Suggested transparent Overdrive for Vox amps

[adagosto]

Hi.

Anyone with Vox amp experience using the 4CM, can you suggest overdrive models that marry up well with the Vox AC30. 

 

There are so many models to choose, I get confused....can anyone offer a good starting point? I use both the Normal and TB channels.

 

Thanks for your opinions!

[codamedia]

Myself? I'd goose the front end of the AC30 with a boost. AC30's really come to life when they are hit hard. This will result in a lower lifespan of the tube in V1 on the AC30.... but not by much, and it is worth it. 

 

To compensate for the added volume... place a GAIN block in the path that sits in the loop of the AC30, and use that block to compensate (attenuate) the volume. Just put both the BOOST and GAIN on the same footswitch. The result is a "goosed AC30" (added gain) that is volume compensated by the GAIN block later. 

 

If you would rather just use an overdrive... I find the Tee-mah (TIMMY) to be a great match for any amp. That's my go-to. 

[adagosto]

On 7/25/2022 at 8:29 AM, codamedia said:

Myself? I'd goose the front end of the AC30 with a boost. AC30's really come to life when they are hit hard. This will result in a lower lifespan of the tube in V1 on the AC30.... but not by much, and it is worth it. 

 

To compensate for the added volume... place a GAIN block in the path that sits in the loop of the AC30, and use that block to compensate (attenuate) the volume. Just put both the BOOST and GAIN on the same footswitch. The result is a "goosed AC30" (added gain) that is volume compensated by the GAIN block later. 

 

If you would rather just use an overdrive... I find the Tee-mah (TIMMY) to be a great match for any amp. That's my go-to. 

 

Thank you! 

 

That's an interesting approach, I will try that adding the gain block. Actually the gain block might be very helpful to help smooth out the volume bumb when switching from the normal to TB channel.

 

I actually have a TC Spark Booster pedal. It's very good and very flexible but it does color the sound slightly towards the Marshall side.... 

 

I'll try what you suggested.

 

[adagosto]

codamedia,

 

Your tricks and suggestions are excellent!! I tested out the Gain block.

 

But now I have a question for you, but really anyone can probably answer this.

 

When I added the Gain block, I dialed down the gain so that the volume of the overall sound was pretty close to the volume without the Boost pedal on (Kinky Boost). So the question is, how is using a Gain block different or better than adjusting the Output levels?

 

So in my case, really any AC30 Vox user, the volume difference between the Normal and Top Boost channel is pretty significant. It's a real pain. But the Helix has a great way of dealing with that. I also use a Mesa Boogie Switch-Track as my channel changer (A/B/Y) and it is MIDI capable. So when I change Snapshots, I can have say SS 1 for the Normal channel and SS 2 for the Top Boost. I then adjust the Normal SS1 output level to +8db and SS2 Top Boost to -5db. That keeps the volume about even when switching channels.

 

Ok back to your Gain block trick....how is using a Gain block different than using the output level adjustment I'm doing? Is there a difference? Is one better than the other in anyway? Pros Cons?

 

Thank you!!

[silverhead]

On 7/30/2022 at 1:16 PM, adagosto said:

....how is using a Gain block different than using the output level adjustment I'm doing? Is there a difference? Is one better than the other in anyway? …..

Depends on the position of the Gain block in the signal chain. If it’s the last block in the chain there’s really no difference. But if the Gain block precedes, say, an amp block then the increased level will drive the amp’s input harder resulting in more drive/grit. Same thing will happen with other blocks it precedes. Overall the signal from that point in the chain will be hotter.

[adagosto]

Ok. That makes a lot of sense. Now I need to try moving the Gain block around. Thank you for the clarification! Very helpful.

[codamedia]

On 7/30/2022 at 2:15 PM, adagosto said:

Now I need to try moving the Gain block around. Thank you for the clarification!

 

If you are following my first suggestion.... the gain block needs to be in the LOOP of the AC30. I am suggesting it's use to compensate (lower) the volume that the initial boost is creating. The original BOOST is pushing the front end of the VOX into more overdrive, the gain block in the loop is just lowering the level back to normal without changing any gain/overdrive structure. 

 

On 7/30/2022 at 12:16 PM, adagosto said:

how is using a Gain block different than using the output level adjustment I'm doing?

 

It would have the same result. The gain block just makes it easier to turn it on/off at the same time as the boost block... simply by assigning both to the same switch. If you use an output level instead, then you would have to get into adjusting values instead of a simple on/off.