Electro-Harmonix Hellmaster Distortion

pushes an already-dirty tonePushes an already-dirty tone harder and tightens it up. (high gain → tight)

Stack Peavey VTM-120 on top and a high gain tone tightens toward tight

Comes later in the signal chain

pushes an already-dirty tonePushes an already-dirty tone harder and tightens it up. (high gain → mid-forward)

Stack Marshall JCM800 2203 on top and a high gain tone tightens toward mid-forward

Comes later in the signal chain

Comes later in the signal chain

Stack EBS Magni 502 2x10 bass combo on top and a high gain tone tightens toward tight

Comes later in the signal chain

Feed a high gain signal into Aguilar SL110 Fawn Limited and it comes out closer to tight

Comes later in the signal chain

Gallien-Krueger Legacy 410 takes that high gain character and pushes it toward tight

Comes later in the signal chain

Gallien-Krueger Legacy 210 Bass Combo pushes a high gain tone toward tight

Comes later in the signal chain

Stack Gallien-Krueger MB210-II on top and a high gain tone tightens toward tight

Comes later in the signal chain

Blackstar Super Fly BT takes that high gain character and pushes it toward tight

pushes an already-dirty tonePushes an already-dirty tone harder and tightens it up. (high gain → tight)

Soldano SLO pushes a high gain tone toward tight

Comes later in the signal chain

pushes an already-dirty tonePushes an already-dirty tone harder and tightens it up. (high gain → tight)

Feed a high gain signal into Mooer 008 and it comes out closer to tight

Comes later in the signal chain

shapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain.

Crazy Tube Circuits Golden Ratio leans toward tight, and that's a real, usable character to pair with

Comes earlier in the signal chain

sits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (high gain → shimmer)

Put Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress after Electro-Harmonix Hellmaster Distortion in the signal chain, clear of Electro-Harmonix Hellmaster Distortion's own gain stage

Comes later in the signal chain

sits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.

Run TC Electronic Triple Flashback Delay after Electro-Harmonix Hellmaster Distortion in the signal chain, clear of Electro-Harmonix Hellmaster Distortion's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)

Comes later in the signal chain

sits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (high gain → lush)

Hungry Robot Moby Dick V2's ambient voice goes after Electro-Harmonix Hellmaster Distortion in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Electro-Harmonix Hellmaster Distortion's own aggressive character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)

Comes later in the signal chain

Comes later in the signal chain

EarthQuaker Devices Utility Series Buffer Preamp pushes a high gain tone toward clean boost