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Solid Gold FX Beta drive? Anyone playing one?

#141
SO, I finally came up with a strategy for the Beta in my signal chain. Basically, I am leaving it where it is, where the Pork Loin was, alone in a parallel loop. I used to have the pork loin there because I would sometimes use it to add just a bit of fizzy warmth on top of everything else.

The Beta was so nice that I was considering having it completely outside my parallel loops like my Micro Red Dragon or my Super Grunt to have as an always on type of thing. But, I just figured out that I also love it as an alternative to my clean channel for parallel blending. So, it stays where it is, but, now, to act as a sometimes (not really)clean channel. It's that good!
 
#142
Basically the same here. It's the overdrive pedal/sound I've been searching for all these years, so I'm using it for that.

That said, the next direct gig I have I'll just be throwing the Beta in front of a Radial JDI and heading out the door.
 
#143
jumblemind said:
Basically the same here. It's the overdrive pedal/sound I've been searching for all these years, so I'm using it for that.

That said, the next direct gig I have I'll just be throwing the Beta in front of a Radial JDI and heading out the door.
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I will be very interested to hear how that turns out. I am at the point where I'd like to try feeding my pedalboard right into a poweramp and into my cabs. I feel like I may have all the sounds/preamps/etc that I need at this point to make it work. Just wish there was a small tiny poweramp that was priced right.
 
#144
I just meant for gigs where I don't need my amp/cab at all, which is rare for me but happens.

You know, if you want a light power amp to work with your board directly, try picking up a GK MB 500/800 and plugging into the fx return. Voila, instant cheap, light, awesome power amp. I saw Bongomania suggest this to someone a while back and do it sometimes with my GK MB Fusion.
 
#145
jumblemind said:
I just meant for gigs where I don't need my amp/cab at all, which is rare for me but happens.

You know, if you want a light power amp to work with your board directly, try picking up a GK MB 500/800 and plugging into the fx return. Voila, instant cheap, light, awesome power amp. I saw Bongomania suggest this to someone a while back and do it sometimes with my GK MB Fusion.
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Yes, I have actually been thinking about that. I kept thinking "why does none of those companies just make a cheap small poweramp by just removing the preamp piece and controls, then, I realized, oh yeah, effects loop return" :)
 
#147
Peavey make some. Demeter make a small but expensive one too!

I'd prefer to go with the regular amp / fx return option though, as then you at least have the option of using the built in pre for not much difference in price!
 
#148
dannybuoy said:
Peavey make some. Demeter make a small but expensive one too!

I'd prefer to go with the regular amp / fx return option though, as then you at least have the option of using the built in pre for not much difference in price!
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Yeah, I had grand designs of getting a Crown or QSC amp but the difference in price is not big enough. I am kind of on the fence but I may end up settling on a TH-500
 
#153
I'm back on the fence. Hairy overdrive, heavy overdrive/fuzzy, tone thickener or fat boost? Beginning of the chain for drive or end of the chain for fattener? The Beta is working well for me in all of these, and I don't need to buy a second one...or do I? :ninja:
 
#154
Mine should be here friday. I can't decide where to put it in my chain either...I was thinking the end since I already have a Diamond Comp to fatten up my tone. If you run other dirt into the Beta does it sound good?
 
#155
p0k said:
If you run other dirt into the Beta does it sound good?
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Yes. It handles other drives very well. Last night I was stacking both an Ultimate Drive and a Ginger into the Beta to try out different saturation and fuzz sounds. The pedal definitely imparts its flavor onto the incoming signal, but it never farts out with the extra gain, just keeps on pushing and creating a bigger, fuller sound. Adds low end to the UD, which itself is already pretty good but loses a touch of the bottom due to clipping.
 

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