analog vs. digital effects

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bball_1523

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So what is your take on analog effects vs. digital effects. Stomps vs. pedalboards?

What are the noticeable sound differences and sound qualities from let's say, boss stomp pedals, compared to the boss gt-6. Or digitech's stomps vs. digitech gnx4...etc.
 
There's certainly some difference - but less as time goes on and a lot of it is imaginary.

For example, I just saw a post on another board from some idiot who was saying how bad a certain overdrive stomp was because it was a digital effect.

In fact, it's 100% analog. When he figures this out, he'll probably love the way it sounds like everyone else does.

Boneheads, I swear... :rolleyes:
 
Well for distortion I definitely like a stompbox better than any multi-effects thing I've tried. I don't actually know the technical reasons, but I think analog distortion is better than digital. I figured someone had to get this thread going.
 
I always hear people saying analog stuff is better, but I don't understand why.

What about distortion on amps vs. analog stomps?
 
A large part of the analog vs. digital debate lies in what happens when a digital signal clips vs. an analog signal. If you've seen analog waveforms, then imagine what they would look like with part of the tops and bottoms of the peaks and valleys cut off and a straight line just drawn between the cuts. Yeah, it clips, but the ramp up to and down from the clip are smooth and gradual. In analog devices, this happens naturally as a function of electrical properties. When you use the distortion of a digital unit, it is trying to emulate the way those signals naturally clip. Now the signal may not actually be clipping, but the processor "fakes a clip". Now if the signal ever does actually clip in a digital device, the result is not the smoother analog distortion. It is harsh and jagged, caused by the "sterile and precise" nature of digital.
 
bball_1523 said:
So what is your take on analog effects vs. digital effects. Stomps vs. pedalboards?

What are the noticeable sound differences and sound qualities from let's say, boss stomp pedals, compared to the boss gt-6. Or digitech's stomps vs. digitech gnx4...etc.
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Well, a Boss stomp box can be opened up and tinkered with. Like changing an input or output cap to make the sound more like you want it.

Fuck if I know where to start with a digital board.


But as for sound...if you have to ask you have to test a few more effects in person.
 
Analog sounds way better than digital when it comes to guitar effects most of the time. But some stuff like the Eventide H3000 is quite wicked to say the least. So usually the expensive digital stuff is good, otherwise it's pedals all the way for me.
 
I use a GT-3 when recording but only a wah-wah and chorus live but even then, sparingly. I used to have an MXR distortion+. It died and I laid it to rest. Since then, I stick with tube amp distortion.
 
I'm still wondering what sound differences there. Can you guys be more specific?
 
Outlaws said:
Well, a Boss stomp box can be opened up and tinkered with. Like changing an input or output cap to make the sound more like you want it.

Fuck if I know where to start with a digital board.
Click to expand...
This is one of the things that's changing.

Analog effects are becoming more and more likely to have machine-made PCBs with micro-miniature surface-mount components that cannot even be identified without high magnification.

Forget working on them.

When I was reviewing the Wasabi OD, I popped it open and saw that it had several PCBs filled with 200-300 individual components, many about a quarter the size of a grain of rice.

Pure analog.

Another example is the Bad Monkey OD that everyone is raving about. It's a much simpler circuit, but again, a machine-made PCB with micro surface-mount stuff.
 
bongolation said:
200-300 individual components
Click to expand...


OMFG!

It must take like 5-10 of an item to get the value of a normal one. And this way it becomes harder to steal the design and make copies. (that or its cost effective)
 
Farview said:
You would need to reprogram it. change the software.
Click to expand...


lol...I take that back.....

Fuck if I know where to start reprograming onto a read only device that only has the ability to saves preferences..

;)

I am not a total computer n00b.
 
Outlaws said:
Well, a Boss stomp box can be opened up and tinkered with. Like changing an input or output cap to make the sound more like you want it.

Fuck if I know where to start with a digital board.


But as for sound...if you have to ask you have to test a few more effects in person.
Click to expand...
That definitely makes a difference for me, I like being able to figure out whats going on in there. I actually haven't opened my doubleshot yet to peak inside, but I have the feeling that it's going to have really small pcbs, as theres two distortions in one, and the thing is that small.
 
ibanezrocks said:
That definitely makes a difference for me, I like being able to figure out whats going on in there. I actually haven't opened my doubleshot yet to peak inside, but I have the feeling that it's going to have really small pcbs, as theres two distortions in one, and the thing is that small.
Click to expand...


If you ever open it would you mind taking some pictures and sending them to me? :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Good close ups are always nice. ;) (if you have a digital camera)

I am really interested in what is inside that thing. Though, it might not be as much as you think. The Distortion plus is only 8 (9with the LED) resistors, 3 or 4 caps, and two diodes and a chip.
 
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