adding a "Virtual" Overdrive channel to an amp

[Bash_Man]

hey everyone,
So I've got a Splawn Nitro that has a Clean and Gain channels. No "true" low overdrive type sound without either turning down the guitar volume or using a Volume attenuator before the amp to knock down the input gain.

I am looking for suggestions on adding that low gain overdrive channel to the amp without modding the amp it self.

One of my ideas is to get some sort of a mini midi controlled pedal loop switcher that allows me to bring in the Volume attenuator pedal inline via my midi controller (Voodoo Labs GCP) along with using the Voodoo labs Control Switcher to change the channels on the Splawn Nitro via Midi. If that's a good idea, then perhaps you guys can give me some suggestions for a "tiny" or small sized midi controller pedal switcher/loop type device.

If not, then want to see what other people are doing for scenarios like this with their rigs.

Thank you

 

[paulyc]

Synergy SYN-1 and the module of your choice.

 

[Bash_Man]

Synergy SYN-1 and the module of your choice.

Thank you.. how would that "integrate" into the Splawn Nitro head setup?

 

[GOHOINC]

Like a Sat switch on a friedman, but footswitchable?

Probably more cost effective to throw an od in front of your amp... or something more like a preamp pedal. I used a bonner Lagrange for a great low gain plexi tone and then the boost to get it to gnr territory.

 

[Bash_Man]

Like a Sat switch on a friedman, but footswitchable?

Probably more cost effective to throw an od in front of your amp... or something more like a preamp pedal. I used a bonner Lagrange for a great low gain plexi tone and then the boost to get it to gnr territory.

So basically the Splawn has a clean and high gain.. no in between without some sort of an external element like rolling down the volume or putting a volume attenuator pedal between guitar and amp input. But I am looking to make the process more "integrated" into the setup I have so I can call this sound up with just a press of a button to change midi program type situation. not sure if that makes sense to what I am trying to do or not

 

[GOHOINC]

Right but that sounds as simple as a midi looper / channel switcher and an od pedal. Putting a Sat or od circuit in the amp would likely be more expensive to accomplish a similar thing.

 

[DeathbyButterslax]

Thank you.. how would that "integrate" into the Splawn Nitro head setup?

you could do this with 4 cable method. The Syn -1 and module of your choice adds 2 channels to your amp

 

[Markedman]

With so many pedals available, try a couple of different ones in the clean channel and keep the one(s) you like. Heck, you might really like the tone you get with a pedal in the clean channel and use it with the dirt channel.

 

[paulyc]

Thank you.. how would that "integrate" into the Splawn Nitro head setup?

The SYN-1 goes in the loop of the Splawn, it allows you to use either the preamp of the Splawn or whatever Module (either a single or dual channel module, the SYN-1 allows you to use older Egnater, Randall etc modules or the newer dual Synergy modules) with a couple of button pushes, and it keeps whatever effects are in the loop intact. This opens up a lot of possibilities, including the host of modded modules like Salvation Audio or Jaded Faith, you’ll have LOTS of choices.

 

[gibsonash]

+1 Synergy is a very good option

 

[jdel77]

Synergy is a good idea, but just pick your favourite amp in a box pedal and use that on your clean channel.

 

[stratjacket]

I use a Walrus Audio Messner pedal, it’s out front and always on. Great low gain, “transparent overdrive”. There are some good ones out there but I fell in love with that one. I think playing the Messner (or something similar) in front of the clean channel may be a good bridge to the gain video.

 

[PDC]

So basically the Splawn has a clean and high gain.. no in between without some sort of an external element like rolling down the volume or putting a volume attenuator pedal between guitar and amp input. But I am looking to make the process more "integrated" into the setup I have so I can call this sound up with just a press of a button to change midi program type situation. not sure if that makes sense to what I am trying to do or not

I’ve had a pair of Splawns for the past 5-6 years now. I had 100 watt versions of the QR and Nitro and have now settled on 50 watt ‘fully loaded’ variants of each. I’ve always used my Nitro for flame-thrower gain, scooped, thumpin’ modern tones. But the Nitro is capable of some incredible low(er) gain crunch / rhythm tones with the gain at noon and lower (10/11 o’clock position) and the resonance rolled back. Think of the best JCM800 you have ever heard with a bit more low-mid girth. Hit the front end with something really clean and transparent (I’ve settled on the 1-knob Spark Mini) and it just sings. I’ve also hit it with a TS Mini which puts a lot more ‘juice’ in the front end than the Spark mini, but provides more tone shaping as well, if that’s your thing. Have both pedals on the board if you want for 2 different styles of lead.

I always thought I wanted an amp that did everything inside the head with no pedals. But I now prefer the sound with less going on in the amp and a bit more of a push out front. Opens up a whole world of rhythm / lead options. Point is, I honestly think you can find that lower gain OD sound you are looking for in your Nitro and hit it with one of the many excellent front end pedals.

 

[Bash_Man]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. much appreciated.

 

[Speeddemon]

I used a bonner Lagrange for a great low gain plexi tone and then the boost to get it to gnr territory.

Never tried the LaGrange, but when I had the Bogner Red and Blue pedals, I found the Blue was one of the best in low/medium gain overdrive, especially given it's just a 9V circuit.

Owned a Blackstar HT Dual for a while, which was nice (tube) and still have one of my first drive pedals lying around; the H&K Tubefactor. It has a low gain and a boosted mode, 15 years or so ago I put some labels on it, so now it says "Malcolm" and "Angus".