Pedal Suggestions please?

racman

I would appreciate a few pedal suggestions or comments on some that I am looking at purchasing:

1) Delay pedal - I have the MXR Carbon Copy and am also looking for an additional delay pedal (I don't really need Tap Rempo or looper). I was thinking of a Strymon but can't decide between a Brigadier or El Capistan, although I am leaning towards a Brigadier and Favorite switch - anything else I need to consider?

2) Clean Boost - I have found that I sometimes need to boost my clean signal for clean lead work. I was considering the Xotix EP Booster but would appreciate any other suggestions?

3) What would you suggest for a great crunch sound for rhythm?

4) Chorus - I have both the EHX Small Clone and Neo Clone (Same thing diffierent enclosures I know - long story) and find that I need something more subtle than the minimum setting and a little warmer sounding.

Thx

Gearhead

Delay: there is a nice unit in the classifieds but you will need a rack setup for it.

racman

Gearhead wrote Delay: there is a nice unit in the classifieds but you will need a rack setup for it.

No man, I'm still trying to concur pedal GAS and now you go and start me on Rackmount GAS!!!! ?

Thx, looks great put I need to get a pedal.

BluJu

RoyC wrote
2) Clean Boost - I have found that I sometimes need to boost my clean signal for clean lead work. I was considering the Xotix EP Booster but would appreciate any ither suggestions?

3) What would you suggest for a great crunch sound for rhythm?

Thx

ZVEX Box of rock may take care of both of these.

Just dial back on distortion or guitar volume to get a good crunch tone.

AlanRatcliffe

RoyC wrote 1) Delay pedal - I have the MXR Carbon Copy and am also looking for an additional delay pedal (I don't really need Tap Rempo or looper). I was thinking of a Strymon but can't decide between a Brigadier or El Capistan, although I am leaning towards a Brigadier and Favorite switch - anything else I need to consider?

Nope. The El Capistan is one of Strymon's killer pedals, but it depends on whether you want tape delay sound (El Capistan) or analogue BBD (Brigadier) sounds.

2) Clean Boost - I have found that I sometimes need to boost my clean signal for clean lead work. I was considering the Xotix EP Booster but would appreciate any other suggestions?

Can't fault the Xotic boosters (also the RC for a transparent boost), but also look at the Durham Sex boost, which to my ear, does the "bit of sparkle" boost better than the EP. The EP is nice and compact though.

3) What would you suggest for a great crunch sound for rhythm?

Grab the old Rat in the classifieds. Rats are best with the gain way down.

4) Chorus - I have both the EHX Small Clone and Neo Clone (Same thing diffierent enclosures I know - long story) and find that I need something more subtle than the minimum setting and a little warmer sounding.

Chorus I canna help you with cap'n - they've always been anathema to me. I'd much rather have a phaser or rotary speaker sim for modulation.

racman

@Alan - never actually considered that maybe I'm not looking for a more mellow chorus but rather an "un"chorus, chorus. Maybe I am just realising that a chorus is not for me. I think mild delay actually gives me more of what I want/

Now if only the Strymon OB.1 didn't have a 10 week wait O could sort out the Compressor and Booster together.

AlanRatcliffe

I just can't stand the pitch warble of chorus (or vibrato effects for that matter). ? So many better ways of getting the good stuff without the bad:
- A Small Stone phaser adds a similar resonance, movement and colour without affecting the pitch (and has what I can only describe as a "chewy" character).
- A dual voice pitch shifter lets you fatten up the tone if you shift a few cents either way (I default to six cents up and down).
- If I want the warble, a good Leslie sim usually sounds better and splits the low and highs which lets me keep the low end relatively stable.
- A univibe has a few things going for it too and more character.

Short delays (below 15ms) fatten up the tone wonderfully, but work best in stereo. In mono you get comb filtering which messes with your basic tonality and can kill your presence in a mix quickly.

karoo

delay-what about tc electronic? i love mine

DDR4LYF

Is the tap tempo control in the TC electronics delay kind of tedious? I read about it and it sounds like a mission for an on-the-fly change. Anyone feel this way?

Gearhead

DDR4LYF wrote Is the tap tempo control in the TC electronics delay kind of tedious? I read about it and it sounds like a mission for an on-the-fly change. Anyone feel this way?

??? U think it's tedious to tap the tempo during the intro of the song and then forget about it?

arjunmenon

RoyC wrote
4) Chorus - I have both the EHX Small Clone and Neo Clone (Same thing diffierent enclosures I know - long story) and find that I need something more subtle than the minimum setting and a little warmer sounding.

Thx

How about the Strymon Ola? I'm in love with this one:

racman

Gearhead wrote
DDR4LYF wrote Is the tap tempo control in the TC electronics delay kind of tedious? I read about it and it sounds like a mission for an on-the-fly change. Anyone feel this way?
??? U think it's tedious to tap the tempo during the intro of the song and then forget about it?

Does the TC FBD not mute the signal when setting up the Tap Tempo? I must admit that I only heard that some find this a little annoying but have no experience of it whatsoever. In fact I don't even know if others do the same or not :-[

Arjun Menon wrote
RoyC wrote
4) Chorus - I have both the EHX Small Clone and Neo Clone (Same thing diffierent enclosures I know - long story) and find that I need something more subtle than the minimum setting and a little warmer sounding.

Thx
How about the Strymon Ola? I'm in love with this one:

I am in love with the Ola, Flint, Brigadier and OB.1 - I think I have a problem ... (oh yes, forgot the favourite switch and Timeline ?)

AlanRatcliffe

RoyC wrote I am in love with the Ola, Flint, Brigadier and OB.1 - I think I have a problem ... (oh yes, forgot the favourite switch and Timeline ?)

You do have a problem - you didn't mention the Blue Sky or Lex. ? No shame in liking a company who don't compromise quality for price point and have a tendency to get it right. ?

racman

Alan Ratcliffe wrote
RoyC wrote I am in love with the Ola, Flint, Brigadier and OB.1 - I think I have a problem ... (oh yes, forgot the favourite switch and Timeline ?)
You do have a problem - you didn't mention the Blue Sky or Lex. ? No shame in liking a company who don't compromise quality for price point and have a tendency to get it right. ?

Damn, I left two out of my list as well ... ?

arjunmenon

RoyC wrote
Alan Ratcliffe wrote
RoyC wrote I am in love with the Ola, Flint, Brigadier and OB.1 - I think I have a problem ... (oh yes, forgot the favourite switch and Timeline ?)
You do have a problem - you didn't mention the Blue Sky or Lex. ? No shame in liking a company who don't compromise quality for price point and have a tendency to get it right. ?
Damn, I left two out of my list as well ... ?

Well, you could go all the way back and add in the Damage Control Demonizer, Womanizer and Glass Nexus ?

DDR4LYF

Gearhead wrote
DDR4LYF wrote Is the tap tempo control in the TC electronics delay kind of tedious? I read about it and it sounds like a mission for an on-the-fly change. Anyone feel this way?
??? U think it's tedious to tap the tempo during the intro of the song and then forget about it?

No, I just meant that you have to do the long hold, go into tap tempo mode, tap the timing, then exit, then you can turn it on and off for the song. Now that I typed it out, it does actually sound really simple... Never mind my silly comment. I do like the line 6 echo park's tap and switch on the same pedal. Even the boss external tap temp switch would be easier I think. Would it make much difference to you?

racman

Thx everyone

Now to find a decent smallish volume pedal in SA ... No one seems to have stock of anything except the huge Boss FV500 (admittedly very rugged though).

TS10

Alan Ratcliffe wrote I just can't stand the pitch warble of chorus (or vibrato effects for that matter). ? So many better ways of getting the good stuff without the bad:
- A Small Stone phaser adds a similar resonance, movement and colour without affecting the pitch (and has what I can only describe as a "chewy" character).
- A dual voice pitch shifter lets you fatten up the tone if you shift a few cents either way (I default to six cents up and down).
- If I want the warble, a good Leslie sim usually sounds better and splits the low and highs which lets me keep the low end relatively stable.
- A univibe has a few things going for it too and more character.

Short delays (below 15ms) fatten up the tone wonderfully, but work best in stereo. In mono you get comb filtering which messes with your basic tonality and can kill your presence in a mix quickly.

I agree re chorus - strangely, I happened across a cheap Arion Stereo Chorus many years back and still have it, reviews say it is the only chorus pedal that can give a close approximation to a Leslie...I do use it occasionally and must agree. Apparently they are now highly sought after as a result and sell for many times their true worth..

tubescreamer63

@ROYC, i also have the TC flashback delay, and yes , it is problematic when you are strumming in a delay time between songs ,and you sound mutes for a few seconds..glad to hear someone else also has this problem..

DDR4LYF

Alan Ratcliffe wrote I just can't stand the pitch warble of chorus (or vibrato effects for that matter). ? So many better ways of getting the good stuff without the bad:
- A Small Stone phaser adds a similar resonance, movement and colour without affecting the pitch (and has what I can only describe as a "chewy" character).
- A dual voice pitch shifter lets you fatten up the tone if you shift a few cents either way (I default to six cents up and down).
- If I want the warble, a good Leslie sim usually sounds better and splits the low and highs which lets me keep the low end relatively stable.
- A univibe has a few things going for it too and more character.

Amen brother!!!!!! Chorus Effects make me cringe!!!!!!