the answers

This is all about gain staging and clean headroom, Mik – probably the most common problem that people have with gain pedals and amps, so you are not alone. Your Orange is nearing its maximum headroom when its overdriving in the second channel. Then you shove a pedal in the front and it doesn’t get louder, it just gets more gainy and compressed. You might perceive it to get quieter. We have three solutions, the first of which sadly isn’t an option in your particular amp.

01

If your amp has an effects loop, you can place a boost or drive pedal in the loop. In the majority of amps, this will enable a bigger jump in volume to the power amp than plugging in the front.

02

You could try a graphic EQ pedal to help the solos lift. Roll off some bass (from 300Hz down) and boost the frequencies from 1.5k upwards. This will also relieve your amp of having to produce so much bottom end (which you don’t particularly need for cutting solos) and emphasise the frequencies of the treble strings. Give it a little level boost too. You will astounded at the difference in perceived volume… as long as you roll back that bass a bit. Don’t be scared of lots of treble – it’s what you need to be heard in a band.

03

Try the BD-2 in the clean channel. The clean channel has way more headroom so will go perceptibly louder than the gain channel. Try it – we reckon you’ll be surprised!