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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ Overdrive It?

Posted by: Azzaboi Oct 25 2010, 08:18 PM

I'm wondering the difference between a 'MXR Wylde Overdrive (ZW-44 )' and the 'Digitech Bad Monkey - Tube Overdrive' ?
Would it be worth using one of those with the 'POD XT' to give it a boost for when playing metal / rock? Would it improve it or just be overkill?

Also I was thinking about getting a 'BOSS NS-2 noise suppressor' as well into the chain to cut out some minor idle humming?

Posted by: ZakkWylde Oct 25 2010, 10:38 PM

Those pedals are aimed at real amps, they will do close to nothing on your modeling ampsimulation.

The Noisesuppressor cancels out feedback from the amp from high gain (in front of the amp) or cuts out the noise from the preamp (in the loop). The overdrives sound diffrent but you won't hear any of it because you can't overdrive a non existing amp!
If you use an overdrive in front of a tube amp to push it into more gain then you could hear a diffrence but on a modeling amp it will only add noise.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Oct 25 2010, 10:42 PM

It would be an overkill to use those with POD. If you want booster, try making a preset on POD, to gain a bit of volume and mids. This can help to some extent. If you plan to use POD at home, this is the cheapest and most effective solution. If you plan to play live, I think MXR ZW can work nicely (if you like the sound of it), and I would use POD only for time based and modulation effects in that case, and as transparent as possible, in the FX loop.

For overdrive you use:

1. overdrive of the amp
2. (if previous not possible) overdrive from pedal
3. (if both 1 and 2 not possible) overdrive from POD

Posted by: Azzaboi Oct 26 2010, 05:27 AM

Thanks for the response, I just heard that by putting the ZW-44 pedal in front of the POD XT, you can get some killer sustain and the harmonics really come out. It wouldn't change the overall tone or anything like that, but I thought it might be quite a good boost? I guess not. I could of possibly got it for half price.

Or should I go for a Crybaby Wah wah pedal? Does it need to be By-pass modded to stop it draining tone?

Another question, are the Model Packs for the POD XT worth it? If so, which one(s)? Maybe that's a better option to boost the POD?

Kinda thinking of Xmas prezzy in advance here

Posted by: Fran Oct 26 2010, 03:48 PM

I believe POD XT has an integrated noise gate, I'd use that instead of getting a sepparate stomp for that.

Adding an OD in front of a POD... well i bet it increses sustain, because anything that increases gain increases sustain, but I'm not sure it' a good idea. I'd use just the POD. I'm sure it has stomps you can model in there, on top of the amp modelling you choose. Then again, it's all in your ears, go toa shop, try it, and if you like the sound go for it

As for a crybaby check this one reviewed by Ivan:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/wiki/index.php/Dunlop_Crybaby_535q_Wah_Review

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Oct 26 2010, 11:03 PM

Hmm from what possible xmass gifts you mentioned I would say go for Crybaby wah - 535Q if possible or any other if you try it in the store a like its sound. Wah is cool pedal to have in your arsenal - sort of must have.

I wouldn't recommend adding overdrive in front of POD, it can add more noise. Try fiddling with the POD patches to make a "boost patch" instead.

Posted by: Azzaboi Oct 27 2010, 12:11 AM

Maybe I'll get a Crybaby wah - What's better standard vs classic vs band named (Zakk / Kirk / Jimi / etc)?
I heard classic might have more bite and then your've got to have true bypass modded on Wah wah's to stop it draining the tone?
or is it a Expression Pedal you link to a Pod to use as a wah wah effect as well?

I'm being to think the Pod XT Model Pack - Metal Shop is what's I'm really looking for as a 'boost' in high gain rock/metal. I heard these are expensive but worth it, anyone know anything more about these model packs?