Topic: OverDrive vs. Distortion (Read 3676 times)

trackman · « **on:** March 31, 2009, 02:27:24 PM »

What's the difference>? Which is better (I know that's subject to personal preference), and do I need them both?

funkStrat_97 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 31, 2009, 04:12:10 PM »

Well essentially they are the same as distortion is the result of an amp being overdriven. But when guitarists talk about 'overdrive' and 'distorion', it's more about the degree of distorion than the technical aspects of overdrive. Lower gain effects are generally classified as overdrive while higer gain units are considered distortion. And then you have fuzz.....

funkStrat_97 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 31, 2009, 04:22:29 PM »

Oh, regarding the second part of your question; one is not better than the other as they both have their applications. Look man, here's what you do. Go get yourself a Jekll & Hyde and you'll live happily ever after.

funkStrat_97 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 31, 2009, 04:54:46 PM »

Quote from: funkStrat_97 on March 31, 2009, 04:22:29 PM

Oh, regarding the second part of your question; one is not better than the other as they both have their applications.  Look man, here's what you do.  Go get yourself a Jekll & Hyde* and you'll live happily ever after.

*That's JEKYLL & Hyde....doh!

JayP5150 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 31, 2009, 06:10:21 PM »

I second all the above, but would add this: overdrives are generally designed to be used on top of an amp that's already cookin' a bit (such as a Tube Screamer) to push you into a higher-gain setting (like if you wanted a bit more sustain and grit for a solo, chorus, whatever).

A distortion pedal would usually be your dirty tone all on its own (DS-1, Metal Zone, etc. etc.).

However, as we all know, there are no hard and fast rules with this stuff lol.

And as mentioned above... then you have fuzz... I HATED fuzz when I was younger. I didn't "get" it. Now? I build them lol. I'm addicted to a nasty, dirty, fuzz (sometimes).

Fenix · « **Reply #5 on:** March 31, 2009, 07:34:18 PM »

Hmm, i always thought overdrive was just jacking up the volume on your guitar. At least that is what happens when i push the over -drive button on my amp. The volume suddenly gets LOUD with some gain but not too much.

funkStrat_97 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 31, 2009, 08:07:23 PM »

Quote from: Fenix on March 31, 2009, 07:34:18 PM

Hmm, i always thought overdrive was just jacking up the volume on your guitar. At least that is what happens when i push the over -drive button on my amp. The volume suddenly gets LOUD with some gain but not too much.

Well technically, yes a hot enough guitar signal could cause an amp to clip. But in terms of stomp boxes, many overdrive pedals are basically kinder, gentler distortion boxes. They make it possible to have an overdrive effect without cranking your amp (ah...the beauty of a small tube amp) and can be used in front of a clean amp...however, YMMV.

JayP5150 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 31, 2009, 08:43:04 PM »

Quote from: funkStrat_97 on March 31, 2009, 08:07:23 PM

Well technically, yes a hot enough guitar signal could cause an amp to clip. But in terms of stomp boxes, many overdrive pedals are basically kinder, gentler distortion boxes. They make it possible to have an overdrive effect without cranking your amp (ah...the beauty of a small tube amp) and can be used in front of a clean amp...however, YMMV.

I wasn't trying to say they CAN'T be used in front of a clean amp. Sorry if it sounded like that.

YMMV - exactly! For instance, most people use their fuzz in front of a slightly driven amp, my Classic 30 HATED it. Sounded way better over the clean channel.

It's all a matter of your setup, and your personal preferences.

funkStrat_97 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 31, 2009, 08:57:25 PM »

Quote from: JayP5150 on March 31, 2009, 08:43:04 PM

I wasn't trying to say they CAN'T be used in front of a clean amp. Sorry if it sounded like that.

YMMV - exactly! For instance, most people use their fuzz in front of a slightly driven amp, my Classic 30 HATED it. Sounded way better over the clean channel.

It's all a matter of your setup, and your personal preferences.

Ha Ha...I actually wasn't trying to say that that they are limited to use with an already overdriven amp

. The funny thing is that all amps are differernt. You can have a set up that sounds horrid through an otherwise great sounding tube amp, but sounds absolutely fantastic through a half-way decent solid state amp. I guess you just got try and see what works best for you.

Fenix · « **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2009, 10:50:18 PM »

Quote from: funkStrat_97 on March 31, 2009, 08:07:23 PM

But in terms of stomp boxes, many overdrive pedals are basically kinder, gentler distortion boxes. They make it possible to have an overdrive effect without cranking your amp (ah...the beauty of a small tube amp) and can be used in front of a clean amp...however, YMMV.

Ok so i have a question about using stomp-boxes. When i turn on my amp's over-drive and distortion effects, i hear this really loud hiss and hum and the guitar gets very very loud, even though the volume on the amp is set to 1 or 2. Will using a stomp-box eliminate that humming and hissing and let me use my guitar knob to set the volume?

Basically i want an overdrive and distortion sound that is not very loud but is still clear.

I hope this all makes sense.

funkStrat_97 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 01, 2009, 10:50:23 AM »

Quote from: Fenix on March 31, 2009, 10:50:18 PM

Ok so i have a question about using stomp-boxes. When i turn on my amp's over-drive and distortion effects, i hear this really loud hiss and hum and the guitar gets very very loud, even though the volume on the amp is set to 1 or 2. Will using a stomp-box eliminate that humming and hissing and let me use my guitar knob to set the volume?

Basically i want an overdrive and distortion sound that is not very loud but is still clear.

I hope this all makes sense.

I'm not really sure what's going on with your amp. The buit-in overdrive on your amp shouldn't just make the guitar uncontrolably louder and noisey. There may be a slight increase in volume, but you should be able to set the level to your liking with the distortion chanel's volume control. The noise should be be somewhat controlable too...even with single coils (even with good grounding and shielding, singles will hum but it shouldn't be "excessive"). What kind of amp are you using?

Fenix · « **Reply #11 on:** April 01, 2009, 11:34:13 AM »

Quote from: funkStrat_97 on April 01, 2009, 10:50:23 AM

I'm not really sure what's going on with your amp. The buit-in overdrive on your amp shouldn't just make the guitar uncontrolably louder and noisey. There may be a slight increase in volume, but you should be able to set the level to your liking with the distortion chanel's volume control. The noise should be be somewhat controlable too...even with single coils (even with good grounding and shielding, singles will hum but it shouldn't be "excessive"). What kind of amp are you using?

I am using a Fender Frontman 212R- solid state 100watts.

It has two channels- Drive- which is the overdrive effect- and More Drive which is full distortion. However i am pretty new to using distortion so when i turn it on to More Drive to get that rock sound, it becomes VERY loud and i have to turn the amp's volume down to 1 or 2.

jlynnb1 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 01, 2009, 11:52:48 AM »

are there "pre" and "post" controls on the more drive channel?? many times on a gain channel there will be those controls.

trackman · « **Reply #13 on:** April 01, 2009, 11:59:34 AM »

...another question I have is:

Does the order of the stompboxes in your chain have an affect on how your tone? I hear this alot about how some people like their stompboxes arranged. Is this just "gear snobbery", or is there something to this?

funkStrat_97 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 01, 2009, 12:26:48 PM »

Quote from: trackman on April 01, 2009, 11:59:34 AM

...another question I have is:

Does the order of the stompboxes in your chain have an affect on how your tone? I hear this alot about how some people like their stompboxes arranged. Is this just "gear snobbery", or is there something to this?

Actually, yes there is...kinda'. While you are pretty much free to do whatever you want, your overdrive/distortion pedals should be first in your chain unless or come in after your wah, and/or compressor (you could use your comp to drive your distortion pedal....I've never tried it the other way around though). I've seen EQ's before and/or after the distortion pedal. Next would come your modulation effects (chorus, flanging, phasing, etc.) and last in line would be delays and reverbs. You definately want to keep your delay after any kind of noise supression because it can shorten your delay time once the noise threshold is exceeded.

Fenix · « **Reply #15 on:** April 01, 2009, 12:27:06 PM »

Quote from: jlynnb1 on April 01, 2009, 11:52:48 AM

are there "pre" and "post" controls on the more drive channel?? many times on a gain channel there will be those controls.

Nope. In the "Drive" portion of the amp, there are just two buttons- Drive and More Drive. Then there are knobs for the volume, gain, bass, treble and mid. Thats it.

Quote from: trackman on April 01, 2009, 11:59:34 AM

...another question I have is:

Does the order of the stompboxes in your chain have an affect on how your tone? I hear this alot about how some people like their stompboxes arranged. Is this just "gear snobbery", or is there something to this?

Good question. I always wondered if it mattered myself.

JayP5150 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 01, 2009, 07:18:17 PM »

Quote from: funkStrat_97 on April 01, 2009, 12:26:48 PM

Actually, yes there is...kinda'. While you are pretty much free to do whatever you want, your overdrive/distortion pedals should be first in your chain unless or come in after your wah, and/or compressor (you could use your comp to drive your distortion pedal....I've never tried it the other way around though). I've seen EQ's before and/or after the distortion pedal. Next would come your modulation effects (chorus, flanging, phasing, etc.) and last in line would be delays and reverbs. You definately want to keep your delay after any kind of noise supression because it can shorten your delay time once the noise threshold is exceeded.

I actually have to disagree on this one (there's that preference thing again).

I put any modulation effects first. I find that it's far too easy to overload the input of a lot of these types of effects. If that happens, then you're setting the volumes of your drive pedals to compensate, not allowing them to interact with your amp they way they "should" (again, preference).

For instance, my board is wah>echo>chorus>trem>vibe>boost (I'll have to experiment to see where I want that new Dano Transparent OD lol... I'm thinking pre-boost).

I also don't like the sound of a univibe/chorus/phaser after a dist.

But, like you said, best thing is to experiment, see what you like, see what sounds best where, with what, through what, etc.

Quote from: SketchMan3 on April 01, 2009, 05:29:10 PM

Man, all you guys sound so fancy with your dual-channels and effects and stuff.

All my amp has is an overdrive button. I turn up the gain and turn down the volume to get a distorted sound. I only use that for playing punk style, though.

Shoot... you know where my amp rides 95% of the time? Dirty channel.

The only pedals that actually get stepped on REGULARLY are the wah and echo... sometimes boost (mostly the Classic 30... the 5150 really doesn't need it).

Other than that, it's all touch and guitar volume.

You can get a LOT of tones out of a one channel amp, man. It's all in the dynamics. Throw in a pedal or so, and you've opened up a whole other world... same one channel amp.

Look at how those Valve Jr.'s are selling. That's consumer-proof right there.

And they don't have a lead channel

Man... I want one of those little things lol.

jlynnb1 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 01, 2009, 08:23:43 PM »

Quote from: JayP5150 on April 01, 2009, 07:18:17 PM

I actually have to disagree on this one (there's that preference thing again).

I put any modulation effects first. I find that it's far too easy to overload the input of a lot of these types of effects. If that happens, then you're setting the volumes of your drive pedals to compensate, not allowing them to interact with your amp they way they "should" (again, preference).

For instance, my board is wah>echo>chorus>trem>vibe>boost (I'll have to experiment to see where I want that new Dano Transparent OD lol... I'm thinking pre-boost).

I also don't like the sound of a univibe/chorus/phaser after a dist.

But, like you said, best thing is to experiment, see what you like, see what sounds best where, with what, through what, etc.

Shoot... you know where my amp rides 95% of the time? Dirty channel.

The only pedals that actually get stepped on REGULARLY are the wah and echo... sometimes boost (mostly the Classic 30... the 5150 really doesn't need it).

Other than that, it's all touch and guitar volume.

You can get a LOT of tones out of a one channel amp, man. It's all in the dynamics. Throw in a pedal or so, and you've opened up a whole other world... same one channel amp.

Look at how those Valve Jr.'s are selling. That's consumer-proof right there.

And they don't have a lead channel

Man... I want one of those little things lol.

lol...i'm the exact opposite....the amp i'm abou tto buy from a guy on craigslist is a 4 channel monster with vintage/modern switches on each channel...

Fenix · « **Reply #18 on:** April 01, 2009, 10:20:03 PM »

So do youse guys actually USE all these effects in a church setting?

jlynnb1 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 02, 2009, 12:30:37 AM »

Quote from: Fenix on April 01, 2009, 10:20:03 PM

So do youse guys actually USE all these effects in a church setting?

i'm a big texture/atmospherics guy....so i use quite a bit..

Author Topic: OverDrive vs. Distortion (Read 3676 times)