Can someone explain what helps a dirt pedal clean up with guitar volume? I recently did an SD-1 to OCD mod I found on another forum and it sounds really good and cuts through the mix nicely at stage volume. While it cleans up reasonably well, it does not clean up as well as I would like. It definitely does not clean up as well as the real OCD.
What aspects of the circuit would I look at modifying in order to achieve a better cleanup? I did not use the 2N7000s as clippers because the instructions mentioned that 1n4148 diodes would likely yield the same results in tone. I am considering trying the 2N7000s out to see if it makes a difference. I am also considering placing a BAT41 diode in series with 1n4148s in order to slightly raise the clipping threshold and introduce some asymmetrical clipping. The op amp is the stock 4558.
FWIW, I understand I can not expect the exact same results when trying to emulate a TBP pedal with a buffered pedal.
Is there any thing that can be measured with the meter or a scope?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Kevin
What enables an overdrive pedal to clean up?
-
phatt
- Transistor Tuner
That is a very broad Q with many answers, many of which may well lead to a similar outcome. It depends on what type of sensitivity you want 
A blues player will want a different setup than someone who wants to sound like Satriani. Both are dependent on tone shaping, the latter probably more so. Tone shaping is super critical for good sounding OD/Dirt effect.
Maybe, have a read of Member * mictester* in this post.
https://www.freestompboxes.org/viewtopic ... od#p115690
13 posts down, 08 Sep 2010, 10:20
I quote *mictester* from that posting;
---------
The most important part of the over all sound of the effect is the frequency response before and after the clipper stage (a low pass filter before the clipper makes your effect really smooth), and the best we can really do is to put a really effective tone control circuit after the clippers. We also need to keep the noise down!
--------------
The amplifier you use adds even more complexity.
A lot of amps sold now use circuits aimed at heavy metal but I've found it's a lottery as a lot are just trashy and way too much Bandwidth/Gain which makes it close to impossible to get a good touch response.
You won't get it to happen while just relying on one pedal you have to build that tone to suit the rig/guit/pedals you use.
Q's to ask self? Is my Amp to bassy ,, to bright, to gainy,,, and,,, and,,,, and. All this alters the outcome.
You could try using 2 OD/dirt pedals, first one with Gain/Dist low and Volume high then adjust the second pedal to suit. This keeps the incoming signal to the second unit high and you won't need as much gain on pedal 2 or much pick attack to make it touch sensitive. (May or may not work,, Experiment)
Some kind of Tone shaping post dirt pedals is always helpful, even a graphic EQ might be useful.
I personally use a very effective tone pedal post dirt and also an analog Cab sim before I send to Amp.
I also use an optical compressor which helps keep the levels balanced along with adding that little extra sustain.
Depending on your rig setup, frequencies somewhere between 1khZ and 3~4khZ will help with clarity and also help to get a better touch feel.
Hope it helps.
Phil.
A blues player will want a different setup than someone who wants to sound like Satriani. Both are dependent on tone shaping, the latter probably more so. Tone shaping is super critical for good sounding OD/Dirt effect.
Maybe, have a read of Member * mictester* in this post.
https://www.freestompboxes.org/viewtopic ... od#p115690
13 posts down, 08 Sep 2010, 10:20
I quote *mictester* from that posting;
---------
The most important part of the over all sound of the effect is the frequency response before and after the clipper stage (a low pass filter before the clipper makes your effect really smooth), and the best we can really do is to put a really effective tone control circuit after the clippers. We also need to keep the noise down!
--------------
The amplifier you use adds even more complexity.
A lot of amps sold now use circuits aimed at heavy metal but I've found it's a lottery as a lot are just trashy and way too much Bandwidth/Gain which makes it close to impossible to get a good touch response.
You won't get it to happen while just relying on one pedal you have to build that tone to suit the rig/guit/pedals you use.
Q's to ask self? Is my Amp to bassy ,, to bright, to gainy,,, and,,, and,,,, and. All this alters the outcome.
You could try using 2 OD/dirt pedals, first one with Gain/Dist low and Volume high then adjust the second pedal to suit. This keeps the incoming signal to the second unit high and you won't need as much gain on pedal 2 or much pick attack to make it touch sensitive. (May or may not work,, Experiment)
Some kind of Tone shaping post dirt pedals is always helpful, even a graphic EQ might be useful.
I personally use a very effective tone pedal post dirt and also an analog Cab sim before I send to Amp.
I also use an optical compressor which helps keep the levels balanced along with adding that little extra sustain.
Depending on your rig setup, frequencies somewhere between 1khZ and 3~4khZ will help with clarity and also help to get a better touch feel.
Hope it helps.
Phil.
Thanks, Phil that is a big help!!