software

hi, just wondering whether i can do something to a distortion channel on a solid state amp to make it heavier or have more gain etc. i was thinking maybe there are types of pedal that can add something to an already distorted channel. i have used distortion pedals through a clean channel before but i find i cannot get the same volume as the distortion channel used on its own.

if there is a pedal or something i can use to help, then can i have some recommendations?

thanks

You can try putting an OD or distortion pedal in front of the amp, or using an EQ pedal.

Or a duncan pickup booster!

A booster, overdrive or EQ in front of the amp, and if that doesn´t help it´s probably time to graduate to a decent sized amp or start looking for quot;thequot; distortion pedal

an EQ in the loop (if possible) - it can do soundwonders. if not try an EQ in front for toneshapong and volumeboost.

Turn the gain down on the distortion channel and put a pedal in front of it. I suggest a Spina modded DS-1. It'll really open it up plus it's like adding an extra channel to your amp.

so anymore suggestions on a pedal that could solve my problem? an overdrive pedal or bosst pedal etc.

Modded SD-1 sounds like it may do the trick.. i have the exact same problem and im about to invest in one.

A Zakk Wylde Od will take care of your problem.Crank the gain,adjust the tone,and use the output to get your volume level.Simple ,sounds sweet and used ones are pretty cheap.

A Tube Amp!

The speaker combination that you use can really make a difference to the heavyness of sound that you get . . . no little 8 inch practice amp speaker is going to have the same feel as a 4X12 . . . but you might want to try a marshall guv'nor or jackhammer pedal . . . those are sort of designed for what you want I think . . .

i guess from what i know no OD pedal will make a solid state amp scream more or add more gain... i have tested and hated...
but a tube amp is another thing... you can drive the tubes with any od pedal in front of it... its quite amazing...
JJ

It's usually best to come to the realization that you've got the wrong amp. Instead of trying to put a bandaid on it, just sell it and buy something with a more gainy sound.

If you play in your home mostly, I'd suggest the Vox Valvetronix modeling amps, since you can get any tone you want out of them at reasonable volumes. Time to chuck the junk and go amp shopping, rather than trying to buy a distortion pedal that will just put you closer to the sound you have in your head. Just choose one with the proper sound, and make sure it's appropriate for the type of place you play in.

Not everyone has the luxury of affording a new amp but pushing a great distortion out of a SS amp can be a hard thing to do. Some of the top end stuff gets great tone but the low end SS combos do have some serious limitations including cabnet construction, speaker quality, inexpensive output trannys and more.

Pushing the front end with an OD pedal somethines works but more often than not it only makes the exsisting tone louder and harsher because straight SS clipping isn't that great sounding in the first place and also because in less expensive SS combos the speaker can't handle the extra signal and can start to sound buzzy of farty.

Backing off the amps distortion on the gain channel and adding a distortion pedal may work better. That way you are getting more of the pedals tone and less of the amps distortion. Maxing the amps gain and the pedals gain probably won't work.

I was also thinking an EQ pedal but you have to be close tonally for that to work. If you almost dig your tone but need a little more bottom and a small push to get where you want to be then an EQ may help. If you need major tone changes it won't and an EQ will just make the tone you already have louder with a different shape.

Without knowing the specifics of your rig it's hard to say what might work best.