Quote:
Originally Posted by rems
Bolt Thrower, that is exactly what I mean, the Tubescreamer is not the sustaining distortion I'm looking for by itself. It only goes so much. Great for overdrive rythm. How are you guys getting lead distortion with it? Together with another pedal?
Yes! I put the TubeScreamer in front of whatever pedal (or amp) I'm using for my main distortion sound. Lately, what I've been doing is using the SansAmp or Metal Zone to set up my main sound. Then I click into the TubeScreamer for leads; since it compresses the signal I don't think it's a good thing for rhythm sounds, which should retain dynamic range whenever possible (I'm only referring to the core guitar sound, not mix compression). But when it comes to lead tones, the TubeScreamer really helps bring out harmonics and the sound of pick attacks, which are so crucial to the character of a distorted sound.
For old-school deathmetal and blackmetal sounds, the Rat is really great. For huge doom sounds, I like the Metal Zone and SansAmp. What's great about the TubeScreamer is it can work with any of these and really bring out your lead tones. I don't have a use for it in rhythm situations, but perhaps I will in the future as I mature musically.
Although you specified pedals only in your original post, there is the question of the amp/mic (modelled or otherwise). If you totally remove the Pod from your signal chain, I assume you'd need to either mic a real amp or model it in some way -- plugins, SansAmp, a cabinet sim, whatever. Not sure what you have in mind, but if you do plan on micing an amp, you might find the best distortion sound from a small combo amp. I have a 1x12 Bedrock tube combo that is TERRIFYING, and when mic'ed up sounds positively enormous. In this arrangement, I'd plug my guitar into the TubeScreamer and then go straight to the amp, again clicking into the TubeScreamer for lead tones, but avoiding it for rhythms.