Gain Stacking With Pedals Makes Your Life Better. (Yes It Does)

Welcome to That Pedal Show and thanks for watching!
In this episode, Daniel and Mick discuss what happens when you use two or more overdrive/boost pedals stacked together... into both clean and overdriven amp channels.
Using an Xotic EP Boost, Keeley Modded Boss BD-2 Blues Driver and JHS Angry Charlie, the guys explain and demonstrate what happens when you use the pedals in different orders, and how the amp's level of overdrive has a fundamental effect on the resultant tone.
As ever there are no hard-and-fast rules - That Pedal Show is here to help you apply what we discuss to your own pedals and rig to inch ever closer to that sound in your head!
Daniel is playing his 2002 Gibson Custom 1958 Les Paul Standard. Mick is playing his c2000 Fender American Vintage ’62 Stratocaster. The amp today is a Mesa Boogie Lonestar head and Zilla 1x12 oversize cab with a Celestion G12H-75 Creamback.
As ever, effects switching is handled effortlessly by TheGigRig G2.
Thank you for watching and for more on TheGigRig, please visit www.thegigrig.com

[@darklight4815]

they've got 20 grand worth of gear in the video and they have to share a guitar cable

[@grahamkelly8299]

😅😅that's funny!!

[@SrDeMaFp]

Hahaha

[@kingfisher7960]

I went through this recently. I have 7 PRS guitars, 3 amps, 42 effect pedals, 4 9v batteries, and no power supply. I wanted to plug a few things in and realized out of all this shit, I have 1 -10' TS cable....bought 2 more....now I have 3 in case Nirvana comes over.

[@markwhitelaw7192]

I've been playing guitar for about 18 years now semi-pro and have learned more about pedals and gain structure in the last 2 months watching your videos than i have in 18 years. There isn't enough proper education about pedals and pedal usage out there. Great job guys, keep it up!

[@TheGigRigDaniel]

Thanks Mark :)

[@user-jw2bp5uu8l]

Totally agree. these fellas rock hard and really explain important aspects of how the pedals operate in this video, and I always learn so much from their others videos as well. Really well done.

[@johngowans2108]

Ditto, really like these shows

[@DustinHaggerty-lj1ix]

Serioulsy. This video among others has made my drri and pedals with strat come ALIVE!. THANK YOU GUS SO MUCH.

[@dezionlion]

+רון סטלקול how do you know how rock hard they are?

[@davecarpenter7266]

Dan loves sound. You can see genuine excitement in his face! Thats another reason i like these guys, they mean it. And it shows. Top stuff. World of knowledge.

[@jackbirkett2642]

Absolutely love these two. I want them to sit with me and my rig for a day, help me make it work 😂

[@adriangonciarz]

Guys, you are THE BEST in the whole internet when it comes to not only demoing but especially EXPLAINING the nature of guitar sounds, thank you for opening my mind and ears!

[@tikitikibamboo]

Thanks guys. Your show became a staple in my week really quickly! Keep em coming!

[@zardeh63]

Fun to watch these old classics once in a while.

[@howardlongino2652]

This is truly one of the best drive stacking videos out there. I've watched em all it seems, and I continue to come back to this as a reference. Great stuff guys!

[@NickBright6]

Thanks for taking the time guys, this exactly what I've been working on lately. Informative, entertaining and inspiring all in one package ,plus no annoying ads! Gig rig is a very versatile tool. One day...

[@pmacfto]

Isn't it great how gain and feedback can make a grown man giggle :D The Angry Charlie is insane! Great explanation and demo of how different single and humbucker pickups can affect what you get from the amp/pedals. And the gain stacking details is great too.

[@jorgetenamusic]

Absolutely love your videos from day one! I learn a lot and enjoy how you get along with each other. Laugh and learn, the best combination!

[@clfurness]

Love how they run the Blues Driver into the Angry Charlie here only for it to become a Boss/JHS pedal a few years down the line!

[@grahamkelly8299]

I thought the ep booster into the angry charlie was better!!

[@danabnormal5892]

This is a great episode to revisit. I’ve just discovered that my EP booster into my boss OD-3 into my blues cube is fantastic

[@GK-mm3nz]

Great show as always guys. Thanks for putting in the effort. Keep em coming!

[@billyblunt63]

This is an excellent demo. Makes you realise how many factors are involved in getting the sound in your head to the actual sound you want to hear. How many of us have great gear but aren't applying it in the right way? Loads I bet especially after watching this. Excellent job, well done Dan & Mick.

[@faisalzaidin9769]

Great show from guys who really know their onions! Introduced myself to Mick yesterday at London's Acoustic Exhibition yesterday. Great guy and an awesome musician. Keep it up boys

[@geometrichorsehair6972]

You provide well-made videos with extensive infos and lovely sounds. Thanks

[@unityenterpriseworshipdemo7358]

Awesome information guys. Keep up the great work. I've learned so much from your videos.

[@Evilivo666]

I'm using an mxr micro amp plus on top of two ts9 for monthes.and i love the diversity that it gaves to my sound. great video as usual guys. my favourite youtube channel.

[@Alexander-iq5yq]

Mick holds his guitar like MJ held his baby.

[@SickMetalAddict]

+J583 Please no... Child molestation is not a joke...

[@tonykplayter8019]

+SickMetalAddict you'd love frankie boyle if you googled him ;)

[@SickMetalAddict]

tonyk playter Did he commit to it or did he joke about it?

[@tonykplayter8019]

SickMetalAddict just youtube him for godsake, it actually would of been faster for you to do that than ask me and wait for a reply

[@SickMetalAddict]

tonyk playter same goes to u xP but yea I read his jokes

[@superbeast3000]

I think this is one of your better episodes, I really like when you guys cover subjects about how pedals interact with one another and ways to improve your rig based on some of those idiosyncracies.

[@goosegander1647]

Fantastic video, explained so much, about pedal stacking and why a pedal can sound and behave so differently based on the guitar and amp it's matched with. Keep it up!

[@FKnoph]

Hi guys! I just discovered your channel a few weeks ago, and I'm doing my best to catch up with all your great videos! This one was particularly interesting, but I have learned so much from your previous videos, too! Can't wait for the next one!

[@Danocaster214]

I own a Mesa express 5:50 and can I say, thank you!! I play with some PAF humbuckers and have found pretty much the exact thing Mick was talking about. It gets middly and punchy very quickly, especially with any mid-humped overdrive. So in essence, this video is directly applicable to my gear situation at the moment and offers me some insight onto what I need to do. So again, thanks! You guys rock.

[@stuartnarduzzo4868]

Another great episode gents! My most fave thing to do on a Friday morning is watch that pedal show!! Keep up the great work! :)

[@thesearethesuns]

I’m learning so much from you guys. Thank you both so much!

[@joeychamblee6258]

Best gear show around. One of the few that isn't just a commercial!

[@Wooodygun]

The set looks great! Nice vid as always.

[@tomatik4032]

I really enjoy your videos! Please keep up the great work. This is a wonderfully informative series.

[@TonyHookedonVanlife]

man, when he punched the EP Boost into the Blues Driver, that Strat just sat up and grabbed you by the... well, ahem! LOL Soooo sweet!

[@BasementShopGuy]

When Dan laughs at the Strat at 5:11 - is hilarious!!! Very hoity-toity "British". Loved it...

[@benhoodmusic2283]

I can't express my love for these videos, I'm been ill stuck in bed for the last 4 days and these have saved me. Keep them coming guys! Very inspiring, informative and entertaining. P.s i need that Angry Charlie in my life!

[@grega1207]

24:17 "just for shits and giggles...." Cracked me up! Love the show and all the good info. Thanks.

[@lance134679]

You guys really do a deep dive on these subjects. I like it.

[@PaulGrahamGuitarst]

Very valid points in this video.Its great to see guitarists are still into pedals as apposed to effects consoles. Having a range of gain levels and tonal possibilities at your disposal is great, gain stacking with a couple of pedals is a great way to achieve just that.

[@satch4u3]

I love all this geeking out on gear. Keep it comin fellas!

[@MrDT543]

EP Boost + a strat is the perfect combination. I love mine so much.

[@JensLarsen]

Nice videos guys! I am learning a lot and getting a lot of ideas for how to setup up tones! Thank you!!

[@TheGigRigDaniel]

+Jens Larsen Cheers Jens ;)

[@JensLarsen]

I have to check some more of your videos, but I might return with a few questions :) I really like the fact that you explain the impact of different guitars and amps and how they work with the pedals. This is always overlooked!

[@otiskareem6043]

i guess Im asking the wrong place but does someone know of a trick to log back into an Instagram account?? I stupidly lost the login password. I love any assistance you can offer me.

[@zaidbenson3932]

@Otis Kareem instablaster =)

[@otiskareem6043]

@Zaid Benson Thanks for your reply. I found the site on google and im trying it out atm. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@benbutterworth7584]

Great show. Interestingly, David Grissom I believe cranks his master volume up all the way and adjusts the preamp. He has great tone - as did you two here. Sounded great.

[@bazmcgrath2994]

Yet another fantastic video! Enough detail but without waffling on!

[@gregclarkreasons]

That tone in the very beginning.. glorious!!

[@ishancooper]

Another great video fellas!! Nice to hear all the differences with both guitars and amp sounds. Using clean amps, I've been running my clean boost after my fuzz and drive, but before my Rat for a long time. Seems to work 👌🏼

[@VERBANDTREM]

great as always! can't wait for the next instalment.

[@neatspy]

I've spent a fortune on pedals since watching these guys! Another great video gents.

[@mattgilbert7347]

You and me both. I could open a small pedal shop.

[@simonwarner3601]

Great show boys! Love it!

[@SteveHubbardGuitar]

Loving this channel! Keep 'em coming!

[@richab88]

Great Info! Really enjoying this series.I know there's a ton of material to cover, but I'd like to see a comparison of Vibe pedals and how their characteristics change based on pedal order. Thanks!

[@mrshiney2]

I am getting ready to introduce my good friend into this style of pedal gain stacking on his 50 watt EVH which luckily has a very clean, clean channel with lots of headroom. and yes then also setting the other drive channels a stand alone ( no boost pedals) alternate sound

[@_PJC_]

Gentlemen, as i watch more and more of your videos - which are fab - my knowledge is increasing fantastically so thank you. I should also state that I used to have 2 pedals , a very old Yamaha MIJ distortion which has its moments bgut isnt amazing and an "interesting" 1990's MIJ zoom multi thingy, but since starting to watch your channel in the last few months I now have 10+ and I'm not sure i'm saying thanks or help now!. anyway - The point Mick makes here near the end about clean + pedals is hitting home for me as my tube amp is an old Selmer PA 100 (cleared out of a Bingo hall by my father in the 80's - and i found it in the garage in '98!! - amazing) . anyway it only has one colour on all six channels and none of them dirty!!! When the channel gain up it's still super clean but can get just a little bit cooked. So to get it properly over the hill i use a boost , cheap little EH LPB-1 and then use an overdrive when needed to get really dirty. great video as usual gents and Mick - dont let him laugh at your strat about not being fat enough, it sounds fantastic.

[@timfender0740]

Been waiting for this all morning! Killer guys you make my Fridays just that much better!

[@metelegerald]

Mine too :)

[@PhiI93]

+timfender0740 Same! This is the exact subject I was hoping they would cover as I've started stacking pedals and have little experience with it. And you just know it's gonna be helpful and accessible. Oh this is gonna be good!

[@JudgeFredd]

Really nice instructive videos guys !

[@rochambeaux5256]

Great, informative vid, boys. Cheers!

[@Surfandmusicequipmentreviews]

Guys thanks for this - i was on the right track however your show will complete that 15% i was missing and in the process you have saved me thousands of hours of tweaking and frustration (and possibly selling my amp!) My ears had already led me to : 1) Realising my overdrive pedals played best with this amp on very low gain settings 2) Stacking my overdrives in correct gain stages (low - medium and high) 3) Realising that a tubescreamer is great for boosting INTO the other pedals to cut through for solos 4) Realising that recording your sounds as you stack overdrives ad mess about with your tone is an excellent idea as you finally reach a point where you are not hearing the slight tonal changes that each pedal adds to the equation 5) Realising that speakers make a WORLD of difference to everything ! I have just added a WGS invader 50 (greenback clone with higher wattage) to my 2x12 cab and this speaker breaks up much faster than my Celestion Vintage 30 or the Celestion Creamback g12 65 - i use in my 1x12 - once you change out a speaker it changes the dynmamics of all your dsettings again! HOWEVER after watching this video I have realised i was: Primarily using my amp on its gain channels (albeit with very low gain levels) Thus due to the amps natural compression on these channels my sound was collapsing when pushed too hard and more importantly when i was stepping on my RC booster pedal to solo - i was simply not cutting through the mix! I have had a COMPLETE BLINDSPOT regarding using the clean channel of the amp for pedals, as like Mick says, i keep thinking whats the point of owning a 12 channell valve amp if you don't use them! I now understand why stacking overdrives works so well on the clean channel - HEADROOM to be stacked - makes complete sense! You are not simply compressing the sound more and more to the point where you simply dissapear in the mix! Also makes sense now why the bass just becomes so flubby that it sounds terrible! Lst point to My angry charlie arrives tomorrow so ill be trying different stacking options with my RC booster, spark mini booster, Blues driver OCD Im also going to add my EQ pedal back into the loop to tighten up the bass frequencies if required. LOTS MORE TWEAKING but i'm getting there with my tonal search!! Thanks for a great show - you guys rock!

[@colinrobertson4569]

Another great video. Thanks guys.

[@Jalliams]

Feckin' awesome... & inspiring! Cheers guys.

[@AlexSoutheyMusic]

wow love seeing this early episode of That Pedal Show!

[@hoboroadie4623]

Still valid, yet the science has evolved.

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Outstanding demo. I've been playing guitar on and off as a hobby for over 35 years. I have played in a couple bands. I'm currently playing a 1 x 12 Marshall, and Ibanez S series with humbuckers and a Charvel with a hum in bridge and single in the neck, and I have a guitar I made which is a LP with glued in neck, 50's style slab mahogany body and maple neck with maple fretboard and just one humbucker. I will soon be playing with some friends at a local pub where they just meet and jam, and I want to get more control over the overdrive especially. This is an excellent demo because it helped with the order of the pedals. I'll be playing thru my Marshall AVT 150 valvestate made in the UK. But, I'll be using it with the clean channel because I don't have the channel switching pedal, and I normally just turn down with volume to get clean sounds, but I love the clean channel and now can use a couple or three pedals like you are in this demo with the clean channel. The only other pedals I'll be using will be a Wah / Morley wah, and maybe a delay pedal. I used to have clean and gain, but now can mix and match and get in between sounds too which will be much easier with pedals. I'm probably going to use the boss blues pedal, a booster from tc electronics and maybe a plexi pedal from Tech 21 since I love the sound of the plexi. Thanks so much. Going to check out your other demo's. Regards from IN USA. Tim

[@ChrisSitumorangProject]

thank you for both of you!!!

[@AndreTenenbaum1972]

Great Video guys.. I've found out that my Blues Jr III works a lot better with the Volume (Gain) on minimum and the Master (volume) as loud as I can stand on the jam or gig. I have a lot more control. I wish you guys could do some of this great experiences using a Blues Junior as its probably what most of us have. Cheers and keep the great work rolling.

[@richardharvey3630]

Thanks guys! This show and the one on equalizer pedals are my favorites so far. Something you touched on a bit in this show, that I would love to hear more about, is using multiple guitars going through the same rig. What are some strategies for playing different guitars through the same rig without having to change the settings on one's amp, overdrive, distortion and fuzz pedals every time you switch guitars? I'm guessing you guys have already thought of this as a topic for a future show. :)

[@davidhunter3762]

One of the best you've done Daniel and Mick, very informative!! I need to watch it 2 or 3 times to absorb everything but especially the clean amp with gain stacking, which is how I like to set things up............but not quite as successfully as you two :-)

[@ezer0923]

I want an EP booster because of watching this

[@sseltrek1a2b]

most helpful and entertaining vids of this type i've seen on line.....nice...

[@TheGigRigDaniel]

+steve selinsky cheers Steve, make sure you check out the new channel :)

[@GuitarStu]

great video, could have done with this years ago as its too late for me now ha! some very tasty licks to steal from Mick in this one as well

[@Widdy5150]

My next purchases are ep boost/blues driver waza and angry charlie thanks to this video!! please keep up the fantastic job guys 👍

[@Widdy5150]

Any thoughts how they would sound though a blackstar series one 50w head on clean channel?

[@MrKiammi]

very nice show loved it!!, i would love to see a buffer boost in effect loops-show

[@jimmyp1017]

This episode was really helpful for me...most of my gigs are very low volume situations and my favorite od pedal (Boss Super OD) sounds wimpy unless my amp (which only has volume and tone) is running hot which usually gets me the stinkeye from the singers...but running it into another pedal has given me a thick/sweet tone that is still sensitive to pick attack and guitar volume...Thanks for the idea!

[@mickbrenton]

I've been stacking drive pedals for 35 years and I approve of this video!! Lol. Well explained and demonstrated! The only things I dare to add is that you don't drive your gain and output level too hard on each unit and have your more transient sounding pedals closer to the amp and also reiterate what young matey on the right said which is to use your guitar volume control and you can scan through the spectrum of super blown to squeaking clean tones!

[@danielroberts9579]

Another amazing video. You guys are the best. Would love to hear boost options in the fx loop. Something I've been battling for years as most boosts have the wrong impedance or clip with the preamp signal.

[@somewhatlikealex]

Loved the video guys, always enlightening! I'm growing increasingly envious of all the guitars played on this show! I'd love to hear some differences in response from pre amp and power amp compression. Is this something that you could demonstrate?

[@daemon3spade]

I love stacking ODs!,. I got a JHS MG stacked over a JRAD BlueNoteTour.. its immaculate!!!!

[@mlmcallister100]

Awesome vid. Very informative.

[@bdunn315]

Great video guys!!

[@JamesRussoMillas]

It's amazing how much the drive channel on the Boogie and the Angry Charlie sound so similar. My answer to Any Timmon's tone is answered!

[@raphael_vierlinger]

Strat into Tubescreamer set to unity volume with the gain all off going into another tubescreamer set to gain at 12 o clock and level at 2 o clock into a rather mid scooped amp works wonders for me ;)

[@scottbakernc]

I've learned more from you guys on pedals in the last year I've been watching than the 30 years I've been playing guitar. I love using pedals on a great clean channel amp an you guys have helped so much. Thank you. What version Angry Charlie is that? I'm officially intrigued. I have a hi-gain KoT I just received. Also two Klon clones that use one on the front in for clan boost and one for its own OD. Thanks!!

[@TheNorthAmericanGuitar]

Yes! Gain Stacking is the way forward!

[@moo3992]

Great show!

[@boozoochavis7506]

This is great for those of us that grew up in the pre-Boogie era in the US because used Fenders were everywhere. The fact that gain stacking pedals would have made life easier might have not sold so many of those Mesa Boogie amps. They sound great for so many things but it is still hard to beat an old Fender of most kinds for a straight clean tone!!

[@MNGuitars]

When i started this video i was hoping to see the KoT, as im on the waiting list, but now i feel like telling the waiting list to go kick rocks, and getting a blues driver and ep booster haha..great video as always...maybe another KoT demo tho sometime?

[@MrUltraworld]

That EP Booster really wakes up a Strat.

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

O- Tay lookin for nub in all da wong pwaysis

[@Ottophil]

@@whatyoumakeofit6635 its wookin pa nub

[@calebriley7466]

You guys should create a curriculum and create a school;D I feel like I learn so much. I immediately apply what you guys do with my own gear and can really create a sound I like applying your knowledge! = Perfect class

[@charlesb7831]

I'm a little bit late on finding this, but I've been playing for 25years or so now, not a phenomenal player just enjoy playing these days. I just reorganized my pedal board. Now I run a stereo amp set up, a Carvin X50B with 4x12 cab and a Marshall jcm800 combo. I use the Earthquaker swiss things pedal to organize my board and because of that I can run a boost before or after my Overdrive pedal. The Earthquaker has a built in 20db adjustable boost . I run a Ibanez Nu-tube screamer in front of my MXR Zakk Wylde overdrive. It's a huge sounding set up. I also run an old ART sge effects processor through the effects loop on the Carvin. Everything is powered by my Art power conditioner, pedals are powered from a MXR power brick. Love using the gain stacking on this set up!

[@DaveRave23]

Thanks guys - brilliant

[@arictm114]

8:38 Imagine having a dad who when you shred makes those faces. I'd be one happy kid.

[@jacehughes8288]

You guy's should try a show on "amp" like or " on all the time" pedals that clean up well with the volume pot for clean sounds like the COT50 or SD9. Subtle break up world with the volume pot. Love the show, I eat my lunch here at the shop every Friday and learn something.

[@rtobias2013]

Dude turned into a different guitar player with the Boost after the distortion at 40:30 lol. This is how I have mine set up and I love it.

[@harrymorris9406]

"Little bit if gain there" :D

[@Grant_Ferstat]

Nice work lads.

[@ocelotl23]

Could you make a video about buffers? It placement and how interact with wahs and fuzz? Awesome show guys, I really love all the information! keep it up, greetings from Mexico!

[@TheGigRigDaniel]

+javier gallegos HI Javier, yes, we have a video on buffers planned ;)

[@ocelotl23]

Daniel TheGigRig great! you guys are the best!

[@Samodnar]

18:40 . Stacking a Blues Driver with an Angry Charlie? Pfft that'll never catch on. ;)

[@mattgilbert7347]

LOL

[@noisesoundtonevibe]

Humor. BOSS and JHS collaborated to make the Angry Driver, which combines the JHS Angry Charlie and the BOSS Blues Driver. So Dan and Mick did Something here that did catch on.

[@cleftturnip7774]

noisesoundtonevibe i think that's what the original comment was getting at.

[@gooby1648]

@@cleftturnip7774 r/wooosh

[@XIIMonkeysMusicGroup]

Lol!

[@alguitarchristie]

Great video as always guys :0) I use the clean channel with the EP Booster on all the time because it gives the clean sound a bit of girth. For boosting for solos i use the custom audio MC 401, which is an amazing clean boost, which you can put before or after the distortion/Overdrive pedals and it doesn't colour the sound at all, you should check it out :)

[@MivarWagner]

You are real forerunners of the "angry diver". Thanks to exist

[@daprofemusicstickers]

great licks thanks

[@Shadoweclipse13]

This video is really amazing, just being able to hear the differences between low gain > high gain and high gain > low gain. I would love see to see a gain stacking video like this where you mix types of gains as well (fuzz, distortion, and overdrive) since these are mostly (as Dan put it) overdrives. I know it's personal taste and experimenting with what you have, but I am curious if there's anything to ordering different types. I run an Analogman Sunface, EQD Palisades, Vick Audio Muff, and Arc Effects Soothsayer, which are all very different.

[@NJSonye]

Also the Lone Star Ch 2 can bypass the "drive" section. Also there is another gain stage from the efx loop too. Yes, you brought up a very good point bring in Andy Timmons. He helped me better define the Drive Channel. It is very doable to use one pedal for the clean channel "a Mesa Fluxdrive" on the clean Channel and set at 100w and have the drive channel at 50 watts now you can hit the front end and the hit the power amp section too. This makes amps like a Lone Star very functional. It is easy for me to have 4 different amps with a Lone Star - as you said it's understanding "gain staging" -- Now on occasion (with ear plugs too) I've just about "dimed" the amp - and OMG! It is a completely different amp. BTW you can of course run EL43s and 6V6S in al Lone Star.-- You could do a couple of shows on amps like a Lone Star where you have amps with 2 complete sets of tone controls. Remember on a Mesa the Gain & Treble are very interactive -

[@synyster_nate]

Les Paul into a mkiii boogie is my everything 🤘🏼

[@pterantula]

I learn so much from your videos, it's like one of the good Discovery Channel shows.... hmmm, idea there....... I also love some of the tones you create, but I know, tragically, I would need the killer amps like yours to recreate them.... :(

[@darkshadow0890]

Hey Daniel and Mick, you guys are doing some really great stuff here. Been watching your show for the last month or so and have learned a lot more about pedals and amps than I have over the past year! Just out of curiosity, would you guys be able to do a pedal board build for us guitar players looking to venture into the land of pedals? With so many pedals out there, it's kind of hard to know where to start. Would be really interested in building a moderate pedal board with a great foundation to build on; pedals, pedal loopers, wah, power supply, etc. Thanks! Keep up the great work guys!

[@josiasmazepa777]

Hello guys :) , I love your videos!! and I learn a lot from them... you should do some videos whit blackstar amps, or maybe some more "good tone with fairly afordable gear".. Greetings from Argentina!! :)