Zendrive Stacking

[BoogieMKIIA]

My signal path puts all other boosts before the Zendrive 2 black magic - SP Compressor, black Tchula, Earth drive, Zendrive. Tchula is always on, very rarely have everything on at once 

Item 1 - Any experience with what works and what is too much for the Zendrive input? I get great dirt and pinch harmonics with Tchula into Zen. The downside is lots of compression such that level and distortion are slow to change with the guitar volume l.

Item 2 - The more you stack, the more noise. Could remove the Tchula and reset gain/eq and see if I can reduce the noise level.

I'm open to ideas, other pedals and configurations. Typically use a Player Tele with the stock hot ALNICO pickups into a Boogie Mark IIA

[bubs_42]

Dude, you just have to try it yourself.  Your ears and hands are going to tell you more than anybody can tell you. I’m a Zendrive Fan, and like most drives, you’re going to get more saturation putting something in the front of it, and more lift after it.  

I use a Dumble Style Pedal and a Marshall Style Pedal side by side and depending on which amp I used will determine which pedal is the gain pedal and which pedal is the boost pedal, but I never change position. 

My board: Tuner, Compressor, Always ON Pedal, Marshall Style, Dumble Style

[geoff_hartwell]

Bubs’ 3rd sentence. 
And also, what are you using the compressor for? When it’s very first in the chain you get the benefit of the boost but also loss of dynamics to everything after, and your sound overall. I’d suggest trying any compressor After any dirt because if they are touch sensitive, they should be allowed to be touched haha. Then the compressor can smooth out the dynamics and either boost or maintain an overall level that’s desired.

Also- Mids: all dirt pedals are crowded in the mid frequencies and will either complement or cancel frequencies. For example I prefer a TS-type into a Klon-type because when they’re combined you get the fatness of the TS while retaining the mid-boost clarity of the Klon, but does NOT work in the other order; the mid-honk of the Klon meets a brick wall in the TS, so the Klon-into-TS is just extra muddy to me. For me it’s Fulltone Fulldrive into Mosky Silver Horse (toggle down).

So start with your favorite two types, try them in both orders and take notes about MIDS and Compression, and any things you notice. I found that I need to back off on individual gain settings so things don’t get stacked up too fast.

Good Luck!

Edited August 27, 2024 by geoff_hartwell

[BoogieMKIIA]

Yes, I need to try options for myself, which I did months ago, several times. Thanks for the suggestions, hoping to save some time versus trying all the permutations. 

I use compressor for sustain and adjust as possible to not hear the squeeze. Not for the boost and have been setting for no boost. An easy rearrangement to try.

I used to have a TS type in place of the Earth Drive, the ED is not so mid focused. Current order pleased my ears best a couple of times ago. I rarely have both on together. 

Have considered ditching the Tchula completely. I changed the amp EQ a lot to compensate for the big treble boost (and bass and overall). Or a milder boost.

I go for 3 basic sounds. Cleanish with the Tchula (always on); some dirt with the Earth Drive added; distortion with the Zen/Tchula.

I use a TC spark at the end of all pedals for an overall lead boost, used to just use the guitar volume. This seems to work well when I leave the Boogie volume 1 no higher than 6.

 

[LucSulla]

The only thing I could add to this is that your last dirt pedal tends to be the most influential on your final tone. On one board, I have a Tube Screamerish circuit running into an SD1 because when I am using the SD1, I'm specifically going for a specific 80s, JCM 800 tone. The order doesn't change much about compression or sustain or overall gain, but that mid hump in a TS-style pedal and it's gain structure dominates if it's last. The other way around, and it keeps the overall SD1-into-a-Marshall sound, but with a little bit of that warm, mid thing, which I find perfect for solos. 

On my other board, I have a Plumes going into an Eternity Amp 11. The Plumes gives me some choices between symmetrical (SD1 style), asymmetrical (TS style), or a clean overdrive going into either the amp or the Amp 11. The boost switch on the Amp 11 gives a few extra choices as well. Since I like the tone of the Amp 11 going into the amp the most, I keep it last. 

I kind of look at it like the last dirt pedal and whatever the amp is set to is my basic tone if I'm using pedals at all. I treat going into that pedal more like going into the front end of the amp than just a pedal.  

[BoogieMKIIA]

8 minutes ago, LucSulla said:

The only thing I could add to this is that your last dirt pedal tends to be the most influential on your final tone. On one board, I have a Tube Screamerish circuit running into an SD1 because when I am using the SD1, I'm specifically going for a specific 80s, JCM 800 tone. The order doesn't change much about compression or sustain or overall gain, but that mid hump in a TS-style pedal and it's gain structure dominates if it's last. The other way around, and it keeps the overall SD1-into-a-Marshall sound, but with a little bit of that warm, mid thing, which I find perfect for solos. 

On my other board, I have a Plumes going into an Eternity Amp 11. The Plumes gives me some choices between symmetrical (SD1 style), asymmetrical (TS style), or a clean overdrive going into either the amp or the Amp 11. The boost switch on the Amp 11 gives a few extra choices as well. Since I like the tone of the Amp 11 going into the amp the most, I keep it last. 

I kind of look at it like the last dirt pedal and whatever the amp is set to is my basic tone if I'm using pedals at all. I treat going into that pedal more like going into the front end of the amp than just a pedal.  

Interesting to think about the last pedal. I don’t use the Zendrive extensively, but it is key to more raucous leads and tones. The Tchula boost into it the Zen is very good, may can get the same effect with a different boost or adjusting the Zen. There is plenty of adjustment remaining on all the Zen knobs.

I never liked the Tchula until last year when I left the left side always on on adjusted the amp tone to dial out some treble. 

[bubs_42]

@geoff_hartwell the compressor is a Tone Press, I use it as kind of a “Tone Conditioner “.  It always has a clean signal attached and the compressor is blended in and I get to choose how fast the compressor reacts. 

its almost there, but not. 

[The Shark]

I've found "stacking" to be a function of the pedals in the chain.  I know that sounds stupid, but the only pedal I've played that improves the sound in front of or behind is the Klon or a Klone.  Everything else seems to dictate the order by just listening.  The Eternity/Church of Tone stacked pedal is really good, but I sold them both.  I'm just a fickle bitch.  

There is no pedal better than the Purple Plexi.......for now.  All by itself.

Edited August 30, 2024 by The Shark

[BoogieMKIIA]

The SP Compressor was a bit tricky to dial in. Three selections for how much compression, but can blend compressed and normal.  Will see what the noise level is when it is at the end of the chain.

I agree that what can stack and the order is highly variable. Last time experimenting puts the Zen as the last OD, will try again, especially if I change a pedal. I wish the Tchula had a level and EQ adjustment, there could be some similar boost to try in its place.

Daughter is migraining so will have to wait to try some new combinations.

[BoogieMKIIA]

Played with my rig a bit this evening. Learning is that a bit of boost before the Zendrive yields some juicy overdrive.
 

I removed the Tchula from the chain a put in an Amp 50. Reset the tone knobs to taste without it. The Amp 50 sort of does a Tchula thing with the EQ but I didn’t like it by itself.  
 

Next, jacked the first Boogie volume knob to nearly 10, getting a slight bit of grit and sounding a bit fuller. Then, played with the Earth Drive in front of the Zen and was able to get a searing lead tone. The straight guitar, ED by itself, Zen by itself and then stacking were all pretty good. Have 4 different tones available. Will play with it more at volume to tweak.
 

Guitars used - Player Tele with stock Alinco PU; Studio Custom with Gravelin Ultimates