First Shred Distortion Pedal Options

[Mertay]

Many times Todd and I (I got the tip from him) recommended a boost (clean boost or OD pedal) pedal before a distortion pedal to get that shredable distortion. Info on such approach isn't very common when googled and not all pedals get along with a boost pedal (can get fuzzy, noisey or uncontrolable).

So I finally borrowed my friends Boss md-2 pedal, this pedal has built in boost. The boost does seem to cut the lows which is very cool (as thats what an overdrive does too). While the drive character is almost identical with my MT-2, the overall eq isn't as scooped and sounds a bit bigger. Think if the mt-2 is a ultra dirty mesa, this is a Marshall sharing the same cab. . Not too bad when the drive knobs are set low either(can be used like a ds1 too).

Another detail is I can't use my ts9 to boost the mt-2. Reason is the mt-2 already cuts the low's a lot and as the ts9 does the same thing, neck pickup can sound bridge like. To solve this I'm using a full-range drive pedal but the md-2 (as it doesn't cut much lows) doesn't have this problem and can work with the ts9. Important cause say on stage ts9 is already working, you don't have to turn it off to turn on MD-2.

Its affordable, easy to find used thats why its great for a beginner or someone who's trying to save space on his/her pedalboard.

I did lots of comparison between the mt-2 and md-2 and did prefer the mt-2 with a boost. Its really about the personal little things though.

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[Darius Wave]

Great summary of many discussion here, at the forum as well I would only like to add that some of my friends really appreciate how well Digitech Bad Monkey does the job as a cheaper, TS alternative

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[Mertay]

Thanks, I actually recorded some sounds to help me compare. MT2 is boosted with an ibanez BB9 while MD2 is boosted with a TS9...

https://soundcloud.com/gitarg-nl-kleri/md2?in=gitarg-nl-kleri/sets/bossdisttest
https://soundcloud.com/gitarg-nl-kleri/mt2?in=gitarg-nl-kleri/sets/bossdisttest


I tried to match their sounds as good as possible, cause they're buffered (and I didn't have an extra adapter) the chains are recorded+matched separatly.

Also no amp is used! only some reverb and a cab. sim. , the clean signal is also dry guitar.

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[Todd Simpson]

Well said Using a boost can really help when trying to get your solo to cut through a live or recorded mix. Part of what the boost pedal will do, like the Ibanez Tube Screamer and all it's clones, is that it will act like a "High Pass Filter" letting the HIGH frequencies (E.G. anything above low bass, around 120hz) Thus it restricts some of the low end signal hitting the primary gain stage. As a result you get a "tighter" more "articulate" sound for lead work. It reduces the boominess that high gain can cause.

Todd

Thanks, I actually recorded some sounds to help me compare. MT2 is boosted with an ibanez BB9 while MD2 is boosted with a TS9...

https://soundcloud.com/gitarg-nl-kleri/md2?in=gitarg-nl-kleri/sets/bossdisttest
https://soundcloud.com/gitarg-nl-kleri/mt2?in=gitarg-nl-kleri/sets/bossdisttest


I tried to match their sounds as good as possible, cause they're buffered (and I didn't have an extra adapter) the chains are recorded+matched separatly.

Also no amp is used! only some reverb and a cab. sim. , the clean signal is also dry guitar.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

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