darthplagis]

I can't recommend te EHX hotwax enough. (hot tubes and crayon in one box)
It has a clean blend so you can ALWAYS have clean tone even with the hairiest setting on the crayon.

I was running mine with the hot tubes always on and adding the crayon for when I needed the heavy drive.... Until I got the Russian muff deluxe and that's my go to drive now.... But that's not what you are after.

 

[FirewalZ]

I can't recommend te EHX hotwax enough. (hot tubes and crayon in one box)
It has a clean blend so you can ALWAYS have clean tone even with the hairiest setting on the crayon.

I was running mine with the hot tubes always on and adding the crayon for when I needed the heavy drive.... Until I got the Russian muff deluxe and that's my go to drive now.... But that's not what you are after.

How does this compare/contrast with the Bass Soul Food?

 

[jthisdell]

I'm not big on distortion either but I find myself with four OD pedals. Of my limited experience I would also recommend the VMT, I really think all OD pedals should have a Blend control so you can better control how much distortion you want. The VMT is a great always or almost always on OD with a very natural sound.

 

[darthplagis]

How does this compare/contrast with the Bass Soul Food?

I don't really like the tone of the soul food, I'd rather the vintage... pushed hiwatt kind of tone than klon clone with a blend.
but to each their own.
id say have a listen to some YT demos, thats what i did with the russian muff deluxe... some dude had a comparison with an OG russian muff.. and it was very close plus has the other features i was after (wicker switch for more top end presence, yes i know its a russian muf and the extended mid EQ which can act like a wah with exp pedal)

 

[Christophe C]

A bit of grit and tube ?
Tc electronic spark booster.

 

[FirewalZ]

A bit of grit and tube ?
Tc electronic spark booster.

Yes this one is at the top of the list along with the DVM. what I’m really going for is that finger funk crispy slightly broken up edge tone… Hard to describe other than that

 

[Raman]

When I demo'd the VMT on my first foray into Darkglass, I didn't feel it was for me... That demo is changing my mind!

It took me a while to find the settings I was after. I tended to over-dial it, when just a touch (5 to 25%) on the Era and Drive knobs really does it for me. It fattens up the sound and keeps it really organic.

With all OD effects that I've tried over the years, I always ended up feeling like I'm listening to an electronic circuit. Of course, that's what it is: But it's not what I want to feel. It sounds artificial, like superimposed on the bass' own sound.
I know I'm never going to get a truly natural tube OD feeling from a circuit-based pedal. But, to my ears at least, the VMT does a pretty good job at blending in more naturally with the bass' signal.

 

[FirewalZ]

The TC Spark Booster is on Amazon for like $70.00, im going to pull thr trigger, not much to lose
I returned the Boss Bass Driver BB-1x, i really couldnt dial in the sound i was after. The highs were to brittle, and the fuzz to 'bag of bees" sounding. The TC is less than half the price, and gets lots of love here on TB. If that doesnt work out ill go up to the VMT.

 

[Malafaia]

A search for an OD is a quest for life............
Seriously, OD can be more personal choice than bass, a proper set up can make any cheap bass useable but if you don't like the most expensive OD, nothing can make it work.

Our colleagues cited all usual suspects here, adding to the list: Aguilar Agro and SourceAudio Aftershock. Them both have some kind of LPF working on them and make it very pleasant to use.
Actually if Aguilar make a preamp "Aguilar Agro Hammer" I am almost sure it would be my preference.

 

[dedpool1052]

I'll echo @dave64o wrt the Saturn VI.
One of my favorite drives.
The Spaceman Redstone is another excellent drive, but has a learning curve compared to the simplicity of the S6.

 

[micguy]

I have 2 pedalboards, and my aesthetic is as you describe - just a bit of something. One of my boards has a Genzler 4 on the floor, the other ( space constrained) has a Spaceman Saturn VI. I’ve tried most of other prior suggestions ( plus a lot more), and I’ve kept half a dozen overdrive pedals, but the ones that get used
are the two I mentioned.

 

[BOOG]

Ive been playing for a long time, but only recently started to pickup a few pedals. I’m looking for something to add a bit or grit or hair to the tone, that will boost as well. I play through a D800 and normally have a clean tone, but looking for something that can boost and add a touch of tubiness drive or hair. I prefer simple controls(not 12 knobs and don’t really like full on distortion. I recently picked up a Boss Bass Driver, it was my first foray into, this space, it works well enough, just seeing what else is out there. $200-250 budget range.
Thx.

DGVT

 

[FirewalZ]

Thanks for all the suggestions...I ordered a Spark Boost (the 4 knob), at $70 the Boss BB-1X i returned more than covers it. If this one doesnt work out, ill move u[ to the VMT.

 

[freshpots]

I used to rotate through drive pedals. Since picking up the Jam Pedals Lucydreamer (bass version) it has remained on my board. Has an incredibly wide range of gain with the ability to blend with your clean signal.
The pedal also has a second gain stage that could be tinkered with to act as a boost, or generate some seriously hi-gain sounds.