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General => Open Discussion => Topic started by: drolo on December 16, 2014, 11:43:03 AM

Title: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: drolo on December 16, 2014, 11:43:03 AM
Lots of 2 in 1 topics lately it seems.

I am planning a double overdrive pedal. The first circuit is already done, it's a kind of OD820 with a mids pot. But I am still looking for a nice second overdrive to put after it. Initially I was going for a Plexi Drive, as I find that it is both a mild overdrive and when boosted with something in front of it becomes a huge marshall monster without adding too much noise. Not surprising to see Wampler use it in his Velvet Fuzz.

The thing is that I am always trying to stay away from circuits relying on parts that are hard to get/expensive and inconsistent, needing much sorting.

I have not found any op amp design yet that breaks up like the Plexi Drive. I tried rat/TS/Shredmaster and similar topologies and they all get very loose and flabby in the bass content when boosted with something. Reducing the bass response does not seem to help much.

Any ideas of an op amp overdrive/distortion that stays tight when boosted?
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: teknoman2 on December 16, 2014, 11:54:30 AM
If I was you I will try to put the second side (higher gain side) of Brian's aristocrat.
Its a bluesbreaker circuit as you know.
Despite that I had very good result when I engage both my maxon od-820 and the second side of aristocrat.
The only draw back is that it lacks a little bit of low end but I believe experimenting with input caps will find good results.

Cheers,
Panos.
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: murdog47 on December 16, 2014, 12:08:23 PM
I've always enjoyed a klon in front of an OCD. I run the Klon clean and use the OCD volume at noon and add gain in from there
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: Matt on December 16, 2014, 12:10:05 PM
Quote from: murdog47 on December 16, 2014, 12:08:23 PM
I've always enjoyed a klon in front of an OCD. I run the Klon clean and use the OCD volume at noon and add gain in from there
OCD. You beat me to it
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: playpunk on December 16, 2014, 12:19:31 PM
Something fuzzy - I like Klon into muffs, myself.


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Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: drolo on December 16, 2014, 12:24:43 PM
Does any of you have a clip where the OCD can be heard being boosted? What I would like is an overdrive that will compress a lot when boosted. Like the Plexi sounds a lot like a BSIAB when boosted. I have never tried an OCD but from what I heard on youtube I had the feeling it would not do that... will need to give it a try...

I always wondered about the clipping arrangement in the OCD. To me it seems like the second mosfet with the diode is completely superfluous. If I understand the logic, the first mosfet will have on one direction the "special" mosfet clipping character with a drop of 2 or 3 Volts and in the other direction, just a simple diode drop, since there is no diode there to prevent current from flowing through the mosfet's body diode. So that diode drop is already clamping down the signal and the second mosfet that will have a drop of 2 or 3 Volts will never clip...
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: mgwhit on December 16, 2014, 02:24:37 PM
Quote from: drolo on December 16, 2014, 12:24:43 PM
I always wondered about the clipping arrangement in the OCD. To me it seems like the second mosfet with the diode is completely superfluous. If I understand the logic, the first mosfet will have on one direction the "special" mosfet clipping character with a drop of 2 or 3 Volts and in the other direction, just a simple diode drop, since there is no diode there to prevent current from flowing through the mosfet's body diode. So that diode drop is already clamping down the signal and the second mosfet that will have a drop of 2 or 3 Volts will never clip...

Yep.
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: RobA on December 16, 2014, 02:38:55 PM
Quote from: drolo on December 16, 2014, 12:24:43 PM
...
I always wondered about the clipping arrangement in the OCD. To me it seems like the second mosfet with the diode is completely superfluous. If I understand the logic, the first mosfet will have on one direction the "special" mosfet clipping character with a drop of 2 or 3 Volts and in the other direction, just a simple diode drop, since there is no diode there to prevent current from flowing through the mosfet's body diode. So that diode drop is already clamping down the signal and the second mosfet that will have a drop of 2 or 3 Volts will never clip...

If I remember what's going on right off the top of my head, it's worse than that. The blocking diode is arranged the wrong direction for MOSFET clipping. So, what you get is in one direction the body diode combined with the GE diode and in the other direction, just the body diode clipping. There isn't any MOSFET clipping involved.

There's a discussion about it in this thread http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=11044.0 (http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=11044.0).
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: Jabulani Jonny on December 16, 2014, 03:00:44 PM
I really like a bluesbreaker into a klone.  I use Aion effects Cerulean into a Refractor quite a bit and it makes a great pair. 
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: sturgeo on December 16, 2014, 03:02:29 PM
What about one of the rockett pedals? the blue note and animal sound good, both use almost exactly the same circuits IIRC
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: thesameage on December 16, 2014, 03:24:35 PM
I have a Kingslayer>Pharoah that sounds amazing. There's an SFT ampeg clone in the middle (Jubal's), but that just sounds okay. If I had to do it again, I'd do Kingslayer>Pharoah in a second.
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: rumbletone on December 16, 2014, 08:42:01 PM
I've yet to find something that breaks up like the Plexi Drive or other similar clipping circuits (unless the device has tubes :-)  ...) . I just received a bag of J201s and will commence sorting shortly ...
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: Droogie on December 16, 2014, 09:20:17 PM
Kingslayer into Grind's Catch 22 (Timmy)

or

Kingslayer into Bean's Soultrane for a gainier vibe
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: Matt on December 17, 2014, 01:10:01 AM
Quote from: drolo on December 16, 2014, 12:24:43 PM
Does any of you have a clip where the OCD can be heard being boosted? What I would like is an overdrive that will compress a lot when boosted. Like the Plexi sounds a lot like a BSIAB when boosted. I have never tried an OCD but from what I heard on youtube I had the feeling it would not do that... will need to give it a try...

I always wondered about the clipping arrangement in the OCD. To me it seems like the second mosfet with the diode is completely superfluous. If I understand the logic, the first mosfet will have on one direction the "special" mosfet clipping character with a drop of 2 or 3 Volts and in the other direction, just a simple diode drop, since there is no diode there to prevent current from flowing through the mosfet's body diode. So that diode drop is already clamping down the signal and the second mosfet that will have a drop of 2 or 3 Volts will never clip...
Another thought occurred to me...if you like the plexidrive and your only issue is matched jfets, then you should look into the Madbean Swamprat. It's basically a plexidrive with trimpots.
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: drolo on December 18, 2014, 10:11:22 AM
I have been toying around with the BSIAB/OKKO Diablo configuration and kinda like it a lot. I am surprised at how well it cleans up when the guitar's volume is rolled back. Most op amp based circuits I have tried just get muddy when you do that.

Seems like I will need to stock up on J201's ... let the gamble begin ...
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: Matt on December 18, 2014, 03:04:23 PM
Quote from: drolo on December 18, 2014, 10:11:22 AM
I have been toying around with the BSIAB/OKKO Diablo configuration and kinda like it a lot. I am surprised at how well it cleans up when the guitar's volume is rolled back. Most op amp based circuits I have tried just get muddy when you do that.

Seems like I will need to stock up on J201's ... let the gamble begin ...
bsaib is one I've been meaning to get back to. And with the big muff tones tack you can mess with the kids a bit. Box of rock might be worth a try as well. I haven't messed with the okko but I've heard good things.
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: rumbletone on December 18, 2014, 07:07:03 PM
FYI I just got 50 J201s from small bear and here's how they tested (sorted in 1/4 volt groups, per the test circuit in the BlackBird build doc).
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: drolo on December 18, 2014, 07:10:37 PM
thanks that's good to know
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: rumbletone on December 18, 2014, 07:13:09 PM
I'm planning to put a Blackbird and the Plexi in one enclosure, with an A/B (i.e., rather than A+B ), for use with my Matchless HC30. It's really incredible how these circuits so effectively and convincingly change the basic tone of the amp...
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: PhiloB on December 18, 2014, 07:24:52 PM
I've recently been running a Klon (clean but volume above unity) into an egghead (Clark Gainster) with great results!


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Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: culturejam on December 19, 2014, 02:06:36 AM
I've heard that a pair of Bluesbreakers sounds like $235 and several months' wait.  ;D
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: drolo on December 19, 2014, 10:05:23 AM
Quote from: culturejam on December 19, 2014, 02:06:36 AM
I've heard that a pair of Bluesbreakers sounds like $235 and several months' wait.  ;D
lol not sure it's the sound I'm after  ;D
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: Rockhorst on December 19, 2014, 12:29:37 PM
The Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret V1 is an OD that stacks unbelievably well with just about any OD in front of it.
I also like stacking a Mad Professor Little Green Wonder with a (treble) booster. Maybe even combining the DLS with the LGW.
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: drolo on December 19, 2014, 12:37:06 PM
Quote from: Rockhorst on December 19, 2014, 12:29:37 PM
The Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret V1 is an OD that stacks unbelievably well with just about any OD in front of it.
Thats the kind of circuits I am looking into at the moment (bsiab, okko diablo, pinnacle etc). Now I am still figuring out how to implement treble and mids controls without getting too complex. I am not too convinced  with the bsiab tone stack with presence. Not a fan of the BMP style tone control. I much prefer a WSTC most of the times + a mids dip/boost
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: teknoman2 on December 19, 2014, 01:05:43 PM
Quote from: culturejam on December 19, 2014, 02:06:36 AM
I've heard that a pair of Bluesbreakers sounds like $235 and several months' wait.  ;D

I was waiting for 14 months to be first in the list and now I am really thinking why should I buy it.... ???
Despite that my opinion is that Mike doing great job but with this long list is loosing a lot of customers.
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: alanp on December 19, 2014, 03:03:17 PM
Quote from: culturejam on December 19, 2014, 02:06:36 AM
I've heard that a pair of Bluesbreakers sounds like $235 and several months' wait.  ;D

On an unrelated note, I'd quite like a Bluesbreaker amp, if it weren't that I suspect it would be similar to my low power tweed twin. (Except for the fact that the LPTT has to be strongly abused to distort.)
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: culturejam on December 20, 2014, 06:31:29 PM
Quote from: teknoman2 on December 19, 2014, 01:05:43 PM
I was waiting for 14 months to be first in the list and now I am really thinking why should I buy it.... ???
Despite that my opinion is that Mike doing great job but with this long list is loosing a lot of customers.

There's no doubt that Mike and his crew put out quality products. So you can't go wrong on that front.

If you don't want to wait, there are plenty of used KOTs for sale on ebay, Reverb, and forums like TGP. But you will pay extra for skipping the wait.
Title: Re: Another 2 in 1 query :-) Overdrives that stack well together
Post by: Willybomb on December 26, 2014, 01:34:54 PM
QuoteI've recently been running a Klon (clean but volume above unity) into an egghead (Clark Gainster) with great results!
Good to hear, I'm about to build exactly that, with the addition of a compressor in front of the whole lot.