Need Help With This Problem

[UberMetalDood]

When I put an overdrive in front of an amp (depending on the amp), most of the time it compresses the mids and low end so badly that it sounds suppressed. Sometimes lowering the mids or bass on the amp or adjusting the input of the pedal reduces it, but it's a terrible problem and I can't seem to get rid of it. For instance, I want to use an overdrive pedal on the XTC blue channel instead of the boost feature on the amp because the boost gives just a hair under the amount of liquid sustain I'm looking for. All I need is a little bit more. However, no matter how low I set the mids, bass, gain, etc..., I get this low mid suppression with the neck pickup.

My Mini Rectifier was a pain because the same thing happened when I tried to boost the clean channel. Not all amps do this, but many do. Am I using the wrong pedal? Do I need to use a clean boost or something?

 

[Kam]

Re: Need Help With This Problem

I think most overdrive pedals do this because they're designed to help your leads cut through a live mix. Lows and low mids don't generally help in that area.

I'd try an EQ pedal, to see if that can help bring back some of the frequencies you're missing. Another good option might be a Green Rhino, which can help you dial in a ridiculous amount of low end.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Need Help With This Problem

The pre-amplifier stage of a high gain valve amplifier is designed to respond to the dynamic range of the pickup signal. Introducing a pedal alters the dynamic range and, hence, the way in which the amplifier responds.

 

[Toe-Knee]

Re: Need Help With This Problem

What pedal are you using here? You want something that on its own is really subtle.

Another option if your pedal is of the fairly hot variety you could try running a 5751 in the v1 slot. This will drop the preamp gain down a bit and sweeten up the mids and highs then when you add your boost it should get you where you want to be. Your cleans will also improve a lot with a 5751 too.

 

[CTN]

Re: Need Help With This Problem

for a sorta-clean boost, I prefer using an EQ pedal to a clean boost or an overdrive pedal...you can tailor the kind of boost you want (full range or low mids, or high mids, or treble etc), and it remains more open and natural sounding than using an overdrive or a clean boost. I have the output set to get just that extra bit of push/sustain/oomph from the amp.

I only use an overdrive pedal for a chunk of extra gain on top of the boost, or if I want a different flavour of overdrive compared to boosting the clean channel.

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Need Help With This Problem

I've only ever heard you talk about owning TS style pedals, so I may be off here if you own other pedals, but I think you just need to try different designs. Check out a Timmy - it's an incredible boost and will work excellently with your Bogner.