Distortions that do that Overdrive Thang (MXR Dist+)

thecolourbox

So my G3 is causing me some mischief of late, as it keeps offering me pedal sounds I like and then want to replicate with real world pedals.

I've had some joy lately with the Boost running into the MXR Distortion Plus models. The Distortion gain I think is set fairly low, tone (which isn't on the proper one anyway) set right down the middle.

The sound I'm using it for is one I've been trying to nail for ages - I am a huge Jack White fan, and the only other way I've managed to get the White Stripes type tone (not the fuzz bit, the main rhythm tone) is by absolutely cranking an amp and boosting it to buggery. Which is very loud for any amp. I'd always targetted specifically overdrives to try and get the effect, and whilst it gets a bit of the way, it's always lacking something in the sheer chunk and weight of the sound. Enter the Dist+ model, and I realise it's actually a bit of distortion rather than osimply overdrive that I need

I think that pedal is often classed as more overdrivey than distortion-y so I presume that's why it works. But is this something specific to that pedal (or the DOD 250 which I understadn is quite similar?) or do all/most distortions have that ability?

Lastly, in the spirit of being a cheapskate, do any of the budget manufacturers make one like that? I don't think joyo or MOoer do, but Caline do a few distortions? Digitech Hot Head?

This is an example of the noise I'd like to be making:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhv91kvcp_I

 

mike_l

I are is got a Distortion+.

I love it for tightening up a MArshall, or as a lead boost.

It's not so good as a "stand-alone" dirt, or alternative to a dirt channel on an amp. IMO.

 

 

thomasw88

rat?

mike_l

Distortions have a sharper cut on the dirt, whereas OD's are much smoother.

If you can try comparing a Boss DS-1 (distortion) and SD-1 (Overdrive) the difference should be quite apparent. OD's tend to have a nicer, clearer overall sound, whereas distortions tend to have a quite "nasty" (for want of a better word) sound.

The lines of OD and Distortion aren't always so clear though, as some drives are sold as distortions and vice versa.

If the Dist+ model is along the sounds of what you want, then a real Dist+, Distortion3 or Custom Badass will be in the ball-park sound wise. 

thecolourbox

I shall perhaps try and do a sample recording of the sound I'm after later

I don't know what the technical words are, but it does sound to me like as if I'd boosted and cranked my amp but at much lower volumes, ie at number 1 on the volume knob of my Pro Junior, and very much like the Youtube video I posted above. I've had both a You Dirty Rat (germanium) and a Mooer Rat clone and neither of them seemed to do that kind of thing, seemed more like an alternative to fuzz than that sound in particular. I also had a Boss DS-1 which I recalled seem to "narrow" the tone somehow with the distortion but was perfect for the stuff I needed it for at the time.

I suppose it's getting to that weird wishy washy woolly stage of it being a "clean distortion" which sounds like a contradiction, but I definite hear a difference there between what the MXR does and what the Boss did (and does on the Zoom model as well). It definitely changes the shape of the sound.

I see Mike you've kind of hinted at one of my other questions might have been, was whether the other MXR's had a similar sound and effect to them. Interesting, I may have to give them a blast.

meltedbuzzbox

on the break down it sounds fuzz-esque. I think the RAT is a good shout

I think that plastic guitar he uses probably contributes a bit to the "tone"

steamabacus

If you're referring to the splattery, compressed, 'amp-about-to-explode-ness' quality of the drive, I may have a cheap suggestion - Danelectro FAB Overdrive. I have one of these tucked away in a drawer for exactly those occasions when I need a bit of ragged, lo-fi, 'everything turned up too loud' kind of vibe.

It's not a particularly great sound on its own but it works well boosting another, more sophisticated sounding drive. It has loads of level available as a boost and just has 'something' about it that makes me keep it. I don't use it much these days but it's there if I need a bit of that vibe.

Best of all, they're dirt cheap.

Here's a quick recording I did a few years ago which has the FAB running as a boost/overdrive into an Award-Session JD-10 pre-amp (set at just breaking up) which, I think, illustrates the FAB's splattery, gnarly qualities......
http://www.mediafire.com/view/rlhabawj8bpgree/Horse%20Stance.mp3

mike_l

thecolourbox said:

I suppose it's getting to that weird wishy washy woolly stage of it being a "clean distortion" which sounds like a contradiction, but I definite hear a difference there between what the MXR does and what the Boss did (and does on the Zoom model as well). It definitely changes the shape of the sound.

I see Mike you've kind of hinted at one of my other questions might have been, was whether the other MXR's had a similar sound and effect to them. Interesting, I may have to give them a blast.

MXR's do have an "MXR voice", if that makes sense, they all have similar characteristics, yet are all different (a least to my ear).

If you want a "clean distortion" then the Ibanez Jet driver does that very well.

(I'm at work and can't see the video for any idea of what you want)

thecolourbox

See I've never ever managed to get a Rat to do this, it's very good at the many things it does do, but I must not have ever set it right to get this kind of sound.

That Dano one does sound way better than it ought to, however it's definitely at the fuzzier end for me which is not what I'm after as much (I think)

Nobody seems to do MXR inspired distortions, I was sort of hoping for a Joyo or Caline or whatever to mess about with.

 

meltedbuzzbox said:

I think that plastic guitar he uses probably contributes a bit to the "tone"

A little maybe but I always think that was more an image thing like with the Silvertone amps - he sounds the same with a Tele or a Gretsch through a Fender. It's more about the attack in the technique and basically having your amp about to explode I'd say

Which is what I'm trying to approximate

bingefeller

You should check out the EC Pedals Rat clone, Murinae, as it has a lot of internal switching options and expands upon the Rat sound a good bit.

Johnnyseven

The Distortion+ is misleading as it's not a distortion at all, it's a slightly fuzzy overdrive. IMO if you like that tone i'd get yourself an MXR script reissue or a clone from someone else, the current run sound very different. I had a script reissue and IMO you won't get that sound from a Rat - it's too nasty. You could try a Way Huge Red Llama or clone though, which has a similar fuzzy overdrive sound.

One problem with the Dist+ is that the sound is affected by both knobs, so it's almost like you need a second volume pedal to adjust the output volume.

Moss

Expensive, but JHS just released the Twin Twelve which is made to model that sound

JD50

Also you prob already know but White has used a big muff for years.

Pyroman

  If it's that MXR sound you fancy, why not get an MXR?  Just how cheap do you need it to be? lol  I've seen Classic Distortions and Prime Distortions go for less than $50 quid- new.  There seems to always be quite a lot of MXR pedals on the used market, as well.

  I have one of the former, and I'll agree with the others: A) it's much more of an OD than a true distortion. and Not a good replacement for a dirty amp channel.   With that said, it sounds like it would do what you want- into an already dirty channel, it just kills!

  One caviat, though, I do not have a Fully valve amp- I own a modeler, and a hybrid.  Thus, I tend to go for dirt pedals with a voice of their own, as boosting the amp to drive more is a non starter.  Fender's modelling does seem to react to pedal dirt in a very natural way, though.  Ymmv.

  I also own a '78 Distortion, which I love.  It was a bit more dear than the others, but it's NOT an expensive pedal.  I think they were going for that "plexi-in-a-box" sound with it.  There is an added crunch switch that adds more amp-like responsiveness ( for want of a better term...)  Imo, it really does act like a mini pre amp.  You can make a clean amp compress, chime, and growl like you cranked it to 12, and a dirty amp roar and howl like a mad beast.

thecolourbox

Moss said:

Expensive, but JHS just released the Twin Twelve which is made to model that sound

Wow, just googled it quickly...that has huge potential! GAS calling

 

JD50 said:

Also you prob already know but White has used a big muff for years.

Yes indeed but not as "always on", it's for solos and certain riffs/rhythm breaks. I have muffy fuzz (and a very cool looking Woolly Mammoth clone incoming) but it's the non-muff ryhthm sound I'm after

ThePrettyDamned

Mxr dist 3 is pretty good for branching the od/dist barrier.

Sassafras

I've got an old Distortion+ that's very good for playing chords, very clear and defined but not as good as a Way Huge Fat Sandwich which is clear and very dynamic and it can easily do the sound in that clip.

Dave_Mc

depends on the pedal. the rat's another one that does it (has been mentioned).

Johnnyseven

Just watched the clip, you could definitely get that sound with a Red Llama.

thecolourbox

Front runners so far are either the mxr distortion plus or III still, or the Twin Twelve. Admittedly I've only listened on YouTube but the Way Huge ones, both the day sandwich and the red llama, aren't doing anything for me I'm afraid. I'm not sure if this is an accurate way to describe what I mean but they sound a bit Marshally which I don't like. Thanks all for the inputs though

JD50

Be sure to check out the Dod 250, supposedly very similar to the D+