Left: Klon Centaur #309, worth over $2,000.
Right: BYOC Overdrive 2, a $95 Tube Screamer clone.
It’s hardly a new idea: YouTube is full of Klon vs. Screamer comparison videos.
But this one is different.
Using the same “reasonably scientific” techniques deployed in my recent germanium fuzz survey, I’ve created a blind listening test that removes as many variables as possible from the equation.
The video details the testing procedures. But basically, the A/B recordings are identical save for the use of one pedal or the other. The rival pedals are Klon Centaur #309 (the unit reviewed in Guitar Player back in the ’90s) and a new BYOC Overdrive 2, a DIY Tube Screamer clone kit with extra knobs and pots to provide the most popular boutique mods.
This Klon would fetch north of $2,000 on EBay. You can order the Overdrive 2 online for $95.
Now, these two pedals are NOT identical circuits. (The key differences are covered in the video.) But they share the same topology and sonic character. It’s not an apples and oranges comparison — more like two apples of distinct but related varieties.
For the video I dialed in five different sounds from across the Klon’s range, and then tried to duplicate them with the BYOC Screamer clone. You’ll hear the same material ten times, like so:
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A =
Pedal B =
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A =
Pedal B =
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A =
Pedal B =
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A =
Pedal B =
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A =
Pedal B =
To compete, just fill in the blanks and copy your answers into the comments thread below.
The pedals might not appear in the same order for each pair of audio clips. Other than that, there are no sneaky tricks. (For example, you really do hear two different pedals for every example.)
The first three contestants to submit perfect scores before Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013, will each win fabulous prizes one of my hand-built stompboxes. On that date I’ll post the answers and announce the winners here, assuming there are some. You can still test your ears after that by watching this video and not peeking at the answers — but sorry, no more prizes.
Only one entry per person. Anyone caught circumventing this rule via multiple identities may be subject to global ridicule.
I’ll hold off on any sonic observations till I post the correct answers next week.
Good luck, and may the best ears win some gnarly stompbox.
Here it goes:
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Thanks for jumping in, man! Results next Tuesday!
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Centaur
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Centaur
Pedal B = Screamer
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Centaur
Pedal B = Screamer
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = Centaur
Pedal B = Screamer
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Centaur
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A =Klon
Pedal B =Screamer Clone
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A =Klon
Pedal B =Screamer Clone
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A =Screamer Clone
Pedal B =Klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A =Screamer Clone
Pedal B =Klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A =Klon
Pedal B =Screamer Clone
My guess is the same as this.
1A Klon / 1B Screamer
2A Klon / 2B Screamer
3A Screamer / 3B Klon
4A Screamer / 4B Klon
5A Klon / 5B Screamer
If this is right I’m going to buy a lottery ticket too.. 😉
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Screamer
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Screamer
MotorGoblin!Thanks for coming by. Love your work! 🙂
Results next Tuesday!
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon Pedal B = SC
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = SC Pedal B = Klon
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = SC Pedal B = Klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = SC Pedal B = Klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = SC Pedal B = Klon
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Screamer
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Screamer
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
(I agree 100% with Iago!)
Great! There’s no way I’m guessing correctly as I have no personal experience with either, but I’ll hazard:
Example 1
A TS
B K
Example 2
A K
B TS
Example 3
A K
B TS
Example 4
A TS
B K
Example 5
A TS
B K
My personal opinion:
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = BYOC
Pedal B = KLON
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = KLON
Pedal B = BYOC
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = KLON
Pedal B = BYOC
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = KLON
Pedal B = BYOC
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = BYOC
Pedal B = KLON
I have never tried a real Klon… I’m curious! 🙂
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B =Klon
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A =Screamer
Pedal B =Klon
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A =Klon
Pedal B =Screamer
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A =Screamer
Pedal B =Klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A =Klon
Pedal B =Screamer
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Screamer
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A =
Pedal B = Klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Screamer
(I’ve actually just gone with saying the take I prefer is the Klon – this might be folly as I’m not actually that familiar with either pedal. So yeah – take “Klon” to mean “the one I liked the most”. Example 5 was the hardest one to call for me.)
Probably not a bad method, actually — I might have tried the same technique.
But no comments on any answers till next week! :satansmoking:
I’d say…
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Screamer clone
Pedal B = Klon
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Screamer clone
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Screamer clone
Pedal B = Klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Screamer clone
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = Screamer clone
Pedal B = Klon
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = KlON
Pedal B = TS
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = KLON
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = KLON
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = KLON
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = KLON
Example 1 -> A – Screamer, B – Klon
Example 2 -> A – Screamer, B – Klon
Example 3 -> A – Klon, B – Screamer
Example 4 -> A – Screamer, B – Klon
Example 5 -> A – Klon, B – Screamer
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A =TS
Pedal B =Klon
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A =Klon
Pedal B =TS
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A =Klon
Pedal B =TS
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A =TS
Pedal B =Klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A =Klon
Pedal B =TS
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = klon
Pedal B = ts
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = ts
Pedal B = klon
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = ts
Pedal B = klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = ts
Pedal B = klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = klon
Pedal B = ts
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Ts
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Ts
Pedal B = Klon
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Ts
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Ts
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = Ts
Pedal B = Klon
Oh, this is impossible. I think I’m right on the high gain one, the Klon (I think) doesn’t alias as much. The others… well. :cuckoo:
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = K
Pedal B = S
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = S
Pedal B = K
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = S
Pedal B = K
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = K
Pedal B = S
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = S
Pedal B = K
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A =klon
Pedal B =screamer
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A =screamer
Pedal B =klon
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A =klon
Pedal B =screamer
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A =screamer
Pedal B =klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A =screamer
Pedal B =klon
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A =Klon
Pedal B =Screamer
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A =Screamer
Pedal B =Klon
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A =Screamer
Pedal B =Klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A =Klon
Pedal B =Screamer
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A =Klon
Pedal B =Screamer
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A =klon
Pedal B =clone
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A =klon
Pedal B =clone
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A =clone
Pedal B =klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A =klon
Pedal B =clone
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A =clone
Pedal B =klon
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A =Klon
Pedal B =Screamer
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A =Screamer
Pedal B =Klon
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A =Screamer
Pedal B =Klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A =Klon
Pedal B =Screamer
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A =Screamer
Pedal B =Klon
Example 1
pedal A: Klon
pedal B: Screamer clone
Example 2
pedal A: Screamer clone
pedal B: Klon
Example 3
pedal A: Screamer clone
pedal B: Klon
Example 4
pedal A: Klon
pedal B: Screamer clone
Example 5
pedal A: Klon
pedal B: Screamer clone
1 A TS B Klon
2 A Klon B TS
3 A TS B Klon
4 A Klon B TS
5 A TS B Klon.
And I see that if I’m right I’m already too late to win on my picks. (Lousy work.) Oh well. Still my best guesses.
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A =klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A =ts
Pedal B =klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A =ts
Pedal B =klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A =ts
Pedal B =kln
I have no experience with any of them, the chances are 1 in 1024, haha. I have some knowledge from what I’ve heard or readed in some post’s, so here I go:
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A =Klon
Pedal B =Screamer Clone
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A =Screamer Clone
Pedal B =Klon
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A =Screamer Clone
Pedal B =Klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A =Klon
Pedal B =Screamer Clone
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A =Klon
Pedal B =Screamer Clone
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = klon
Pedal B = ts
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = klon
Pedal B = ts
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = ts
Pedal B = klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = klon
Pedal B = ts
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = ts
Pedal B = klon
Ex1 – A: TS B: K
Ex2 – A: K B: TS
Ex3 – A: K B: TS
Ex4 – A: K B: TS
Ex5 – A: K B: TS
Tough call on the lower gain settings! Thanks for doing this – quite an eye(ear)opener 😉
Example 1:
A:Screamer
B: Klon
Ex. 2:
A: Screamer
B: Klon
Ex3:
A: Screamer
B: Klon
Ex4
A: Screamer
B: Klon
Ex5:
A: Klon
B: Screamer
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Screamer
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Screamer
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Screamer
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
They are both very similar although my choices were swayed by the extra headroom/clarity that 18v gives…but who knows?!?! Fun experiment. 🙂
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A =Klon
Pedal B =tubescreamer clone
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = tubescreamer clone
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = klon
Pedal B = tubescreamer clone
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = screamer clone
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = screamer clone
Pedal B = klon
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Fun idea Joe! Here are my guesses:
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Screamer
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Screamer
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
thanks for the fun vid!
My pleasure! It was a blast to make.
Hmmm…
I’m guessing here
1A = KLON
1B = TS Clone
2A = TS Clone
2B = KLON
3A = TS Clone
3B = KLON
4A = TS Clone
4B = KLON
5A = KLON
5B = TS
but what do I know???
SD
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Screamer
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Screamer
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
1) A: Klon B: TS
2) A: Klon B: TS
3) A: TS B: Klon
4) A: TS B: Klon
5) A: Klon B: TS
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A =Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A =TS
Pedal B = Klon
Will say, the differences are SUBTLE, and you’d never hear the difference in a live setting-nice job on the clips!!!
BTW, I listened to the clip on my studio setup, miles better than computer speakers…
1.
A=klon
B=TS
2.
A=TS
B=klon
3.
A=klon
B=TS
4.
A=klon
B=TS
5.
A=TS
B=klon
Thanks this is fun!
#35 Report Post
Old Today, 09:27 PM
tjmicsak tjmicsak is online now
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Webster, NY
Posts: 4,556
1.
A-Klon
B-TS
2.
A- TS
B- Klon
3.
A- Klon
B- TS
4.
A- TS
B- Klon
5.
A- TS
B- Klon
1 a-klon b-TS
2 a-TS b-klon
3 a-TS b-klon
4 a-klon b-TS
5 a-TS b-klon
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
I’ll laugh if i’m right, because speakers on a samsung tab aren’t exactly reference grade.
They all sound the f***ing same – great stuff. Another myth destroyed.
$2.000,-
– $ 95,-
———-
= $1.905,-
Don´t bother finding out the difference, folks.
Get yourself an OD2, save $ 1.905,- for which you can BUY a gnarly overdrive from Joe! :smirk:
-helmut
My guess is the same as this.
1 Klon / Screamer
2 Klon / Screamer
3 Screamer / Klon
4 Screamer / Klon
5 Screamer / Klon
Lol, barely different. Here’s my wild guess:
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Screamer
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Screamer
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
klon/ts
ts/klon
ts/klon
ts/klon
klon/ts
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A =K
Pedal B =TS
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A =TS
Pedal B =K
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A =K
Pedal B =TS
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A =TS
Pedal B =K
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A =TS
Pedal B =K
1A – Screamer 1B – Klon
2A – Klon 2B – Screamer
3A – Klon 3B – Screamer
4A – Screamer 4B – Klon
5A – Screamer 5B – Klon
Thanks for the video!
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = KLON
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = KLON
Pedal B = TS
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = KLON
Pedal B = TS
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = KLON
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = KLON
Pedal B = TS
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Tube Screamer
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Tube Screamer
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Tube Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Tube Screamer
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Tube Screamer
Hi Joe, another vote for “both pedals sound the same to me” here. I guess I’m not sophisticated enough to appreciate the Klon mystique (I used to play a Boss SD-2).
What impresses me is this re-amping business. I had read about it, but it’s the first time I hear a demonstration of it. A very clever trick…
I did not post that I can hear such small, subtle differences that I have 2 chances to win ? Now I can’t remember what we replaced slim and none with ?
@re-amping:
Joe, am I mistaken or would you achieve the same thing using a hardware looper?
Anyway, both methods are a great step towards a comparison under “laboratory conditions”, meaning all outher circumstances are the same.
This is what IMHO most of the video comparisons and other comparisons suffer from. The guys who do them don´t take into account that all impedance (cables!) and voltages and the like have to be standardized, but also that the tone you hear vastly influences what you are playing.
In other words, when you play through box X you might not play the same as through box Y.
This is why for serious re-amping the player plays through some box that makes him play comfortable, but it is the dry signal that is recorded and then sent through either a real amp (re-amping) or a simulation in a DAW.
Having all that said, I prefer recordings from the 70ies, which may by today´s standards be technically inferior, but convey that spirit that only grasps the players when they are within reach.
-helmut
Yes, you could absolutely do the same with a looper. But since I had to record the results anyway, I figured I’d do the entire thing in Logic.
I couldn’t agree more about the audio quality of internet videos, even from many big-name manufacturers, magazines, and retailers. Cables and such are the least of the problems! Most are recorded on phone and video cam mics. Many who post such audio describe it as “natural” or “real life,” when in fact the cheap compressors and preamps in those consumer devices color and distort the sound to an extraordinary degree. The results are the furthest thing from an accurate depiction of how, say, a guitar and amp sound in a practice room, or onstage, or in the studio.
Anyone who follows this site knows I post plenty of embarrassingly amateurish video, but I always try to use actual recording equipment to capture the sound of the gear I write about. It makes a huge difference. Take this current Klon/Screamer comparison: Obviously, the tones are fairly close to each other, perhaps more so than many of us anticipated. If I recorded the same examples on, say, the microphone on my iPhone, the sonic differences between the Royer and iPhone mics would be a thousand times greater than the sound variation between the Klon and the Screamer.
And yes, any decent musician plays “to” the effect, adjusting their technique consciously or subconsciously to conjure the best result. These clips would ABSOLUTELY sound better had I played them in real time through the individual pedals. But then it would be harder to make an objective comparison between the sound of the two circuits.
I was indeed surprised at how close I found the clips. In the reveal stage I’ll be interested to find out how much use of the special-sauce switching and tweaking available on the BYOC was necessary to get the tone match. Just for the three knob simplicity I would likely tip towards building a klone. But if the BYOC was used just like a three-knob slime-green vintage screamer that would really rattle people in a fun way.
Great questions, and exactly the stuff we’ll be talking about come Tuesday! See you then! 😉
1. A = Klon, B = BYOC
2. A = Klon, B = BYOC
3. A = Klon, B = BYOC
4. A = BYOC, B = Klon
5. A = Klon, B = BYOC
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Clone
Pedal B = Klon
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Clone
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Clone
Pedal B = Klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = Clone
Pedal B = Klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = Clone
Pedal B = Klon
This are my answers. I have to saw they sound very similar, but if I felt that one of the clips I liked it better by some mystical reason, it must be the Klon… It should be somewhere that overpriced hype!
In any case, Anyone should be happy with the 95 bucks pedal.
I love your work man! and your “reasonably scientific” approach to music!
Thanks for the kind words, Roberto! Don’t be a stranger. 🙂
Y’know, this video (and the previous Hitlerarity) are making me think an awful lot about how the vast majority of tones I reeeeeally like were made well before the “botique” era took hold, and how much of that stuff was off-the-rack Boss pedals; PJ Harvey and John Parish rocked-and AFAIK- STILL rock a DS-1 and a Distortion +. Mark Linkous used Boss ODs on some of Sparklehorse’s more distorto stuff to grand effect. While I have played (and enjoyed) an old, silver Centaur a friend has, I’m pretty sure anything decent can getcha at least 90% of the way there.
In fact, I think I’m gonna go buy myself another DS-1 at my earliest convenience!
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Tube Screamer
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Tube Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Tube Screamer
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = Tube Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = Tube Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
Quiz my *ss!
One of the most popular posts on the site, I believe.
Gooped or DIY-ed? So hard to tell difference.
T :turtle: hese gadgets would sound much livelier if not reamped. Overdrive pedal should let your guitar ‘breathe’ physically with amp. It is out of question via reamping.
Though I totally understand that to emphasize such subtle differences there is no other way around, is there?
(The Klon Centaur was under the leopard fur headpiece and BYOC Distortion 2 under the black panther muff hat all the time.)
:turtle:
True about the interactions between guitar and speaker.
But don’t forget: the VAST majority of electric guitar recordings of the past 45+ years were recorded in studio environments where the guitar and amp were isolated from each other. There are a couple of producers who work differently on a regular basis (Daniel Lanois springs to mind), but really, most of the multitrack-era electric guitar canon was created with minimal guitar/amp interaction.
Gives me an idea for another blind listening test: realtime vs. ReAmped guitars. Except even fewer people would be able to guess that one.
:satansmoking:
That is a lose lose proposition and end result would be less then zero Joe.Don’t forget that every wannaba home studio uses isolation of some sort,mostly because Moms won’t allow that much volume! :stupid:
So true, so true!
But…
Who of us could choose if he/she has a must need of a pedal shown on any iphone/nokia/samsung etc.-recorded youtube vid or/and via re-amped pro sound vid of yours?
I believe that very few of of us posting here seldom have guts/ability to test/purchase gear in analogue/digital/analogue enviroinment.
Tested I any pedal, I’d done it analogue.
Myself I play guitar live about 99,9x% live vs. 00,0x% recording (and of recording, mostly Windows-based)
So, I like to experience if a pedal suits my LIVE playing somehow.
Side by side testing I have decided to choose Joyo or Behringer.
And today, studiowise, once wishes one to achieve true 30 second plus amp/guitar feedback, is there other way than to leave control room and fight analoguish against the amp? (It is not totally impossible, proved with a C-cassette player and a pair of headphones once)
Few listener these days, anyway, could tell would a certain guitar track have been played through a Pignose or a Quadruple rectified Mesa or reamped with whateveryougot.
So the next quiz might be if one could tell was the 15 minute vintage pig-squeal feedback fuzz phenomena all PC-based throuhg headphones or was it re-amped Garabeband plugin Mac cracked via Russian defence satellite?
Example 1: A =screamer B= Klon
Example 2: A=Klon B=screamer
Example 3: A=Klon B=screamer
Example 4: A=screamer B=Klon
Example 5: A=Klon B=screamer
That was hard. I feel like the Klon seemed just a bit smoother with a tiny bit less bite in the mids. I also thought I could hear a particular kind of harmonic distortion happening with the Klon that makes it stand out, but only slightly. I found myself second guessing a lot on this one.
I hope I’m right because I REALLY want one of your pedals. It would be my first and only distortion pedal as I don’t use them in my regular rig, but I’d make an exception for one of your pedals Joe!
Example 1: A = Klon, B = Screamer
Example 2: A = Klon, B = Screamer
Example 3: A = Klon, B = Screamer
Example 4: A = Screamer, B = Klon
Example 5: A = Screamer, B = Klon
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = TS
Pedal B = Klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = TS
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Clone
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Clone
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Clone
Pedal B = Klon
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Clone
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = Clone
Pedal B = Klon
Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A =OD2
Pedal B =KLON
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A =OD2
Pedal B =KLON
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A =KLON
Pedal B =OD2
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A =KLON
Pedal B =OD2
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A =OD2
Pedal B =KLON
Now to go find the real answer,,,.Example 1: medium gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Screamer
Example 2: high gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
Example 3: low gain, medium tone
Pedal A = Klon
Pedal B = Screamer
Example 4: medium gain, bright tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Klon
Example 5: medium gain, dark tone
Pedal A = Screamer
Pedal B = Klon