Volume boost w/ high gain vs. mid/lower gain modules?

[Caine]

I have had the RM100LB for several years (since it first came out) and have generally used one slot for cleans/blues, one for high gain rhythm and one for high gain soloing. It would be nice to be able to use each module slot for rhythm and then use a volume boost such as the xotic RC booster for soloing.
http://www.xotic.us/effects/rc_booster/

I don't have the RC booster but in just cranking the volume on an Xotic BB pedal or tube screamer, the volume DOES "boost" when using my Deluxe module, which is great for blues soloing. When trying to boost the volume with the same pedals, it DOES NOT work when using the higher gain modules (SL+, Judge, Scary, etc)--the volume essentially stays the same no matter how high I crank the volume knob on the pedal. I'm assuming that there must be something about the additional gain stages in the modules that prevents it. Is this correct, or could there be a way to boost the volume with a pedal while using the higher gain modules?

 

[Caine]

Found some related discussion here:

http://www.guitartoneoverload.com/2010/06/01/why-isnt-my-clean-boost-pedal-increasing-my-overall-volume/

http://www.soldano.com/amp-help/how-do-i-boost-my-volume-when-i-play-solos-live/

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/archive/index.php/t-2663365.html

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=637463

 

[The Rossness]

If you get a Camerock, it sounds great without a boost and adding one totally changes how it sounds in a very cool way

The Terrier also sounds great with my Tube Driver. I know VHT/Fryete amps are renown for their high gain, but I leave mine in the low gain mode, with the gain set around 2:30 and it has this great dirty/ clean and it takes a boost nicely.

 

[kc2eeb]

The higher gain modules don't "prevent" the boost from happening, they are already "saturated." Once the wave flat tops there ain't no more.

 

[Caine]

The higher gain modules don't "prevent" the boost from happening, they are already "saturated." Once the wave flat tops there ain't no more.

Well, yeah. I guess one way or the other, sort of the same thing. It's the nature of the high gain module that it cannot be "boosted" any further vs a clean module.

However, I noticed on the soldano link above, something called the "Soldano Soundman Eliminator."

"This is a passive device that acts as an additional volume control placed in the effects loop. It allows the guitar player to preset two volume levels (solo or rhythm) and choose between them by just stepping on the button to alter the volume. For normal playing, it reduces the signal without altering the guitar?s tone. For a solo, it let?s the signal fly. Simple. (NOTE: We?ve only made a few of these. If you are interested, contact us at [email protected].)"

I wonder if this is more or less the same thing:
Electro Harmonix Signal Pad Guitar Pedal
http://youtu.be/cC3twvskKEw

 

[kc2eeb]

The effects loop approach does work. So does using a passive pedal to control the master volume level of the power amp.

 

[Caine]

This looks interesting:

http://psionicaudio.net/products/lumos_overview.htm

"...In conjunction with a high quality series effects loop or between a preamp and power amp, the Lumos allows the player to have a true clean boost for solos, with no timbral change or added noise."

 

[Nightdare]

Personally, I'm not much of a fan of solo/lead boosts
I've found adding a few dB's of mids for a lead sound cuts better than just adding an overall increase in the volume

 

[kc2eeb]

Just for the record, I do all of it with the volume control on the guitar and my hands.

 

[Anomaly]

Just for the record, I do all of it with the volume control on the guitar and my hands.

This^

Or lowering the gain on a higain module for an instant blues tone, via
Erect's orange/vintage mode.

 

[Caine]

yeah, I do "all the above" but for a high gain rhythm and high gain solo, playing with loud drums, etc.--for that type of music, sometimes you need an actual volume boost. I don't find a mid boost to be adequate for that scenario. The boost pedals work great for blues but not for high gain stuff. I will likely go with some type of effect loop solution with something like the Lumos or the Soldano "sound man eliminator."

 

[kc2eeb]

Please understand. I'm just telling what I do. If I were looking for a volume boost (I used to play out of 2-100 watt Marshall stacks) I'd look to raise the wattage to the speakers. So, it ultimately comes down to raising the drive to the power amp, whether it be in the loop or the master volume circuit.

 

[Caine]

Right. the loop route is my likely solution. relatively simple and not very expensive.

 

[Caine]

the more expensive, but very cool option would be to send my LB to Egnater and have them do the dual mode conversion! But, that means, I think around $400 for the conversion (ching!$), then I'd have to get the dual mode modules (ching! ching! ching$). :shock: Not gonna happen, but, hey we can always dream! :lol:

 

[crankyrayhanky]

Michael Wagner makes a pure volume boost that gets rave reviews
There's a guy Jerry on Rigtalk that makes a pedal called "More" that was designed because he thought the current offerings were overpriced; it's supposed to give a boost while keeping the tone

 

[VitaminG]

an EQ, volume or boost pedal with sufficient headroom will work in the loop. If it can't handle the hot signal of the RM100 loop, it will screw with your tone. But if it does have enough headroom, you can use a boost or EQ to cut (to use as your rhythm level when on) or boost (to act as lead level when on). The advantage of an EQ is that you can sculpt your tone a little, if you want more mids for leads or less for rhythm, or what-have-you.

I use a Morley Little Alligator in the loop. You can set a minimum volume and use that as your rhythm level. Heel down = rhythm. Toe down = lead. No change to the tone, just more or less volume.

 

[trimix]

The MTS loops are line level, so it can be tricky getting a pedal to play nicely. That said, I just used a $25 credit at MF to pick up the Danelectro Fish & Chips EQ pedal and tried it in my RM50's loop. Works nicely as a Boogie style switchable graphic EQ, or just a straight 15dB boost/cut pedal.