Dirt Transmitter options...

[Radiohead625]

I really like the idea of the dirt transmitter.. especially the bias knob that can make your amp sound like its getting destroyed. However i feel it's a little harsh. Is there any similar pedals, but a little more smooth? Maybe something germanium? Do the demos make it sound too harsh?

[Holy Schnikes]

The Pharaoh is smoother and is available with a germ option. Not sure how much overlap they have but I did hear them compared in person and they definitely shared some tones. No bias knob on the Pharaoh though.

Agree that the DT sounded a little harsh, probably varies depending on everything else you're using.

[Gunner Recall]

I'd check out the blackout fix'd...it's got 2 fuzz types you can toggle between (or combine)
Fuzz 1 is pretty smooth/thick and fuzz 2 is a splatty/exploding fuzz.

[CBA]

ALGAL BLOOM.

Absolutely.

I've had an Algal Bloom for a long time, and I love it; really liked the Dirt Transmitter demos, so I picked up one of those as well. I found that the sweet spot on the DT could be done by the Algal Bloom, although a bit beefier and yes, much smoother. I enjoyed the Dirt Transmitter, but for me the Algal Bloom is a bit, uh, nicer.

C

[Holy Schnikes]

The Algal Bloom kicks ass, indeed.

[Radiohead625]

Wow the demos of the algal bloom are pretty sweet... does it cut through the mix? And the fix'd fuzz has always been on my list but a lot of people tell me its a bit on the weak side.

[CBA]

I've had all three... Fix'd Fuzz, Dirt Trans, Algal Bloom. Two Algal Blooms, really. Still have both.

The Algal Bloom CUTS, and is quite tailorable to your amp's EQ... it will change when you want it to. I've got a lot of pedals I really like, but none of them work live as well as the Algal Bloom does. The Fix'd was alright... just too much shit in one box... it was quantity over quality with that one. I side by sided it with my Mellowtone Hi-Five and the Hi-Five was the better boost (which is why I bought the Fix'd... for a dirty boost [the Timmy has won out over all for that]). The Fix'd has a ton of options, but no definitive voice. Not to knock it, no. But if you want THE FUZZ, the Algal Bloom is what you want. Mine has only three knobs, as I never used the Starve/Texture knob... that's my "live" Algal Bloom. My first Algal Bloom had all four knobs... Level, Gain, Fuzz, Starve, plus the germanium choke, which offered a slew of different sounds (though I prefer the straight 100% voltage silicon sound).

Get one of those asses!

C

[Radiohead625]

Cool man i'll be checking the Algal bloom out... I'm pretty sure it will have no problem getting tones like this [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QV524Db83Q[/youtube]

[Fuzzy Picklez]

Wow the demos of the algal bloom are pretty sweet... does it cut through the mix? And the fix'd fuzz has always been on my list but a lot of people tell me its a bit on the weak side.

The algal bloom cuts like a fucking knife.
It sounds so much better with a band than on your own.
I actually had two on my board for a while.
Plus, Tom has great customer service! He's a pretty swell guy.



That being said, I'm pretty interested in the Dirt Transmitter as well.
If you've got the cash you could try to get both and than decide?
I know that's kinda pricey though.

[mathias]

Cool man i'll be checking the Algal bloom out... I'm pretty sure it will have no problem getting tones like this [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QV524Db83Q[/youtube]

Algal Bloom will definitely get that splattery and full sounding.