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O/D Options to pair with a Stingray Special 4H

PhinDog

PhinDog

Mar 12, 2021
1,133
1,586
Park City, Utah
#1
Hey pedal players,
I am looking for options for a new O/D or compressor to add some saturation to my Stingray Special 4H.
I am currently using two Darkglass pedals for dirt/saturation/OD. A VMT and an A/O. While I like these pedals and the tones, I am seeking a more transparent saturation without the baked-in Darkglass tone that can do low gain to medium gain thing, but with a focused transparent tone, not colored.
I like the tone of my Bass, just want something added, saturation or harmonics.
Wondering if a compressor, like the Empress Bass Comp or something to the like, is a better choice.
I'd like something that doesn't compress the tone or lose the headroom I have with the SRS.

Thanks, Phin
 
#2
An interesting option for this is the Genzler Crash Box. At lower gain settings (the first couple of “gears”), and using the filter section on the drive, you can dial in enough of the drive side to get a quite transparent sound (clean lows, low compression) that adds lots of harmonic presence without sounding like it’s a drive pedal.
 
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#6
PhinDog said:
I’ve been seeing those on YouTube. Wonder if it sucks the bass tone. Cheap, maybe worth a try.
Click to expand...
It has a full low end, and the no clipping diode mode (mode 2) is pretty great as an always-on kind of thing. It’s definitely worth checking out. I haven’t tried it with a ‘Ray style, but I have been using it with an active Jazz, and it sounds excellent with it.
 
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#8
PhinDog said:
Wondering if a compressor, like the Empress Bass Comp or something to the like, is a better choice.
I'd like something that doesn't compress the tone or lose the headroom I have with the SRS.
Click to expand...

Not sure how a compressor will not compress a tone. Maybe you are looking for a multi band compressor, that will apply different compression levels on different frequency ranges. I am happy with Source Audio Atlas compressor and the built in multi band in the Source Audio Ultrawave which also has a distortion and O/D engine -- also multi-band. You need to program it or at least get a preset done by others that will serve your needs
 
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#9
logdrum said:
Not sure how a compressor will not compress a tone. Maybe you are looking for a multi band compressor, that will apply different compression levels on different frequency ranges. I am happy with Source Audio Atlas compressor and the built in multi band in the Source Audio Ultrawave which also has a distortion and O/D engine -- also multi-band. You need to program it or at least get a preset done by others that will serve your needs
Click to expand...
Thanks. Great options.

I see now what I said.
I’ve owned the empress and it seems to add headroom as it contains your signal. Not squash and color. That’s what I’m looking for. Might have just answered my question.
 
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#10
PhinDog said:
Hey pedal players,
I am looking for options for a new O/D or compressor to add some saturation to my Stingray Special 4H.
I am currently using two Darkglass pedals for dirt/saturation/OD. A VMT and an A/O. While I like these pedals and the tones, I am seeking a more transparent saturation without the baked-in Darkglass tone that can do low gain to medium gain thing, but with a focused transparent tone, not colored.
I like the tone of my Bass, just want something added, saturation or harmonics.
Wondering if a compressor, like the Empress Bass Comp or something to the like, is a better choice.
I'd like something that doesn't compress the tone or lose the headroom I have with the SRS.

Thanks, Phin
Click to expand...
Been EBMM/MM Ray4H's only for most all of my bass playing and my favorite OD is the Two Notes Le Bass. I had an EQD Plumes (not Blumes) right before that and dumped it. The Le Bass is amazing. It sounds so nasty and aggressive with my Stingrays. The pre section is effing phenomenal as well. MIDI I/thru and can even function as a MIDI controller.
 
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#18
Another vote for the Origin DCX Bass. Having been on a similar quest with my (Stingray) 4H, I have and would also recommend Broughton’s Scorpion, and the Empress that’s been mentioned. I like the core tone as well, but for some flexibility I also run the SV-Pre and SB’s Elementary. These last two of course add some color, but I like to have the added grind and/or warmth, if needed.
 
Last edited:
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#19
Gabbs said:
I currently am using the Blumes with my Special. I can attest that it sounds amazing. Mode 2 is especially good.
Click to expand...
Thanks, does it do low gain as well? Seems all the vids and sound samples have it set to high gain, high mid buzz saw. Which is fun, but not sure how I’d used that in the mix. The punk kid in me wants to grind it, but my funk, blues, disco, soul, classic rock set list says otherwise.
 
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