Katastrophe - JPTR FX
The Narc - Poison Noises
Sep 19 2022Sorry, your browser sucks ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
volume
gain
EQ
clipping mode
bass response
diode selection
The Narc by Poison Noises is a killer verion of the RAT-style distortion.
As usual for drive and distortion boxes, you get a few extra features on top of the solid build quality and excellent sounding recreation of a classic.
Aside from volume, gain and EQ, you can select different clipping modes (to my ear, Poison Noises usually go from symmetrical, to no clipping, to asymmetrical clipping). For the diode selection, it always sounds like you can choose between Silicon, LEDs and Germanium diodes.
LEDs can be bright and punchy with lots of output, Germanium are lower output with an extra bit of chewy grind and Silicon is kinda the middle of the road.
Also, the Low-Down switch is great for dialing in your bass response. I found for guitar, middle and down (less bass and even less bass) works best to not overcrowd a mix. For bass, the up position is the right choice. And might I say, the Narc works beautifully on bass.
Recording Notes
Guitar
- Fidelity Guitars Stellarosa Lite II with Lollar Firebird pickups (bridge pickup)
- The Narc
- Strymon Iridium (chime)
Overdubs
- Lead lines in the first half were the Narc into the Boss Dm-2w Delay. Later when mixing I found these lacked some space, so I added a spring reverb pedal from the stock GarageBand plugin.
- Old Blood Noise Endeavors Screen Violence on some parts to create interesting textures and ambience.
- Two takes with the Stellarosa, neck and middle pickup position, different modes on the Narc, panned 50% left and right
Bass
- JMJ Fender Mustang, played with pick, Fender flats, tone 100%
- Keeley Compressor Mini to even it out
- Bondi Effects Sick As Overdrive
- Strymon Iridium (round) with bass cabs
I did try to use the Narc for bass here. It sounds really good on its own and probably works well in another track. But using the same distortion for bass and guitar sounded too muddy for me. The Sick As has a nice presence and gives it extra oomph in the low end
Drums
- GarageBand Drummer Max (punk rock) on the East Bay kit
- Whole kit treated with the stock GarageBand RAT-style pedal plugin
The whole mix was "mastered" with exciter, limiter and mild compression in the DAW.
Links
- Get detailed specs on Poison Noises' website
Some of these are affiliate links and I earn a small comission if you buy stuff through those links. There is no additional cost for you. It helps me grow this website. Thank you!
Related Demos
Death Saw - JPTR FX
Fundamental Distortion - Walrus Audio
Glut Cheeks V3 - Poison Noises
Aquatone - Electric Love
The Crook V5 - Poison Noises
MOTÖRBASS - OKKO FX
Science Fair - Summer School Electronics
Sick As High Shredroom - Bondi Effects
1991 - Funny Little Boxes
Gluttonous Maximus Fuzz - Poison Noises
Lighthouse - Poison Noises
Into the Waves - Tone Charm Audio
Melee - Walrus Audio
Dagger V2 - Electronic Audio Experiments
Vintage RAT 1987 - ProCo
Exploder - Beautiful Noise Effects
The Roscoe - Poison Noises
Gluttonous Fuzz - Poison Noises
The Postman - Poison Noises
Tractor Beam - Poison Noises
The Seesaw - Poison Noises
The Effluence - Poison Noises
The Remnant - Poison Noises
Glutnik - Poison Noises
Dirt Nap - Poison Noises
Ray Gun - Poison Noises
Glut Cheeks - Poison Noises
Gus-Drive - Summer School Electronics
The Vacuum - Poison Noises
Hall of Mirrors - Poison Noises
The Gaia - Poison Noises
Knuckle Sandwich - Poison Noises
Skipping Stone - Poison Noises
The Spill - Poison Noises
The Crook V4 - Poison Noises
Apex Distortion - Wonderful Audio Technology
1312 Distortion V3 - Black Mass Electronics
DS-1 Distortion - BOSS
Eras - Walrus Audio
Jubilee Silver Overdrive - Alexander Pedals
To embed this demo on your own website, copy & paste the code above or customize your demo widget.