Boost problem

[Doadman]

I use an MXR Boost/Line Driver for solos but it doesn't always work as well as I'd like so I assume I need to change the settings on my rig. The amp is a Marshall DSL401. The master volume is set about half way and when using high gain I use the clean channel with the gain set at 2 and a Hardwire Metal Distortion pedal with the pedal's level set at only about 2. If I use the boost pedal on this set up there is a noticeable boost in volume for the solo even with the pedal's boost level less than half way. However, when using the amp's own distortion channels it is far less effective. The overdrive volume is set at about 4 or 5 with the gain level at 6. I usually use OD2 and to tighten up the amp's own distortion I use a Bad Monkey with the gain set at zero and the level maxed out. It's a great distortion tone but when I engage the boost pedal for a solo it has limited effect even with the boost level virtually maxed out. Why does it do this and are there any suggestions on how I could get a better response?

[Twinfan]

Imagine the signal is like a river, and on your clean channel running at 2 you've got a small trickle.  Loads of room in the river to add more water (hence the boost works).

On your gain channel, the nature of the gain means the river is pretty full (the signal is clipping).  You've only got a bit more water you can add, hence the boost doesn't work as well - you're just overdriving the circuit and causing waves, rather than filling the river up above its capacity.

Can you use a boost in the loop at all, as this may give a better result?

Failing that, you're stuck with the problems LOTS of us have  :(

[MrBump]

With my Renegade, I've found that boosts do actually work best in the buffered FX loop - same kind of gain on both channels.

Mark.

[dave_mc]

pretty much exactly what twinfan said :)

[Doadman]

Thanks, that does make sense, though I am already using the boost pedal in the effects loop. I'm left with a bit of a problem. If I turn the Bad Monkey off I'll be able to add boost for the solo but the distortion won't sound anything like as tight or effective. Perhaps the distortion would improve in quality if I drove the pre amp or power amp valves more by maxing out their volumes but then I'd have a major volume discrepancy between the clean and driven channels and presumably I'd end up with the same problem again anyway as I'd have made the 'river' too full. Another option might be to give up using the amp's own drive channels and get all my distortion through pedals. Actually, I'm still giving serious consideration to selling all of my pedals and getting some sort of multi effects system instead to either use with a Marshall 50/50 power amp or a Digitech RP1000 to use with the 4CM in a decent amp head.

[Twinfan]

To get the best boost you'll need to run the master volume at FULL.  Use the channel volumes to balance them at the level you want for rhythm, then the boost in the loop for solos.  This is the best your rig will ever do.

This is one of the reasons I bought my Bogner XTC - three independent master volumes........

[Transcend]

try lowering the gain on your amp a bit then you should have a little more leeway

[Denim n Leather]

Or use another head and and ABY pedal and bring in the 2nd head for solos. Worked in the old days and still works today!