So having read the interesting Brian May thread on here recently, I'm interested in what interesting pedals or methods of getting different overdrive sounds, like May overdriving his Deacy and into the ac30s etc.
We all know what a tubescreamer sounds like, we all know what amp-in-a-box pedals sound like. We all know what amp like drive or distortion sounds like, as well as fuzz and distortion.
But which pedals or methods could give something a bit different? If you don't want warm, buttery tasteful overdrive, instead something unusual, but usable as a rhythm tone.
So far I'm thinking of a Bit Crusher, I'm aware of things like the Hudson Broadcast but the demos just make it sound like a crunchy fuzz. The jhs Colourbox could be good (and would suit my username). Would something like the EHX Crayon be such a beast as it says it's full range and may be different?
Alternatively, would one of those Fender Mini Twin battery amps in front of a proper amp as a pedal work in a similar fashion to the Deacy?
Let's hear your ideas for unusual but useful guitar rhythm overdrive sounds
Comments
my crunchy rhythm sound for a long time was a buzzz (superfuzz) with the octave off. really snarly punky rhythm tone.
soundcloud.com/thecolourbox-1
youtube.com/@TheColourboxMusic
Zvex Fuzz Factory is another thing I would try if I were after unusual distortion (is that what @Sporky meant?), which, however, I am not, so I never tried.
It uses crossover distortion rather than clipping.
The zvex machine and fuzz factory seem more on the fuzz side of things, I have a Woolly Mammoth clone which does similar things I think, but they are definitely the right kind of concept I'm thinking of.
I've also been recommended to try a compressor or two with an eq between or before, shall give this a whirl too
soundcloud.com/thecolourbox-1
youtube.com/@TheColourboxMusic
I'll see if I can find one, though every demo I've heard the Colour box has sounded much better for that kind of thing. Maybe I have cloth ears though....
Teetonetal said: Will have a look as I've not ever listened to one of those
soundcloud.com/thecolourbox-1
youtube.com/@TheColourboxMusic
The Infanem Driving Notion is another oddball...great for clangy, scooped post-punk drive sounds.
Never tried one, but Source Audio did a digital multiband distortion box a few years back, which had some pretty distinct and unusual sounds in it.
soundcloud.com/thecolourbox-1
youtube.com/@TheColourboxMusic
The Machine as previously mentioned is a worthy contender - very odd sounds. Buy a Sonar and you get the Machine built in for free...
The Moog MF drive is rubbish, I’d avoid it.
Will look up the castledine thing, thanks. I did spot something about the Sonar having the Machine inside it when looking for where to buy a Machine, seemed about the same price as well... Interesting
soundcloud.com/thecolourbox-1
youtube.com/@TheColourboxMusic
For some reason almost all the Machine demos are through a fuzz, at which point it sounds like a fuzz. On its own it's rather more interesting than that.
You can also cascade multiple channels on a console into one another (ch1 into ch2, into ch3 etc) to get it really hot and crunchy.
Then attenuate into a tape machine or DAW.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com