Riot - Is it holding up?

[amiller]

I've been thinking about getting a Riot for some time now but I'm still on the fence. I thought I'd check the pulse here again...with a slight twist.

For those who have/had a Riot, do you have a gain pedal that you like better than the Riot? Has the Riot honeymoon worn off?

 

[SirBoye]

I'll bump this. I'd be interested to know what people think as well.

 

[billm408]

A little dated but still fun to play
Sorry... no opinion on the pedal though.

 

[boneyard]

I really like the voicing of the Suhr products. Call me a Suhr fanboy, but the Riot is such a great cover all grounds distortion pedal. Even when you back the gain off it still shines. Also, add the mid voicing switch and you have a great range of sounds.

FWIW. Matt V

 

[nevusofota]

I've heard recently that some feel that the Riot doesn't have that "over-the-top" gain and that pedals like the Barber Dirty Bomb do. Sorry to say that I haven't tried the Riot yet but did buy a DB on the basis of this info. However, I still like my EH Metal Muff Top Boost better for my application.

I'm still wondering if the Riot will knock the EH off my board.

 

[glassjaw7]

The Tonefreak Severe seems similar also. I'm interested in both pedals. I think Mark did videos showing both and they both ripped. And that Pete Thorn demo clip is freakin awesome, but I think he was getting some of that gain from his amp.

 

[XSSIVE]

A little dated but still fun to play
Sorry... no opinion on the pedal though.

hell yeah

 

[ejecta]

I had one but didn't keep it very long. It didn't jive with my amp.

 

[alan67]

A little dated but still fun to play
Sorry... no opinion on the pedal though.

How can one of the greatest metal albums of ALL TIME be dated???

 

[alan67]

I got one awhile ago, and immediately loved it, more so than my OD 808 and Keeley modded DS-1, but then.......I heard the Majic Box Rocketfuel....game over

 

[jet66]

I'm still digging mine. It's like my 'Channel 1.5' with my KTre. Not as much bottom end as the Rivera's gain channel, which is a good thing for some things I play. Takes a boost like a champ, too. It's got 'plenty' of gain, but definitely not what I would call over the top, as mentioned.

 

[Inca Roads]

A little dated but still fun to play
Sorry... no opinion on the pedal though.

NICE!!!!!
Bet your life on the silver ball,
spin it, round the wheel.....
Will it land on the black or the red,
the Outlaw's got no deal.

 

[boneyard]

The main reason I like the riot is because it's so defined. The gain is usable and if it's not over the top enough, hit it with the suhr koko boost. I can't imagine that you would need more gain then that. The koko should get more credit then it does. It really sends an amp into bliss. I love hitting my PT gain channel with the koko. Notes forever


Matt V

 

[Gorehog]

i just got the riot 2 weeks ago.boosting my marshall VM with it.lotsa gain.not over the top,but plenty of gain.next up i will get the koko boost to see how they interact.

riot is kinda "spongy" if used past 3:00.i keep it between 11:00 and 1:00.gives me a lil bit more distorted plexi type sound.

i think its very versatile. midrange voicing switch i keep to the left for bluesy singing leads.lots of sustain.middle position for a great lead tone and to the right for a punchy,crunchy rhythm tone.

i love it and glad i bought it after holding back for so long.

 

[amiller]

Yep, the GAS is building. I have a Rocket Fuel and I'm thinking that boosting the Riot with it will really get things happening.

 

[amiller]

I had one but didn't keep it very long. It didn't jive with my amp.

Was there anything specific that you didn't like about it?

 

[HerbieTheRadDorklift]

To look at, it's pretty similar to the OCD, is this true?

 

[ejecta]

I had one but didn't keep it very long. It didn't jive with my amp.

Was there anything specific that you didn't like about it?

I felt it sounded ok but nothing special.....a bit more compressed than I liked and IMHO didn't sound that much better than other pedals I have that didnt cost as much. The distortion side of the Fulltone GT500 I have was a better fit for me. Every pedal can sound not so good in front of one but great in front of another. One might sound really good in front of the amp I have now.

 

[boneyard]

IMO its hard to compare a dirt pedal across the board... because everyone is using something different... like a 5E3 or a marshall clean then adding the Riot pedal.... well you will get different results with that... with the Riot you need a great full super clean sound and you will get great results. Here is a perfect example.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7Lcf66EWWo

but also if you hit a semi dirty amp with the Riot (and set it up differently) it can sound great...

as far as a little "spongy" feeling... thats where i think the type of clean is affecting the tone to sound spongy. the Koko will tighten up the sound thou so give that a try... i have had so much sucess boosting stock marshall voiced amps with the Koko its crazy that more people dont love that pedal more.

Matt

 

[jet66]

To look at, it's pretty similar to the OCD, is this true?

They are quite different, I have both on my board. The Riot is more aggressive, more gain, tighter, and does its best work (IMO) going in to a totally clean channel. The OCD is a bit darker (I guess, I hate describing sounds with words ) and not as much gain, but works great on 'LO' to boost the Riot. Makes it beefier, vs. the bass/low-mid cut that comes from a TS type boost in to it. Very different, but highly complementary.