Effects and Chain Recommendation/Questions MegaThread

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dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

Spartak posted:

Random newbie question bonanza!

Now, I don't own any pedals so I'm thinking of getting an arsenal for rock/instrumental rock.

This is the list that I have made up, and I'm open to suggestions. Bear in mind that outside of the boss/ibanez/ehx stuff it's harder to track them down.

Boss:
DD-6 - Any other delay pedals? I heard good things about the DD-6.
PS-5 - Seems cool
TR-2 - standard kit?
CH-1/CE-5 - What's the difference?

Ibanez:
TS9/TS9DX - The DX has the original Tube Screamer chip so is that the one to go for?

Dunlop:
Wah - but which one?! Or more accurately which one can you recommend?

EHX:
Big Muff Pi/Russian Muff/Little Big Muff? Or say to hell with it all and get the English Muff'n? What the hell is the difference between the Russian and USA Big Muff?

Sorry, I have absolutely no idea about pedals.

DON'T get the DD-6, because the DD-7 just came out and will be widely available soon and will kick all kinds of rear end.

As far as Boss questions go just read bossarea.com for a while, it's a great resource.

The English Muff'n is a totally different pedal from any Big Muff. If you want the latter, get the Little Big Muff.

# ¿ Apr 23, 2008 11:32

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# ¿ Apr 27, 2024 00:04

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

stiknork posted:

I've heard a lot about expression pedals, but never really seen one. What do they do?

Depends on the pedal it's used with. It can fade between dry/wet signal, control modulation speed... basically anything that a knob can do can be made controllable by an expression pedal.

edit: don't know how much you understand.... an expression pedal by itself doesn't do anything, it's like a MIDI controller keyboard in that respect. You have to use it with an exp-pedal-controllable effect.

# ¿ Apr 23, 2008 16:56

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

DodGrile posted:

I love watching the EHX videos because they just solidify my impression of the kind of people who'd come out with some of those pedals:

"Hey guys, I've got this idea for a new pedal. You'll like.. push it, and then it'll be all like weeee and wooo and cool n' stuff"

You'll love the ZVex videos, then!

http://www.zvex.com/effects.html

# ¿ Apr 29, 2008 19:00

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

qball posted:

Speaking of tremolos, does anyone know of a classic sounding, really simple tremolo with a speed switch. I was looking at the Monster Effects Swamp Thang trem but I'm sure there's other stuff out there.

danelectro tuna melt

# ¿ May 4, 2008 22:27

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

qball posted:

No speed switch.

oops, I was thinking of a waveform switch. There's a speed knob, though, with pretty much as wide a range as anyone will need.

# ¿ May 5, 2008 19:41

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

Minto Took posted:

Compressor stuff here:

Where is usually the preferred place to put a compressor in a signal chain? The toys that I have to work with are a Danelectro Wasabi OD plus some BYOC pedals and those are the Shredmaster, Distortion+, and the 5-knob compressor.

If you like your ODs touch-sensitive, as in the harder you play, the more distorted the sound gets, put them first. Comps can be good for long, sustainy leads in front of a distortion pedal too, so a good setup might be light dirt -> comp -> heavy dirt.

# ¿ May 9, 2008 20:56

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

cylyk posted:

What order do you guys suggest I put my boss bluesdriver, vibe, fuzzface clone, and java boost (full/mid/treble boost) in?

if you like the hendrix thing, do vibe before fuzz. I'd suggest boost -> vibe -> fuzz -> bd-2

# ¿ May 17, 2008 15:15

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

yeah I don't think you'll find an analog pedal like that. Another digital option is the Eventide Modfactor.

# ¿ May 18, 2008 22:57

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

3toes posted:

Eh, I've thought about maybe dropping a little more cash and getting a pod but honestly it'd never leave my room since I gig with pretty ballin' gear

dude is that wrench vintage

# ¿ Jun 13, 2008 04:11

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

I didn't care for the Bad Monkey, preferred the SD-1 for around the same price.

# ¿ Jul 9, 2008 04:55

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

bisticles posted:

The Boss OD-1 is a great $50 overdrive pedal.

The OD-1 hasn't been on sale for over twenty years.

# ¿ Jul 18, 2008 14:38

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

Raze posted:

I know a lot of people around here have/are getting an EHX Micro POG, and I'm thinking of jumping on the bandwagon. I'm a little concerned, though, cause I have an EHX #1 Echo (same form factor/line of pedals) and it has a noticeable volume drop that really irritates me. Does the Micro do anything akin to this at all? Also, can I have just the output from the effect out and still use the "Dry" knob effectively? And any idea if it's true bypass or not on the effect out?

No volume drop unless you want it, because the pedal only consists of three volume knobs, really. I'm pretty sure it is true bypass.

Please reword your question about the dry/effect outs because I have no idea what you mean.

# ¿ Jul 18, 2008 21:16

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

Raze posted:

Excellent, thanks! I mean the "Effect Out" is still a blend of the effect and the original guitar sound that can be tweaked with the knob. Also, have you put it in front of heavy distortion much?

yeah, the dry out is dry signal only, the effect out is whatever you set the knobs to, which can include dry signal up and both octaves off.

It works great in front of a Big Muff. Really gets those White Stripes sounds, if that's what you're looking for.

# ¿ Jul 19, 2008 00:39

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

For anyone who wants a Muff-style fuzz with more control, I heartily recommend the Barber Trifecta.

# ¿ Jul 31, 2008 17:53

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

Nelsocracy posted:

What do you guys use your delay pedals for typically? People constantly mention to me that I need to get one, but I borrowed one from a friend before and couldn't find any use for it really. I guess it's good for some really out there or echo kind of stuff but I play straight up jazz. A friend of mine was saying they can be good to use as a kind of reverb?

most common uses:

-surfy slapback delay, sounds reverb-ish
-add body to leads with longer delay time
-play with it rhythmically a la U2

# ¿ Apr 7, 2009 02:13

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

get a CE-2 instead. A pure classic.

# ¿ Jun 4, 2009 06:40

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

Also TC Electronic Nova Delay and Nova Repeater

# ¿ Nov 26, 2009 04:13

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

Fuzz Factory is like as far from a Big Muff as you can get and still be fuzz.

# ¿ Mar 1, 2010 12:37

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

The POG is a pretty awesome thing to have around. But if you're gonna go dedicated octave fuzz and feel a little nuts spending so much, a lot of people love the cheap-as-hell Danelectro French Toast.

# ¿ Mar 5, 2010 07:03

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

if you guys have $300 to drop on a reverb check this out, dear god
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmWBQgiqjtY

CalvinDooglas posted:

Reverb shouldn't be an obvious part of your sound

That is a crazy thing to say.

# ¿ Jun 8, 2010 14:27

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

I mean, for your general-purpose rock band mix I totally agree that reverb has little place, but with a sparse mix and clean tones reverb can be very nice. Otherwise a short delay set to about two repeats is a great alternative but I'm just saying let's not "should" this poor fella to death.

# ¿ Jun 9, 2010 01:35

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

pimpology 101 posted:

Can someone recommend me a good fuzz pedal?
I use a guitar with humbuckers, and I hear that matters a lot, but I think I might switch to single coils soon.
I like the sounds that guitarists get with the Big Muff Pi but anytime I played around with one, it just seemed too muddy. I love the sound that Jack White gets with his, but I never even came close to getting that kind of biting, harsh sound.
I plan on getting a Rat also, for general overdrive/distortion purposes, but I wanna use a fuzz for over the top distortion, as well as combining it with a Rat for Sonic Youth-type noise freakout sounds.

I really like my Barber Trifecta for a more-flexible Big Muff that can get into tone bender territory. It has better tone controls and the gain range is a lot more usable. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-zGpurjFAo&feature=related

# ¿ Jun 10, 2010 05:31

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

Atomic_Amish posted:

I don't know if this has already been answered yet, so sorry if it has. I'm not entirely sure where in my chain to put my phaser and flange. I have an MXR phase 100 and EHX flanger hoax, but I'm not sure if those should be going before or after my distortion or what the pros and cons of doing it either way would be. Anyone got any advice?

I could name all the other pedals specifically if that would help. I have a big chain and this is the only part that confuses me.

Generally modulation goes after dirt, but the two big exceptions are univibe and phaser effects, especially Phase 90. I see a lot of people putting those first in their chain. So give it a try.

# ¿ Jun 14, 2010 11:42

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

Achtane posted:

Can someone point me in the direction of a bass pedal that can replicate this sound?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uA-jLrWaAs

I know it isn't super unique, but it really appeals to me. It's muff-like, but I'm not sure what exactly has that sound but also retains the low end. The only fuzz-fuzz pedals I've owned are a Bass Big Muff and Devi Ever Shoegazer, and neither sounded quite like this...I wasn't really into the BBM and the SG isn't big on lows.

Maybe give this a try, I have my sights set on it myself http://wrenandcuff.com/site/the-stompboxes/the-pickle-pie-b/

# ¿ Aug 5, 2010 13:34

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

Boss DD-7, great analog mode among many others, nice long loop mode. If you're going to try performing with the looper a two-button box like the SMMH is probably better but for just practicing/writing the DD-7 is more than enough.

# ¿ Aug 17, 2010 04:31

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

CalvinDooglas posted:

Just got a Boss TR-2 tremolo pedal. Sounds pretty cool but there's a little bit more compression/volume drop than I'd like. Any recommended mods?

And what's the ideal position in my chain? I've got guitar > fatboost > phase90 > TR-2 > overdrives > delay.

TR-2 last or before your delay. I never use the two effects in conjunction so it's not an issue for me. With the tremolo before your overdrives, of course, the volume modulation will cause modulation in the level of breakup which might be odd; it's not usually done.

# ¿ Oct 18, 2010 01:52

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

CalvinDooglas posted:

What I need to do next is put the whole thing in an MXR style metal case with a real footswitch. The Boss case just seems so flimsy and the switch itself is a little piece of plastic under the "hood". The pedal sounds good, but doesn't look like it was made for heavy use. I very much prefer the click of a real switch.

Dude you're nuts. Boss pedals are widely known to be practically indestructible.

# ¿ Oct 18, 2010 05:21

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

Epi Lepi posted:

Are the EHX Memory Boy or Memory Toy delay pedals worth it? I'm looking at getting a delay pedal and I love EHX pedals, but I know that the Memory Man series is way too much stuff for me that I wouldn't even know what to do with. Also I don't have that much money.

From what I hear, no. If I were you I'd look into either the MXR Carbon Copy (for a simple nice-sounding analog delay) or Boss DD-7 (for lots of features and still very nice sound) depending on your needs.

# ¿ Oct 25, 2010 00:44

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

Noise Machine posted:

Cross post from new gear thread:

Shipped this morning.

Ugh want it so bad

# ¿ Jan 5, 2011 12:17

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

uh, Tubescreamers and Big Muffs are wildly different, fellas

That does not appear to be a Big Muff though. Two footswitches and four knobs.

# ¿ Feb 28, 2012 15:02

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

Rotten Cookies posted:

I think that's another pedal behind the Muff that just happens to line up with it?

Don't think so. Here, this seems to be another angle of the same pedal http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ov0lFQkGnpY/TcdfNDTCMPI/AAAAAAAAAH8/St2t41Sy6sc/s1600/IMG_2156.JPG

# ¿ Feb 28, 2012 15:42

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

After The War posted:

And depending on the pedal design, it doesn't have to be a lot to make a difference. All the 80s Boss stuff says "9.6v" for a reason - if you run one from a standard OneSpot, they usually sound muffled and weak. Fortunately, you can get power supplies that run at 9.6v or have a DIP switch to increase the voltage.

In the case of old Boss pedals this is not necessary. Just daisychain it with modern pedals and they work as intended.

# ¿ Mar 28, 2012 19:35

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

not mine, but this pedalboard made me crack up so I'm sharing it with youse guys

# ¿ May 13, 2012 18:15

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

Schindler's Fist posted:

The more you know! I like how they took a flaw - tape decks didn't sync perfectly - and turned it into a creative technique.

Same story, of course, with overdrive.

# ¿ Oct 31, 2012 17:35

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

Stravinsky posted:

Have you ever thought about drivers? Like a bluesdriver, tubedriver, nightdriver?

...you're kidding me, right?

# ¿ May 29, 2013 02:52

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

Stravinsky posted:

Speaking of Zoom effect pedals, they are probably the best multi-effect pedals I have ever had the pleasure of loving around with.

O_O

Just how many multi-effect pedals do you have experience with?

# ¿ Aug 29, 2013 13:09

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# ¿ Apr 27, 2024 00:04

dancehall: Sep 28, 2001; You say you want a revolution

HollisBrown posted:

I actually have a zoom 508 digital delay that sounds pretty drat good and is insanely flexible.

I'm not necessarily saying that Zoom pedals are crap per se, but to apply the word "best" to them in any situation is kinda unbelievable to me.

# ¿ Aug 29, 2013 15:43

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