Stacking Overdrives

[sychopenguin]

Hello all :)

So just for some context, I play mostly contemporary worship music (Hillsong, Jesus Culture, etc.) I'm looking into buying a new overdrive pedal. I have a Bluesdriver and an OCD already. I've been stacking them, but it's a little bit too muddy for me. I'm thinking of using my Bluesdriver as a clean boost after I get a new overdrive. That being said, what's a quality overdrive that you would recommend to go with the OCD for stacking? And which would you suggest stacking on top of the other? Price isn't too much of a concern! I've heard great things about Timmy's and Fulldrive 2's. Thanks!!!

[swleamon]

Barber LTD, Zendrive, Paisley Drive - low, smooth gain stuff can nicely compliment an OCD if dialed in right.

[Trey jr.]

How exactly do you plan to run the setup? i.e. Do you plan to use one or the other and also stack them for a higher level/sustain/grit? Or do you plan on using them ALWAYS stacked? If you do plan on using them separately, I would recommend going with something that's got a totally different feel from the OCD. Then you can use either for different tones as well as stack em. If they will always be stacked, you might want to be more specific about which pedals play well with others. As far as the order to put them, I've found that the second OD always carries the main recognizable tone. If you run a tubescreamer into an OCD, it will sound like a slightly different OCD. If the TS is second, it'll sound more like the TS. Tim/timmy's are nice for stacking. Since they're "transparent" it will help maintain the tone of the other pedal.

[sychopenguin]

Ya, I've been looking into the Tim pedal a lot! I think it may be what I'm leaning towards...

[JesterR]

TS or clone would be best, since OCD does not have enough mids, TS helps to do more tight sound.

[Chickin-Pickin]

We play a lot of the same stuff you mention. I run a Paisley Drive that is almost always on and then stack my OCD on top to cut through for leads. I'm playing a 52RI through a AC15.

[Maximus.opto]

I find TS into most ODs work great! I often use as a lead boost into my other OD pedal (BB Preamp, Fulltone OCD, or BD-2 Keeley mod). Or sometimes it is simply a hot overdriven amp with only a TS in front to push out more dirt and sustain.

[nrand]

I would put a Blackstone Mosfet OD in front of either of your existing pedals - the brown and red channels on the Blackstone could be dialled in to feed your other two ODs.

These stack well with pretty much anything. I have heard similar things about the Fetto Custom but it is a lot more money and is not as flexible - my main reason for choosing the Blackstone.

I play pretty much the same style of music as you - when in church.

[Piotr]

I love the Blackstone, but had really poor results with stacking it with other ODs. It has been designed specifically with a clean amp in mind and for me it exactly works like that. Just my two cents. Going with another overdrive INTO the Blackstone - now, that would work much better in my opinion, as the Blackstone is very amp-like.

[nrand]

Individual experiences with the Blackstone vary, clearly, but I have yet to hear of anyone who has regretted buying one. Experiment with this and your pedals, and one way or another you will hear benefits.

[telepath]

a good ol TS or clone would be great into the OCD.
No need for an 'improved' TS type, as it would be fine / better as per original concept.

i.e. TS apparent middy-ness will add a bit of mid to the OCD's slight scoop, and the bass cut in the stock TS circuit was designed for exactly the purpose - goosing /boosting without flubbing up the lows.

[RockerDuck]

Xotic AC boost stacks well with the OCD.

[Riffraff12571]

I do this all the time with an OD and a Fuzz but don't usually do it with two OD pedals. I tried it once stacking a Route 66 with a SD-1 into a SF Vibro Champ when I made this clip. I also had the amp dimed. It was a post service experiment.



The Route 66 is a pedal that can be stacked all by itself because the compressor side doubles as a nice clean boost.

[sirbergersworth]

I prefer to have my dirtier of the two overdrives in front of the overdrive with cleaner settings. I like boosting my dirt instead of dirtying up the boost.

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[telepath]

Originally Posted by sirbergersworth

I prefer to have my dirtier of the two overdrives in front of the overdrive with cleaner settings. I like boosting my dirt instead of dirtying up the boost.

Sent from my iPhone using TDPRI

OK .. that makes absolutely no sense to be frank. Surely that wholly contradicts itself?

[artdecade]

Theoretically, even one drive pedal is stacked because it is hitting the preamp. I would be reluctant to put a whole lot of pedals between me and the amp. It might make her jealous.

[artdecade]

Originally Posted by telepath

OK .. that makes absolutely no sense to be frank. Surely that wholly contradicts itself?

Actually, it makes sense.

Think in terms of David Gilmour. He uses a Muff. It is thick and muff-like in all its glory. BUT, it doesn't cut through the band all that well. He follows that pedal with an overdrive (Colorsound, Butler,etc) set for a boost (high volume, low gain). Gilmour is boosting the Muff's volume with another overdrive in order to rise above the din of the masses.

[sirbergersworth]

Originally Posted by artdecade

Actually, it makes sense.

Think in terms of David Gilmour. He uses a Muff. It is thick and muff-like in all its glory. BUT, it doesn't cut through the band all that well. He follows that pedal with an overdrive (Colorsound, Butler,etc) set for a boost (high volume, low gain). Gilmour is boosting the Muff's volume with another overdrive in order to rise above the din of the masses.

In my experience my tone will cut more and not get as muddy with the boost after dirt. It just seems to work better for me.

Sent from my iPhone using TDPRI

[filmix2]

Originally Posted by JesterR

TS or clone would be best, since OCD does not have enough mids, TS helps to do more tight sound.

+1

[Trey jr.]

Originally Posted by sychopenguin

Ya, I've been looking into the Tim pedal a lot! I think it may be what I'm leaning towards...

Not to sound like a broken record or like everyone else who recommends the Tim, but... I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT. It's so freaking versatile. If you play any music outside of church, it will also work well for that. The wait list is a bummer, but you won't regret it. There's a reason pretty much anyone who owns a tim recommends it. Actually though, I would recommend the Timmy first. I personally don't find the "boost" side very useful. One advantage to the Tim though is it's effects loop.