Volume pedal or booster?

[brettthain1]

Just wondering what is more preferred when doing solos, a booster pedal such as the zvex super hard on, mxr micro amp etc or a volume/expression pedal (would probable be a boss one or an earnie ball, whatever really!)

I'm only after something to get me abit louder for when I do a solo with a full band, and it's a pain in the arse having to adjust the amp constantly!

[colb]

Trying to set a lower level for everything but solos accurately with a Volume pedal would be a lot of effort. And using a min max would be a waste of a volume pedal. Just get a booster.

Edited May 21, 2014 by colb

[DavetheRave]

As Col said, booster is the easiest option, I often use one of these for solos...

 

http://www.ehx.com/products/lpb-1

 

 

[MikeyEB]

I sometimes use an EQ pedal as a boost option, gives you a good level of control and helps with the whole actual volume vs perceived volume thang.

[Steviepearce]

I tend to use both a booster pedal or the eq option above as an eq you can tweak the frequencies you want to come through the mix. Alternatively if you don't wanna but something there is a thing on most guitars called a volume pot. Just use that. I tend to roll mine off a touch with most tracks then give it a boost as and when needed.

[brettthain1]

I'd never of thought an eq pedal would be handy on a pedal board, I'll look into one and see if it is a benefit investing in one to!

I could be killing two birds with one stone and grab a zvex box of rock (I do like his pedals!) which has a booster as well, has anybody tried one? The ehx pedal seems like a great solution and it's not a bad size as well!

[Steviepearce]

Every board deserves an eq.

[brettthain1]

Apart from the exh pedal, what other boosters are good?

[James Broonbreed]

MXR micro amps are pretty sweet. It's the only one I've used though. I did used to have an MXR dynacomp that I basically used as a boost though and that was pretty rad.

[brettthain1]

[brettthain1]

What eq have you got, Stevie?

[Steviepearce]

Have an mxr eq. Did have a boss ge7. I use a xotic ep booster now for my solo boost but I also found the t spark good.

[meiklejohn]

Buy an xotic EP booster, theeee best boost ever, has enough of a volume boost for anything, seriously, feel free to come test it, best 120 quid I've ever spent on a pedal.

http://www.andertons.co.uk/compact-pedals/pid17651/cid692/xotic-ep-booster-pedal.asp

[Steviepearce]

As above. use the ep booster. Awesome but you want it on all the time and another ep boost to boost the ep.

[brettthain1]

And if you want to boost the ep boosting the ep, then get another ep. Hahaha!

[britheguy]

I've had good results with any of the following:

SHO into the fx loop of my marshall. Probably the best results as it basically makes the sound you are playing...very loud:)

Eq pedal on the board. More subtle effect and works better depending on the sound you are using at time.

J&H running dist side then kicking in the OD side. Once again this give quite loud vol boost, but tends to sound more of an OD sound than a dist sound.

 

Overall the SHO through the fx loop was the best for me...especially if your fx loop has a vol control (mix)

Hope that helps. If you wait until I get back, I can show you what I mean if you like? 

[TR!ΔNGL€ T€€TH]

I sometimes use an EQ pedal as a boost option, gives you a good level of control and helps with the whole actual volume vs perceived volume thang.

This. It is likely not a volume boost you require for soloing, you want to cut through the mix instead. Imagine that your solo is occupying the space where the singer was, so you are likely to want some mids and high end boosted.

[givemeasmile]

I use an alternative distortion with a slightly higher 'level' setting, but that's because of me wanting a slightly different, more dirty sound for playing lead parts. If you also want to do this, then that's an option open to you as well.

[Fridge]

Another option I found worked quite well was using a BBE Sonic Stomp box and maxing out both controls.....instead of sweetening your sound it gives a nice clean boost when used that way.

[Bigsby]

I use a Zoom MS50, covers a lot of ground.