Xotic AC Booster with Rebel 30?

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blueskies

blueskies

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Does anyone have experience with this pedal, especially on the clean channel of the Rebel 30? Here's a link:
http://www.xotic.us/video/joshSmith/index.html

My band plays a wide range of styles, like Phish, Wilco, Sublime, Weezer, Stones, the Hives and JET. We play both originals and covers.

I play a couple of PRS guitars, which can be used with either single coil or humbucker. I want a strong signal with single coils that will be just on the verge of breakup with a bit of grit when I roll the volume back to 7 or 8 on the guitar, but breaks up nice and smooth when I crank it to 10 for solos.

I currently have a TS-808 Tube Screamer. It works, but don't always like the EQ. I like the idea that the AC is fairly transparent, because the tone from the guitars and amp are already killer. I'm guessing the 808 and AC Boost pedals might work well in combination too.

Your advice and ideas are welcome! Thanks for reading.

More artist interview/demo links if you are interested:
http://www.stevesmusiccenter.com/XoticACBooster.html
 
RC is much more transparent, but much lower gain in general and is mostly used as a clean boost. The AC is very Tube Screamer like and if you are having issues with the TS style EQ you may not like. i will say this though, of ALL the TS style pedals I ever played I the AC was one of the two best (Reverend Drive train was the other). The AC has low end, but it is still very TS flavored. Honestly the tone you're describing is best found in the BB.
 
I actually just sold off my AC Booster. :( It's a great pedal for driving the clean channel of an amp, but I just couldn't jive with it going in to an overdrive or crunch channel. FWIW, I loved the sound of it into the T/D module, especially when the clean was set to mild breakup, but the more gain on the channel being fed into, the less I liked it.

$.02
 
That makes sense. It has a soft low end character which works well into a snappy clean tone. Distortion sounds already have low end compression and then if you feed it more with the Ac it gets mushy. It can be kind of cool if you are playing into a tight distortion high gain, but mostly not.
 
Thanks for motivating me to look more at the BB Preamp. I originally avoided it since it looked like a real high gain pedal, but the more I read and listen, it sounds as though it would also work well for lower gain settings, which is what I'd use most. It also looks like the BB could be used nicely in front of an already distorted channel (at least from a clip I found somewhere). I wonder if this is actually improved over the AC or if it's just a matter of the particular setup compatibility.

Honestly, I'm leaning toward the BB since you are saying the AC would be similar to my Tube Screamer anyway. This would give me two slightly different options onstage. One of you guys mentioned the MI Boost and Buff in another thread--how do you think the Xotics match up to this one (you can see I'm trying to get a bit more bang out of just one pedal)?

I appreciate your comments!
 
I run my bb with my rebel 30. i use it more in the gain side to thicken things up and add a touch of compression, the bb sounds great that way. I have used it in the clean side as a lighter gain pedal. It works good but it is not as transparent as the ac or the timmy I use. Either way it is a great pedal and sounds great in the rebel 30
 
Boost and Buff is strictly a clean boost. I that has no distortion circuit. By the Xotic BB and thank us later. :thumbsup:
 
Xotic BB Preamp is on its way. Next gig May 22nd--just enough time to play around!
 
blueskies":31m3ltaw said:
Xotic BB Preamp is on its way. Next gig May 22nd--just enough time to play around!
Click to expand...


I really think you will like it. It seems to match up really well with the Egnater modules.
 
The BB Preamp came in the mail today--it completely meets my expectations. I'm able to get the wide range of sounds I want from either single coil or HB now!!! I'm hoping to be able to control my sound and volume right on the guitar most of the time, and since I can't afford an RC yet, I'm trying the TS as an added boost if needed for solos when the band's really loud (when are they not)? Unfortunately, the TS sounds ssssoooo weak in comparison to the BB on its own, I might turn off the BB and use the amp's channel two.

I will need more pedals and I'm wondering if the BB Preamp also acts as a buffer. Any advice about delays used primarily to fatten up the sound or for slapback? Anologue or digital? It seems like some digitals are too harsh on the repeats for my purposes, but anologue sounds kinda muddy. And finally, what's your favorite tuning pedal?

So, I'm off to band practice...

THANKS!!!
 
blueskies":2h9t8dln said:
The BB Preamp came in the mail today--it completely meets my expectations. I'm able to get the wide range of sounds I want from either single coil or HB now!!! I'm hoping to be able to control my sound and volume right on the guitar most of the time, and since I can't afford an RC yet, I'm trying the TS as an added boost if needed for solos when the band's really loud (when are they not)? Unfortunately, the TS sounds ssssoooo weak in comparison to the BB on its own, I might turn off the BB and use the amp's channel two.

I will need more pedals and I'm wondering if the BB Preamp also acts as a buffer. Any advice about delays used primarily to fatten up the sound or for slapback? Anologue or digital? It seems like some digitals are too harsh on the repeats for my purposes, but anologue sounds kinda muddy. And finally, what's your favorite tuning pedal?

So, I'm off to band practice...

THANKS!!!
Click to expand...

The BB is fantastic isn't it? If you want a boost for leads, leave the BB on and get an Xotic EP3. Great clean boost and the bonus is it really adds something to your clean sounds too. The BB is true bypass, so no buffer. When it is off it is off.

I don't have one but I have been digging the sounds of this one lately ...

http://guyatone.com/Tdx.php

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4kfYK0Ltk4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMaWMN5soCY

Korg Pitch Black is excellent. That new T.C. Electronics Polytune is supposed to be pretty cool. After looking this up and watching this video, I'm buying one myself. :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyPYU6vRwp8
 
That tuner looks like a real time saver on stage. Report back if you get one!
 
blueskies":d6gxzvqb said:
That tuner looks like a real time saver on stage. Report back if you get one!
Click to expand...


Yea man, last gig I caught some flack, well the whole band did, for taking too long between songs. :doh:

I refuse to play out of tune and for my part, this is what I do between songs ... tune the guitar. I'm think that is one BIG time saver.
 
I just got the poly tuner!!! It works just as advertized. I hope it's this easy onstage.

I also got Memory Boy. I couldn't afford anything too fancy and didn't really need a ton of features. It simply oozes warm analogue goodness.
 
Coolness ... Love simple analog style delay. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: It makes the world go around.
 
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