EHX Soul Food vs Boss SD-1 shootout

[@guslimon]

Thanks for playing nice chords and not just wailin' on blues licks the whole time. You really show how the pedal sounds!

[@williamoliveira1409]

yessss

[@tgbitw17]

Exactly. I think 90% of these guys on here just want to show off their "licks" more than to just give real world examples of the gear.

[@luisgoregonzalez7394]

Yeah 👏👏👏👏

[@donjohnson7550]

That’s right

[@cornucopia8591]

Blues licks forever

[@f2detaboada]

The Soul Food sounds like the guitar is actually driving the signal whilst the SD-1 just sounds like it just adds fizziness on top of the signal.

[@donwade3801]

Very good demo! Common sense and intelligent comparison of the two pedals. He didn't have anything to prove by playing fast licks, he was more concerned in letting his audience hear the difference of the two pedals. Good job!

[@bayougtr]

Finally!!! A pedal shootout that uses a A/B switch. Well done comparison of what these two pedals can do.

[@mannypelayo7370]

Subscribed because of the finger wiggle in the beginning. You just get me.

[@cconde2000]

I have both pedals and they are both very nice, but my favorite is the Soul Food. It has like three different zones: below 50% it works like a soft overdrive or even a booster. Near 50-60% it is a traditional overdrive and over 65% it behaves like a distortion pedal. Enjoy.

[@guylevinberg1093]

its seems like most people prefer the soul food and it is the "cooler" even cheaper pedal but it seems that the boss preseves the natural twang of the tele much better

[@yunyun508]

Yessssssss!! I play strat when I use soulfood sound great but its less natural reverb twang. Now I use boss bd2

[@Mac_kish]

Love the Fallout A/B switch! Nice demo!

[@empireentertainmentevents1353]

SF sounds bigger and warmer than the SD1..which is thinner sounding and brighter. On its own... the SF sounds nicer of course. However ... that does not necessarily mean it will cut through the complex mix once you play with a full band. This is where the SD1 will cut through the mix more than the SF.

[@TheJofrica]

This is exactly what happened with my OCD pedal. It sounded fantastic on its own but as soon as I tried it with the band I disappeared in the mix and could not hear myself at all

[@empireentertainmentevents1353]

@@TheJofrica OCD ? wow...now I know. It is always good to see what good guitarists use especially if they play with a full band

[@TheJofrica]

EMPIRE ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS Right on, yeah it’s always interesting to see how your tools behave, especially in a live mix. Wish you the best!

[@samuelgonzalez1392]

In other words, it'd be nice e to have both!! Haha I have the soul food, good for getting a nice rhythm distortion and now I'd like to get the SD 1 for solos haha

[@fabiofazmusica]

I liked SF more, but it seems that the general eq(amp + guitar) was based on SF, and then the SD1 sounded fizzy. If the eq was based on SD1, maybe the SF would sound closed. Just thinking about...

[@kennynordieker5653]

Slow Fabio The Soul food is also a more clean Boost type overdrive Pedal. The Sd-1 gives you just overdrive and sadly it steals a bit of bass and output.

[@reptameuck]

how do you think boss bd2 fits into this ? :)

[@antoineducornet9048]

Sorry to comment on an old video, but your demos are very good. Like someone said, it's not full of "blues licks", and it really shows how the pedals sound when you play power chords. I have the SD-1, the Soul Food and a Joyo Vintage Overdrive, and your video shows how they really sound. Happy to hear that your SD-1 is very noisy, juste as mine ! When i stack it with my Box Of Rock (that is noisy too), it is noisy as hell. The Soul Food is a very good boost for a solo, but I'm not fully convinced it's a good overdrive on its own. I prefer the Joyo.

[@Wacho106]

Amazing demo! I just ordered the soul food thanks to your demos!!

[@TheAxe4Ever]

Sounds to me like the Soul Food works best for single coils and the SD-1 works better for humbuckers. I’ve only played humbuckers equipped guitars and I love my SD-1. Been on my pedal board since 1986.

[@artanduniverse8935]

Soul Food is a "transparent" drive pedal. Sd-1 is a typical od. Sd-1 gives mid and it isn't transparent.

[@goddog2421]

Hey man is that a dead yak your sitting on.

[@LowCrossed]

Chewbacca said thanks for the lap dance.

[@bernardolago]

Hey there! Great videos you've got here! I've watching a lot of them and helped me out in many ways. Great sound and great production! Great playing also, lots of FF and QOTSA! Keep on the hard work! Thanks man!

[@Josiahjjr]

I've got an SD-1 on the way, but my gosh it's noisy. I debated the soul food and will eventually get one, but I think I need the mid boost since my AC15 is voiced to be scooped. Awesome comparion! You've won a subscriber! Keep them coming

[@rodneyscott8576]

Try doing a C6 removal on your SD-1. It will open up then tone options and cut way down on the noise.

[@EkalbGnilrad]

The C6 mod was very subtle, but definitely added clarity on my SD-1...but my pedal is still a buzz monster. Thanks for the shootout, the Soul Food is now on my short list.

[@PPanossss]

***** is the soul food less noisy? thanks nice review

I thonk there is more compression in Boss sd1. I prefer it.

[@dariosaviors]

Never heard my old SD-1 sound like that, man. And I ran it into various crappy SS amps over the years. Now with a Marshall OR50C just sings, open, clear, and less boxy than the SF.

[@ceoofworldpeace8901]

The SD-1 sounds like a classic rock sound, the Soul Food sounds more suited for blues-60s rock

[@cupolove1]

its insane that the soul food is only like $60. there are some side by side klon comparisons with the SF where there is hardly any difference other than the $1800 price tag.

[@cupolove1]

Acoustic Expert [Martin] ok... that was intense. i was commenting on a video i saw that ahowed a side by side comparisson. i didnt make my own comparison video, so im not marketing for anyone. i definitely dont work for ehx nor am i endorsed by them. i think you are confused. did you think i made this video??

[@cupolove1]

alrighty then. i enjoyed the vid and i have a sould food pedal that i love the sound of. its all personal preference i guess.

[@erieschl]

About the only concrete thing I've learned from watching soul food demos is that if you even mention a klon in the same sentence you will be screamed at by someone who is "just obviously better than you, you just wouldn't understand."

[@garthosborn6597]

I concur with the other folks that this was a great demo. Not showing off, but playing more chordal stuff that really helps bring out the qualities of each pedal. I have an SD-1 and use an Epi Les Paul. I am looking at other drive/distortion pedals so I can use SD-1 as a clean boost. The Soul Food is on my short list! Well done.

[@09-caokhanhduy89]

I also own an Epi Les Paul with no experience with Pedals whatsoever. Looking for a drive that doesn't darken an already dark tone and I see many Humbuckers player suggest SD-1, does the SD-1 helps with brightening the tone?

[@mikenorman6697]

In this video comparison - the Soul Food pedal sounds way better to my ears.....but wonder if the Boss pedal would cut through better in a mix?

[@nizodizo9549]

I have owed and played my SD-1 for twenty years. I have been thinking about buying a TS-9 for 10 years. The soul food sounds great but do I want to take on that much commitment.

[@AverageRider717]

This is how I setup my rig, crank the amp just to that point of overdrive, stack different flavor OD boxes in increasing gain to push the amp over and for different textures. Honestly I've never met a crappie OD pedal. I've just met ones I didn't like the texture. People hating on a brand for no particular reason is stupid, but thats ok to each their own. Soul Food is more of a treble booster and Super OD is a run of the mill flat response OD... Apples to oranges. I like them both. I'm not gonna hate and lose out on options for tone. I've played a SF and own a SD1. I have found that the SD1 works wonderfully in front of a clean amp for a more convincing "amp" overdrive sound. The SF seems to work well when gain stacking an amp and trying to get that cutting sound for a mix. Both are great pedals. Each has a purpose. As a gear snob my only hangup is I like things made in America if I have a choice. We did invent this whole electric guitar rock and roll thing you know. Great review!

[@pstrokeslibsarctic]

X Crow fucking moron American = the greatest lol

[@ehleroo]

Your demos are the best.

[@eirikstor]

Thanks, Kevin!

[@OutLoudOutLoud]

gotta roll the tone knob way back on the SD-1. I keep mine around 9 o' clock and it sounds nice.

[@ald7248]

I like the Soul Food as a boost - and it sometimes works nicely *after* another overdrive or a distortion pedal. But I don't like the character of the gain when used as an overdrive and I think it's particularly bad at dropping low-end from the signal when used alone.

[@Ballonpoire39]

I use it before my Ds-1 as a way to give the Ds-1 a volume boost when engaged and so that it’s even dirtier when engaged because I put a little gain on the soul food so it acts as a slightly overdriven but quiet clean tone.

[@tcshea]

Nice A.B. video. Boy the Soulfood really did a beat down on the SD-1. good thing I already have one.

[@Obigrobi666]

I have just ordered the soul food and found your video. the sd-1 is one of my favorite pedals of all time and it sounds like garbage compared to the soul food in this video. damn! :D

[@christianc9409]

Obigrobi666 its a bit more saturated, but that works well for me

[@johnwriterpoet1783]

No it doesn't. Are you kidding?

[@Mack1968L6S]

I have both and use both. One is not better than the other, they are different. I also have a full tone full drive that I use. Each are unique and serve a particular purpose.

[@EdgarBeja]

Love the Soul Food!

[@lomoholga]

Interesting. The soul food seems to have zero presence compared to the SD-1. I suspect the SD-1 would sound great in a band mix but the souls food would sound even muddier than it does

[@ck2music712]

Great demo, hoss! Just my opinion, but the Soul Food sounds way better to me... Warmer and not as shrill in the high end... Be interesting to throw a TubeScreamer in there since it's essentially the SD-1 but with symmetrical clipping... Thanks!

[@abelramirez7320]

Is that the vault boy?? That's so cool!

[@eirikstor]

It is.

[@Norrygan]

Great demo! Where I can find A/B Fallout Pedal?

[@georgeceh1945]

Have both pedals (the SD1 is Japanese from the 80s) and honestly... both pedals react a little differently depending on the amp and guitar used.

[@gypsysteve3576]

Sd likely cuts thru a mix better. Sf seems smoother, but also like it has a blanket throw over the speaker

[@coldwar1977]

Soul Food sounds like a tube amp, SD-1 sounds like... a pedal.

[@thomasramsey6642]

Perfectly stated

I think it's can be Boss' prejudice. Both of then are very good pedals.

[@matouscervenka7248]

Yes. I use soulfood as main overdrive with my bassman 59 and it is great pedal for that. Standard tubescreamer is much worse.

[@owenhu9465]

I own both the sd1 and the soul food, really like the tightness of the soul food. works great for gritty to crunchy rhythm, still struggling to get a good lead tone tho.

[@MichaelCozineSounds]

Try stacking it with another pedal!

[@winmusique9309]

Michael Cozine can you stack it with SD-1?

[@BAYBFASH]

If you do the C6 mod to the boss, it can actually be a great pedal used correctly. I personally love the soul food, but sd-1 can be an equal opponent when used correctly. Good video nonetheless mi amigo :)

[@BAYBFASH]

It really depends. With an overdriven amp, it'll add a mid boost but drop a little bass out. I use it as my clean boost for leads and love it. Just gotta dial in the right setting

[@coldwar1977]

Acoustic Expert [Martin] this "expert" dude is just copy/pasting his morornic comments all over the web... laughable

[@coldwar1977]

hahaha, you made my day

[@BAYBFASH]

Acoustic Expert [Martin] I'm sorry you feel that way mate, but you have to realize it's all subjective. I've never had an issue with EHX but the amps will always matter on pedal sound, or even the set up and use of pedal. BD-2s sound like shit with maxed gain but awesome as a clean boost. Soul food is great as a low gain/clean boost pedal. Research and play the pedals and their settings before ranting. Cheers

[@BAYBFASH]

I do know this. While the EHX can be true bypass, it'll never be true bypass. However, its buffer is on par with any boss pedal. I'm not saying one is better than the other, only comparable. Not seeing the point you're trying at here. God bless you

[@livingwithaster]

Great comparison, thanks!

[@jepatawaran]

Man, i like them both. Haven't tried the SF yet. If you stack the SD-1 after(or even before) an overdrive, it sounds awesome... for me

[@brianrollins7275]

I use a boss od-3 before my sd-1. Sounds great to me

[@MrBruceLevi]

i want pedal that can boost Big Muff also is a light OD, Which one can be?

[@johnwriterpoet1783]

Just turn the tone control down on the SD 1 and it will sound the same.

[@luizalbertokoehler4904]

In my opinion Soul Food is good when used with the drive knob in the final 1/3 position or more

[@Snagman67]

People keep pissing on the sd-1 and I’ve tried to myself, lol, but it just keeps working for me and I just simply like it. Not costing hundreds of dollars it absolutely not the reason, as I’ve bought other OD pedals that I didn’t like and sold, but it’s a huge plus though. I have it stacked with a tube screamer which I use to goose it on solos and it sounds great. Just my opinion I guess.

[@suburbanhavoc4997]

The Soul Food at 2:40: I wish I could bite into that tone. Seriously, this demo made me hungry. Weird, right?

[@geirolav2]

Cooking soul food

[@joelcabida4071]

You win the Internet! Haha

[@BananaJoseph]

They both sound great.

[@a.kitamura]

I have a huge trauma checking pedal reviews / comparison and listing to shred players. Thanks for not be one of those...

[@lambchoplambchop3670]

The SD-1 is the best overdrive pedal ever made. A best seller. It's also a boutique pedal killer. In this video the comparison took place between apples and oranges !!! :)))

[@byrdz2313]

In this demo, EHX Soul Food sounds amazing. In actuality, the SD-1 sounds a lot nicer than it does in this demo,

[@magnuskarlsson398]

I need to know! What's the yellow guitar in the background?! It looks fantastic!

[@shaunm1983]

That's what I was thinking too

[@GonnaMakeYourDay]

i think it's a nebelung deja vu norwegian brand

[@jaychen2000metal]

I got the Boss and the East River OD. When using the level up, drive off method into high gain, i prefer the East River. Might try the Soul Food one day...

[@andrew_tavares]

ótima comparação entre os pedais!!!

[@dimitrisvoukelatos3386]

hey nice demo! what brand is the tbp loop pedal in the middle?

[@Akira-cm3zd]

What's the looper that you're using in this video?

[@unabonger777]

the boss really compresses too much for me as the gain goes up. soul food has the headroom.

[@Gummmibaer]

Great demo, it's so hard to find somebody on youtube who plays nice open chords so I can assume how the pedals would sound if I would play them. The Soul Food sounds quite good to me. Gonna see if I can get a used one on ebay.

[@eirikstor]

Thanks!

[@benjaminvega8112]

I find myself listening to pedal demos more and more instead of actual songs!

[@TheJofrica]

Same haha

[@ChrisMacdonald-z8x]

If you are still reading this ... get this SD-1 and do a simple mod (clip some little capacitor or something, no soldering ) you can back off the tone control and it sounds great

[@97warlock]

Yes TY for the basic playing & allowing the comparison be based on the pedals. Good playing but nice to not have someone try to shred their way thru the demo (Y)

[@GeroLubovnik]

I've got both these pedals. There is no comparison. the EHX is head and shoulders better. Stronger, cleaner, clearer and more defined.

[@PPanossss]

GeroLubovnik hi, since you got them both , which one is less noisy? thanks a lot

[@GeroLubovnik]

I'm sorry... I have the DS-1 not the SD-1. I always get them confused. The Soul Food is a tranparent overdrive. Nice. The one that I prefer and is no longer made is the Boss OD-2. I think it has a great range of both OD and distortion. If you find one grab it.

[@DiegoMelgar1]

soul food rules

[@AdamDodson]

Anyone use both together? Thoughts?

[@ggarner3]

+Adam Dodson I have both on my board and gain stack them. The soundman says my rig sounds great in the mix, really sounds full. The SD-1 doesn't sound as fizzy as it does here, they compliment each other very well.

[@AdamDodson]

+Gene Garner I started using the two together as well, and I love it. You're right it's not as fizzy if you dial it right. I have a suppressor in front of both of them so all three together are great!

[@ggarner3]

What compressor are you using? I've been looking for a decent one lately.

[@AdamDodson]

+Gene Garner I'm using the Boss NS-2. Fairly cheap, and gets the job done. Put a little bit of reverb after it and you can barely tell it's there

[@ggarner3]

Lol, I misread your post. I thought you said compressor.

[@theWARMJET]

SF maybe more compressed in a good way, but both good IMO

[@КрайФилина]

BOSS SD-1 japan made?

[@JoséDiaz-62]

Merci pour la démo

[@DSeN7]

I feel that the Soul Food sounded better (more transparent) and has less noise.

[@atarirob]

As much as it pains me to say it, because I think the Super OverDrive is one of the most Super OverRated pedals to ever exist, it killed the EHX.

[@stjepanbilic9748]

Maybe too much treble for SD1 on tone control.

[@THEBumHarpy]

What's that middle pedal?

[@eirikstor]

+Larry McBarry Lucid Effects A/B box.

[@domformula1]

UK player and the EHX is more expensive here, which is good because I prefer the Boss!

[@klv400]

Great Demo!

[@jacobsaintjames]

I'll never find a demo with my Vox Heritage, which is very picky about OD. They mostly kill its beautiful clean tone and the amp is master volume only. Driven by chaining channels together is great, but way too loud and attenuator way too expensive. Anyone have first-hand or relatable experience with Soul Food or other Klon klones?

[@kylelikeskjvbible]

Soul food is much better. I checked out so many pedal reviews of different Boss SD1s and all the Tube Screamer variations, but Soul Food sounds like either a clean booster or a tube amp overdrive, all the others sound like a tin box.

[@VictorVonBelmont]

Acoustic Expert [Martin] Dude, he is using an A/B box, so your argument is invalid. I have the Boss SD-1 and it's a good pedal and has some good sounds, also its a great booster, but there are better ones like this EHX. or even the Joyo Sweet Baby.

[@pizzapie4me]

+Acoustic Expert [Martin] What's wrong with you?

[@Iggytommy]

+Acoustic Expert [Martin] - they're in a true bypass switcher, so how can either pedals' impedance or buffering etc affect one another when activated one at a time?

[@stuartpowell255]

Not a fan of the sd1 as a stand alone pedal but as a pedal to boost an already driven sound they are hard to beat. In this context I far prefer the soul food

[@cgavin1]

All Boss OD's and Distortions have a really harsh and compressed clipping which I truly loathe. Even the OD3 which is 'smoother' than most has a really jaggedy clipping. The Soul Food has silicon diodes in it but its easy to mod those to Germanium ones for a warmer/more progressive clipping that comes in around 9'oclock rather than 12'oclock. Fattens up the bottom end nicely.

[@gioeleleame1007]

that fallout image on that switch :D anyway sd-1 for me , sould food is a mid oriented pedal like a ts9.

[@therflcommish]

Gioele Leame The SD-1 basically is a Tubescreamer just with asymmetrical clipping.

[@shredurguitar]

Soul Food for sure

[@romeokom7764]

SD 1 is more convincing with the bluesy sound

[@TahharMusic]

cool falloutswitch :)

[@Travels_Tunes]

SF sounds rounder and warmer while SO sounds fizzy just like a broken speaker.

[@NY-bw2go]

I sell my soulfood for back to SD1

[@jackbenson8228]

soul food sounds boring. SD1 sounds thinner but exciting. imo

[@macsoto6947]

Yes... SD1 + mod... Is awesome... Mind blowing...

[@stephanewelti8816]

but lack of volume, exactly like old ts9

[@nadaband507]

Apa nama merk switching nya

[@StephenFinkNRP]

The Soul Food has more life. It has a Soul. That makes the SD-1 a Zombie? :O

[@StephenFinkNRP]

PS. Gainify all the AMPS !!!

[@Caged63Man]

Get both and you'll have yin/yang tone

[@97warlock]

Th SF sounds like the Boss but with some mids added.

[@impossivelcore1132]

Soulfood 100%👌

[@elcentinela1000]

SOUL FOOD HANDS DOWN.

[@davidbuzzin426]

👍🇺🇸❤SOUL FOOD

[@jackphillip6714]

The Boss is lagging way behind in my opinion. EHX got it right with the Soul Food !

[@Tone2town]

Man that SD-1 Highs- sound so scratchy. Soul Food for the win with extra girth with no FIZZZZZ.

[@dianal9715]

Soul Food!

[@dudo52]

Good demo BUT tooooooo many 6-string chords and NOOOOO single string or double stop solo. If it was an acoustic guitar its OK. But this is a Telecaster. And the effect is an ovedrive. A bit disappointing. Really.

[@AlbertSirup]

well since most reviewers don't play any open chords, i thought this was helpful. Of course it would be best if all kinds of playing were shown here but I think these chords are really reliant on the clarity of a pedal i.e. they are much more likely to sound muddy than single string playing or power chords.

[@spaceshipable]

Albert Sirup I'm really glad you did play chords. I play rhythm guitar and when people tap and sweep I have no idea what it's going to sound like when I play it.

[@upreydeen]

The SD 1 sound is not really what it appears, by getting rid of all the switching system and adding a true bypass system the SD 1 is a great booster / overdrive pedal

[@blinedriver]

The pedals settings are never even near close to one another. Useless.

[@morioh6505]

Soul food is warmer and better