Volume/EQ/Mid Boost Pedal Suggestions

J

Jeff5

New member
I'm looking for a pedal that will simply increase volume and/or make my guitar shoot out to the front of the mix for solos. I have a tubescreamer and it doesn't really do that to a large degree. I have a pick up booster and it kind of does it with cleans, not so much with my distortion channel and I use pretty high output pick ups most of the time so boosting them is generally not something I want. I already have an EQ in my effects loop, maybe adding another one to the front of the amp would do what I'm looking for? I'm not sure. I don't want to add too much more noise although I'm sure some additional noise is unavoidable. I really don't want anything that changes or colors my tone too much either. Literally, I want to hear "this"...........then.........."THIS". Lol I hope that makes sense!

I don't know if there's any pedal that can do what I'm asking but thought I'd ask the gang here and see what you all think.

Thanks,
Jeff
 
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Re: Volume/EQ/Mid Boost Pedal Suggestions

I know that not everyone is a fan, but I like the EHX LPB-1 for solos when I need just a little extra push. It adds volume and just a little touch more saturation. At 39$ when I picked mine up, it's my go time solo pedal.
 
Re: Volume/EQ/Mid Boost Pedal Suggestions

I use the volume knob on my guitar for this. Roll it back to 8 or so for most playing, bump up to 10 when I want to stand out.
 
Re: Volume/EQ/Mid Boost Pedal Suggestions

Depending on how much gain you play with, a boost will only add more gain ...

For a volume boost, either run your TS clean with just a volume boost through the fx loop of your amp, add another amp and a switcher that will allow you to bring it in when you solo, or use a pedal like a Heavy Electronics descend to attenuate your non-soloing volume.

Or, as FretFire says, use the volume control on your guitar.
 
Re: Volume/EQ/Mid Boost Pedal Suggestions

If you want a volume boost and you;re using a master volume amp you will have to put the boost in the loop...

Using a master volume (or a non master amp cranked to the point of full on saturation) limits the output section so using a boost up front will just add more grit/gain and sustain...no volume.
 
Re: Volume/EQ/Mid Boost Pedal Suggestions

The thing with boosts are this: there is no such thing as flat, and whenever you boost your signal, the amplifier will behave slightly differently. So the best boost is one that accommodates these two factors.
Sounds like you also need a pedal that will keep the noisefloor down, and one that has a lot more output than your average tubescreamer type pedal.
I like the fulltone fatboost because you can trim both the bass and the treble so your boosted sound ends up being the shape you are looking for. The xotic RC boost does the same thing. Both of these pedals offer 35db of clean level boost, but you can add a certain amount of grit of you so desire.
 
Re: Volume/EQ/Mid Boost Pedal Suggestions

Thanks a ton guys for all the suggestions! I will probably try most of them! The one I actually did last night was put my Pick Up Booster in the FX loop. The problem was that I couldn't control the volume. Whether it was first or last in the loop, when I turned it on it did add volume but WAY too much. This was with the control all the way down. Then I tried my TS9 in the loop and it actually seemed to decrease volume, even with the level and tone all the way up. I'll experiment a bit more, but that's what I've experienced so far. Thanks again, any more suggestions are welcome!

Jeff
 
Re: Volume/EQ/Mid Boost Pedal Suggestions

Jeff5 said:
Thanks a ton guys for all the suggestions! I will probably try most of them! The one I actually did last night was put my Pick Up Booster in the FX loop. The problem was that I couldn't control the volume. Whether it was first or last in the loop, when I turned it on it did add volume but WAY too much. This was with the control all the way down. Then I tried my TS9 in the loop and it actually seemed to decrease volume, even with the level and tone all the way up. I'll experiment a bit more, but that's what I've experienced so far. Thanks again, any more suggestions are welcome!

Jeff
Click to expand...

If that's the SD Pickup Booster, that adds a minimum of 6db. Might be more than what you're looking for. I'd say get another EQ pedal and experiment with the frequencies that you want to boost along with the volume. Maybe even use the 2nd EQ to *cut* volume and turn it off when you want to boost.
 
Re: Volume/EQ/Mid Boost Pedal Suggestions

dominus said:
If that's the SD Pickup Booster, that adds a minimum of 6db. Might be more than what you're looking for. I'd say get another EQ pedal and experiment with the frequencies that you want to boost along with the volume. Maybe even use the 2nd EQ to *cut* volume and turn it off when you want to boost.
Click to expand...
1. Isn't the SD Pickup Booster supposed to be the first thing the guitar signal should see? 2. I think an EQ like the GE-7 might be the ticket to boost the volume and the frequency wanted.
 
Re: Volume/EQ/Mid Boost Pedal Suggestions

I've always had good luck using a distortion pedal as a boost for soloing, I've always gotten the best harmonics that way.....
 
Re: Volume/EQ/Mid Boost Pedal Suggestions

the guy who invented fire said:
If you want a volume boost and you;re using a master volume amp you will have to put the boost in the loop...

Using a master volume (or a non master amp cranked to the point of full on saturation) limits the output section so using a boost up front will just add more grit/gain and sustain...no volume.
Click to expand...
Yes, if you're using a high gain channel, any boost prior to the pre-amp often won't give the volume boost you're looking for. In this case, I've used several techniques:
1) Boss EQ pedal in-the-loop with the volume slider used to increase vol. or use individual sliders to increase specific frequncies.
2) MXR m-133 micro amp pedal in-the-loop. This boost pedal is about as clean as it gets, certainly more so than a TS with drive on min.
3) Morley Volume Plus pedal in-the-loop. Works the opposite of number 2. Set your amp's volume level at solo level with the Morely's toe down. Then with the toe up, using the 'min. vol. knob on the Morley, adjust your non-soloing volume. This is like moving the vol. knobs of your guitar to work w/ your feet for those (of us) who have coordination issues.

If you're not using a high gain channel of an amp, but a rather clean one. Use any of the three above mentioned techniques, but in the guitar/amp signal chain rather than in-the-loop.
 
Re: Volume/EQ/Mid Boost Pedal Suggestions

Thanks guys. That makes sense about the pick up booster! I'll have to check out some of these options. All great stuff to consider!
 
Re: Volume/EQ/Mid Boost Pedal Suggestions

MXR 10 Band EQ. I use that for all of my EQ.
 
Re: Volume/EQ/Mid Boost Pedal Suggestions

I actually use an MXR 10 band already. I can't compare it to the GE7 as I've never owned one but I don't think the MXR is that noisy.
 
Re: Volume/EQ/Mid Boost Pedal Suggestions

i just got the tc electronics spark booster, itd be perfect for what you want. its got 3 settings, a clean boost, which will just make your guitar louder, a fat boost, which will thicken the tone up pretty beautifully, and your standard mid boost setting. its a lot smoother than the ts9, and has treble and bass knobs for eq. its also true bypass so when its off youd never hear it
 
Re: Volume/EQ/Mid Boost Pedal Suggestions

I've heard really good things about the Sparkbooster. It has alot of options and the EQ like folks are recommending here so I think it may be something I look at. My only fear that that pedal, and others that have been recommended, is will I be able to control the volume if I put them in the loop. The SD Pick Up Booster with the minimum 6db of boost is just way too loud when I kick it on in the loop. I want a volume boost, but I want it controlled.
 
Re: Volume/EQ/Mid Boost Pedal Suggestions

You know, Jeff5, you can always put volume pedal in the loop, set it exactly where you want it, and call it a day. There was someone on the Splawn forums that makes one with a rotary knob and in a much smaller enclosure that does the same thing, but is expressly made for using in the fx loop. But I don't recall the name of it!
 
Re: Volume/EQ/Mid Boost Pedal Suggestions

Well I don't know how much of a volume jump you want, but with the spark booster there can be a decent jump for soloing. My two main amps (mark v and dual recto) both have solo features so I haven't played with it much in that sense, but I noticed atleast on my clean channel the volume jumps up enough to pop out
 
Re: Volume/EQ/Mid Boost Pedal Suggestions

In all honesty, Jeff, it sounds like you have everything you need for what you want to do. Whats your signal chain? How are you stacking your effects?

At a glance, a graphic EQ pedal in the loop, set flat and with the overall volume bumped a few db's might get you what you want.

As far as controlling noise... proper power supplies and making sure everything is grounded and shielded in the rig helps tremendously with that. There are GE7 kits out there that will reduce the noise floor.
 
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