How To Set Your Overdrive & Distortion Pedals [In A Band]

Too much gain? Probably, so turn it down for more clarity and dynamics. Like this…

Life too short for long YouTube videos? Please see the ‘Interesting bits and go-to sections’ information below.

Welcome to the show! So this is a bit new for us. We’ve been asked many times for guitars in the context of a band. This is our first foray into doing that, adding bass and drums for the electric guitar to work with.
The point we’re making is simple enough: if you want clarity and definition from your overdrive and distortion pedals, then turn the gain down!
We then delve a little deeper into the tone control and try it with different pickups – we hope it’s useful.

Massive thanks to Dougie Mussard for being such a wonderful human and bashing the tubs for us.

How did we record this?
The drums are mic’d in the Glyn Johns method (Neumann TLM102 as the overheads), plus an extra snare mic (Beyerdynamic M201) underneath. The bass is DI’d via an Ampeg SVT DI, the guitar cabs are mic’d as usual (Austrian Audio OC18), plus our stereo room mics (AKGC414XL). Anyway, it’s spill city in the room in terms of the mics and we kinda love that.
Everything hits our UA Apollo interfaces for recording and I mixed it (Mick here) using Universal Audio Luna.

A note on the mix…
No doubt I'll get some grief in the comments about how the guitars are too loud / the kick drum sucks / the bass is too woofy, etc etc etc. Everyone is a mix expert, right?
Here are my thoughts. First up, the guitar is deliberately loud because this is That Pedal Show and it’s about guitars first and foremost. Secondly, the band in general might seem a little compressed and quiet compared with the voices. One reason among many for that is that I ain't Chris Lord-Alge or Bob Clearmountain. And no, you can’t remix it for us - we don’t have the time or inclination to deal with all that. It is what it is – we learn and develop constantly.

Enjoy the video!

Pedals & stuff in this episode…

• TheGigRig Three2One

• ProCo RAT 2

• Suhr Riot - Links to mini version

• Diamond Memory Lane Jr

• TheGigRig Humdinger

• TheGigRig G3

• BASS RIG. I’m using a Source Audio Spectrum filter pedal when the bass sounds weird.
Other than that it’s an Ampeg SVT DI hitting a Union Tube & Transistor LAB compressor into my Mesa 50:50 stereo power amp into a couple of 112 guitar cabs. We’re waiting for an Ampeg SVT head and cab to come up at the right price so we can have a real bass amp in here.

Interesting bits and go-to sections…
0:00 Oh no, they’re playing ‘music’
0:45 What are we doing today?
1:08 It’s Dougie on tubs!
1:41 The RAT and gain
3:45 Dan’s gain-down method
4:48 All the top end and dynamics comes back
8:45 Gain makes it easier to play?
10:05 Less gain makes you a better player
12:40 Let’s try the Suhr Riot
16:20 What about the tone control?
21:00 Exploring dynamics
24:15 Humbuckers and RAT
28:33 Humbuckers & Suhr Riot

Guitars in this episode:

• Fender Player Precision Bass

Amps in this episode
• Matchless HC30 & ESD212 cab
• Two-Rock Classic Reverb Signature & 212 cab
• Mesa 50:50 stereo power amp and 2 x Zilla Custom 112 (the bass rig)

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[davidtomkins]

You have a very well trained drummer in Dougie. When Dan’s adjusting his tone, Dougie doesn’t yawn, check his watch, play paradiddles, drink booze or smash cymbals. What a gentleman!

[Billywagner]

You should do a how it sounds in the mix more often.

[tonybrooks]

I just love how Dougie just sits there so patiently and the explodes into life. Legendary.

[traviswilliams]

Just putting my vote in to do more of this. Would love to see a 4 piece with another guitar to show how to blend with them how to properly use a solo boost.

[bobbyadamson]

Every young rock guitar player needs to watch this. It took me years of playing in bands to figure this out and a lot of gigging musicians never do

[smelltheglove]

When distortion is on ten, there just isn’t anywhere to go. What you need to do is talk to Jim Marshall and get one to go to eleven, then you have one more.

[timbennett]

Guys, this is the best video . I think this demoing in a band situation certainly gives a better understanding of pedals in the band situation. Can you do this again with other pedals please.

[astewart]

Should be required viewing for every bar band ever. I am loving watching this!

[Lemuis]

Dougie is the friend we all need but don’t always deserve.

[Audio]

Guys… That was probably the most useful video I’ve seen on YouTube ever!! I’ve been playing for almost 40 years and this is helped me tremendously. Thank you guys so much for everything that you do. Nashville loves you guys!

[smelltheglove]

Last comment, I promise.
When Dan busted out the gold top, that jam on the riff you guys have been playing was AWESOME! That gold top sounds great. As a LP owner and huge fan of the sound, I love when you guys bust out the Les Pauls.

[JDWindtPlaysGuitar]

two minutes into this video and I'm already sure it's going to be the best example of how to use an onverdrive in context. Thank guys for this!

[chrishepburn]

What I've found with playing in bands over the years is the bigness and the heavyness doesn't come from loads of distortion but it comes from being a tight band and everyone playing together. Great show as always. Cheers

[zanderleeke]

I love the 3-piece band approach! It really helps put everything in context.

[cj.sabella]

This reminds me of getting an “AC/DC Tone”. You’ll see folks pack on the gain to emulate, but Angus’ tone is pretty clean, it’s just got a TON of volume. It’s tempting as well because there is safety in gain; the cleaner the tone the more “honest” the sound.

[GayCrimeDuck]

Perfectly executed lesson on why "have you tried turning your gain down" is the first question I ask anybody wanting advice on a "more articulate" distortion pedal. Practical information regarding real life band mixes and dropping basic knowledge that a lot of pedal enthusiasts might have missed the memo on

[svartsjokolade]

More videos with Dougie! This was awesome.

[mattheweastel]

Fantastic example of getting a great live band guitar sound. I love the tip about the tone control, that’s hugely useful!

[jimmymarchisotto]

I just had skin cancer removed and then I had it to get eye surgery so I've been home a lot going back to watch your guys videos I have learned so much you guys are brilliant and you really keeping me company during my convalescence so thank you again I love learning about music

[adrianmcallister]

Yes please to more episodes with Dougie! Hearing this stuff in a band context is hugely helpful!