Boost Pedals... where should you place them? Do they go before or after overdrive or distortion? How do they differ? What is the difference in running them before overdrive and distortion or after? How does it affect guitar tone? Today I'll answer these questions and more. Comment with which boost pedals YOU like, and where YOU like to put them!
I'm newer to the pedal world... I have a cheap Kokko boost pedal BEFORE my TS clone right now, but am playing around with placement. Thanks for the great video!
I think I found the right thing for me by running the Tumnus deluxe into my recently acquired pantheon. I'm totally in love with it. Then I have a digitech nuatila flanger/chorus just barely engaged and finally the ethereal. Love this combo. it's the shit as they say......
Wampler Pedals hi, I think that when I put the boost before the gain will growin up, when the boost is after the volume is growin and the wave becomes square
Ditto that, Swiss Army Knight! I found this channel about a month ago, and just bought my first Wampler pedal a couple weeks ago. Was NOT disappointed! Will be getting more soon, hopefully the Tumnus deluxe next.
I love the fact that you are willing to share and show us what are the possible combination to improve the tone. How i wish i have someone showing me this 20 years ago.
I constantly tinker. I typically prefer color boosts before my main drive pedal. Then I like a full freq after for a vol bump. Always enjoy your vids! Peace.
I like sound of the Tumnus into the OCD the best. The Tumnus has got me thinking. I run a boost at each end of my board. Very informative video. Thanks for taking the time to put it together.
I'm thinking about getting a Tube screamer. I've already got an OCD which I've used as my main guitar sound so far. So do you think having the Tube screamer as my main and the OCD as a solo boost would be better?
I never really liked my OCD with single coils until I started boosting it. I've been running it before an Xotic AC Booster, sounds great. Gotta try putting the Tumnus pre-OCD, because that tone was rad! Like halfway between a Treble Booster and a Tubescreamer boost. Goes to show what a good K-style circuit can do. Tumnus is one of the best.
I use a tube screamer type first in my chain for a nice boost and bit of top, and have a color boost at the end of my drive pedals and before my modulation pedals. Both work well and give a choice of how the boost sounds. Love your vid's and products.
I have and use a Fender HRD 3. Love it. I'm a gigging musician and play the clubs every week. I use an OCD and a Tubescreamer TS9 together on my pedalboard, and I push them through the clean channel. The OCD is my main sound - I use my guitar volume knobs to adjust my tone as desired - by using my guitar volume knobs, I am in better control of my rig and can dial in on the fly pretty much anything from slight crunch to balls out overdrive. I use my TS9 BEFORE the OCD to BOOST the OCD for solos and lead work- and it works beautifully !... you can even roll off your guitar volume when both pedals are engaged ( for solos) and it gives you a stronger feel and really good tone. Your guitar volume knobs are so important in dialing in good TONE. MY OCD is set at the low power setting on top, volume at 10-11, drive at 10-11 also, tone at 12. TS9 is set at volume 20clock, drive at 0, tone 12oclock. My Fender HRD3 clean channel volume is maybe at 2.5 - 3 ( it's club loud at this level). NOTE: I also push a 6 band BOSS EQ through my effects loop next to my WAMPLER TAPER ECHO and I have the best frickin tone. The EQ in the loop allows me to push the amp harder, but control the volume and still add some bass and mids - it's like taking a thick blanket off your amp and letting just breath and open up. Sorry so long. hope it helps.
Running a clean boost in the effects loop of your tube amp opens up a whole new world of possibilities. In this config the boost not only increases your output signal to cut through the mix for your solos but also offers GREAT options for different tones. By bypassing your preamp, you are isolating the boost pedal's effect on the power section of your amp which is almost like adding additional channels into your amp depending on how you combine the boost with or without running dist in front of the preamp. This works well when you are using a hotter dist pedal like the Pinnacle - especially in an amp that is biased a bit hotter. It's a real game changer because it can mimic the same amp dynamics of a dimed up classic Marshall amp in terms of the effect your guitar volume has on tone and dynamics. Here are several options this config offers; Option 1) by foot switching off your distortion pedal and engaging the boost, it can really FATTEN up your clean tones. Option 2) by engaging both dist pedal and boost but rolling your guitar volume way back, it gives you something in between clean and crunch with a lot of bottom and depending on your amp settings, can clean up surprisingly well. Option 3) by running your dist pedal with the boost off, you can dial in good rhythm crunch tones and then engage the boost for solos to cut over the top of the mix. So there you have it. Versatility at its finest...
I use my Spark Mini boost in the effects loop and get a HUGE range of boost without coloring my tone at all. Try that if you don't want to change your tone but want a LOT of boost. Works amazingly.
i just wanted to say i got the tumnus pedal about a week ago and absolutely love it. it’s the best overdrive pedal period. it feels more like a amp mod in a box. it takes your amp and takes it to the next level and feels so natural. thanks for making a great pedal available and affordable. ill be getting the tumnus deluxe next. keep up the great work and thanks for all the videos very helpful
This is a situation where I can honestly say, I use and need both. Sometimes I just want whatever tone I have to be louder, sometimes I need more saturation and growl- and so I keep a boost before and after my drive and choose accordingly. Luckily- nowadays you have a ton of options to make this happen. You can run a compressor in front of the drives, use it as a boost and a compressor- you can buy a drive with a boost built in, you can use an eq pedal as a boost and shape it whatever way you like, you can buy boost pedals, or you can use other drives as boosts and stack them, and I'm sure there are other ways as well that I don't even know about. Personally- I run a Tumnus Deluxe into an AT+ from JHS- plus I have an 1176 Cali compressor and a Neve preamp in front of the Tumnus, and a Vertex Boost after the AT+. Then I run all my wet effects through the parallel fx loop on my amp. Works for me.
Excellent video. Loved the subtitles on the cat! LOL!! You really spoke some truth when you said that things sound differently when you're at home and then when you're at a venue. I've done boost pedals before and after my main distortion, but there's always some variance. I guess I'd prefer before.
I like boost before and after overdrives. Boost after an overdrives for a lead boost. Boost before an overdrive to push a mid gain overdrive higher. What got me thinking that way was how my ADA MP-1 tube pre-amp had OV1 and OV2 and the how the over all tone would sound based on how you balanced them. Having the boost after, to me is like turning up the master volume up a bit on an amp. So, if the overdrive pedal needs to be louder, boost after it. Want the overdrive to harder hit the signal infront.
Do what I do, have one at either end of your board. :) I have a TS clone at the beginning that I can use as a mild dirt pedal by itself or use it clean-ish to push another drive. I then have a JHS Banana Boost at the end of the board that I can use as a "solo" boost or occasionally as a mild dirt pedal. It surprises me that more people don't know about or use the Banana Boost and that it was discontinued. It is one of the nicest clean to slightly dirty boost pedals I've ever heard.
I’m kinda similar. I have TS9 (Keeley mod) into rockett Dude. Then ep boost at end of chain always on for nice bloom add. I also can even lead boost if I need it.
Recently, I played a country gig. I ran a Tumnus into a Euphoria but Tumnus was not being used as a boost. The Euphoria acted as my main dirty tone (into a modified Tweed Blues Junior) and the Tumnus was kicked in for even more drive. I use the Blues Junior's footswitchable Fat feature for a boost during solos. The Tumnus combined with the Euphoria sounds AMAZING! \m/
MXR Micro amp on the end of the pedal chain - makes anything you're doing louder, great for when you have the volume on the guitar down to clean things up but want the volume back or solo boosts. I have my Marshall set clean.
My way of doing things has always been to have one or two full-range drive pedals, usually a low gain sound and higher gain sound, with a mid-hump style boost like a klon or TS circuit before them to kind of tighten them up, add a little gain, and give more of a mid-focused tone. And then after all of them I like a full-frequency clean boost so I can have any of my tones be louder but uncolored when needed. Also, I thought the OCD pushed by both the Tumnus and the Thirty Something boost before it were EPIC drive sounds into your Bravado!
For me, a lot of it depends on how you are using your amp. If I have, say a 15 watt amp cranked, a boost isn't going to get much volume boost because the amp is already at its limit. In that situation I use the boost as a drive, and then follow it with an overdrive, using the tone control as a cutting device, making the leads like a laser beam. But with an amp set so that there is a lot of headroom available, I would possibly do the opposite.
I run my boost after drive because in a live setting I usually want a nice volume boost for solos. I don’t use it to drive a drive tone I like to raise the volume of a drive tone. I play a wide variety of tunes and a cleaner dB boost is my jam!
Sam Johnson exactly - for solos is great - and some also use for tone - if you have an amp that sounds great (crunch or distortion) if you push the front end of your amp harder. Of course then you would need a 2nd boost for solos :)
After everything. Actually, it's part of the Empress Buffer+. I only use it to increase volume. Compressor is also after drive since I want to control the sound of the drive by my pick attack. Don't like it to be always the same.
I discovered the Tumnus into the OCD at a friend’s house completely by accident and was so blown away by the tone that I now own a Tumnus of my own. That combo is magic.
Lately, I've been loving the sound of running my OCD into my Empress Fuzz. That combination really tightens up the fuzz while retaining everything I love about the fuzz.
Ive been using the Green Rhino as a boost into either other gain pedals or the gain channel of my amp. So far it stacks the best. Others I like are using the tumnus(clean boost) or recently tried out the Friedman Buxom Boost(amazing versatility as well).
The thrust of this video, and the overwhelming majority of comments, is the role of boost in generating *desirable* distortion. But one needs to remember that a great many OTHER type of effects pose certain limitations on input level. Push your phaser or analog chorus too hard with too much level boost, and they won't sound very nice AT ALL (bad distortion). Other types of level-sensitive pedals, like auto-wahs or noise-gates MAY be able to adjust their sensitivity to cope with the boosted signal...but maybe not. If one is a pure grind type of player, by all means, boost away. But if you plan to use other sorts of pedals, either figure out a way to stick any boost AFTER the level-sensitive effects, or use boost judiciously. Note as well that there are limits to how much "clean" boost can be accomplished, given a standard 9V power supply.
I recently bought a Tumnus and use it after my standard overdrive and distortion pedals. Blues, hard rock, "almost metal" all shine with the addition. I absolutely love it.
I like to use a Keely compressor with it acting as an overdrive in front of a TS9. Great video. To me, hearing the DB boost with the overdrive sounds pretty good. Great review!!!
I do agree with the whole "what's a preamp, really?" premise. There really isn't a "standard" definition of it. However, I do have an "opinion" of what the definition is, if I were to look at it, but merely from a schematic perspective. I usually look at it as a clean boost that doesn't use diodes for clipping or distortion (no hard clipping, no soft clipping, and no cross-over distortion), has a user controllable tone-stack that isn't 100% made up of gyrator style circuits (like what are in typical EQ pedals), and lastly has good input impedance, usually at 1M or above. The generic way to look at it, is a circuit akin to something one would commonly see inside an amplifier circuit before the power amp section and isn't part of an effect circuit that is built into an amp. This way, that rules out your typical overdrives and distortions (they usually have clipping diodes or cross-over distortion). Typical fuzzes are ruled out (poor input impedance on ones that I see not using diodes), EQ pedals are out (they typically use gyrators). Straight boosts are out (usually no tone controls other than the ones hard-wired in (high pass, low pass, T-style filters)), and obvious "effect pedals" like modulation, delay, reverb, pitch-shifting, etc wouldn't meet the definition. So what is left? Basically those marketed as "amps in a box" style pedals, which usually are trying to simulate a preamp section in an amplifier. But again, that's my opinion. And you are right, there isn't any industry standard.
Thank you for using the LP to make this video. I enjoy boosts after distortion myself but depends upon what pedal and compression afterwards. Enjoyed the video.
I would like to see you test a bunch more OD's and boosts.. before and after like this. Maybe include the Fulltone fatboost, keep the TS9 or add a TS 808, maybe try a Boss Power Stack or Klon Klone.. and some more varieties.. you have some cool videos and pedals, there is always a lot more to learn, for sure!
This video made me finally go ahead and buy a Tumnus. I've had an OCD on my board for 10 years, so I am hoping the Tumnus into the OCD works as good as I think it will.
I'm playing a Blackstar HT 1R Combo using the onboard overdrive with an EP Booster with an Audio Alchemy Switch mod. The EPB is between my amp and guitar as an always on pedal with the knob set between 10-11 O'clock and the switches in the Vintage (less bass) or sometimes Default mode (more bass). This pedal really brings the thin and boxy 8" speaker to life. It adds warmth and bass to the overall tone of the amp. I'm also using it with an LTD 256 FM Guitar which is a humbucker guitar so I tend to favor the Vintage mode on the EPB.
I run two boosts. In the loop I have a Friedman Buxom Boost that is set up as a actual volume boost. In front I have an EP Booster that I use to stack with my overdrive when I want to kill the guy with the ball.
I had always put booster ahead of dirt but your vid and Anderson’s current vid both mention putting a booster in the effects loop so I’ll try that. I have a number of booster pedals - Diamond, xotic Ep as well a number of dirt pedals that I can set as always on or boost including Tumnus, lovepedal E6, mooer, miaudio, Manticore, JHS Milkman. I think my favourite is the Diamond and the Tumnus. But I’ve only used it as the first pedal. Great vid. Thanks
As always, great video. I use a Caroline Icarus boost. It’s before my O/D pedals. I have a JHS morning glory and a plimsoul for the heaver stuff. I do want to get a Tumnus in the near future. That’s a great pedal. Cheers.
Great demo and subject. Thank you. ❤ Love to use a boost to add just that extra for solos or special parts to whatever clean or dirty tone you have as a base.
great video! I've always used an old DOD FX10. I usually keep it after all of my dirt pedals, but I recently got a twin reverb and have been trying different configurations. I now have the boost in front of my OD but after my Fuzz and it's always on, and I like it that way because I can slightly boost the gain of my OD, but then boost the level / character of my fuzz. It's probably the most useful pedal on my board.
Partially thanks to you and your channel (and to this specific video), today I built my first pedal from a kit. It's a clone of the Zvex SHO form musikding and, amazingly to me, it works! I placed it in front of my OD-3 (at least for now). Thanks a lot for your videos! Next stop, a couple of fuzzes, of course, and after that it's time to actually try to understand what I'm doing haha 😅
this video has convinced me that klons and tube screamers (or really anything mid rangey) need to be before other ods and distortions, cause if theyre after the sound gets this weird kinda lofi radio quality to it. I was having this issue with a klon type pedal a few months back and I just couldn't figure it out without rearranging my whole board.
The best combos I've found are: Boss SD-1 into OCD Boss DS-1 into OCD (DS-1 is a great dirty boost) Boss SD-1 into Wampler Sovereign Boss DS-1 into Proco Rat Turbo.
Also be wary SD-1 into Sovereign with the sovereign boost enabled equals a lot of power, and a fair bit of noise, but the power is really no joke, the boost as already so gainy.
Another combination is boosting the crunch channel of a mesa mark series amp with the DS1. I'm not a fuzz guy but you can also get a decent fuzz by turning the three knobs to around 3 o'clock before putting it to the crunch channel.
My favorite combos were the TS before the OCD and the Tumnus after it. I like to run boosts with flexible EQ controls after my other pedals so I can shape them to better fit the context/room, etc. Planning to get the Wampler Equator for just such purpose!
I think the ts boosting into the ocd is the best guitar sound in this video as well. But then again I feel like in a band setting, you need your boost to, well, boost
This changes fairly regularly for me. For the last month or so I've been using diamond Comp Jr to boost into my ocd, this weekend i removed the comp jr, and put my Tim after the OCD. I tend to gravitate towards this latter setup, and if i had about 3" more of board space i would probably through the comp jr. in front to have boost before and after :) Another great video!
My other option is a fantastic boost, Maxon OD820, followed by a great graphic EQ, Whirlwind Super 10, into any decent tube preamp. Just use the EQ to take out mud, push more mids & or highs into the preamp, thus causing a boost like effect without really adding distortion from a distortion box, but more tube preamp modulation from the boosted frequencies. Actually put the EQ in front of the boost, into the preamp. Yeah that's right.
I ran a Metal Muff w/boost through the return effects loop on a Carvin Nomad 1/12/ 50 watt combo with great success. Even in front of the amp with the fuzz at zero for a clean boost it really the pushed the soak/overdrive of the amp beautifully. With the fuzz & boost at noon, the amp @ 10 o'clock, my lawn died. Nice review Mr.Wampler, thx for sharing your wisdom.
Great demo. I play an Epiphone 335 PRO (with coil-splitting). After experimenting, I've settled on putting my EP Booster after my OCD pedal. (The EP Booster is always on because it warms up the clean signal.) When I had the EP before the OCD, the RAT and Russian Pickle, I lost a lot of clarity - it was just a tsunami of sounds.
Does this make sense for how to choose? 1. start with the tone you need: e.g., mid hump with single coil pickups into Fender style amp needs mid hump, 2. choose the type and kind of distortion you want: e.g, soft vs hard clipping for distribution of overtones, symmetric (odd harmonics) vs asymmetric (odd and even harmonics) for complexity of distortion, 3. put that pedal just before the amp, 4. compliment that tone with another peddle into it usually for more sustain. For example, boost into tube screamer to establish the overall tone and use the boost to control just the sustain.
I use a TC Electronics Spark Boost in my effects loop after the mod, verb, and delay effects. The last pedal in my chain. It simply makes my guitar louder without adding any gain.
I put my dB+ as the first thing in my pedalboard. My reasoning is I usually set around 8-9 oclock as a solo boost so it’s not boosting my signal all that much so only a little distortion increase but I can crank it up higher and still get the extra gain. The added gain as a solo boost is welcome, and added gain if I increase the volume is louder too
Hello Brian, I run the Tumnus Before my K O T i also run the old Wampler Decibel boost after the K O T for a boost jump in my band. i play southern rock and country so i like it dirty southern rock style. Love all that you do thank you for your help
I always suggest the Tumnus to customers. I find it's unique in it's feel. It's very 'spongy' or rather makes my guitars feel more spongy like. I don't know how else to describe it. Of course the tone is nice as well ;) I run mine right after the Ego.
My favourite boost is the Spaceman Mercury IV harmonics booster. It is just after my octave shifter, and just before my shimmer reverb. As for before or after overdrive, I am in a slightly different situation. I am all about amp distortion, so have no use for a gain pedal of any kind. That said, considering the Mercury IV is going into the front of the amp, it is before the pre-amp gain. So, if you translate that to a pedalboard, my Mercury IV would be before the overdrive.
I usually put them after my EQ pedals. I have the distortion and my EQs running through a Boss NS2 then the output on the NS2 goes to boost. my favorite is MXR micro amp cause I think they're the most transparent while an EHX LPB-1 is more of a tiny overdrive
I use a "boost" as a preamp right after my guitar cable. It is ALWAYS ON. I adjust it with whichever guitar I'm using to where I'm just noticing an overload or any clipping at the speaker. This way I know I've got max signal thru the system, and potentially "lower" my overall noise floor. Then I turn my guitar's volume control(s) to max impedance (~47k with my 250k pots) at it's output and start adjusting my gain-staging thru the amp & system to get a nice creamy sound. Then when I want it cleaner I can back off on the guitar (or I suppose I could turn Off the boost). If I want more overdrive/distortion I turn the guitar up or kick on a pedal. A super-clean, quiet preamp/boost is preferred for My system, and a lower gain boost/overdrive is usually plenty to give me a high-gain type of sound. Try it. You'll like it.
Thanks for a great, educational video. I definitely like boost into distortion. I use my amp’s distortion and run the Blues Driver side of a King Tone Duellist into it. I think it sounds awesome.
I tried both ways around. either the boost or the overdrive, or both of them, will have a situation where a signal that's too hot coming in will make the whole thing really squelchy. that depends on the circuit and the pedal, so sometimes it's better to do it one way and sometimes it's better to do it the other. The important thing is not to overload the op amp in whatever pedal makes the squelch.
For a live situation I don’t see much point in boosting an ocd, you might get cool tones at home at bedroom levels - but live when things get loud having too much grind is ridiculous. I think it has something to do with fletcher Munson curves. I don’t think Angus Young uses all that much distortion, but his volume makes you think it does. I think running boots after makes more sense - again paying attention you aren’t over driving the first stage in the amp.
I have to say in this demonstration on UA-cam which compresses the audio anyway. The Boost sounds better before, but maybe in a live situation or even a recording situation this would be different. It seems to me that you have to experiment with the Boost pedal. The room that you're playing in could even affect that, the recording techniques, and even playing techniques. Just do it the way you need to do it to get the job done.
Thanks for the video. Redid my board yet again. Now using my amp with a little gain with a tube screamer for slight overdrive and running that into the tumnus set dirty. So not a boost but a more dirty distortion and also set a bit more than unity. So far so good
So much fun! My old 80something TS-9 is still on the board as my first "gain" stage after the compressor. Both of which are basically always on. Depending on flavor or where I want to be in the mix I switch on the OCD, Pinnacle Deluxe, or DS-1. On very rare occasions I get to slap my EP boost in front of my Marshall 1987 with the volume at 3 o'clock or so! Absolute SWEETNESS!!! :)
All sound good Hatts off to Brian.....I run my amp to a Fulltone 2B then a Catalyst then a Munder Heavy Cream Im really impressed with your Tumnus and 30 Something...much better than the OCD and Im a Fulltone fan Looking at one of your delays right now too Brian Good stuff
I like my Xotic RC Boost-v2 Channel 1 after dirt pedals . I do, however, usually leave it on all the time because I like the way it livens up the gain channel of my amp. Then I'l hit my drive pedal or fuzz for lead tones.
Route 66 Comp/OD with both sides on is the best pedal I’ve found for boosting your signal before distortion, if you can make it work quietly. Which can be sorcery, especially with single coils.
Before, obviously. My favorite just for boost so far is the JRAD silver archer. Tumnus Deluxe is next on my OD/boost list, tho. I'd also like to get a straight clean boost at some point to hopefully alleviate some of that volume loss on a pedal board.
Actually, both. I have the DB+ at the beginning of my chain (after compression) and an MXR Micro Amp right before delay and reverb. Now, let's get a video of Alex playing up here.
Rule number one. You might have a series of different pedals on your board, but that dosent mean that they need to be stacked, or run together.Be mindful that your choices remain an additive rather than subtractive process; you add more because it is needed, not because the pedal is there.If you have a good tube amp, can't help but notice that drives and boosts can hurt more than they help; you should be using them for a reason, like achieving saturation at lower volume, and not because they exist. A ($ 400 )Blues Jr is going to need some help from pedals.The Matchless? NSM.
If I use my pedal board the set up is, my Electro harmonix C9, into my korg tuner, then into a Steel String Singer, into a Lenny, into a blue note, into a late 80's Pro Co Rat, into another very early 80's Pro Co rat, into my new Wampler Paisley deluxe, into a old early 1973 MXR Phase 90, into the New Waza Craft or Boss Dimension D or C, into my Eventide Time Factor, into my Dunlap Clapton, modified by Dunlap Wah Wah pedal into my amp. And I have a variety of 15 amps to choose from depending upon the gig or venue.
Hey Brian, thanks for all of your videos, I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge. I have a #1 rig with two treble boosts (never at same time) a BSM BM-Q special and an Analogman Beeno Boost. Love them both. Usually use the BSM most frequently. The Beeno gives a little more of a warm (?) treble boost. they are first in my chain after my wah and tuner. I play out of a Vox AC 30 S1 and solo boost with a Katana in the effects loop. My practice rig is a Vox MV 50 Rock and a Tumnus (which I like a little better than my tubescreamer). This gives me higher gain sounds for a VH (I & II) sound out of a JB TB. Now I just adde3d an MXR 6band silver and I have to really do some experimenting. But I think the fun is in the tone searching. Happy New year and keep up the great work!
Boost after drive for more clarity in solos.Boost into drive more compression and saturation.But the TS into the OCD just makes the OCD better because of the low/high cut..
I generally don't employ boost pedals, but when I do it depends largely on why I'm using it. If I'm not getting enough saturation from my drive pedal then I would put it before the drive stage to cause it to clip earlier, thus a more saturated sound. If I want to keep the tone I've got but need a solo to cut through I put it in the effects loop towards the end of the chain.
Ya know... the differences, to my ear, don't sound that much different... Must overdrive/distortion also sounds quite similar to me, with VERY few exceptions... Crunch is fun, but to me, it's a one-trick pony... it's a good trick, but gets boring, quickly if used all the time, in that its limits dynamics, which adds drama to music... Remember music? Gear is fun, but music... that's where the rubber meets the road... crunch has its place as an effect... even some metal bands have clean tones... and use it to great effect... there's that word again... I appreciate your efforts and explanations...
I just ran my TS9dx > Snouse black box 2 and got the coolest JCM800/Plexi style sound! It's the perfect classic rock style combo and it's better than I could have imagined!
Great video thanks for doing it. I use a Boss ES8 switcher and it allows changing the signal path for each preset which is an awesome feature for having different gain structure configurations.
![Boost Pedal Before Or After Overdrive? [Gain Staging Basics]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/C8QtIfmHf_8/mqdefault.jpg)
![Boost Pedal Before Or After Overdrive? [Gain Staging Basics]](/img/tr.png)
Boost Pedals... where should you place them? Do they go before or after overdrive or distortion? How do they differ? What is the difference in running them before overdrive and distortion or after? How does it affect guitar tone? Today I'll answer these questions and more. Comment with which boost pedals YOU like, and where YOU like to put them!
i didn't watch it yet but i would have one everywhere if i could easily
I'm newer to the pedal world... I have a cheap Kokko boost pedal BEFORE my TS clone right now, but am playing around with placement. Thanks for the great video!
I think I found the right thing for me by running the Tumnus deluxe into my recently acquired pantheon. I'm totally in love with it. Then I have a digitech nuatila flanger/chorus just barely engaged and finally the ethereal. Love this combo. it's the shit as they say......
What about using clean boosts in the amps loop? TC mini Spark, Modtone Signal Booster and your own DB boost
Wampler Pedals hi, I think that when I put the boost before the gain will growin up, when the boost is after the volume is growin and the wave becomes square
before dist: more drive
after dist: more loud
I have to say that a significant part of my appreciation for the Wampler brand is these videos you make.
Thanks, glad you like them! :-)
Ditto that, Swiss Army Knight! I found this channel about a month ago, and just bought my first Wampler pedal a couple weeks ago. Was NOT disappointed! Will be getting more soon, hopefully the Tumnus deluxe next.
True that. I just bought a pinnacle for my hiwatt custom and holy fuck what a pedal. And then Brian does those vids. I will stick around
Can't agree more. The JHS channel is awesome too.
@@wampler_pedals what are the input and output Impedances of the Wampler boost? I looked everywhere, can't find them. Thanks
2:03 clean
2:12 OCD
3:26 tumnus+ocd
4:38 boost+OCD
5:33 TS+OCD
6:58 30somn+OCD
I love the fact that you are willing to share and show us what are the possible combination to improve the tone. How i wish i have someone showing me this 20 years ago.
I constantly tinker. I typically prefer color boosts before my main drive pedal. Then I like a full freq after for a vol bump. Always enjoy your vids! Peace.
I like sound of the Tumnus into the OCD the best. The Tumnus has got me thinking. I run a boost at each end of my board. Very informative video. Thanks for taking the time to put it together.
after seeing this for the 5th time, i start to realize the greatness of a boost. thanks, brian
Tube Screamer into OCD is what I run and I love it.
Me too. Although, I'm thinking of boosting the OCD with my Klon clone just to see how I like that combination.
I'm running TS9 into a JHS Charlie Brown into a Fender Deluxe Reverb ('65 RI) and LOVING the tone right now.
I run ocd before ts9, now I’ll try it the other way lol!
Johnny Fleming do the same with JHS the at and into fender HRD.
I'm thinking about getting a Tube screamer. I've already got an OCD which I've used as my main guitar sound so far. So do you think having the Tube screamer as my main and the OCD as a solo boost would be better?
I never really liked my OCD with single coils until I started boosting it. I've been running it before an Xotic AC Booster, sounds great. Gotta try putting the Tumnus pre-OCD, because that tone was rad! Like halfway between a Treble Booster and a Tubescreamer boost. Goes to show what a good K-style circuit can do. Tumnus is one of the best.
It's hard to keep my Tumnus or Tumnus Deluxe out of ANY overdrive scenario. They are so versatile. Thanks and keep them coming our way!
I use a tube screamer type first in my chain for a nice boost and bit of top, and have a color boost at the end of my drive pedals and before my modulation pedals. Both work well and give a choice of how the boost sounds. Love your vid's and products.
I have and use a Fender HRD 3. Love it. I'm a gigging musician and play the clubs every week. I use an OCD and a Tubescreamer TS9 together on my pedalboard, and I push them through the clean channel. The OCD is my main sound - I use my guitar volume knobs to adjust my tone as desired - by using my guitar volume knobs, I am in better control of my rig and can dial in on the fly pretty much anything from slight crunch to balls out overdrive. I use my TS9 BEFORE the OCD to BOOST the OCD for solos and lead work- and it works beautifully !... you can even roll off your guitar volume when both pedals are engaged ( for solos) and it gives you a stronger feel and really good tone. Your guitar volume knobs are so important in dialing in good TONE. MY OCD is set at the low power setting on top, volume at 10-11, drive at 10-11 also, tone at 12. TS9 is set at volume 20clock, drive at 0, tone 12oclock. My Fender HRD3 clean channel volume is maybe at 2.5 - 3 ( it's club loud at this level). NOTE: I also push a 6 band BOSS EQ through my effects loop next to my WAMPLER TAPER ECHO and I have the best frickin tone. The EQ in the loop allows me to push the amp harder, but control the volume and still add some bass and mids - it's like taking a thick blanket off your amp and letting just breath and open up. Sorry so long. hope it helps.
Running a clean boost in the effects loop of your tube amp opens up a whole new world of possibilities. In this config the boost not only increases your output signal to cut through the mix for your solos but also offers GREAT options for different tones. By bypassing your preamp, you are isolating the boost pedal's effect on the power section of your amp which is almost like adding additional channels into your amp depending on how you combine the boost with or without running dist in front of the preamp. This works well when you are using a hotter dist pedal like the Pinnacle - especially in an amp that is biased a bit hotter. It's a real game changer because it can mimic the same amp dynamics of a dimed up classic Marshall amp in terms of the effect your guitar volume has on tone and dynamics. Here are several options this config offers; Option 1) by foot switching off your distortion pedal and engaging the boost, it can really FATTEN up your clean tones. Option 2) by engaging both dist pedal and boost but rolling your guitar volume way back, it gives you something in between clean and crunch with a lot of bottom and depending on your amp settings, can clean up surprisingly well. Option 3) by running your dist pedal with the boost off, you can dial in good rhythm crunch tones and then engage the boost for solos to cut over the top of the mix. So there you have it. Versatility at its finest...
Anyone named Steve W is all right in my book.
I use my Spark Mini boost in the effects loop and get a HUGE range of boost without coloring my tone at all. Try that if you don't want to change your tone but want a LOT of boost. Works amazingly.
i just wanted to say i got the tumnus pedal about a week ago and absolutely love it. it’s the best overdrive pedal period. it feels more like a amp mod in a box. it takes your amp and takes it to the next level and feels so natural. thanks for making a great pedal available and affordable. ill be getting the tumnus deluxe next. keep up the great work and thanks for all the videos very helpful
No offense to your brand, but that TS9+OCD sounds fab. But I'm getting old, and my ears need more of those high mid frequencies.
TS9 boosting the OCD or the other way around?
TS9 into OCD is an instant classic tone. I loooove it. I think a Tumnus might be even BETTER though!
This is a situation where I can honestly say, I use and need both. Sometimes I just want whatever tone I have to be louder, sometimes I need more saturation and growl- and so I keep a boost before and after my drive and choose accordingly. Luckily- nowadays you have a ton of options to make this happen. You can run a compressor in front of the drives, use it as a boost and a compressor- you can buy a drive with a boost built in, you can use an eq pedal as a boost and shape it whatever way you like, you can buy boost pedals, or you can use other drives as boosts and stack them, and I'm sure there are other ways as well that I don't even know about. Personally- I run a Tumnus Deluxe into an AT+ from JHS- plus I have an 1176 Cali compressor and a Neve preamp in front of the Tumnus, and a Vertex Boost after the AT+. Then I run all my wet effects through the parallel fx loop on my amp. Works for me.
Excellent video. Loved the subtitles on the cat! LOL!! You really spoke some truth when you said that things sound differently when you're at home and then when you're at a venue. I've done boost pedals before and after my main distortion, but there's always some variance. I guess I'd prefer before.
I like boost before and after overdrives. Boost after an overdrives for a lead boost. Boost before an overdrive to push a mid gain overdrive higher. What got me thinking that way was how my ADA MP-1 tube pre-amp had OV1 and OV2 and the how the over all tone would sound based on how you balanced them. Having the boost after, to me is like turning up the master volume up a bit on an amp. So, if the overdrive pedal needs to be louder, boost after it. Want the overdrive to harder hit the signal infront.
Do what I do, have one at either end of your board. :)
I have a TS clone at the beginning that I can use as a mild dirt pedal by itself or use it clean-ish to push another drive. I then have a JHS Banana Boost at the end of the board that I can use as a "solo" boost or occasionally as a mild dirt pedal. It surprises me that more people don't know about or use the Banana Boost and that it was discontinued. It is one of the nicest clean to slightly dirty boost pedals I've ever heard.
I’m kinda similar. I have TS9 (Keeley mod) into rockett Dude. Then ep boost at end of chain always on for nice bloom add. I also can even lead boost if I need it.
Recently, I played a country gig. I ran a Tumnus into a Euphoria but Tumnus was not being used as a boost. The Euphoria acted as my main dirty tone (into a modified Tweed Blues Junior) and the Tumnus was kicked in for even more drive. I use the Blues Junior's footswitchable Fat feature for a boost during solos. The Tumnus combined with the Euphoria sounds AMAZING! \m/
MXR Micro amp on the end of the pedal chain - makes anything you're doing louder, great for when you have the volume on the guitar down to clean things up but want the volume back or solo boosts. I have my Marshall set clean.
My way of doing things has always been to have one or two full-range drive pedals, usually a low gain sound and higher gain sound, with a mid-hump style boost like a klon or TS circuit before them to kind of tighten them up, add a little gain, and give more of a mid-focused tone. And then after all of them I like a full-frequency clean boost so I can have any of my tones be louder but uncolored when needed.
Also, I thought the OCD pushed by both the Tumnus and the Thirty Something boost before it were EPIC drive sounds into your Bravado!
For me, a lot of it depends on how you are using your amp. If I have, say a 15 watt amp cranked, a boost isn't going to get much volume boost because the amp is already at its limit. In that situation I use the boost as a drive, and then follow it with an overdrive, using the tone control as a cutting device, making the leads like a laser beam. But with an amp set so that there is a lot of headroom available, I would possibly do the opposite.
I run my boost after drive because in a live setting I usually want a nice volume boost for solos. I don’t use it to drive a drive tone I like to raise the volume of a drive tone. I play a wide variety of tunes and a cleaner dB boost is my jam!
Sam Johnson exactly - for solos is great - and some also use for tone - if you have an amp that sounds great (crunch or distortion) if you push the front end of your amp harder. Of course then you would need a 2nd boost for solos :)
After everything. Actually, it's part of the Empress Buffer+. I only use it to increase volume. Compressor is also after drive since I want to control the sound of the drive by my pick attack. Don't like it to be always the same.
I've got the Tumnus, OCD, and Tube Screamer. Gonna have to try these suggestions.
I discovered the Tumnus into the OCD at a friend’s house completely by accident and was so blown away by the tone that I now own a Tumnus of my own. That combo is magic.
Lately, I've been loving the sound of running my OCD into my Empress Fuzz. That combination really tightens up the fuzz while retaining everything I love about the fuzz.
Tumnus into anything works for me 😁
I just picked up the Tumnus Deluxe... crazy cool pedal
Ive been using the Green Rhino as a boost into either other gain pedals or the gain channel of my amp. So far it stacks the best. Others I like are using the tumnus(clean boost) or recently tried out the Friedman Buxom Boost(amazing versatility as well).
I always find your videos very helpful! Thank you for taking the time to do these! The Tumnus has my vote!
The thrust of this video, and the overwhelming majority of comments, is the role of boost in generating *desirable* distortion. But one needs to remember that a great many OTHER type of effects pose certain limitations on input level. Push your phaser or analog chorus too hard with too much level boost, and they won't sound very nice AT ALL (bad distortion). Other types of level-sensitive pedals, like auto-wahs or noise-gates MAY be able to adjust their sensitivity to cope with the boosted signal...but maybe not. If one is a pure grind type of player, by all means, boost away. But if you plan to use other sorts of pedals, either figure out a way to stick any boost AFTER the level-sensitive effects, or use boost judiciously.
Note as well that there are limits to how much "clean" boost can be accomplished, given a standard 9V power supply.
I recently bought a Tumnus and use it after my standard overdrive and distortion pedals. Blues, hard rock, "almost metal" all shine with the addition. I absolutely love it.
I like to use a Keely compressor with it acting as an overdrive in front of a TS9. Great video. To me, hearing the DB boost with the overdrive sounds pretty good. Great review!!!
Excellent video! I use the OD808 => Boss OD3 => MXR booster mini => hot amp and I get a lot of mileage out of that!
I do agree with the whole "what's a preamp, really?" premise. There really isn't a "standard" definition of it.
However, I do have an "opinion" of what the definition is, if I were to look at it, but merely from a schematic perspective. I usually look at it as a clean boost that doesn't use diodes for clipping or distortion (no hard clipping, no soft clipping, and no cross-over distortion), has a user controllable tone-stack that isn't 100% made up of gyrator style circuits (like what are in typical EQ pedals), and lastly has good input impedance, usually at 1M or above. The generic way to look at it, is a circuit akin to something one would commonly see inside an amplifier circuit before the power amp section and isn't part of an effect circuit that is built into an amp.
This way, that rules out your typical overdrives and distortions (they usually have clipping diodes or cross-over distortion). Typical fuzzes are ruled out (poor input impedance on ones that I see not using diodes), EQ pedals are out (they typically use gyrators). Straight boosts are out (usually no tone controls other than the ones hard-wired in (high pass, low pass, T-style filters)), and obvious "effect pedals" like modulation, delay, reverb, pitch-shifting, etc wouldn't meet the definition. So what is left? Basically those marketed as "amps in a box" style pedals, which usually are trying to simulate a preamp section in an amplifier.
But again, that's my opinion. And you are right, there isn't any industry standard.
Thank you for using the LP to make this video. I enjoy boosts after distortion myself but depends upon what pedal and compression afterwards. Enjoyed the video.
I would like to see you test a bunch more OD's and boosts.. before and after like this. Maybe include the Fulltone fatboost, keep the TS9 or add a TS 808, maybe try a Boss Power Stack or Klon Klone.. and some more varieties.. you have some cool videos and pedals, there is always a lot more to learn, for sure!
This video made me finally go ahead and buy a Tumnus. I've had an OCD on my board for 10 years, so I am hoping the Tumnus into the OCD works as good as I think it will.
I'm playing a Blackstar HT 1R Combo using the onboard overdrive with an EP Booster with an Audio Alchemy Switch mod. The EPB is between my amp and guitar as an always on pedal with the knob set between 10-11 O'clock and the switches in the Vintage (less bass) or sometimes Default mode (more bass). This pedal really brings the thin and boxy 8" speaker to life. It adds warmth and bass to the overall tone of the amp. I'm also using it with an LTD 256 FM Guitar which is a humbucker guitar so I tend to favor the Vintage mode on the EPB.
I run two boosts. In the loop I have a Friedman Buxom Boost that is set up as a actual volume boost. In front I have an EP Booster that I use to stack with my overdrive when I want to kill the guy with the ball.
I had always put booster ahead of dirt but your vid and Anderson’s current vid both mention putting a booster in the effects loop so I’ll try that. I have a number of booster pedals - Diamond, xotic Ep as well a number of dirt pedals that I can set as always on or boost including Tumnus, lovepedal E6, mooer, miaudio, Manticore, JHS Milkman. I think my favourite is the Diamond and the Tumnus. But I’ve only used it as the first pedal. Great vid. Thanks
As always, great video. I use a Caroline Icarus boost. It’s before my O/D pedals. I have a JHS morning glory and a plimsoul for the heaver stuff. I do want to get a Tumnus in the near future. That’s a great pedal. Cheers.
Great demo and subject. Thank you. ❤ Love to use a boost to add just that extra for solos or special parts to whatever clean or dirty tone you have as a base.
great video!
I've always used an old DOD FX10. I usually keep it after all of my dirt pedals, but I recently got a twin reverb and have been trying different configurations. I now have the boost in front of my OD but after my Fuzz and it's always on, and I like it that way because I can slightly boost the gain of my OD, but then boost the level / character of my fuzz. It's probably the most useful pedal on my board.
My favorite part of this video is your cat. All your videos are great Brian.
Fender Jaguar ---> Wampler Plexi mini ---> Supro boost ---> Traynor YGL-3
Very nice sounding yet noisy raunchy dirt
Partially thanks to you and your channel (and to this specific video), today I built my first pedal from a kit. It's a clone of the Zvex SHO form musikding and, amazingly to me, it works! I placed it in front of my OD-3 (at least for now). Thanks a lot for your videos! Next stop, a couple of fuzzes, of course, and after that it's time to actually try to understand what I'm doing haha 😅
this video has convinced me that klons and tube screamers (or really anything mid rangey) need to be before other ods and distortions, cause if theyre after the sound gets this weird kinda lofi radio quality to it. I was having this issue with a klon type pedal a few months back and I just couldn't figure it out without rearranging my whole board.
The best combos I've found are:
Boss SD-1 into OCD
Boss DS-1 into OCD (DS-1 is a great dirty boost)
Boss SD-1 into Wampler Sovereign
Boss DS-1 into Proco Rat Turbo.
Also be wary SD-1 into Sovereign with the sovereign boost enabled equals a lot of power, and a fair bit of noise, but the power is really no joke, the boost as already so gainy.
Blair Snurtburgler beware of people who can’t spell weary 🙄😂✌️🤙
Another combination is boosting the crunch channel of a mesa mark series amp with the DS1.
I'm not a fuzz guy but you can also get a decent fuzz by turning the three knobs to around 3 o'clock before putting it to the crunch channel.
Good morning Big TK Nuggs,
I presumed Blair Snurtburgler was advising caution rather than encouraging exhaustion.
Stay safe,
Si.
My favorite combos were the TS before the OCD and the Tumnus after it. I like to run boosts with flexible EQ controls after my other pedals so I can shape them to better fit the context/room, etc. Planning to get the Wampler Equator for just such purpose!
Yep.TS drops lows and highs, making the OCD more effective, then boost it w the wampler..
In fact, i prefer a different Plexi style to the OCD..
I think the ts boosting into the ocd is the best guitar sound in this video as well. But then again I feel like in a band setting, you need your boost to, well, boost
This changes fairly regularly for me. For the last month or so I've been using diamond Comp Jr to boost into my ocd, this weekend i removed the comp jr, and put my Tim after the OCD. I tend to gravitate towards this latter setup, and if i had about 3" more of board space i would probably through the comp jr. in front to have boost before and after :) Another great video!
My other option is a fantastic boost, Maxon OD820, followed by a great graphic EQ, Whirlwind Super 10, into any decent tube preamp. Just use the EQ to take out mud, push more mids & or highs into the preamp, thus causing a boost like effect without really adding distortion from a distortion box, but more tube preamp modulation from the boosted frequencies. Actually put the EQ in front of the boost, into the preamp. Yeah that's right.
I ran a Metal Muff w/boost through the return effects loop on a Carvin Nomad 1/12/ 50 watt combo with great success. Even in front of the amp with the fuzz at zero for a clean boost it really the pushed the soak/overdrive of the amp beautifully. With the fuzz & boost at noon, the amp @ 10 o'clock, my lawn died. Nice review Mr.Wampler, thx for sharing your wisdom.
For boosting leads I run my MXR Micro Amp through the effects loop. 👍
Great demo. I play an Epiphone 335 PRO (with coil-splitting). After experimenting, I've settled on putting my EP Booster after my OCD pedal. (The EP Booster is always on because it warms up the clean signal.) When I had the EP before the OCD, the RAT and Russian Pickle, I lost a lot of clarity - it was just a tsunami of sounds.
OCD + TS is a winner!
Does this make sense for how to choose? 1. start with the tone you need: e.g., mid hump with single coil pickups into Fender style amp needs mid hump, 2. choose the type and kind of distortion you want: e.g, soft vs hard clipping for distribution of overtones, symmetric (odd harmonics) vs asymmetric (odd and even harmonics) for complexity of distortion, 3. put that pedal just before the amp, 4. compliment that tone with another peddle into it usually for more sustain. For example, boost into tube screamer to establish the overall tone and use the boost to control just the sustain.
I use a TC Electronics Spark Boost in my effects loop after the mod, verb, and delay effects. The last pedal in my chain. It simply makes my guitar louder without adding any gain.
I put my dB+ as the first thing in my pedalboard. My reasoning is I usually set around 8-9 oclock as a solo boost so it’s not boosting my signal all that much so only a little distortion increase but I can crank it up higher and still get the extra gain. The added gain as a solo boost is welcome, and added gain if I increase the volume is louder too
On my two large boards I run a LBP-1 into a Hardwire Overdrive and on my mini-board I run a Mini-Spark into a Mini-Tube Screamer.
Hello Brian,
I run the Tumnus Before my K O T i also run the old Wampler Decibel boost after the K O T for a boost jump in my band. i play southern rock and country so i like it dirty southern rock style. Love all that you do thank you for your help
Also my Tumnus is always on never off
I always suggest the Tumnus to customers. I find it's unique in it's feel. It's very 'spongy' or rather makes my guitars feel more spongy like. I don't know how else to describe it. Of course the tone is nice as well ;) I run mine right after the Ego.
My favourite boost is the Spaceman Mercury IV harmonics booster. It is just after my octave shifter, and just before my shimmer reverb.
As for before or after overdrive, I am in a slightly different situation. I am all about amp distortion, so have no use for a gain pedal of any kind. That said, considering the Mercury IV is going into the front of the amp, it is before the pre-amp gain. So, if you translate that to a pedalboard, my Mercury IV would be before the overdrive.
Great Video Mr. Wampler !!
Btw .... your playing has got a ton better . Right On !!
I usually put them after my EQ pedals. I have the distortion and my EQs running through a Boss NS2 then the output on the NS2 goes to boost. my favorite is MXR micro amp cause I think they're the most transparent while an EHX LPB-1 is more of a tiny overdrive
I use a "boost" as a preamp right after my guitar cable. It is ALWAYS ON. I adjust it with whichever guitar I'm using to where I'm just noticing an overload or any clipping at the speaker. This way I know I've got max signal thru the system, and potentially "lower" my overall noise floor.
Then I turn my guitar's volume control(s) to max impedance (~47k with my 250k pots) at it's output and start adjusting my gain-staging thru the amp & system to get a nice creamy sound.
Then when I want it cleaner I can back off on the guitar (or I suppose I could turn Off the boost). If I want more overdrive/distortion I turn the guitar up or kick on a pedal.
A super-clean, quiet preamp/boost is preferred for My system, and a lower gain boost/overdrive is usually plenty to give me a high-gain type of sound.
Try it. You'll like it.
Thanks for a great, educational video. I definitely like boost into distortion. I use my amp’s distortion and run the Blues Driver side of a King Tone Duellist into it. I think it sounds awesome.
So this saved some time before that boost pedal arrives 😀 thanks again brian. Love the chanel
my chain would be one boost before AND one after the drive pedal...and thanks for the great vids you make!
I tried both ways around. either the boost or the overdrive, or both of them, will have a situation where a signal that's too hot coming in will make the whole thing really squelchy. that depends on the circuit and the pedal, so sometimes it's better to do it one way and sometimes it's better to do it the other. The important thing is not to overload the op amp in whatever pedal makes the squelch.
For a live situation I don’t see much point in boosting an ocd, you might get cool tones at home at bedroom levels - but live when things get loud having too much grind is ridiculous. I think it has something to do with fletcher Munson curves. I don’t think Angus Young uses all that much distortion, but his volume makes you think it does. I think running boots after makes more sense - again paying attention you aren’t over driving the first stage in the amp.
I put my Katana clean boost first. Then my Tumnus and then my TS10 before the OCD. Thats how i like.
I have to say in this demonstration on UA-cam which compresses the audio anyway. The Boost sounds better before, but maybe in a live situation or even a recording situation this would be different. It seems to me that you have to experiment with the Boost pedal. The room that you're playing in could even affect that, the recording techniques, and even playing techniques. Just do it the way you need to do it to get the job done.
Ya ive got to get some of there wamplers....they look well made...sound awesome.
Thanks for the video. Redid my board yet again. Now using my amp with a little gain with a tube screamer for slight overdrive and running that into the tumnus set dirty. So not a boost but a more dirty distortion and also set a bit more than unity. So far so good
The Tumnus after sounded very good... got me thinking now. BTW love that cat!
I bought a rangemaster kit a few months ago and that thing is the bomb!!!!!!!
So much fun! My old 80something TS-9 is still on the board as my first "gain" stage after the compressor. Both of which are basically always on. Depending on flavor or where I want to be in the mix I switch on the OCD, Pinnacle Deluxe, or DS-1.
On very rare occasions I get to slap my EP boost in front of my Marshall 1987 with the volume at 3 o'clock or so! Absolute SWEETNESS!!! :)
Tumnus Deluxe into my OCD is like hearing what heaven sounds like
That's how I'm running right now . Ego,tumnus,OCD,epboost. But I may shuffle the comp and boost around over time.
Same here npinero
All sound good Hatts off to Brian.....I run my amp to a Fulltone 2B then a Catalyst then a Munder Heavy Cream Im really impressed with your Tumnus and 30 Something...much better than the OCD and Im a Fulltone fan Looking at one of your delays right now too Brian Good stuff
I currently use an OCD as a boost pedal into a Rat on my bass rig. I like the way it colors the sound.
I like my Xotic RC Boost-v2 Channel 1 after dirt pedals . I do, however, usually leave it on all the time because I like the way it livens up the gain channel of my amp. Then I'l hit my drive pedal or fuzz for lead tones.
Route 66 Comp/OD with both sides on is the best pedal I’ve found for boosting your signal before distortion, if you can make it work quietly. Which can be sorcery, especially with single coils.
Before, obviously. My favorite just for boost so far is the JRAD silver archer. Tumnus Deluxe is next on my OD/boost list, tho. I'd also like to get a straight clean boost at some point to hopefully alleviate some of that volume loss on a pedal board.
Actually, both. I have the DB+ at the beginning of my chain (after compression) and an MXR Micro Amp right before delay and reverb. Now, let's get a video of Alex playing up here.
I would but he lives in a different state than I do :(
I run your dual fusion paisley side set as a boost into the euphoria side. Absolutely love it!
Interesting. Definitely prefer the boost after drive.
Rule number one. You might have a series of different pedals on your board, but that dosent mean that they need to be stacked, or run together.Be mindful that your choices remain an additive rather than subtractive process; you add more because it is needed, not because the pedal is there.If you have a good tube amp, can't help but notice that drives and boosts can hurt more than they help; you should be using them for a reason, like achieving saturation at lower volume, and not because they exist.
A ($ 400 )Blues Jr is going to need some help from pedals.The Matchless? NSM.
If I use my pedal board the set up is, my Electro harmonix C9, into my korg tuner, then into a Steel String Singer, into a Lenny, into a blue note, into a late 80's Pro Co Rat, into another very early 80's Pro Co rat, into my new Wampler Paisley deluxe, into a old early 1973 MXR Phase 90, into the New Waza Craft or Boss Dimension D or C, into my Eventide Time Factor, into my Dunlap Clapton, modified by Dunlap Wah Wah pedal into my amp. And I have a variety of 15 amps to choose from depending upon the gig or venue.
To me it's great to have both: before to boost the frontend of your amp, after to boost your solo parts.
Hey Brian, thanks for all of your videos, I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge. I have a #1 rig with two treble boosts (never at same time) a BSM BM-Q special and an Analogman Beeno Boost. Love them both. Usually use the BSM most frequently. The Beeno gives a little more of a warm (?) treble boost. they are first in my chain after my wah and tuner. I play out of a Vox AC 30 S1 and solo boost with a Katana in the effects loop. My practice rig is a Vox MV 50 Rock and a Tumnus (which I like a little better than my tubescreamer). This gives me higher gain sounds for a VH (I & II) sound out of a JB TB. Now I just adde3d an MXR 6band silver and I have to really do some experimenting. But I think the fun is in the tone searching. Happy New year and keep up the great work!
Very informative. Your a great teacher, thank you for educating me!!!
Boost after drive for more clarity in solos.Boost into drive more compression and saturation.But the TS into the OCD just makes the OCD better because of the low/high cut..
I generally don't employ boost pedals, but when I do it depends largely on why I'm using it. If I'm not getting enough saturation from my drive pedal then I would put it before the drive stage to cause it to clip earlier, thus a more saturated sound. If I want to keep the tone I've got but need a solo to cut through I put it in the effects loop towards the end of the chain.
Ya know... the differences, to my ear, don't sound that much different...
Must overdrive/distortion also sounds quite similar to me, with VERY few exceptions...
Crunch is fun, but to me, it's a one-trick pony... it's a good trick, but gets boring, quickly if used all the time, in that its limits dynamics, which adds drama to music...
Remember music? Gear is fun, but music... that's where the rubber meets the road... crunch has its place as an effect... even some metal bands have clean tones... and use it to great effect... there's that word again...
I appreciate your efforts and explanations...
I just ran my TS9dx > Snouse black box 2 and got the coolest JCM800/Plexi style sound! It's the perfect classic rock style combo and it's better than I could have imagined!
Great video thanks for doing it. I use a Boss ES8 switcher and it allows changing the signal path for each preset which is an awesome feature for having different gain structure configurations.