The ULTIMATE 303 pedal shootout! (part 9)

[@RoarMcRipHelmet]

To my ears, what sounds best is either: Clean, or cheap mixer mic preamp (heard in Part 1), or a simple diode clipper like the MXR Distortion+ (heard in Part 6). These three alternatives work well regardless of input level and 303 settings (waveform, tonal register, cutoff, resonance, accent…) while anything more advanced becomes much more specialized and situation-dependent. Speaking of specialized: My personal favorite 303 distortion is not a guitar pedal, but a Eurorack module: VoicAs LedRover. The KZbin channel CV Addict has a video review of it on some 303 material.

[@gwEmbassy]

I will check out that Eurorack module!!

[@RoarMcRipHelmet]

Before you take the plunge into the expensive rabbit hole of Eurorack, though, beware that the LedRover is more or less just a Distortion+ design with some switchable diode variations and bass gain staging. And since you mentioned in Part 6 that the Distortion+ sounded a bit too simple for your taste, it might not be your cup of tea. If you want a CRAZY distortion pedal that works well with a 303, try the WMD Geiger Counter, and keep in mind that its sound completely changes depending on the input levels fed into it.

[@g.marion5888]

Great theme for a video series, I wouldn't have guessed the Blues Driver would be so good. Now you have me inspired to try a 303 through my giant 70's Morley Power Fuzz Wah:)

[@gwEmbassy]

Go for it!

[@johngorgis]

I like using lower gain overdrives in conjunction with clipping the mixer mic pres , mostly on drum machines but on occasionally bass and acid lines

[@gwEmbassy]

this is a good idea 👍

[@yalincokyay]

You're a saint for doing all these shootouts gwEm! If you plan on making any future shootouts, could i kindly request to also have some non overdrive/distortion comparisons? Would like to hear some of the options for Chorus/Phaser/Flanger/Reverb etc.

[@gwEmbassy]

that’s a good idea : I did one shootout like that, but I can do more

[@Alpha-DX]

Blues Driver 2 Waza Craft is the tits on my TD-3's & TB-3. Lots of sweet spots

[@gwEmbassy]

nice!! I think it’s kinda awesome :)

[@snörre23]

Surprised that in this unbelievable video series you did not use my favourite a simple Jordan Fuzz. Of course i used a clone. Needs some modifications, no diodes or red LEDs, voltage starve, Bigger Input Capacitor (most important !), reverse switch for one transistor gets into weird territorry. My absolute favourite, also for 808.

[@gwEmbassy]

If you send over the Jordan Fuzz I will happily test it :)

[@snörre23]

@@gwEmbassy I am in Europe, would get too expensive.

[@osmetix]

Imagine leaving a comment and not leaving a like. 1st to like! 2nd to comment.

[@gwEmbassy]

thanks for both :)

[@harryanderson7282]

Try the EQD Acapulco Gold.

[@gwEmbassy]

I tried that one in a previous video :)

[@Maskinoperatr]

Automatically subscribed ! How are you dude ?

[@gwEmbassy]

thanks for the sub :) I’m doing good buddy!

[@zzkjbry]

try a Behringer super fuzz (sf300) :)

[@gwEmbassy]

I think I already did that one!

[@zzkjbry]

ops sorry :) can you link the vid pls ? ty@@gwEmbassy

[@gwEmbassy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/moeTn3hoe516oaM

[@acidtechno]

been using the bluesdriver for years , i tried the japan version at double the price and its terrible compared to the vanilla BD , and and ts808 panned LR with a cheap rat . 👍

[@gwEmbassy]

I really like the vanilla blue driver, I prefer to the fancy one too!

[@acidtechno]

@@gwEmbassy funny my waza version was sounding off . sold it years back and kept the bd2 , i tried to dod SOD 1 lol , nope.

[@jk-dy5bx]

Thanks again gwEm! I really like your 303 shootouts. Blues Driver sounds great with 303. Much like Bad Monkey. Have you ever tried it?

[@gwEmbassy]

I’ve never tried a Bad Monkey, would like to but don’t own one.

[@gapster77]

Hey Gwem! Love this series. Do you know anything about the Acid8 boxes? I’ve watched a limited amount of videos on it, and there is currently a Mk III model. Wondered if it was any good?

[@gwEmbassy]

I’ve never tried one, but I am curious about them too!!

[@gapster77]

@@gwEmbassy Bax is selling them for 30% off at the moment £244, so tempting, but not sure what to make of it?

[@gwEmbassy]

a review here : www.thomann.de/gb/twisted_electrons_acid_8_mkii.htm

[@SiliconPrairie]

You should expand into software VSTs for the comparisons. Obviously, not software clones of real pedals, but effects that are ONLY available as plugins. Like Decimort 2, which is pure magic on a 303.

[@gwEmbassy]

this is not a bad idea. I haven’t used a VST in well over a decade though!

[@SiliconPrairie]

@@gwEmbassy I can help if you need, but the gist of it is, route your gear in through your interface or Line In, set your DAW mixer to accept that feed, and select the VST from the list of effects, and record. Installation of VSTs is easy. I use FL, and it's just a matter of installing it first, then scanning your plugins in FL, and checking a box. The built in Distructor in FL studio would be a GREAT start. I would be disappointed not to have some hardware footage interspersed with the VST footage, though 😉 If you're looking for some good VSTs to start with, I believe Decimort and its multi band distortion Devastor are both good starts. They have demo versions.

[@SiliconPrairie]

@@gwEmbassy I should add, Distructor could be an entire video. It's a collection of every distortion module (code) from every stock or paid synth that FL can include, so it even has things like bitcrushing and fold back distortion, which is less common. It almost gives the synth an FM type of sound.

[@gianfry1980]

blue drives best

[@gwEmbassy]

I agree!