A few definitions _ Overdrive, Boost, Fuzz, Distortion

Posted by motterpaul on
URL: http://guitar-fx-layouts.238.s1.nabble.com/A-few-definitions-Overdrive-Boost-Fuzz-Distortion-tp13960.html

Okay I thought I was clear on the difference between all of these, but I think it might help to talk about it:

Boost - generally just a volume boost - but the same basic tone. Some add treble, because that also gives you perceived loudness ("treble boost" is a common term used with "boost')

Fuzz - generally that highly distorted sound with very little attack and a grittier style of sustain. Fuzz to me (fuzz-face) is "Satisfaction" or "pictures of matchstick men". I hear very little headroom in fuzz and almost no attack on the notes - because the initial voltage get clipped. Fuzz comes from germanium diodes, etc.

Overdrive - generally, that "Marshall in box" sound. Basically, a pedal that imitates to tube sections of high gain amps with 12ax7s - usually by using JFets. This is actually the tone I am seeking here among all these circuits. I built the Wampler Plexi with trimmers and wow - perfect for me.

Distortion - this is where I am getting confused. What is the definition of "distortion?" Is it supposed to be like fuzz, or more like overdrive?

I am looking for more of the "Plexi in a box" types of sounds - I play classic rock, PRS/humbucker, Tom Petty, Bad Co, etc.

This week I built the LovePedal+Purple+Plexi (based on an LM386) and to me this is not a Plexi sound at all. The gain is huge, but scratchy and there is very little headroom. To me, this is more of a fuzz than an overdrive. Yesterday I did the Oddfellow Effects Caveman Drive, because the demo sounded great.  A letdown for me. After I did some research I found out it is basically an OCD4 (which we all know was not popular). I could only get the original caveman "motorboating" (2n7000s) - so I changed the few varied resistor values from it to what the OCD4 has, and it worked, loud & gainy, but too compressed.

I have also built the McGillwell FET booster, not impressed.

What I like so far:

Wampler Plexi with trimmers (Best yet)
Keeley Katana (Takes awhile to get working but worth the effort)
BMP Tone stack with LPB1 - this is genius to me - it work so well with other pedals it is almost worth adding to any circuit.

I have built four or five more. I have only boxed two if them (one a Mockman from another site) and the Wample Plexi. The Katana will get boxed with the BMP but it still needs a little more love.

I am just putting this out there to seek like-minded people. I am seeking smooth driving sustain, so I can hold a note "forever" - but not too gritty. I need to hear the attack on every note - fuzz is not my thing. If the pedal pulls out the octave harmonic on the sustain all the better; this is always a great effect.

I have gotten this with some FET circuits (J201s), but I would like to find a dual op-amp circuit that does does the same trick (just because I feel they are more stable and predictable). Anyone have any ideas for me - possibly just directions on where to start looking?

Let me start by asking what people play (music style and choice of gear) and what some of their favorite builds have been - and what sound they feel they achieved with their favorite circuits

(and please know I understand the people here did not design these circuits, they come from commercial pedals, so there is nothing personal intended here).