OT: RC Booster-type enhancer pedal

sleejay · Post by **sleejay** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 2:20 pm

Last night I went to the store and tried out the "RC Booster" by Xotic.
It was perfect for what I needed:

-add slight break-up type overdrive to a clean amp
-enhance my tone thicker, bigger

But I needed like just a little more gain, maybe just 20% more of what it has.

I don't wanna go to the BB Preamp, because it seems to have too much gain.

Do you guys know any pedals for this purpose?

Not really overdrive, a tone enhancer with slight gain. Like the RC.

Ale · Post by **Ale** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 2:22 pm

try the ac booster

sleejay · Post by **sleejay** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 2:25 pm

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ale
 try the ac booster
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I heard the AC is mid-ranged, more of a Tubescreamer type pedal, so I was sorta excluding that one from my list.

But if you say it works for my purpose, I'll try that one out too! Thanks:)

Any more suggestions, guys?

sleejay · Post by **sleejay** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 8:49 pm

Anyone?:(

notagain · Post by **notagain** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 8:52 pm

Should have tried the Xotic AC, I adore it.
but gave it away, just I'm just that old and
crazy...lol!
There a a bunch of recent threads on this actual subject go back a few pages of
do a search!

Rocksully · Post by **Rocksully** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 9:04 pm

I have a Keeley Katana Boost, it is fantastic, and can produce some nice subtle drive. Using that with the RC Booster ROCKS.

starfly59 · Post by **starfly59** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 9:05 pm

You might check out the Paul Cochrane Tim or Timmy pedal (the Tim has a built in boost, otherwise the same pedal). I love it and it gets endless high marks from everyone over at TGP. If you order direct from Paul, the price is about half what they go for used, but you have to wait a few months to get it.

Neiloler · Post by **Neiloler** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 9:48 pm

The AC stands for Almost Clean, and the RC stands for Really Clean (I don't know what BB stands for). The AC seems like it would be what you're looking for. Try one out.

Wired · Post by **Wired** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 9:53 pm

Hot Cake from Crowther Audio.

its not like the AC in terms of signal response, but is like the AC in the gain level.... more like the RC but with a bit more oopmh

lvmuthearth · Post by **lvmuthearth** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 7:05 pm

mxr micro boost?

sleejay · Post by **sleejay** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:13 am

Thanks guys, for your input!!

So far, I've gotten these recommended:
-Xotic AC Booster
-Keeley Katana Boost
-Paul Cochrane Tim / Timmy
-Crowther Audio Hot Cake
-MXR Micro Amp

I'm suprised by the recommendation of the AC booster by many; I always thought that this one is too mid-rangy for my needs. Is it just like a higher gain version of the RC?

I'm wondering about the Katana Boost & Micro Amp, wouldn't they be too "clean" for what I'm asking for, when the RC was too clean for me?

Tim and Hot Cake might be good!

Are there are more recommendations for "low-gain tone enhancing boost" like the RC but more gain?

Also, what keywords would I use to do a search on this? It's not exactly "overdrive" I'm looking for.

Wired · Post by **Wired** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:43 am

An EQ is more or less what you want, but with more gain... I'd almost go with a boost, but it's not 'tone enhancing' so it wouldn't do the job your seeking. I still believe the Hot Cake would be your best bet because of how wide a sweep there is in the gain structure. It can be pretty low gain, but get pretty fuzzy too. If you keep the drive below 11:00 and move the pressance knob to taste I think you'd be very happy with what you get.

The Tim is a great pedal, but has quite a bit of gain on tap, you may find that it won't do the job your looking for without some patience and experimentation with settings. The AC booster is not the route to go. it has a pretty good crunch, but changes the tone too much with the mid range to accomplish your goals.

One pedal I over looked is the Voodoo Lab Sparkledrive.

The Sparkle drive has a clean knob that allows you to mix in a clean signal into your dirty signal. It's an amazing box for that almost clean distortion/overdrive. if you check out a band called 'the February's', the Sparkledrive through a Fender Twin was a prime element of their tone on their song 'the new nightmare sound'. Heres a clip http://www.imeem.com/people/Fna3vj//mus ... are_sound/

sleejay · Post by **sleejay** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 8:45 pm

Heya:)

I've finally managed to gather some cash for my purchase!!

Just checking if any of you have any last minute suggestions to make -

Remember, what I'm looking for is not overdrive (I don't want mid-rangy).

Think of the RC Booster with 20% more gain,

Or maybe imagine adding light breakup-gain on a Fender Twin or RV clean channel.

Tone enhancing is okay, tone coloration is not okay.

Thanks!!

Luke-
That pedal I've never tried before!
Sounded great on the clip you showed me,
I'll remember to try it out!! Thank u!!

carlygtr56 · Post by **carlygtr56** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:04 pm

Fulltone Fat Boost

Wired · Post by **Wired** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:25 pm

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by carlygtr56
 Fulltone Fat Boost

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

colors the tone too much for what you need.

Anyways, go rock a few pedals, if the store you goto has a 'loaner' program and your a requent shopper they may allow you to borrow the pedals overnight to make an educated decision. I know Long & Mcquade does that here in Canada.

The only issue is that a pedal may work great for the 'honeymoon' but will be terrible down the road...which is what the OCD was for me.

OT: RC Booster-type enhancer pedal

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