Distortion

Not all amp-born distortion is created equal. In case you haven’t heard of the two before, the distortion that comes from your amplifier (instead of a pedal) can come from either preamp or power amp section. In simple terms, you can think of preamp distortion as the type of overdrive you get when the when the preamp becomes overloaded. Naturally, power amp distortion results from the overload of the power amp section. While they are very similar, they do have unique traits that the other doesn’t share. Below, we take a look at these differences.   Continue reading →

Featuring great tone, excellent versatility and top of the line hand-built craftsmanship, Walrus Audio pedals don’t just give players new ways to color their instrument’s sound, but offer an assortment of features that push their sound to the next level. With that in mind, we decided to take a closer look at their take on distortion – the Iron Horse. Read on to find out what this pedal is all about.   Continue reading →

If you were to ask ten different musicians about the differences between distortion and overdrive chances are you’ll get ten different answers. They will all most likely do it by trying to describe what each sounds like. In other words, they will be describing the effect’s tonal qualities rather than what it is technically doing to a guitar signal. Still, the line between distortion and overdrive tend to blend together so much that it’s pretty hard to draw a line between the two, especially when it comes to effects pedals. In this article, we take a closer look at these two popular effects from inside and out in order to give you a clearer picture.   Continue reading →

[caption id="attachment_2894" align="alignright" width="300"] Keeley modified Ibanez TS-9 Tube Screamer @ $299.00. Four modes of tube amp overdrive in one amazing Tube Screamer!!! It's the Keeley MOD PLUS and Keeley BAKED MOD by way of a single toggle switch in a single Ibanez Tube Screamer![/caption] Q: I've been looking into both distortion and overdrive pedals but I'm not sure which one to get. What's the difference between distortion and overdrive pedals anyway? It’s not surprising that there’s a lot of confusion about these two effects mainly because they’re used so loosely and oftentimes interchangeably, especially in regards to pedals. From the perspective of an amplifier, overdrive is what happens when the input gain exceeds what the amp was made to handle. Distortion is what we actually hear when that happens. The more overdriven an amp gets, the more distortion we hear. Continue reading →

Boss effects pedals are easily one of the most recognizable and widespread stompboxes in use today, reaching iconic status as a staple of the music industry. With over 10,000,000 guitar and bass effects sold, millions of players around the world have adopted Boss pedals as part of their sonic arsenal including some of music’s biggest names such as Dave Navarro, John Petrucci, Steve Vai, and Joe Satriani. The reason for their success is simple: Boss pedals offer a great tone at a great price, a recipe for success that many have tried to replicate but few have reached. They’re also built to last, encased in tough metal box that is made to take the beating of constant use. Whether you're a seasoned pro or shopping for your first pedal, Boss effects will not disappoint! Continue reading →