Which boost for a Quad+50/50?

[The Magic Hoof]

I started a thread here http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=33502 and got nice answers, so I think I'll be in the market for a boost pedal. I'm really a studio-only musician, so getting a nice recorded tone is what I'm after. As far as I understand, a boost pedal in front of my Quad pre will tighten up the sound, give more saturation and sustain, etc. I'm looking for that.

Something I've noticed is that when playing my Quad, the notes aren't ringing out for nearly as long as they should. I was thinking of getting a compressor, but I think a boost pedal may do me some good. I honestly don't like the idea of running through one-hundred-thirty-seven pieces of rack gear anyway, because that'd probably ruin tone. I mean really, running through a couple of things is probably all anyone would ever need for getting a good recorded sound.

So anyway, I'm looking to tighten up the amp and add a bit of sustain. I'll do whatever it takes to get a sweet recorded sound, and at this point I think a boost will do me some good. If you had to choose a boost for a Quad+50/50, what would you go with?

 

[ak47]

I use a Boss SD-1 super overdrive. It gives me a bit more sustain, a slight boost in volume and a nice 'clip' on my pick attack which I find helps with note separation while shredding... it is amazing on lead CH 1 of the Quad!!!

I keep it in the loop of a Boss NS-2 noise supressor as it is a bit noisy if the tone is dialed up.

The Xotic BB preamp looks VERY interesting to me as an alternative... must pick one up one day soon!

 

[Bobby Marshall]

With my Studio Pre I have used a Tube Screamer with the Analogman silver mod but just so it adds a little dirt and "tightness". So it would take each of your Quad settings (R1, R2, L1 and L2) up a notch. You need to make sure you leave some room in your Quad settings for this.

When I had a Mark IV, I had to keep the gain pretty low on the lead channel to get this to work right but it did and has with the Studio Pre as well. Haven't tried with my Quad yet but I figure if it worked with the other two it should work just as well.

If you are a "studio only" musician I would go in one of two directions:

1. Get some of the other "must have" distortion and boosts like an old RAT, Big Muff, Fuzz Face, etc.
OR
2. Get an Axe-FX Std or Ultra.

For the price of 8-10 vintage pedals you could get an Axe-FX with tons of different effects, tones, etc. Dweezil Zappa is supposed to be using an Axe-FX in place of his huge racks for his European tour. Lots of other known and unknown artists seem to get great tones out of it whether with another amp or straight into the board/FOH.

I personally went with option 1 and have been having a difficult time pulling it all together, but maybe that's just me. I primarily play live so I don't usually have much "studio" time to set everything up and just record.

I really like the Quad and will probably stick with it until given a reason to try something else.

Good luck.