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I have it and jammed blues tonight. It was amazing. HUGE tip for you or maybe you already know. Get a Peterson Strobo tuner. I got the StompHD and the ClipHD. used the clip today- just arrived. Wow- I was waaaay out of tune before...my whole life actually. So dumb. I sounded amazing tonight. I always knew my tone was off- even when my SNARK said I was in Tune. I was not. HUGE difference.
the frequency analyzer is probably the coolest thing I have ever seen brought into a video to compare "sound/tonal" characteristics of guitar related gear (amps, pedals, pickups, etc) It just cuts through the use of jargon of over used terms - the graphic representation of the frequency spectrum says it all... no need for words. I think every overdrive/distortion/fuzz pedal should be graphically cataloged (that would be so cool). This, as well as many other of your videos really help in making decisions and understanding what sonic elements add up to what you are after. Would like to see the graphic spectrum for the blues driver added in here... as well as the DS1. Thanks for the video!
My rig in the 80s was a paul into an odyssey-1 into an ampeg v2 half stack with the factory master. Pure bliss. Freaking loud bliss but bliss all the same
I love the OD3, one of the most under rated pedals. Interesting to see the almost flat output, I always have said that it keeps the sound of the guitar (dare I use the word transparent).
I also love mine and it's the first pedal I bought, together with the distortion :P Not sure it's transparent because to my ears it definitely has its own sound regardless of the amp, but it is surely very flexible and awesome both at low and high gain settings.
I love the SD-1. Can't beat that for $50. Don't honestly really like using it on its own, but I use it as a boost for the overdrive channel on my cheap beginner Marshall MG15 and it sounds great to me. MG amps aren't really good, I know, but its what I can afford, and it sounds good enough for me to be happy playing in my bedroom.
ive played my whole life. just play, get better gear as you go. start with a good amp when you can afford it. a good tube amp will make a cheap guitar sound good. if you have a small cheap tube and a pedal, it's better that a big transistor with all the effects. you'll never need more than a 30 watt if its tube. thats enough for the drummer and other players you're jamming with to hear you. you all have to turn up to the drummer and thats plenty.
@@fishwigy you’re right. The new solid state amp’s have come a long way. Im really starting to come atound. Sorry, but i was stuck with the early SS amp tone in my head.
I have the Marshall dsl40cr 1x12 combo. At 53 my journey has brought me to this amp with the od3. The tone I now have is what I’ve been chasing my whole life. The two best choices I’ve made for guitar tone are Marshall and Boss od3. (GE-7 in loop is a big deal too) I cannot express in words how great this pedal sounds. I can’t believe this is achievable in my room and this is just life now every time I turn it on. Pure joy
OD-3 is great! OD-3 is very stackable. If you put the ds-1 before the OD-3, turn the tone of the ds-1 all the way down, you will get the od-3 tone because the in the chain the OD is the tone driver and the ds-1 becomes a great booster!
counterintuitively, I also tried DS1 before OD3 and it actually sounds good. I liked more having gain up on the DS1 and using OD3 as a post boost (low gain, high vol) in any case OD3 into DS1 sounds killer already...
I do this with a blues driver and achieve similiar results which is why i have ordered the OD3, less treble. Glad i am not the only one who uses the DS-1 in this way. Have tried to tell others but they go expensive boutique before they come back to ask how it is i get that cool drive tone.
@@Terbs-24 There’s nothing wrong with boutique pedals if one likes them, and can afford them. People screw up when they convince themselves that more expensive gear will make them sound better. Practice is much more effective than even the most unobtainium of boutique pedals when it comes to musical skill. Any really, who wants to be “that guy”? You know, the guy with a $10,000+ rig that can’t play?
I love these videos where you go through the circuits and the frequency analyser so we can have an understanding on what the circuits are doing. Thanks.
I feel the OD1 sounded best. To me the SD1 sounds a little bit like the OD1, mixed with an additional signal path (with almost clean/low gain sounding Bass and scooped mid. I think the OD1 sounds most classic rock style, which is my preference. @Brian Thanks for the explanation.
I love the frequency analyser videos, and has always kind of wondered the difference between these pedals. I would have been very interested to see the analysis of the tone control on the signals though.
I had an SD-1 many years ago and traded it in because I didn’t like it. Knowing what I know now as a musician (with all the resources we have at our disposal today to learn about gear and tone), I’m 100% sure I was using and pairing it incorrectly back then, lol. Would love to try it out again and give it another chance. Incredibly informative video, Brian. Next to hearing the pedals and your explanations behind them, my favorite part about this is seeing the EQ curve when you activate each of them. It really helps me understand and visualize how that pedal would potentially sound if I were to play it through my own rig. Thanks for making this!
I've wondered if there was something like that analyzer to see what my favorite pedals are doing to my sound. I like these videos where you show whats going on schematic-wise and showing the curves was great. Thanks Brian!
thanks for making this Brian. I've been doing research on the differences between these pedals and there's surprisingly little information on how they compare online, especially the OD-1.
I love the OD-3 so much. Old Verve got me interested in those overdrives when I found out the guitarist used an OD-2. There's a video on another channel with a comparison between an amps gain and then with the gain from the OD-3 and the OD-3 literally just sounded like the gain knob on the amp was turned up. Super transparent and I want one as a base OD tone then boost it with a Tubescreamer. I used to have an Orange OR50 and I hated that it didn't have a built in boost but in retrospect I could've bought and OD-3 for it and never looked back.
I remember when everyone had a single, Boss, pedal on the floor. Either an OD-1, or a DS-2. Or a DM-2. (Some Punk at the Mabuhay had a Rat once, an anachronism) Every thing was on batteries, sometimes we would duct tape them to the stage. Robbie Dunbar had THREE pedals and an Echoplex, and Joe Satriani had the first SD-1 that anyone local had, along with a DS-2, and a DM-2. Those cats were serious about the tone.
great demo and analysis, I have an old OD1 with the momentary LED also, when I originally bought it, I was told that the LED was a battery check light, you held down on the pedal and checked the brightness of the LED to make sure it was good, other BOSS pedals at the time were the same. I also recall back when the SD1 came out it was pretty popular with metal guitarists, into a dirty JCM800. I prefer the good ole OD1. Good stuff, thank you
My personal favorite Boss Drive pedal is the OS2 Overdrive/Distortion. I find it to be the best of both worlds between the DS1 and the OD1. Only to drive the point home you can blend the two sounds!
@@Bun_Can_Do_It a friend of mine has it and i found that the blend knob of the "drive" or "distortion" functions more like a mid cut or boost rather than changing the characteristics of the clipping, the "drive" is mid boost and "distortion" is mid cut. I dont know i want to fiddle with it a bit more :)
The Boss OD-3 reminds me so much of the sound of Nobels ODR-1. Very smooth, sweet, and has a lot of body and depth, and also open, and transparent sounding. Any chance you can do a comparison video between the two?
Probably because they tend to output lower volume then when they're bypassed, which is a pain. I leave mine on full drive in the turbo setting, and it sounds like a fully overdriven cheap tube amp thats about to fall apart, in the best way possible
@@TurdInternational Not all of them. They fixed that issue on the OD-2R, but I have a later OD-2 that also has no issues with lack of volume. (Edit: wait you're talking about it cutting signal volume when it's *off*? I never heard of that being a problem with the OD-2... Just that the older ones can't quite output unity gain volume.)
@@darwinsaye no, I’m dumb. I meant it happens when engaged. I’ve never heard that they fixed it in later ones, but I’ve heard people claim they don’t have the volume issues, so maybe that lines up. If they knew the problem and fixed it in the R, it stands to reason they fixed in later OD2’s
Alib912 Yeah... I heard that they fixed it in the OD-2r which replaced the OD-2, but since my OD-2 doesn’t have the problem, I just kind of guess that it is maybe one of the last OD-2s and maybe they started to address the issue before they fully went to the OD-2R. I’m just guessing, but since I’ve heard everyone else’s saying their OD-2s have it, that’s all I can figure as to why mine works fine.
I've been using OD-3 for about 16-17 years now. It is the first pedal in the chain if I am not using a wah. It helps me boost signal or/and add gain or/and warm up my tone. It is like magic. I don't know how else to explain it.
For sure, Boss pedal have ton of quality and history, but more recent brands have also been doing a great job, such as Wampler, JHS, Xotic and many others. What makes me happy to watch is how owners of those brands make videos and comments about Boss with such a good spirit of healthy competition. Congratulations
Picked up a "vintage" 1999 Boss Od3 today for pennies. In to my blackface twin this is instantly every light overdrive I have heard for the last 20 years on so many great records. Super, crystal even, clean low gain that just cuts like a knife. SO nice. So very very different to my OCD and Morning Glory etc. Just "the sound" from all those great indie and rock songs. I was told to expect a huge hump and "too much" drive but honestly set just above unity with the gain kept below 12 its perfect and sounds, to my ears, indistinguishable to 12AX7 preamp distortion the old fashioned way!
i have got a Chinese pedal emulating Fender amp, and one guy offered a BOSS SD1 for it, and other guy offered a BOSS SD3 for it. Thank You mr Wampler for this video explanation of these pedals and comparison! Now i know that i will exchange my Mosky pedal for the SD1.
Lots of useful info in a 5 minute video. Great stuff. I have the OD-3. I think it is a very musical, tube-like overdrive and I particularly like the fact that it does not have the mid-range hump of the other two pedal or most tube screamers...
That mid-range boost is must be why I dig the SD-1 the best. Its always felt to me like a cleaner boost. I really enjoy their sound through Orange amps for some reason.
All sound wicked. Love the breakdowns of the circuits! OD-3 definitely stands out as it's own thing, in a good way. Just got an SD-2 which sounds totally different again on the lower gain "Crunch" setting.. The "Lead" setting is just amazing face melting distortion.
Nice video. SD-1 was the first pedal my dad bought me when I got an electric guitar and the store guy couldn't have recommended a better drive. Still my favourite. Although haven't played any other boss drives. The only risk in doing a video like this is everybody's first question will be "what about OD-2????"
I liked the OD-1 best. The OD-3 sounded too compressed. The SD-1 was pretty good, but was kind of noisy, and there was just a bit "too much" something in the sound. It was like an Over-overdrive. I liked the spectrum analysis at the end, as it made it easier to understand what I was hearing, Thanks
I believe I've heard Analogman quoted as saying it's quite a pre-ampy, or amp-like pedal - akin to a DOD-250. I may be wrong. I do know that the OD-1 is the one pedal from the BOX-40 set that I wish I still had, it sounded fab and looked awesome too
I’ve been playing for 30 years and never even tried an SD-1, or any Boss overdrive until I finally nabbed one on a whim a while back. Never knew what I’d been missing, I just love it. Between it and my old Bad Monkeys, a lot of my overdrive needs are completely covered.
There are actually *two different* OD-1 designs, and you showed the more recent of the two. The earliest issue used a 3403 quad op-amp (14 pins), with two of the op-amps in the chip serving as input and output buffers, and the other two doing the usual clipping/gain and tone shaping. Later issues, which you show, used a single dual op-amp chip (8 pins) and transistors for the input and output buffers. Exactly how much the 3403 vs 4558 alters the tone, I can't say, but I've built two of the early-issue OD-1s and I like them a lot. Mind you, on one of mine, I added a 3-position toggle to get the stock sound, add bass, or add bass and trim a little more treble off the top. How different is the OD-1 from the SD-1? Well, they both use a 2+1 diode complement for supposedly asymmetrical clipping and a little more headroom. The both employ a bass rolloff around 720hz for the clipping stage, identical to a tube screamer. And they both have the exact same range of gain settings - barring differences due to component tolerances. The major difference is that the OD-1 uses a fixed lowpass filter, rolling off the top around 880hz (hence the mid-peak), while the SD-1 employs that same lowpass filter on the output of the clipping stage, but supplements it with a second fixed filter, rolling off at just under 1.6khz, with the variable tone control providing assorted mid and treble boosts, and treble cuts. I suppose it is *theoretically* possible to dial in an exact copy of what the OD-1 does, using an SD-1, but would be twitchy and hard to replicate. I find what the original OD-1 does quite sufficient. Of course, you have to like where the filter is set. But for me, it's a real meat-and-potatoes 2-knobber.
Agreed, Mark. I actually had borrowed an original od-1 from the late 70's, in the 80's. When I had to give it back I found an od-1, but the later model and while it sounded great, it was a bit different and missed something. I ended up passing it on later. It could very well have been a nostalgia bias. Seeing you post has taken me back to the early years of the pedal forums. Hope all is well!
I just tried these days, I reshaped the tone control of my sd1 to od1 type output buffer getting rid of the tone but I have mixed feelings, I swore it would be more transparent but it's not, even lowering C6 cap (I'm using 2n2 right now but the highs squeal)
@@dt9r My acquisition of audio knowledge started well before pedals, so you probably don't have the same definition of "transparent" that I do. That said, the sorts of filtering that please any particular player and pedal-user will likely depend on things like the guitar used, and the treble response of the the amp and speakers. Ultimately, different players may well be aiming for the same tone, but simply have differing hurdles to clear in order to get there. IN my own case, the simple filtering of the OD-1 gets me pretty much there. That's neither wrong/right or better/worse, just what works for me.
@@TheIregan I don't recall your name from the early forum days, but then you may have posted under a handle, so I can be forgiven. :-) Still always nice to bump into someone from "common ground". I even ran into Tim Escobedo last week! How many of us forumites *haven't* built something of his? Ironic, isn't it, that the "magic" chip the 2nd issue of the OD-1 used didn't win you over, even though its use in the Tube Screamer has been used not only for commercial marketing purposes, but even folks trying to squeeze a few more bucks off their 2nd-hand resale of a TS-type pedal will mention that chip as if somehow it makes ALL the difference in tone. I don't know if there is anything special about the 3403, and there are a number of specs that I simply don't have the deep knowledge to understand. That said, the 3403 and 4558 seem to have similar input impedances, but the 3403 provides somewhat less gain-bandwidth product than the 4558 does. The datasheet describes it as have essentially similar performance to a quartet of 741 op-amps. When it comes to overdrives, "smoothness" is as valuable a goal as "transparency". We want it to sound like a singer's voice, not like a colicky baby's rasp. And if use of a particular chip moves us closer in the desired direction, that's a good thing. Common dual op-amps certainly help with layout, and that's not nothing, but sometimes "lesser" op-amps are optimal for the task of overdrives.
@@markhammer643 uuuh, hi Mark!! I didn't see you wrote it! so long time since we spoke in forums, nice to see you again, cheers! My idea of transparency is Timmy's kind of distortion, I am an owner from Paul, that kind of crunch and roundness
I have an SD-1, bought mainly to get some dirt on my Fender practice amp, which I bought because I was living away from home in a one-room apartment for work at the time. (I was just getting back into playing electrics and couldn't bring around my big Vox.) I never liked it, even though it still sits on my board. It compresses in a way that always sounds stuffy to me. Fast forward to today, and I have a Tumnus Deluxe that I love. (Thank you, Mr Wampler!) I can't get the SD-1 to sound good, even acting as a clean boost for the Tumnus. It sounds better going into my Vox, which has more growl on tap, but now I'm interested in trying the OD-3. I love the tone of the Tumnus, and the "transparency" of the OD-3 might give me a nice added gain stage for lead work. Boss: takes a kicking and keeps on ticking.
I love the frequency spectrum analyzer view. Super helpful and data-based, not subjective based on our ears (which ultimately is the most important thing though).
When the OD-1 was sounding I turned my speakers right up and a portal to the late 1970s opened in my room, I could tell by the fashions and haircuts. Next time I will jump through and get away from this bloody lockdown. Must go, Sapphire and Steel have just arrived.
I love the early OD-3 Overdrive. For some reason, the modern ones sound different. Less low end and compression. Or maybe the component values on the old one has drifted in a good way.
I preferred the OD-3 myself, since I like a relatively flat EQ, especially for a Telecaster. I find Boss overdrives to be...utilitarian. They're the pedals you buy to decide whether you like that effect or not, and they fill that role admirably thanks to their consistent excellent quality. That being said, I bought a BD-2 Blues Driver about a decade ago and it's still my ride-or-die overdrive. I absolutely LOVE that thing. Thinking about getting a Waza version as well.
The frequency responses shown on the oscilloscope are very interesting. I suggest a comparison, audio and oscilloscope, of the Boss Eq. GE-7+Boss SD-1 vs Boss OD-1 to check if with the attenuation of low frequencies the SD-1 sounds similar to the OD-1
My friends gave me an OD-3 as a birthday present a couple of years ago and I didn't like it at first, but it grew on me and I really like it now, especially with higher gain
Asymmetrical clipping (very powerful), excellent footswitches (reliable) The pots for most pedals "float' on heavy wire not attached to the circuit board (easy maintenance).
I preferred the SD-1. The mid emphasis doesn't bother me - I see it as an advantage - and it was fuller in the bass than the OD-3 without being muddy. It's a good, musical pedal for a reasonable price.
I thought the SD-1 sounded the most transparent and best note clarity, and thought the OD-3 sounded the muddiest, and the original clean signal sounded lost within its gain structure. That's just what I heard myself though. I was expecting to like the original OD-1 best, but after everything was heard, surprisingly liked the SD-1 the best.
I just acquired the SD1 and I love what it did to my electric piano. Between the three, I preferred it over the other two. The mid range boost does it for me at least for my ears.
I have an old school SD-2 from the 90's. My favourite pedal by far, it actually has 2 independent circuits built into it (lead and crunch) and you can switch between the two and the bypass. It's stellar.
Really interesting to see the scope traces. You forgot the SD-2 - one of the most versatile and unknown pedals Boss made! I still reference your "Indyguitarist" PDFs that I bought many, many moons ago!
Mr. Wampler, I think you are the right person to answer this question: What's truly a preamp? Tone and gain nuances besides, cicuitry wise what would be the difference between a TC Electronic Tube Pilot Overdrive joint to a EQ Pedal vs a Mesa Boogie V twin Preamp for example? Nerd question : ) Greetings from Nicaragua : )
The first pedal I fell in love with was the Boss Turbo Overdrive. Just having it in the signal chain made everything sound better, except that particular one was super noisy. I notice that one is missing from this video, just as it is from my board.
I love my OD-3, especially for what I do most. Solo, or duo with acoustic, maybe cajon, but no bass or drums. In a band setting I will add the SD-1 to help in a dense mix.
I recently A/B'ed an OD-3 & an SD-1w. Almost instantly, I thought the OD-3 sounded brighter & more raw. Wasn't expecting to like it more. I sold the SD-1w to a very happy guy.
I love this video concept of running pink noise through a pedal to explore the frequency response. It's so important for selecting the right pedal for the right job for the amp you are using. Keep them coming! Could this technique be used with amps too?
I'm so glad you're still making videos. They are always fun and informative. If I only watch one RUclips video a week it's often yours. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us. You are greatly appreciated.
Boss OD-3 by far the best Stand alone pedal I've ever gig with, the best Marshall-ish sound for under $100 New or under $50 used. Either in front of a clean tube amp or clean solid state Fender amps or JC120, Boss OD-3 just plain Rokks! it has been my main staple go to stand alone, all around Drive/Distortion since 2007..
All sound good. I liked the OD-3 best. I also happen to own an OD-3. It doesn't get used much but I can't bring myself to get rid of. Every time I think about selling it I plug it in and dig the sound so much I end up keeping it.
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I just discovered that I LOVE the sound of an OD-3. No Opamp, pre-clipping and a FET clipping stage, what a masterpiece.
Doesn't the J. Luja chamatic show 2 M5218ALs after the diff-amp stage?
I have it and jammed blues tonight. It was amazing. HUGE tip for you or maybe you already know. Get a Peterson Strobo tuner. I got the StompHD and the ClipHD. used the clip today- just arrived. Wow- I was waaaay out of tune before...my whole life actually. So dumb. I sounded amazing tonight. I always knew my tone was off- even when my SNARK said I was in Tune. I was not. HUGE difference.
the frequency analyzer is probably the coolest thing I have ever seen brought into a video to compare "sound/tonal" characteristics of guitar related gear (amps, pedals, pickups, etc) It just cuts through the use of jargon of over used terms - the graphic representation of the frequency spectrum says it all... no need for words. I think every overdrive/distortion/fuzz pedal should be graphically cataloged (that would be so cool). This, as well as many other of your videos really help in making decisions and understanding what sonic elements add up to what you are after. Would like to see the graphic spectrum for the blues driver added in here... as well as the DS1. Thanks for the video!
OD-3 is absolutely AWESOME. It's my favorite Overdrive pedal of all time... and I've owned so many.
I just ran across this and you are the best I have seen so far, explanations are the best.
I have an original Boss OD-1 that I purchased back in the 80's, I still love it!
Man those sound so good. They’re worth some change today too!
My rig in the 80s was a paul into an odyssey-1 into an ampeg v2 half stack with the factory master. Pure bliss. Freaking loud bliss but bliss all the same
I love the OD3, one of the most under rated pedals. Interesting to see the almost flat output, I always have said that it keeps the sound of the guitar (dare I use the word transparent).
It is underrated and is the least “boss” of them. Just a nice classic overdrive.
I use the OD3 as my always on pedal...very dynamic.
Great comment. 👍
@@lordporcupine8767
Yep I do the same with my ts9 should probably get one of these boss pedals
I also love mine and it's the first pedal I bought, together with the distortion :P
Not sure it's transparent because to my ears it definitely has its own sound regardless of the amp, but it is surely very flexible and awesome both at low and high gain settings.
The frequency analyzer is awesome for comparisons:)
Love the OD3, such an underrated, great overdrive pedal.
I love the SD-1. Can't beat that for $50. Don't honestly really like using it on its own, but I use it as a boost for the overdrive channel on my cheap beginner Marshall MG15 and it sounds great to me. MG amps aren't really good, I know, but its what I can afford, and it sounds good enough for me to be happy playing in my bedroom.
ive played my whole life. just play, get better gear as you go. start with a good amp when you can afford it. a good tube amp will make a cheap guitar sound good. if you have a small cheap tube and a pedal, it's better that a big transistor with all the effects. you'll never need more than a 30 watt if its tube. thats enough for the drummer and other players you're jamming with to hear you. you all have to turn up to the drummer and thats plenty.
@@LEON4PRES fanboy
The price has gone up now.
@@LEON4PRES There are the orange crush series that will make you reconsider getting a tube amp. Yes, they don't sound the same but they're great.
@@fishwigy you’re right. The new solid state amp’s have come a long way. Im really starting to come atound. Sorry, but i was stuck with the early SS amp tone in my head.
The OD-3 is one of the truly great overdrive pedals, and certainly the least expensive of all the pedals in this exclusive category.
I have all of them. All good
I have the Marshall dsl40cr 1x12 combo. At 53 my journey has brought me to this amp with the od3. The tone I now have is what I’ve been chasing my whole life. The two best choices I’ve made for guitar tone are Marshall and Boss od3. (GE-7 in loop is a big deal too) I cannot express in words how great this pedal sounds. I can’t believe this is achievable in my room and this is just life now every time I turn it on. Pure joy
No one drops pedal knowledge like Wampler. This channel is a godsend.
I like seeing how the pedals look on the EQ, kind of helps you visualise what’s going to happen with the sound. I think I like the OD3 better.
I am loving these short yet deeper electronic breakdown videos you've been doing.
OD-3 is great! OD-3 is very stackable. If you put the ds-1 before the OD-3, turn the tone of the ds-1 all the way down, you will get the od-3 tone because the in the chain the OD is the tone driver and the ds-1 becomes a great booster!
I always read the comments for the tips. Awesome!
I need to try that. I love my OD-3 and DS-1, but haven’t really tried stacking them much.
counterintuitively, I also tried DS1 before OD3 and it actually sounds good.
I liked more having gain up on the DS1 and using OD3 as a post boost (low gain, high vol)
in any case OD3 into DS1 sounds killer already...
I do this with a blues driver and achieve similiar results which is why i have ordered the OD3, less treble. Glad i am not the only one who uses the DS-1 in this way. Have tried to tell others but they go expensive boutique before they come back to ask how it is i get that cool drive tone.
@@Terbs-24 There’s nothing wrong with boutique pedals if one likes them, and can afford them.
People screw up when they convince themselves that more expensive gear will make them sound better. Practice is much more effective than even the most unobtainium of boutique pedals when it comes to musical skill.
Any really, who wants to be “that guy”? You know, the guy with a $10,000+ rig that can’t play?
I love these videos where you go through the circuits and the frequency analyser so we can have an understanding on what the circuits are doing. Thanks.
OD3- "boutique" overdrive killer par excellence 🤘🏻
I got the OD-3 and i love it! You dont lose bass. Perfect for E standard to C tuning
I feel the OD1 sounded best. To me the SD1 sounds a little bit like the OD1, mixed with an additional signal path (with almost clean/low gain sounding Bass and scooped mid. I think the OD1 sounds most classic rock style, which is my preference. @Brian Thanks for the explanation.
I love the frequency analyser videos, and has always kind of wondered the difference between these pedals. I would have been very interested to see the analysis of the tone control on the signals though.
I had an SD-1 many years ago and traded it in because I didn’t like it. Knowing what I know now as a musician (with all the resources we have at our disposal today to learn about gear and tone), I’m 100% sure I was using and pairing it incorrectly back then, lol. Would love to try it out again and give it another chance.
Incredibly informative video, Brian. Next to hearing the pedals and your explanations behind them, my favorite part about this is seeing the EQ curve when you activate each of them. It really helps me understand and visualize how that pedal would potentially sound if I were to play it through my own rig. Thanks for making this!
I've wondered if there was something like that analyzer to see what my favorite pedals are doing to my sound. I like these videos where you show whats going on schematic-wise and showing the curves was great. Thanks Brian!
I was going to ask that exact question
I wish they'd release a Waza Craft version of the OD-1, it sounds so good.
they really should
thanks for making this Brian. I've been doing research on the differences between these pedals and there's surprisingly little information on how they compare online, especially the OD-1.
OD-3 sounds great when pushed with Tubescreamer or SD-1! 🤟
Я так и делаю. OD-3 + SD-1 👍
@@Kosstin I don't speak that language
I love the OD-3 so much. Old Verve got me interested in those overdrives when I found out the guitarist used an OD-2. There's a video on another channel with a comparison between an amps gain and then with the gain from the OD-3 and the OD-3 literally just sounded like the gain knob on the amp was turned up. Super transparent and I want one as a base OD tone then boost it with a Tubescreamer. I used to have an Orange OR50 and I hated that it didn't have a built in boost but in retrospect I could've bought and OD-3 for it and never looked back.
Nice job, B. No frills... just solid knowledge, with musical accompaniment.
I remember when everyone had a single, Boss, pedal on the floor. Either an OD-1, or a DS-2. Or a DM-2. (Some Punk at the Mabuhay had a Rat once, an anachronism) Every thing was on batteries, sometimes we would duct tape them to the stage. Robbie Dunbar had THREE pedals and an Echoplex, and Joe Satriani had the first SD-1 that anyone local had, along with a DS-2, and a DM-2. Those cats were serious about the tone.
hobo - You knew Joe S? Me too. WE were in competing bands in Westbury-Carle Place in the early 70's.
great demo and analysis, I have an old OD1 with the momentary LED also, when I originally bought it, I was told that the LED was a battery check light, you held down on the pedal and checked the brightness of the LED to make sure it was good, other BOSS pedals at the time were the same. I also recall back when the SD1 came out it was pretty popular with metal guitarists, into a dirty JCM800. I prefer the good ole OD1. Good stuff, thank you
It does make sense.
Yay! I love the spectrum analyser stuff!! Keep em coming!!!
Yeah, this video ended too quickly!
My personal favorite Boss Drive pedal is the OS2 Overdrive/Distortion. I find it to be the best of both worlds between the DS1 and the OD1. Only to drive the point home you can blend the two sounds!
I've owned my OS-2 for over 25 years, and I always wondered how it works/based on and how it blends the two together.
I use OS-2 occasionally and it's very interesting dirt box. I won't get rid of it any time soon.
It's a very polarising pedal
@@Bun_Can_Do_It a friend of mine has it and i found that the blend knob of the "drive" or "distortion" functions more like a mid cut or boost rather than changing the characteristics of the clipping, the "drive" is mid boost and "distortion" is mid cut. I dont know i want to fiddle with it a bit more :)
@@Bun_Can_Do_It it actually contains both circuits, overdrive (soft clipping) and distortion (hard clipping). The blend is done via the potentiometer.
Love that OD 3. Never realised how good it is.
The Boss OD-3 reminds me so much of the sound of Nobels ODR-1. Very smooth, sweet, and has a lot of body and depth, and also open, and transparent sounding. Any chance you can do a comparison video between the two?
I'm a big fan of the long forgotten OD-2. Very "smooth" sounding to my ears...
Same here. Overdrive side is great and TURBO mode is very distinctive distortion. I have OD-2 and OD-2R
Probably because they tend to output lower volume then when they're bypassed, which is a pain. I leave mine on full drive in the turbo setting, and it sounds like a fully overdriven cheap tube amp thats about to fall apart, in the best way possible
@@TurdInternational Not all of them. They fixed that issue on the OD-2R, but I have a later OD-2 that also has no issues with lack of volume. (Edit: wait you're talking about it cutting signal volume when it's *off*? I never heard of that being a problem with the OD-2... Just that the older ones can't quite output unity gain volume.)
@@darwinsaye no, I’m dumb. I meant it happens when engaged. I’ve never heard that they fixed it in later ones, but I’ve heard people claim they don’t have the volume issues, so maybe that lines up. If they knew the problem and fixed it in the R, it stands to reason they fixed in later OD2’s
Alib912 Yeah... I heard that they fixed it in the OD-2r which replaced the OD-2, but since my OD-2 doesn’t have the problem, I just kind of guess that it is maybe one of the last OD-2s and maybe they started to address the issue before they fully went to the OD-2R. I’m just guessing, but since I’ve heard everyone else’s saying their OD-2s have it, that’s all I can figure as to why mine works fine.
I like the OD-3 best. I can hear the true voice of that Tele as opposed to the other two pedals.
OD3 for me. Thanks for giving us more understanding to their differences...
I've been using OD-3 for about 16-17 years now. It is the first pedal in the chain if I am not using a wah. It helps me boost signal or/and add gain or/and warm up my tone. It is like magic. I don't know how else to explain it.
Thanks for the break down. My fourth time watching this. Wishing it were longer. I’m a fan of the OD-3
The SD-1 has never left my pedal board...Thank’s 4 The Video Good Sir! 🎸🔊🎶
For sure, Boss pedal have ton of quality and history, but more recent brands have also been doing a great job, such as Wampler, JHS, Xotic and many others.
What makes me happy to watch is how owners of those brands make videos and comments about Boss with such a good spirit of healthy competition.
Congratulations
🌟
I've had 2 JHS pedals die this year and JHS wants $65 to repair each one. I love the show. But I think I'm done with JHS.
Yeah !!
Picked up a "vintage" 1999 Boss Od3 today for pennies. In to my blackface twin this is instantly every light overdrive I have heard for the last 20 years on so many great records.
Super, crystal even, clean low gain that just cuts like a knife. SO nice. So very very different to my OCD and Morning Glory etc. Just "the sound" from all those great indie and rock songs. I was told to expect a huge hump and "too much" drive but honestly set just above unity with the gain kept below 12 its perfect and sounds, to my ears, indistinguishable to 12AX7 preamp distortion the old fashioned way!
Cool, just got an OD-3 today, can't wait to try it out!
i have got a Chinese pedal emulating Fender amp, and one guy offered a BOSS SD1 for it, and other guy offered a BOSS SD3 for it. Thank You mr Wampler for this video explanation of these pedals and comparison! Now i know that i will exchange my Mosky pedal for the SD1.
That OD-3 sounded super compressed to me, which made sense when you showed the circuit.
in real life is the sd1 the more compressed, in this video there is a ton of bass coming out, if play with the real pedals you can feel.it better
They all sound great with that guitar and amp. Got to say I loved the OD3 sound.
Great comparison! I loved it that circuit details were included, as well.
Lots of useful info in a 5 minute video. Great stuff.
I have the OD-3. I think it is a very musical, tube-like overdrive and I particularly like the fact that it does not have the mid-range hump of the other two pedal or most tube screamers...
That mid-range boost is must be why I dig the SD-1 the best. Its always felt to me like a cleaner boost. I really enjoy their sound through Orange amps for some reason.
All sound wicked. Love the breakdowns of the circuits! OD-3 definitely stands out as it's own thing, in a good way. Just got an SD-2 which sounds totally different again on the lower gain "Crunch" setting.. The "Lead" setting is just amazing face melting distortion.
Nice video. SD-1 was the first pedal my dad bought me when I got an electric guitar and the store guy couldn't have recommended a better drive. Still my favourite. Although haven't played any other boss drives.
The only risk in doing a video like this is everybody's first question will be "what about OD-2????"
I liked the OD-1 best. The OD-3 sounded too compressed. The SD-1 was pretty good, but was kind of noisy, and there was just a bit "too much" something in the sound. It was like an Over-overdrive. I liked the spectrum analysis at the end, as it made it easier to understand what I was hearing, Thanks
Love the sound of the OD-1 !!! It sounds like an amp actually
Be very warry what you put OD-1 into. Not all amps work great with it.
I believe I've heard Analogman quoted as saying it's quite a pre-ampy, or amp-like pedal - akin to a DOD-250. I may be wrong. I do know that the OD-1 is the one pedal from the BOX-40 set that I wish I still had, it sounded fab and looked awesome too
Yeah still use mine in front of pretty much anything I got
I’ve been playing for 30 years and never even tried an SD-1, or any Boss overdrive until I finally nabbed one on a whim a while back. Never knew what I’d been missing, I just love it. Between it and my old Bad Monkeys, a lot of my overdrive needs are completely covered.
There are actually *two different* OD-1 designs, and you showed the more recent of the two. The earliest issue used a 3403 quad op-amp (14 pins), with two of the op-amps in the chip serving as input and output buffers, and the other two doing the usual clipping/gain and tone shaping. Later issues, which you show, used a single dual op-amp chip (8 pins) and transistors for the input and output buffers. Exactly how much the 3403 vs 4558 alters the tone, I can't say, but I've built two of the early-issue OD-1s and I like them a lot. Mind you, on one of mine, I added a 3-position toggle to get the stock sound, add bass, or add bass and trim a little more treble off the top.
How different is the OD-1 from the SD-1? Well, they both use a 2+1 diode complement for supposedly asymmetrical clipping and a little more headroom. The both employ a bass rolloff around 720hz for the clipping stage, identical to a tube screamer. And they both have the exact same range of gain settings - barring differences due to component tolerances. The major difference is that the OD-1 uses a fixed lowpass filter, rolling off the top around 880hz (hence the mid-peak), while the SD-1 employs that same lowpass filter on the output of the clipping stage, but supplements it with a second fixed filter, rolling off at just under 1.6khz, with the variable tone control providing assorted mid and treble boosts, and treble cuts. I suppose it is *theoretically* possible to dial in an exact copy of what the OD-1 does, using an SD-1, but would be twitchy and hard to replicate. I find what the original OD-1 does quite sufficient. Of course, you have to like where the filter is set. But for me, it's a real meat-and-potatoes 2-knobber.
Agreed, Mark. I actually had borrowed an original od-1 from the late 70's, in the 80's. When I had to give it back I found an od-1, but the later model and while it sounded great, it was a bit different and missed something. I ended up passing it on later. It could very well have been a nostalgia bias. Seeing you post has taken me back to the early years of the pedal forums. Hope all is well!
I just tried these days, I reshaped the tone control of my sd1 to od1 type output buffer getting rid of the tone but I have mixed feelings, I swore it would be more transparent but it's not, even lowering C6 cap (I'm using 2n2 right now but the highs squeal)
@@dt9r My acquisition of audio knowledge started well before pedals, so you probably don't have the same definition of "transparent" that I do. That said, the sorts of filtering that please any particular player and pedal-user will likely depend on things like the guitar used, and the treble response of the the amp and speakers. Ultimately, different players may well be aiming for the same tone, but simply have differing hurdles to clear in order to get there. IN my own case, the simple filtering of the OD-1 gets me pretty much there. That's neither wrong/right or better/worse, just what works for me.
@@TheIregan I don't recall your name from the early forum days, but then you may have posted under a handle, so I can be forgiven. :-) Still always nice to bump into someone from "common ground". I even ran into Tim Escobedo last week! How many of us forumites *haven't* built something of his?
Ironic, isn't it, that the "magic" chip the 2nd issue of the OD-1 used didn't win you over, even though its use in the Tube Screamer has been used not only for commercial marketing purposes, but even folks trying to squeeze a few more bucks off their 2nd-hand resale of a TS-type pedal will mention that chip as if somehow it makes ALL the difference in tone.
I don't know if there is anything special about the 3403, and there are a number of specs that I simply don't have the deep knowledge to understand. That said, the 3403 and 4558 seem to have similar input impedances, but the 3403 provides somewhat less gain-bandwidth product than the 4558 does. The datasheet describes it as have essentially similar performance to a quartet of 741 op-amps.
When it comes to overdrives, "smoothness" is as valuable a goal as "transparency". We want it to sound like a singer's voice, not like a colicky baby's rasp. And if use of a particular chip moves us closer in the desired direction, that's a good thing. Common dual op-amps certainly help with layout, and that's not nothing, but sometimes "lesser" op-amps are optimal for the task of overdrives.
@@markhammer643 uuuh, hi Mark!! I didn't see you wrote it! so long time since we spoke in forums, nice to see you again, cheers!
My idea of transparency is Timmy's kind of distortion, I am an owner from Paul, that kind of crunch and roundness
I love the SD-1, it's just perfect.
Great video, I play an OD-3 and love it, cool to see its uniqueness within the line explained👏👏👏
Just made my Friday eve - cold one in hand, digging into circuits with Brian
he'll yeah roc kon borther
Liked looking at these through the scope, thanks Brian!
I have an SD-1, bought mainly to get some dirt on my Fender practice amp, which I bought because I was living away from home in a one-room apartment for work at the time. (I was just getting back into playing electrics and couldn't bring around my big Vox.) I never liked it, even though it still sits on my board. It compresses in a way that always sounds stuffy to me. Fast forward to today, and I have a Tumnus Deluxe that I love. (Thank you, Mr Wampler!) I can't get the SD-1 to sound good, even acting as a clean boost for the Tumnus. It sounds better going into my Vox, which has more growl on tap, but now I'm interested in trying the OD-3. I love the tone of the Tumnus, and the "transparency" of the OD-3 might give me a nice added gain stage for lead work. Boss: takes a kicking and keeps on ticking.
I love the frequency spectrum analyzer view. Super helpful and data-based, not subjective based on our ears (which ultimately is the most important thing though).
I had forgotten how good that old OD-1 sounds!
When the OD-1 was sounding I turned my speakers right up and a portal to the late 1970s opened in my room, I could tell by the fashions and haircuts. Next time I will jump through and get away from this bloody lockdown. Must go, Sapphire and Steel have just arrived.
This helped me decide what I wanted and I got the OD-3. It was very much the right choice!
Man I LOVE THE sd-1. One if my favorite sounds ever!
Thanks for showing the EQ curves. Super helpful video.
Thanks for sharing. SD1 sounds more clear maybe, less muddy.
I love the early OD-3 Overdrive.
For some reason, the modern ones sound different. Less low end and compression. Or maybe the component values on the old one has drifted in a good way.
I preferred the OD-3 myself, since I like a relatively flat EQ, especially for a Telecaster.
I find Boss overdrives to be...utilitarian. They're the pedals you buy to decide whether you like that effect or not, and they fill that role admirably thanks to their consistent excellent quality. That being said, I bought a BD-2 Blues Driver about a decade ago and it's still my ride-or-die overdrive. I absolutely LOVE that thing. Thinking about getting a Waza version as well.
I am always amazed by the extreme adequacy of the Boss pedal.
The frequency responses shown on the oscilloscope are very interesting. I suggest a comparison, audio and oscilloscope, of the Boss Eq. GE-7+Boss SD-1 vs Boss OD-1 to check if with the attenuation of low frequencies the SD-1 sounds similar to the OD-1
My friends gave me an OD-3 as a birthday present a couple of years ago and I didn't like it at first, but it grew on me and I really like it now, especially with higher gain
One of my fav. pedals ever
Asymmetrical clipping (very powerful), excellent footswitches (reliable) The pots for most pedals "float' on heavy wire not attached to the circuit board (easy maintenance).
My go go pedal. SD-1. Can't go wrong.
Nice video. Very ludic. Learnt so much.
They all sound great with that guitar and amp. I have an SD1 and it is a great pedal - now I must try the OD3!
Appreciate the detail and knowledge you put in this overdrive video.
Thanks so much for this. I always had trouble figuring out the differences of these three pedals. Forum diving always gave me conflicting info.
There is something magic in you amp Mr. Wampler, my SD1 does not sound even close through my amp! Great video!
I preferred the SD-1. The mid emphasis doesn't bother me - I see it as an advantage - and it was fuller in the bass than the OD-3 without being muddy. It's a good, musical pedal for a reasonable price.
OD-3. Love the fullness of the sound.
Clean and Bright.
Glad you ran them though the spectrum analyzer. It helped me contrast against what we have just heard. Great video. Thank you!
I thought the SD-1 sounded the most transparent and best note clarity, and thought the OD-3 sounded the muddiest, and the original clean signal sounded lost within its gain structure. That's just what I heard myself though. I was expecting to like the original OD-1 best, but after everything was heard, surprisingly liked the SD-1 the best.
I have 3 SD-1s. One stock, one with Brian's IndyGuitarist mod, and a heavily modded one based on a Keeley mod.
I kinda like the stock atm!
I only tried an SD-1 and i use it all the time as a boost. Great video.
I wish everybody who did demos used that analyzer graphic as well, so helpful. I need an OD-1 now.
I just acquired the SD1 and I love what it did to my electric piano. Between the three, I preferred it over the other two. The mid range boost does it for me at least for my ears.
Great video, I’ve been using the SD-1 live for years. Bullet Proof.
The OD-1 was the most natural sounding to my ears
I love my little SD-1, but I'm thinking I should add an OD-3 to the collection now.
Have the SD-1, my first OD pedal, still love it. Tried the OS-2, something not quite right about that 2 in 1 pedal.....
I have an old school SD-2 from the 90's. My favourite pedal by far, it actually has 2 independent circuits built into it (lead and crunch) and you can switch between the two and the bypass. It's stellar.
Pedor agreed! The lead channel in particular sounds great.
Really interesting to see the scope traces. You forgot the SD-2 - one of the most versatile and unknown pedals Boss made! I still reference your "Indyguitarist" PDFs that I bought many, many moons ago!
Thanks for the video,Brian. I like the OD-1 the best.The analyzer is a fantastic instrument.
Mr. Wampler, I think you are the right person to answer this question: What's truly a preamp? Tone and gain nuances besides, cicuitry wise what would be the difference between a TC Electronic Tube Pilot Overdrive joint to a EQ Pedal vs a Mesa Boogie V twin Preamp for example? Nerd question : ) Greetings from Nicaragua : )
The first pedal I fell in love with was the Boss Turbo Overdrive. Just having it in the signal chain made everything sound better, except that particular one was super noisy. I notice that one is missing from this video, just as it is from my board.
I love my OD-3, especially for what I do most. Solo, or duo with acoustic, maybe cajon, but no bass or drums. In a band setting I will add the SD-1 to help in a dense mix.
I recently A/B'ed an OD-3 & an SD-1w.
Almost instantly, I thought the OD-3 sounded brighter & more raw. Wasn't expecting to like it more.
I sold the SD-1w to a very happy guy.
I love this video concept of running pink noise through a pedal to explore the frequency response. It's so important for selecting the right pedal for the right job for the amp you are using. Keep them coming! Could this technique be used with amps too?
I'm so glad you're still making videos. They are always fun and informative. If I only watch one RUclips video a week it's often yours. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us. You are greatly appreciated.
The OD1 sounded gorgeous too.I have the other two pedals plus the OD2 and OD2r.Love them all.
Boss OD-3 by far the best Stand alone pedal I've ever gig with, the best Marshall-ish sound for under $100 New or under $50 used. Either in front of a clean tube amp or clean solid state Fender amps or JC120, Boss OD-3 just plain Rokks! it has been my main staple go to stand alone, all around Drive/Distortion since 2007..
Damn, I never thought of trying my pedals with the sound analizer to see their tone. Very cool
All sound good. I liked the OD-3 best. I also happen to own an OD-3. It doesn't get used much but I can't bring myself to get rid of. Every time I think about selling it I plug it in and dig the sound so much I end up keeping it.