Marshall DSL50! To BOOST Or Not To BOOST? (KILLER tones!)

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Marshall Amps at Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/rQ76JR Marshall Amps at Thomann: thmn.to/thocf/nf4a9fq9vm Thomann Affiliate: www.thomann.de/intl/index.html?offid=1&affid=3210 Sweetwater Affiliate: sweetwater.sjv.io/k0mGvx My personal Thomann recommendations: thmn.to/thocf/cv37zixo68 My webstore for Captures, presets etc: ko-fi.com/sonicdrivestudio

[@longlivebytor]

I used a JCM2000 DSL50 for years with a metal band. I LOVE this amp! I found the best tone was achieved when putting an MXR micro amp in the effects loop.

[@SirVicc]

A Marshall and an SD-1 are a match made in heaven. Though I usually play my DSL 50 unboosted for a more classic sound, but I always have the SD-1 waiting to tighten things up.

[@dq7860]

My DSL 20 goes quite well with a SD-1 and a 10 band EQ

[@adamwatson6916]

Great combo . Much better than with a tube screamer. The Full tone Fulldrive FD-1 is another great pedal for the DSl. If you like Boss overdrives with Marshall's. The Boss OD3 is another great pairing with the DSL Series . I use the OD3 with classic Gain channel of the DSL 5CR and its fantastic although I normally don't use pedals but the OD3 though the Classic Gain Channels of the DSl series are a different flavor that I like for variety.

[@MHoffp57]

DSL is an underrated amp. It can really sound great on it's own and you can pick them up cheap.

[@mickhudson]

Best comparison channel on YT no doubt. No other channel goes this far in detail to give the listener this much insight especially with the A/B comparisons

[@jorismak]

Did less to the overal tone then what I was afraid of. For a mix engineer, I like the result because the resonance 'woof' of the unboosted sound does seem likes it needs 'fixing' in the mix. But it sounded a bit flat and dull when you're just playing or listening to isolated tracks. I bought a mini-TS9 to use as boost and a MXR Timmy to use as overdrive for well, slightly overdriven or 'always on clean sound'. But I keep using the Timmy more and more as a boost. It doesn't have that much of a level increase, but you get bass + treble 'cut' controls, so you can tweak how much low end you want to filter from the signal hitting the amp. You can find a sweet spot that way that doesn't sound too lifeless but doesn't sound to boomy either.

[@danielcaneparo]

I can't argue with the SD-1, pretty much been raised on it. Such a sweet spot on a Marshall!

[@eriklamelakillingspree7690]

I really love the boosted sound with the SD-1 for the tone you are using here! It’s just more in your face and aggressive that the 808.

[@natethompson1257]

The DSL50 un-boosted was meaner sounding than I thought, but I think the Boss SD-1 boosting the DSL50 sounded the best. The SD-1 added more aggression to the midrange and tightened up the bass quite nicely in comparison to the Maxon. Great work as always Jon! Cheers from California!

[@kasakka]

I had one of these over 10 years ago and to me the best sound in it was the Classic Gain channel crunch mode with the MV cranked to about 6 or 7 using an attenuator. That boosted would be my choice.

[@Joey.Darkwoods-Studio]

Both sound terrific... I use the SD-1 on my DSL and JVM when tone calls for it. SD-1 and the Wylde O.D. are my go to's.

[@jamesgoodman7096]

I have both these boost pedals. Both great. I find the 808 good for Marshall - I also find it a little brighter. Where I use my SD-1 with my Mesa more. However both are very good, and very versatile.

[@perpetualgrimace]

This amp, those riffs, and the SD-1 💛

[@robertosalgado1809]

unboosted > sd1 > maxon that said, all 3 have their ideal place in a mix, i think: maxon for a bit more "modern" and "polished" sound, sd1 for a more "meaty" sound, and unboosted for a really sweet classic sound.

[@deerfeeder2076]

I'm about to get to try this out for myself. I cannot wait, love your video, thanks.

[@BrandonBames]

WOW. Unboosted was surprisingly nice. I might have to get me another Marshall someday soon. Damn!

[@bigpiper2103]

For this one I liked the Boss best! The unboosted one was a tiny wee bit sluggish, while the Boss Ds1 made it even more marshall-y if possible - added dynamics, clarity, a bit of sparkle, without changing the basic characteristics of the amp.

[@stephenchow5161]

i always click on your videos when a new one is released. so well done. i love the format. no endless out of tune chugs, or mindless wheediliy deededily!

[@davespin9034]

I love your videos, the side by side comparing is great. BUT the equipment you have in the chain makes all of the amps you demo sound way better than an amp plugged into a cab. And you aren’t alone, the best guys here doing these reviews do the same. How about a RAW comparison, chain being the guitar -> amp -> pedal -> cab like you’d hear in a garage or studio before cleaning up the output.

[@zbaby82]

I think it sounded better without the pedals. Richer, warmer and less thin. The DSL50 is on my wish list. Nice video.

[@pip5528]

I preferred it boosted with the 808 but not by much. It was kinda boomy raw but boosted it was tighter with midrange and treble richness. All 3 sounded good but the 808 was my favorite.

[@nekrovulpes]

With DSL, definitely boost. It feels like they were made with boosts in mind honestly. They sounds almost rectifier-ish with a good 808 in front of the red gain channel, and perfect JCM800 territorry if you boost the green. For rock tones, something more klon-ish in the crunch channel for just a bit of extra grit.

[@DonnieDistortion]

IMHO: I much prefer the beefy un-boosted tone of a Marshall amp, including this one. Boost only if you're doing a lot of palm mutes or playing leads, and with the SD-1 by all means. :)

[@zakkwyldesdmf13]

Couldn't have said it better. And if you close your eyes there is practically no difference between the Maxon and the Boss. It may be a slightly different feel while playing but to the listener that doesn't matter.

[@nicos2781]

Yes me too 👌🏽👨‍🎤

[@LucasLeCompteMusic]

Answer is: it really depends on what you are doing. Dad rock? No boost really needed. Metalcore/Djent? Prolly will need one depending on pickups/amp.

[@graemedixon6314]

In this particular song unboosted sounded great. Sd1 for thrash metal and drop tuned riffs

[@singleproppilot]

Every one of these videos I watch, the Tube Screamer makes the amp sound like a Tube Screamer. It doesn’t matter which amp is being played, the OD808 adds some distinctive coloration which sounds good, but entirely predicable. In contrast, the SD-1 seems to give the amp a helping hand while remaining mostly transparent and letting the amp’s character shine through.

[@frnkytherockstar7760]

Always boosted!!! Nice job bro, I love the boss sd1 but the maxon sounds cool Please boost a lunch box or the laney irt 60

[@russelldehart2362]

I cut my teeth on classic metal back in the day so to me the un-boosted sound makes me think of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest - and brings a smile to my face. The boost pedals certainly tighten things up giving it a more modern feel that push it in the direction of Death Metal or Metalcore. All good sounds but I think I'll go with a buck-naked amp.

[@ctld5266]

i prefer to boost my marshall JVM hjs with a Boss BD2, lows are preserved compared to my 808 or SD1, but the distortion is tighter

[@Donnie_Thornberry]

I usually just run an MXR 10 band eq for a boost and an ISP noise gate to quiet it some. I have a Boss CE-2 chorus that's fun too.

[@petercarparelli]

All the settings at 6. That's the only way! Nicely done sir!

[@afterstars]

I’ve been through countless OD’s with this amp and while I have the classic Boss, I found the Matthews Effects architect v3 is perfect. It’s a Klon style OD and covers a ton of ground with the options.

[@reynaldocuevas6543]

Completely agree with your assessment. I liked the sound of the amp by itself, but it did benefit from boosting. I think the OD-1 boosts the Marshall character a bit better with the higher top and mid range bite.

[@lifeinlimbo2186]

All three examples were delicious. Thank you.

[@nobot99997_xxl]

the boosted sound is exact what like. the special mid sound from the marshall around 800 hz.

[@mindful__gardener]

They all sound great. So versatile

[@peteyoung7665]

You”forgot”to do what the JCM 2000 does best.A great sounding overdrive/distortion pedal in to the classic gain chanel.That’s how Gary Moore,Jeff Beck,Joe Bonamassa etc used it.

[@jeremypgiles]

That was some cool riffing man. Loved the harmonized melodic riff you were playing. Definitely prefer the sharper boosted sound

[@Tariqmajeedofficial]

Awesome Bro

[@KipCount]

This amp is the perfect gain tone to my ears. Had a 100w JCM2000 in the 90s, sold it, regretted it. I now have a DSL20hr. You can tell the spirit of the lineage is in there, but it doesn't hit the spot the same way. Anyone know if the DSL40cr captures this magic?

[@ClearColorCloud]

She purr so smooth unboosted. Boosted sounds more generic, but not in a bad way.. great in a mix I bet

[@donerkebab1486]

The unboosted tone is lovely...

[@borhksalduero9259]

Definitely to boost with the boss sounds really nice!!! By the way nice iron maiden like tunes buddy!!!

[@andrewspade7969]

This Marshall sounds so much better than all the 20 watt ones (SV20H vs SC20H vs 2525H vs DSL20HR). I will be buying one ASAP and I think the boost makes the most improvement on the single notes and the Maxon is the better boost to me. I have the level on the boost mostly around 2/3, I don't like max level, it doesn't sound as good.

[@MikeSylvestre]

It definitely sounds "better" boosted, but that's within the context of a mix. I don't think in a live situation, the speakers seem to open up without it being boosted

[@jean-philippemorin1176]

I agree it sounds a bit better boosted. However not sure which overdrive I prefer in your example. The difference is quite subtle.

[@randynelson9961]

Gotta put that Peppers Dirty Tree on! Perfect boost for any amp.

[@benjamincaupin1366]

Pretty Megadeth " cryptic writing" Era riff sounding! Marshall and boss are a pretty good combo, I need this little yellow box for my dsl 20hr. Like the result with my 808, but I feel it lack this little something that the sd1 has

[@spaceavenger54]

I had this back in 2007, the only thing I ever used for abuse was an mxr micro amp for leads. Honestly your aunt Peter sounds better on boosted I'm listening through a Bluetooth speaker that says much better than my phone and it just sounded much better unboosted the two boosts actually didn't send that much different to me although the maxon seems slightly smoother. I really would have loved to have heard some lead work with these comparisons. Now I play a bunch of old '80s rock like skid row and Ozzy and iron maiden etc so I don't know what that means to some people who are a lot heavier stuff but in my personal opinion this Marshall sounds better without a boost for its main sound.

[@michaelcline7458]

I can't tell if the tone shift button is in or out, but to me a boost sounds the same as using the tone shift button. With a boost you get a bit more mid range bite and grit and without it has a bit darker and smoother tone. I'd be more interested to hear the green channel boosted, which is how most people boost a DSL.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Tone shift is always off here

[@chazssmudj]

everything is boosted on the red channel , the best sound to my ears is the boost the overdrive on the crunch green channel , totally different raw purer sound

[@MRxr400]

isolated tone goes to show when a boosted amp sounds great in a mix, it maybe a little harsh at home practicing. overall, i preferred the articulation of the boss, maxon second and unboosted third.

[@KUTEY]

I prefer the OD808 ! unboosted it feels a bit flat, and the SD1 feel a bit agressive and not that defined sounding. But I'm biased, I play Marshall style with a screamer in front...

[@gibs8412]

Lately im into the sd1 although i used an original tube screamer for many years

[@MP422ownz]

Same.

[@StratEdition]

For the riffs you were playing, for me unboosted is undoubtely better. I think perhaps for some fast metal I'd prefer some tightness that the boost provides.

[@scottpeters4401]

Definitely boosted……Hard to pick between the 808 and the Boss SD1……the 808 is a little darker and smoother,with a slightly bigger mid hump…but the SD1 has more top end,a little less bass and mids…..I personally have and use both…..you gotta have both,right?

[@chucknorris66611]

I prefer not to boost, but with the SD1 sound kickass

[@buzzsaw63]

Anyone know if a product to dampen string noise besides tape or jimmy clips?

[@kilsoo]

You should try the Fulltone Fat Boost. Amazing in front of amps like this in a different way because it isn't designed to add distorted gain, just frequency increases.

[@adamwatson6916]

I really like the original Fulldrive and Fulldrive 2 as well .

[@Ryan_Q3L]

I dig the 808 boosted tone

[@RapttorX]

9:28 you almost got me there :) ... i almost checked my headphones jack

[@mehegama]

Why do we hear clips and pops on the isolated tracks?

[@798125]

Definitely boosted is better imho, both boosts sound good but the 808 is my favorite!

[@MP422ownz]

Can you do one of these with the mini jubilee or maybe do video with like the differences a boss ge-7 makes.

[@matt926uk1]

Does the smaller dsl20 head have a similar sound to this 50 watt?

[@thomasdickmann8332]

Great video! Would you also make a video with the boosted green channel (Crunch mode) of the DSL-50?

[@robertaugustine5350]

I own a 100w version of this amp. The green channel actually likes pedals better. I have a BE-OD, Seymour Duncan 805 and EVH5150 pedal on my board. All sound slightly different but way better in green than the red channel. I also run it through a Weber attenuator so I can make the tubes work better at “normal” volumes.

[@rossbalch]

I love how you went for those post 2000 Maiden riffs. This amp really does nail that sound.

[@notplaying2379]

I'm listening through monitor speakers, I can't hear a difference between the boosted and regular amp sounds.

[@nekrovulpes]

It's all in the low end, tightening and focussing it. If your speakers lack bass response then you're only getting the details from the top half of the signal which is more or less unaffected.

[@valeryt4977]

Unboosted - cold sound, boosted -warm and punch. But jcm2000 my favorite of Marshall, because it have rage character. Sorry for my english (((

[@DestinationUnknownBandSinger]

Dsl 100H with a Friedman BE-OD pedal sounds insanely crazy good. Just fyi.

[@Fran1999100]

Can you do the one like this for the JVM410?

[@Ramo_Baramia]

Both sounded great, I like boosted version:)

[@picksalot1]

In the mix, the differences didn't matter much to me. When isolated, I preferred the natural, unboosted sound of the Amp. It's as if I'm starting to dislike the hyped frequencies of Boost Pedals. I feel like I'm being repeatedly hit over the head with the excessive use of that sound. 🤷‍♂️

[@hcrockso1]

Try a tumnus in front of it... I like it best in front of my JCM 2000...

[@rolandfenyes1541]

I think it's best without boost.😎🤘

[@WholeLottaBulldog]

Gonna do this with the dark terror?

[@crazeyjoe]

I prefer boosting and tone sculpting with a 10 band EQ .

[@mladenjovanovic]

I love my Marshall JCM2000 DSL 100 Brit. SD-1 gives tighter sound to this red channel.

[@texxhexxmm]

deep switch on or off? What do you prefer? ;)

[@SonicDriveStudio]

On

[@adamwatson6916]

I love the Boss OD3. Very mid 90s Jimmy Page .

[@Turbo-D]

did you check out the newer dsl 100 h series? the head is just about 700€ here in germany, great bang for your buck and i think it sounds better without a boost, the older dsl benefit more from it.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I had one but I think it was broken so I returned it

[@Turbo-D]

@@SonicDriveStudio sad to hear, amazing gear 🙏

[@igolfjtweetler4097]

a boost on the green channel is where it's at.

[@justinsikorsky4699]

I miss my old DSL 100 😩

[@texxhexxmm]

which pre amp tubes are you using with the DSL50?

[@Arufured0]

Masrhall is designed to be used with boost pedal ;) To be serious it's a matter of taste. Not boosted marshall tone great for big open grunge rock sound like Daughtry, when boosted signal suite for modern and more focused upfront riffs like Three Days Grace have. Imho of course . Great work anyway!

[@terouy8732]

I love both boosted and unboosted, maybe it just depends what mood are u in hehe

[@rossbalch]

Man that amp sounds a lot better than when I owned one. Though I think it's cause I paired it with the 1936 2x12. That cab sounds awful.

[@nj1255]

For more classic rock tones I would go un-boosted. Out of the boosted tones, I preferred the DS-1 over the TS808 actually. I'm a TS guy so I was a bit surprised!

[@lesguitaresdepapa4903]

I think, in this case… NO! For metal tones it really do the Job with a boost. I have JVM 205 and it react really well to my maxon!

[@Heka41]

Maybe use the E string next time?

[@vicnest]

SD-1 boosted is quite good.

[@BcBaxley]

GET A pepers' pedals dirty tree boost 😁🤘 The pedal is straight metal 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ahmetayaz41]

i boost my marshalls with od3 and i beleive it s way better than sds

[@gainmeister4505]

The ts circuit blends some of the original signal back in at the output as where the sd1 does not which is something to keep in mind. Unboosted sounds the smoothest fullest in my opinion. OD pedals will always make things boxy in some way to my ears, I'd suggest boosting with an parametric then a graphic pedal and then a gate for a gainier sound on one track and then the natural amp on another.

[@CharlesWillisBonsai]

That's incorrect. Both pedals have almost the exact same topology except the SD-1 has an extra diode for asymmetric clipping. Doubling the headroom of one half of the wave form makes the original signal blend a little less noticeable.

[@mjlagerwerf]

First of all, I really enjoyed the riffs! Had some sort of Iced Earth vibe going on. Personally, I liked the Boss sd-1 the most. How do you think this amp, with the boss sd-1, will hold up when playing lower tunings or 7/8/9 string guitars?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

That would be great! Pretty thick. Maybe I'd boost the tone a little bit more but that could definitely work buddy!

[@paologisela]

Natural o con sd1, por el riff final 808...😂

[@greham]

I hope you will do a TBONTB with the Orange Rocker 15. Honestly, it takes pedals very well and it's easy to change the character of the distortion. You can make it tighter (I use a MXR 78' for that), fuzzier (a Blues Driver), and so on. People see it as a Rock amp only but you can do some serious metal with it if boosted. And not only doom and stoner.

[@peteyoung7665]

Just turn the bass down to 2.Then it will sound tight without a boost/overdrive pedal.

[@satarello]

with maxon is more creamy !!! I like it

[@nicosonic]

I can't even hear the difference when it's boosted so for me there is no point of using a boost.