The only source of gain I have is tube distortion, which I have to play to loud to be able achieve in my house, and a Soul Food. Is it better for me to run the Soul Food with the gain almost maxed out or for me to buy a cheap ($50-ish) distortion pedal run at a lower gain setting. I try to run the SF with a lot of gain, but it gets really harsh and thins out. But if I turn the tone down it's dark, but still thin.
Overdrive/Distortion Applications Question
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dystrust
Well-known member
Re: Overdrive/Distortion Applications Question
AFAIK the Klon circuit was intended to boost an amp or another pedal instead of being used as a sole source of distortion. I've also heard that the Soul Food is pretty harsh at high gain settings. I have a Wampler Tumnus and that thing has a TON of volume on tap; I get plenty of boost (into a dirty amp or pedal) with the gain at 9 o'clock and the output volume at 12 o'clock.
AFAIK the Klon circuit was intended to boost an amp or another pedal instead of being used as a sole source of distortion. I've also heard that the Soul Food is pretty harsh at high gain settings. I have a Wampler Tumnus and that thing has a TON of volume on tap; I get plenty of boost (into a dirty amp or pedal) with the gain at 9 o'clock and the output volume at 12 o'clock.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Overdrive/Distortion Applications Question
Learning how to stack gain stages is an important part of good tone, not only do you need to know how you prefer to do it, you should also know how different parts of your signal chain respond with eachother.
The Soul Food for example gets really harsh, as both you and others have stated, at higher gain settings. This means that what you should do is either buy a distortion (a Boss DS-1 is a pretty good unit, especially considering it can be had for ~$40 used) or you could run your amp loud enough that you get some breakup, and then use the Soul Food to push it over the edge.
Learning how to stack gain stages is an important part of good tone, not only do you need to know how you prefer to do it, you should also know how different parts of your signal chain respond with eachother.
The Soul Food for example gets really harsh, as both you and others have stated, at higher gain settings. This means that what you should do is either buy a distortion (a Boss DS-1 is a pretty good unit, especially considering it can be had for ~$40 used) or you could run your amp loud enough that you get some breakup, and then use the Soul Food to push it over the edge.
SweetClyde99
Active member
Re: Overdrive/Distortion Applications Question
You can find some pretty good clones of expensive distortion pedals for $50 these day. I would look at Tone City. They make a Suhr Riot clone (Wildfire), a Plexitone clone (Golden Plexi), and an OCD clone (Dry Martini). I also really like the Xvive Golden Brownie I bought on Amazon for around that price.
You can find some pretty good clones of expensive distortion pedals for $50 these day. I would look at Tone City. They make a Suhr Riot clone (Wildfire), a Plexitone clone (Golden Plexi), and an OCD clone (Dry Martini). I also really like the Xvive Golden Brownie I bought on Amazon for around that price.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Overdrive/Distortion Applications Question
First - we need to know what amp you are using.
That said - options include:
Just amp
High gain amp w/ Low Gain OD juicing it
Low gain amp w/ high gain OD juicing it
OD into Distortion into clean amp
Distortion into OD into clean amp
Just Distortion into clean amp
Every one of these is a totally valid solution, and these are not the only combo's. Gotta find what works for you.
All of that said - there are so many good Distortions out there today for $50, new and used, that I would have no problem finding one to use all by itself. And - no matter what the approach, there is always serious time to be spent on dealing with multiple gain levels, multiple EQ stages (Including the amp!) and the order of such things. Someone makes a righteous sound with every combo you can imagine.
First - we need to know what amp you are using.
That said - options include:
Just amp
High gain amp w/ Low Gain OD juicing it
Low gain amp w/ high gain OD juicing it
OD into Distortion into clean amp
Distortion into OD into clean amp
Just Distortion into clean amp
Every one of these is a totally valid solution, and these are not the only combo's. Gotta find what works for you.
All of that said - there are so many good Distortions out there today for $50, new and used, that I would have no problem finding one to use all by itself. And - no matter what the approach, there is always serious time to be spent on dealing with multiple gain levels, multiple EQ stages (Including the amp!) and the order of such things. Someone makes a righteous sound with every combo you can imagine.
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Re: Overdrive/Distortion Applications Question
I always try all kinds of ideas. Even ones that 'conventional wisdom' says won't work. I say, use what you have first. Crank the Soul Food up, and re-eq your amp. Have settings for playing at home and other settings for playing live with a band.
I always try all kinds of ideas. Even ones that 'conventional wisdom' says won't work. I say, use what you have first. Crank the Soul Food up, and re-eq your amp. Have settings for playing at home and other settings for playing live with a band.
Jacew
New member
Re: Overdrive/Distortion Applications Question
Nothing wrong with it. I just personally haven't heard a diode clipping od/dist. I really like, mostly for the same reasons OP didn't like Soul Food. Booster is often cheapest option to get more gain as well.
There's a natural balance in distorting tube, making them often the simplest way to achieve great sounding distortion.
Nothing wrong with it. I just personally haven't heard a diode clipping od/dist. I really like, mostly for the same reasons OP didn't like Soul Food. Booster is often cheapest option to get more gain as well.
There's a natural balance in distorting tube, making them often the simplest way to achieve great sounding distortion.
baritone
New member
Re: Overdrive/Distortion Applications Question
It depends on your preferred style, also. If you like a heavy distortion, take some time to find a pedal which creates the sound you like, and make sure it matches with your amp. Certain pedals can react differently with each amp.
It depends on your preferred style, also. If you like a heavy distortion, take some time to find a pedal which creates the sound you like, and make sure it matches with your amp. Certain pedals can react differently with each amp.
SAguitar
New member
Re: Overdrive/Distortion Applications Question
I got a Soul Food because it was a reasonably priced Klon-like gadget. And like Demanic said, it works quite well in front of another overdrive or distortion unit. When engaged, it takes the crunch tone you have from the second pedal and pushes that tone further into a very sweet range, with more drive and a hint of compression. At least that what it has done for me.
I got a Soul Food because it was a reasonably priced Klon-like gadget. And like Demanic said, it works quite well in front of another overdrive or distortion unit. When engaged, it takes the crunch tone you have from the second pedal and pushes that tone further into a very sweet range, with more drive and a hint of compression. At least that what it has done for me.
LLL
New member
Re: Overdrive/Distortion Applications Question
For amps that have distortion:
I always say crank that mofo amp up and then and only then add a stomp if you need any (to quote Nigel) "extra push".
Otherwise, what's the point of having an amp that distorts... only to rely on stompboxes to get your clipping and compression?
Might as well run direct out from your pedals into a PA (speaker emu), clean power amp + speakers, or similar...
...because the amp sure isn't doing any work.
For amps that have distortion:
I always say crank that mofo amp up and then and only then add a stomp if you need any (to quote Nigel) "extra push".
Otherwise, what's the point of having an amp that distorts... only to rely on stompboxes to get your clipping and compression?
Might as well run direct out from your pedals into a PA (speaker emu), clean power amp + speakers, or similar...
...because the amp sure isn't doing any work.
Last edited:
Diego
New member
Re: Overdrive/Distortion Applications Question
It might work for you. It might not. It depends, but it's a valid approach.
I've had better results cranking tiny amps like the Blackstar Fly 3 rather than plugging a distortion pedal into a tube amp turned up to 0,1.
The fact that the speaker is working it's butt off does something to the end result, I think.
It might work for you. It might not. It depends, but it's a valid approach.
I've had better results cranking tiny amps like the Blackstar Fly 3 rather than plugging a distortion pedal into a tube amp turned up to 0,1.
The fact that the speaker is working it's butt off does something to the end result, I think.
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Overdrive/Distortion Applications Question
Xotic BB is great as a standalone
Rats are cool too
As are OCD's.
You'll have to experiment
Xotic BB is great as a standalone
Rats are cool too
As are OCD's.
You'll have to experiment
Gtrjunior
New member
Re: Overdrive/Distortion Applications Question
The B.B is a great pedal. Sounds great as a stand-alone or as a boost.
I have the B.B. Comp which lets you select between 2 levels of compression or no compression at all.
The B.B is a great pedal. Sounds great as a stand-alone or as a boost.
I have the B.B. Comp which lets you select between 2 levels of compression or no compression at all.
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Overdrive/Distortion Applications Question
Totally second this. What works for one person won't necessarily work for another–you gotta find what works for you currently (as it is highly likely to change with time.)
Totally second this. What works for one person won't necessarily work for another–you gotta find what works for you currently (as it is highly likely to change with time.)
