I’ve been really liking a compressor pedal lately. I use it when I want a boost, more sustain, and a little more sizzle with very little breakup. It’s like clean overdrive. My compressor has a volume level too, and I can hit the front end of the tube amp harder with it if I want.
Back in high school, for about a year, all I had for a guitar amp was an old Peavey PA amp and a monitor speaker. It wasn't ideal but it sounded just fine clean and for distortion, all I had was a Turbo Tube Screamer, the one with 4 knobs. It got a pretty gnarly distorted sound and I've never really been able to replicate it. It had a lot of bite to it. Sometimes I miss it.
Great video session Jessie, thanks, here’s my experience with a Tube Screamer: When playing live with a band the first thing I do is get a nice clean sound on the amp. Then I set the tube screamer up for a bit of break up when I dig into a solo with just enough volume for my guitar to step up for a solo. Usually drive somewhere between 9 to 11, tone at 12 and volume at 1 o’clock. When the solo is finished to clean up and sit back in the mix I can either back the volume pot on the guitar back or disengage the pedal. Working the volume pot on your guitar is the preferred way as the transition is smooth not jarring like disengaging a pedal is. Stevie Ray Vaughan could effortless change between gorgeous clean tones and screaming hot solos in an instant all via the volume pot on his guitar and the intensity of his pick attack.
That's a good point about reducing gain in a band setting to avoid getting lost in the mix, but I don't agree with the title "How you're supposed to use an overdrive pedal", because it's up to the individual guitarist to find their own way. FWIW, I use a Boss BD-2 set almost clean, and with the level really high so it boosts the signal into a clean amp, and then use my guitar's volume and tone controls to shape the sound and the amount of overdrive.
Thanks Jesse. These 5 min Mondays are really good for beginners - in this case beginners to using effects. You have a good structural approach in each video, and everything is relevant. Keep it going, and I hope you get the subs to do more.
The tube screamer uses clipping diodes to break up the output signal. I have built several variations like the srv special, Zak wyld berserker, TS9, and the original TS-808. The op amp isn't really overdriven. If u remove the clipping diodes it sounds like really loud clean boost. You can replace the C500k gain pot with a 1Mega ohm pot for more gain output.
As a rule I set all my pedals to the point at which they are having a mild effect and then I back them off slightly from there… then I turn them ALL on. The overall effect is a sort of a signature sound. From there I just use the pick up selector and the Varitone switch (on an ES 355) which changes the impedance level of the PUs a lot.
Compressor, overdrive, tremolo are my go to fx on my zoom g3. I like chorus delay phaser flanger rotary when I need them. Rule of thumb, fx should enhance a song. Less is more
I have a Boss BD-2, my only overdrive, and I've pretty much arrived at the same conclusions. I like the gain at about 9 o'clock or a smidge less, and tone is always between 11 and 1, it seems, level variable for effect. Seems to get me there, but I'm very interested in the Keeley Mk3 (Muse Driver) these days, may be my next pedal. Thanks for the tips!
That wouldn't be a bad move. I did it and am not sorry at all. It's the best overdrive pedal I've ever had. It's great on its own and it stacks well with other overdrives.
Thanks, Jesse-good information. I agree, it's not the gain by itself. You can use the level WITH the gain to get the effect you are looking for. I think the real misconception is just that: a distortion pedal is NOT just black and white. (on or off, dirty or clean, etc). It can produce a range of effects related to distortion if used optimally.. Many players don't understand that. BTW-I use a Fender Pugilist pedal.
I find that a compressor like the route 66 gives my sound a fat boost using single coil pickups in my Tele or Strat. Makes my tube amps come alive. I do use a cmatmods signadrive with the gain on 1 for a bit more growl.
I got a TS9 a Klon clone that I built, and an old ProCo Ratt , the magical ‘Woodcutter’ build. 🤷♂️ And it’s my fave. Through anything. I used the TS9 in front of JCM 800s and a 79 JMP 100w Master Lead. It’s all you need. But the Ratt can be useful for low volume playing / small amps, and to fatten up a Strat single coil set up. The Ghost drive Klon clone is just like a sweeter version of the TS9. The Ratt rules by a long shot. Even in front of a Quilter Direct Amp. Or a 5e3
Oh, is that thing still around!? It’s probably older than me 😅 I found a Bad Monkey a decade ago but, it’s really the guitar that sets the tone. I prefer a round, ”woody” sound that would probably just drown in a live band.
The trouble for me is balancing the volumes... I love the sound of my amp clean. Using an OD in this way means it's soooo much louder and that's no good in a band situation where I need multiple guitar tones, then generally use an EQ with a level boost for solos. Perhaps I need to make my favourite pedal 'always on' with a massive level boost?
That is your best guess. No, To calculate the total number of possible tone settings, we'll consider the combination of the three EQ settings on the amp and the three knobs on the overdrive pedal, each having three possible settings (low, medium, high). **Total combinations:** - EQ settings on the amp: 3 (low, medium, high) - Knobs on the overdrive pedal: 3 (low, medium, high) per knob Since there are three knobs on the overdrive pedal, we'll raise 3 to the power of 3 to find all possible combinations for the pedal. \[ 3 \times 3 \times 3 = 3^3 = 27 \] Next, we'll multiply the number of possible combinations for the amp settings by the number of combinations for the pedal settings. \[ 3 (amp EQ settings) \times 27 (overdrive pedal settings) = 81 \] Therefore, there are a total of 81 possible tone combinations. **Exploring these settings:** If you were to test each combination one by one, the time it takes would depend on how long you spend evaluating each setting. For example, if you spend 1 minute on each combination, it would take: \[ 81 \text{ combinations} \times 1 \text{ minute per combination} = !!! !!! 81 minutes !!! \] Adjust the time based on how long you plan to spend on each setting. The exploration could take less or more time depending on your pace. Happy tone hunting! 🎸🎶 Personally stacking effects take another hour. And one effect can take 81 minutes.
And all he showed us in terms of smart advice is don't put the knobs at max level....... Might as well tell a car driver to not go over 100 lolz. Like duhhh
I literally only clicked this video because of this. It's like saying plainly, "I'm gonna make you spend at least 3 minutes listening to me talk about ads or some course I made to get
Nice video. My only question would be how to you keep your clean tone from being at a way lower volume when you switch between clean and dirty? Using the level instead of tone knob would mess with that quite a bit, no?
I'm not quite sure I understand your question. Typically I like to set it up where if my guitar volume is on 10, it's a bit dirty. And then I'm usually running my guitar volume on 7 or 8 which cleans the tone up a bit, but still maintains the top end clarity.
@@jesseglickmusic Sorry I didn't explain that well. I meant that when you turn the level knob up, you increase the difference in volume from when the pedal is on compared to when it isn't. I don't want to have a huge drop in volume when I turn it off. So I guess my question is more regarding that - how do you turn up the level without having a huge volume dropoff when you turn it off?
Tube Screamer hate is just a bunch of snobbery. You could certainly prefer other drive types etc. but the rest of the bitchery is really dishonest posturing bullshit. Totally fine pedal that does a totally useful thing for any guitarist.
Nomatter what i delete, move to another hard drive, whatever it may be it always slowly climbs back up within the hour. Ive deleted so much and even just now, for example, after deleting larger files my disk space was MORE full than before i deleted? Is there a secret backup thats filling my disk space that i dont know about? Ive gone through every large file and it seems like nothing helps.
I get a kick out of these titles. How your "supposed" to use whatever... It's all arbitrary to what you are doing. That's the beauty of music. There's no steadfast rules... The only limit is your mind. 🧠
Tip - use a looper to play back a small example of playing...then experiment with your pedal controls.
^ this!
Real good idea.
This is the way.
Why haven't I thought of this lmao. Genius
Won't work with certain pedals and especially fuzz pedals because the looper acts as a buffer and alters the impedance.
Love the intro playing. Great job
I’ve been really liking a compressor pedal lately. I use it when I want a boost, more sustain, and a little more sizzle with very little breakup. It’s like clean overdrive. My compressor has a volume level too, and I can hit the front end of the tube amp harder with it if I want.
Subscribed! clear concise with no fluff rare on RUclips
Back in high school, for about a year, all I had for a guitar amp was an old Peavey PA amp and a monitor speaker. It wasn't ideal but it sounded just fine clean and for distortion, all I had was a Turbo Tube Screamer, the one with 4 knobs. It got a pretty gnarly distorted sound and I've never really been able to replicate it. It had a lot of bite to it. Sometimes I miss it.
Thanks!
Fantastic playing. Great composition.
Appreciate it!
Leaving this for your algorithm. Good stuff as always
I’m a fairly new player.
I have never really had anyone explain the purpose and how to use an overdrive. Thank you!
Purpose is different than a guess.
Great video session Jessie, thanks, here’s my experience with a Tube Screamer: When playing live with a band the first thing I do is get a nice clean sound on the amp. Then I set the tube screamer up for a bit of break up when I dig into a solo with just enough volume for my guitar to step up for a solo. Usually drive somewhere between 9 to 11, tone at 12 and volume at 1 o’clock. When the solo is finished to clean up and sit back in the mix I can either back the volume pot on the guitar back or disengage the pedal. Working the volume pot on your guitar is the preferred way as the transition is smooth not jarring like disengaging a pedal is. Stevie Ray Vaughan could effortless change between gorgeous clean tones and screaming hot solos in an instant all via the volume pot on his guitar and the intensity of his pick attack.
That's a good point about reducing gain in a band setting to avoid getting lost in the mix, but I don't agree with the title "How you're supposed to use an overdrive pedal", because it's up to the individual guitarist to find their own way. FWIW, I use a Boss BD-2 set almost clean, and with the level really high so it boosts the signal into a clean amp, and then use my guitar's volume and tone controls to shape the sound and the amount of overdrive.
8 minute video explaining how to use an overdrive pedal in under 5 minutes.. this guy has Terrence Howard level mathematics
That's exactly how I do it with the BD-2 also. Works perfectly for the sound I'm after almost all the time.
Thanks Jesse.
These 5 min Mondays are really good for beginners - in this case beginners to using effects.
You have a good structural approach in each video, and everything is relevant. Keep it going, and I hope you get the subs to do more.
Really nice intro tune!
Wonderful concept - subscribed!!
Glad you are back, hope all is well.
Nicely done, thanks mate! I’ll give this a try. Stay safe!
Well done
Not many people use the Flint / Strymon pedal ( I have one on my board. ) nice to see you've got one. They sound great.
I dig the Brandi Carlile jam at the beginning bud, very nice.
The tube screamer uses clipping diodes to break up the output signal. I have built several variations like the srv special, Zak wyld berserker, TS9, and the original TS-808. The op amp isn't really overdriven. If u remove the clipping diodes it sounds like really loud clean boost. You can replace the C500k gain pot with a 1Mega ohm pot for more gain output.
that sounds really cool. I'll look into that mod. thanks for the tip!
As a rule I set all my pedals to the point at which they are having a mild effect and then I back them off slightly from there… then I turn them ALL on. The overall effect is a sort of a signature sound. From there I just use the pick up selector and the Varitone switch (on an ES 355) which changes the impedance level of the PUs a lot.
Great video and advice thank Jesse
Thank you for this, it was very helpful.
Good video!!
Exactly how I use overdrive pedals, subscribed coz that guy in the background told me to 😂
lol
That guitar is rad as hell
Glad you’re okay!
Tasty playing, nice!
They're also great for taking a great metal tone to face melting awesomeness
My first and only overdrive pedal is the Boss BD-2. I have the DS-1 distortion pedal but have only been using it as a pre overdrive boost.
Love that pedal!
Compressor, overdrive, tremolo are my go to fx on my zoom g3. I like chorus delay phaser flanger rotary when I need them. Rule of thumb, fx should enhance a song. Less is more
giving you a comment to boost the content.
Thanks for the explainer
I have a Boss BD-2, my only overdrive, and I've pretty much arrived at the same conclusions. I like the gain at about 9 o'clock or a smidge less, and tone is always between 11 and 1, it seems, level variable for effect. Seems to get me there, but I'm very interested in the Keeley Mk3 (Muse Driver) these days, may be my next pedal. Thanks for the tips!
That wouldn't be a bad move. I did it and am not sorry at all. It's the best overdrive pedal I've ever had. It's great on its own and it stacks well with other overdrives.
Thanks, Jesse-good information. I agree, it's not the gain by itself. You can use the level WITH the gain to get the effect you are looking for. I think the real misconception is just that: a distortion pedal is NOT just black and white. (on or off, dirty or clean, etc). It can produce a range of effects related to distortion if used optimally.. Many players don't understand that. BTW-I use a Fender Pugilist pedal.
I find that a compressor like the route 66 gives my sound a fat boost using single coil pickups in my Tele or Strat.
Makes my tube amps come alive.
I do use a cmatmods signadrive with the gain on 1 for a bit more growl.
Great video it would be nice if next time I’ll also tell how you dial your guitar. Volume all open?
I got a TS9 a Klon clone that I built, and an old ProCo Ratt , the magical ‘Woodcutter’ build. 🤷♂️ And it’s my fave. Through anything. I used the TS9 in front of JCM 800s and a 79 JMP 100w Master Lead. It’s all you need.
But the Ratt can be useful for low volume playing / small amps, and to fatten up a Strat single coil set up. The Ghost drive Klon clone is just like a sweeter version of the TS9.
The Ratt rules by a long shot. Even in front of a Quilter Direct Amp. Or a 5e3
Try turning down the flog hat, and turn up the bootshave slightly. Use your main finger.
There is no 'supposed' to! Totally subjective, otherwise just USE a boost pedal! OD pedals gave gain for a reason!
Good demo Jess!
You are supposed to stack a bunch of them. Thats how you use od pedals.
Oh, is that thing still around!? It’s probably older than me 😅
I found a Bad Monkey a decade ago but, it’s really the guitar that sets the tone. I prefer a round, ”woody” sound that would probably just drown in a live band.
The trouble for me is balancing the volumes... I love the sound of my amp clean. Using an OD in this way means it's soooo much louder and that's no good in a band situation where I need multiple guitar tones, then generally use an EQ with a level boost for solos.
Perhaps I need to make my favourite pedal 'always on' with a massive level boost?
That is your best guess. No, To calculate the total number of possible tone settings, we'll consider the combination of the three EQ settings on the amp and the three knobs on the overdrive pedal, each having three possible settings (low, medium, high).
**Total combinations:**
- EQ settings on the amp: 3 (low, medium, high)
- Knobs on the overdrive pedal: 3 (low, medium, high) per knob
Since there are three knobs on the overdrive pedal, we'll raise 3 to the power of 3 to find all possible combinations for the pedal.
\[
3 \times 3 \times 3 = 3^3 = 27
\]
Next, we'll multiply the number of possible combinations for the amp settings by the number of combinations for the pedal settings.
\[
3 (amp EQ settings) \times 27 (overdrive pedal settings) = 81
\]
Therefore, there are a total of 81 possible tone combinations.
**Exploring these settings:**
If you were to test each combination one by one, the time it takes would depend on how long you spend evaluating each setting. For example, if you spend 1 minute on each combination, it would take:
\[
81 \text{ combinations} \times 1 \text{ minute per combination} = !!!
!!! 81 minutes !!!
\]
Adjust the time based on how long you plan to spend on each setting. The exploration could take less or more time depending on your pace.
Happy tone hunting! 🎸🎶 Personally stacking effects take another hour. And one effect can take 81 minutes.
distortion for humbucker pick ups
overdrive for single coil pick ups 😁
Great! Thank you 🙌🏻
Thank you!
This pedal is very versatile, I only don't like it in front of a clean amp, it must be at the edge of break up at least
I cant believe that you dont know that the only correct way that you are supposed to use an overdrive pedal, is the way you like it 😁
That's absolutely correct and most players who utilize that advice sound like crap!😂
I'm surprised anyone would be confused by the controls. Yet I hear so many vids where they dime the gain with the amp on 2.
8 minute video explaining how to use an overdrive pedal in under 5 minutes.. this guy has evolved Terrence Howard level mathematics
And all he showed us in terms of smart advice is don't put the knobs at max level....... Might as well tell a car driver to not go over 100 lolz. Like duhhh
I literally only clicked this video because of this. It's like saying plainly, "I'm gonna make you spend at least 3 minutes listening to me talk about ads or some course I made to get
What about amp settings?
That's for another video!
Khalua music modified HiWatt DR103. No pedal needed!
finally someone explains how to make a pedal do what it do.
I know! No one ever did that! So crazy. You think it would have been done by so many people, especially pedal companies like JHS and the like
Nice video. My only question would be how to you keep your clean tone from being at a way lower volume when you switch between clean and dirty? Using the level instead of tone knob would mess with that quite a bit, no?
I'm not quite sure I understand your question. Typically I like to set it up where if my guitar volume is on 10, it's a bit dirty. And then I'm usually running my guitar volume on 7 or 8 which cleans the tone up a bit, but still maintains the top end clarity.
@@jesseglickmusic Sorry I didn't explain that well. I meant that when you turn the level knob up, you increase the difference in volume from when the pedal is on compared to when it isn't. I don't want to have a huge drop in volume when I turn it off. So I guess my question is more regarding that - how do you turn up the level without having a huge volume dropoff when you turn it off?
W0W!
👍
Use it how you want to use it, do what sounds good to your ears, there are NO rule books on this kind of stuff
Tube Screamer hate is just a bunch of snobbery. You could certainly prefer other drive types etc. but the rest of the bitchery is really dishonest posturing bullshit. Totally fine pedal that does a totally useful thing for any guitarist.
YUP!
Dead right. Bedroom players have no clue how your guitar sounds when performing live.
Nomatter what i delete, move to another hard drive, whatever it may be it always slowly climbs back up within the hour. Ive deleted so much and even just now, for example, after deleting larger files my disk space was MORE full than before i deleted? Is there a secret backup thats filling my disk space that i dont know about? Ive gone through every large file and it seems like nothing helps.
I get a kick out of these titles. How your "supposed" to use whatever... It's all arbitrary to what you are doing. That's the beauty of music. There's no steadfast rules... The only limit is your mind. 🧠
Video is 8 minutes. Guitar players can’t count.
After 60+ yrs on bass and guitar I'm still amused by people that think wiggling their guitars while playing does something.
Well it does wiggle the guitar!? Ha!
What?
Boring sound
Excellent