Something to smoothen+add more saturation to tone

[sambo]

ok so the H&K is great... BUT there is a kinda problem ( i say problem but i guess its more of just a limitation) to its sound... the 4x12 gives it plenty of beef, and for chugging chords its superb... same for classic rock riffs such as Whole Lotta Love, with an overdriven mid-gain kinda sound...

HOWEVER.... try and play any kinda smooth lead/riff ,... and the grind/graininess which makes the chords sound so great messes up the sound completely...  and playing riffs with a metal(ish) tone is pretty much essential for me band-wise... and when playing riffs on the H&K at the moment, it just sounds wrong... for example, my crate has the saturation/metal-esque texture im after... but it of couse it has nowhere near the beef or harmonic richness of the H&K... so basically i need to get that saturation/metal-like smoothness into the H&K and ill be set...

so is there any kinda pedal that would kinda smoothen out the sound? im not talking smooth it out as in less gain or whatever... i just mean the actual texture of the sound... like maybe even a distortion/overdrive pedal to add a load more saturation? i doubt thats anything called a saturation pedal? maybe a boost? a compressor? sustainer? EQ?

i was never totally sure on the definition of sustain in guitar terms... maybe its lack of that?.. or maybe as a result of having not much saturation, there isnt a great deal of sustain? bah... i dunno

and just to be clear again... i guess you could say im just after something that will give me a metal-tone...

im a bit lost...

any help would be great,

cheers.

[TwilightOdyssey]

Sounds like you need a compressor.

[sambo]

ahh rightie... thanks ben. so what exactly will that do sonically? i mean like umm... what is the definition of what a compressor is/does if you see what i mean..

cheers.

[TwilightOdyssey]

A compressor 'squishes' the sound to smooth it out.

[sambo]

ooooooo! getcha, any units in particular you recommend?

[jt]

:D A compresser enables you to get an even sound. When on you set it so no matter how hard you hit the strings  or softly the compresser limits or boosts depending, the sound so its allways at the same volume level. They also have sustainer controls which enable you to extend the sounds out slightly longer before the sound fades.

Ben will no the tech explanation !

 :D  8)

[sambo]

cool thanks Jt,

im gonna need to try and test one with the H&K somehow...

what would you guys recommend to get a more metal/smooth tone?

i guess the terms metal and smooth dont really go together... but i hope you get what im saying, its hard to explain...

would buying a distortion/overdrive/boost pedal get me closer to a smoothed out/metal tone from my gritty/grindy/rough sound? or do you think a compressor will be enough?

if i could record clips i would but its kinda impossible,

cheers again guys.

[Dakine]

Sambo,
a compressor will be a good start but IMO you will not immediately hear a big difference. You should in sustain but the nuances are subtle to start. BUT, ya could ALWAYS use one. I have a Marshall 'Edward the Compressor' here (discontinued I think) and is great.
Maybe, a bet, as it's sounds like you are saying the 'lead' tone is harsh, you could try either a boost or overdrive. Or run a distortion in front of the clean channel if that good. Or, to build up DEF. useful building blocks (like a compressor) get an EQ like was telling you about.
Hit me up for any more I can help bud.
Nick

[sambo]

mm thats what i was worried about... the comp. not making THAT much of a difference... it probably would help though i guess...

i think a distortion/overdrive will be the first thing.. if its still not where i wanna be... maybe a comp/EQ after that as well... ill be selling both my other amps soon anyway so should have at LEAST £200 available for pedals.

Nick wots your view of Dist/Overd. pedals? got any ones to recommend? im useless pedal-wise...

[sambo]

hmm i guess thinking about it a bit more... althuogh the rhythm-sounds are good for classic rock+ a little more.. they could still do with a little 'liquifying' kinda thing... to get the heavier sounds for lower-down riffing... if you gettt me

for people who dont have a clue what im on about...

an exmaple of the top off my head (cause its what im listening to now)... is Halo by Soil...

[Dakine]

Sam,
ya got a good amp now, think LONG term.
Pedals 'can' be for poseurs!
USE the amp.
Work it!
An EQ and a Compressor will be GREAT long term investments!
As for a OD/Dist. pedal, well I have a HBE Power Screamer, but it's kinda unnecessary with the Mesa. (or ENGL come to that).
I would not go £££££££££££££. A good ole Boss SD-1 is a great pedal, not MASSIZE overpowering gain, more smooth with a HOT aftertaste :)
It's what Mr.Wylde uses BTW.
It's cheap and been around forever.
Gimme more questions and will try to answer elaborate more.
Nick

[sambo]

haha okokok, DS-1? not the orange one? oh god not the orange one?!

hmmm okok well we've talked EQs with the Kerry King, what about Compressors? any examples? i would have no idea where to start... really wouldnt...

[Dakine]

Sam,
you only have a 3 band EQ shared on a 2 channel head right?
The ENGL has more but STILL I benefitted 100% with a 10band EQ in the loop.
You will (should) be amazed at the difference just that will make.

[sambo]

yer 3 band on a 2 channel thats right...

hmmm hearing is believing though... what exactly did it change? ive never tried an EQ pedal...

[hunter]

what are your current settings incl gain, vol, presence, bass middle treble in the lead channel?

I know what you're talking about, which is pretty much a question of how an amp is designed tone wise but quite often it can be smoothened with some different setting up ...