Distortion Volume Output

[SlashLP97]

I use a BB Preamp and a DIY Hot Harmonics pedal, which have ~30dB voltage gain at max volume.  Because the volume control circuits on these pedals are just a volume taper potentiometer when the volumes are turned down the pedals start to sound pretty awful.  Has anyone ever experimented with an active volume reduction circuit right after their pedal outputs or in their own pedals?  I was thinking about using an opamp with a variable gain between ~0 and 1, maybe with two channels with independent volume controls.  Anybody have any experience with this?

[anchovie]

In what way does it sound awful? A passive pot to control volume is used in loads of pedals, and of course any "master volume" amplifier, so the principle is simply that you can make the sound of whatever is before the volume pot quieter. Could the bad sound that you hear be related to whatever you run the pedal into next? It might be that you prefer the sound with the pedal at higher volume because it overdrives the next input stage, or if it's a loading issue then a buffer after the volume pot could be worth a try.

[SlashLP97]

I added a buffer this morning, I'm going to try it later, when I'm not at work... Now I have the output of the distortion (cd4049) buffered into the volume control, then another buffer...