Luke Gibson
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Typically what's the best way to set the volume on a Overdrive pedal? Do you balance it so your clean and overdriven volumes are the same or boosted when on? Thanks!!
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also, whether or not you're the type of player who rides the volume pot on your guitar as wellThis is really a matter of choice and depends on what you want to use the OD pedal for, as a change in tone, or as a boost.
In my experience, that wouldn't help unless you had a category for "I set it how I want it" because there are times (and od's) that I set for unity gain, and others that I want a boost out of. Haven't really tried setting for a drop in volume yet, but for some bands I could imagine wanting the OD sound for rythm...wanting to keep it right in the mix, and turning it off for soloing.Thanks! Maybe I need to do a Poll.
Perfectly stated.I try to shoot for a few dBs above unity.
Interesting thing is that if you hear an overdriven signal compared to a clean signal of the same *measured* volume, the overdriven signal will seem louder because the overdriven signal contains overtones and harmonics that are not present in the clean signal.
So if you set your overdrive for the same *perceived* volume as your clean signal you are actually reducing the volume whenever you kick on the overdrive.
The last thing you want to happen when you are playing live and switch on your overdrive is for your sound to drop in volume! If this has ever happened to you, you know how weird it can be! It's kind of like getting ready to whip out your big...you know...and then.... wait... I was IN THE POOL!!!!! I WAS IN THE POOL!!!!
That's a mistake you never make twice. So go set your overdrives louder.
I Agree 100% ^^^I try to shoot for a few dBs above unity.
Interesting thing is that if you hear an overdriven signal compared to a clean signal of the same *measured* volume, the overdriven signal will seem louder because the overdriven signal contains overtones and harmonics that are not present in the clean signal. Even though the two are the same loudness there is a broader range of frequencies being heard in the overdriven signal, so it is perceived as a bigger sound.
So if you set your overdrive for the same *perceived* volume as your clean signal you are actually reducing the volume whenever you kick on the overdrive.
The last thing you want to happen when you are playing live and switch on your overdrive is for your sound to drop in volume! If this has ever happened to you, you know how weird it can be! It's kind of like getting ready to whip out your big...you know...and then.... wait... I was IN THE POOL!!!!! I WAS IN THE POOL!!!!
That's a mistake you never make twice. So go set your overdrives louder.
I mainly use the od for a rhythm tone and hit something else either a COT50 or TS-9 for solo's or whatever. I usually like to set an amp on the verge of breakup and then it's not a problem (at home I crank it) I had a gig yesterday (my first real gig in about 15 years at a 5K run that Honda sponsers) and was having a hard time getting a good sound, mainly because of volume restrictions and only being able to use my Fender Tonemaster (very loud amp) I could only use the A channel (clean) with the volume so low it I could barely hear it. I ended up bosting the volume on the OCD and riding the the guitar volume knob for cleaner stuff.... basically I was wanting to know which would sound/feel better, trying to bring the clean volume up a little bit more and match the od or boost it and ride the volume... Thanks for the suggestions and help guys, that's what I like about this forum!!StompBoxBlues said:In my experience, that wouldn't help unless you had a category for "I set it how I want it" because there are times (and od's) that I set for unity gain, and others that I want a boost out of. Haven't really tried setting for a drop in volume yet, but for some bands I could imagine wanting the OD sound for rythm...wanting to keep it right in the mix, and turning it off for soloing.
Just out of curiosity, why are you asking? What do YOU want to use your OD for mainly?
+1 to all of that. It's something I just figured out recently myself.I Agree 100% ^^^
It's so freakin difficult when you're in an empty club at soundcheck and you can hear a pindrop--- trying to figure out what your "loudest loud" screaming tone is compared to your crystal clean sound. Best way I've found is to hit all 6 strings with a *very* sharp attack, basically as hard/loud as your guitar can be played. Mute the strings with your left hand while you do it-use this tone as your volume comparison between clean and dirty, it will give you a much better guage. Your clean "clack" volume matched with your "dirty" clack volume with a heavy attack should put your OD at/near "unity" once in the band setting. I would typically do this for OD tones that I didn't want a boost (rhythm, etc).
also, whether or not you're the type of player who rides the volume pot on your guitar as well
And we could take it a step further if considering the OD pedal in use. Some are A LOT more sensitive to picking dynamics than others..