Digital pedals in analogue recording

[oldskooldave]

I know the 'd word' is a big no no in analogue recording, But is it really breaking the rules so much if I use a digital fx pedal, I can't find an analogue version. Should I feel like ive 'let down the team'? I haven't used it yet, but it would save me a lot of hassle..what do you think?

 

[miroslav]

I think anything goes, as long as you're OK with it.

I don't use all-digital pedals with my guitars, but I will use digital pedals that process the dry signal as analog, and only the FX in digital... parallel processing.

I also use digital rack units for my Reverb FX...but like the guitar pedals, because the Reverb is applied via AUX sends and mixed in WITH the dry, channel signals via FX Returns...that too is parallel processing.

Also...I track to tape...edit in a DAW...but mix it all via analog console.

So...a working combination of both analog and digital is not a bad way to go, and it provides the best of both worlds, IMO.

 

[oldskooldave]

.

I think anything goes, as long as you're OK with it.

I don't use all-digital pedals with my guitars, but I will use digital pedals that process the dry signal as analog, and only the FX in digital... parallel processing.

I also use digital rack units for my Reverb FX...but like the guitar pedals, because the Reverb is applied via AUX sends and mixed in WITH the dry, channel signals via FX Returns...that too is parallel processing.

Also...I track to tape...edit in a DAW...but mix it all via analog console.

So...a working combination of both analog and digital is not a bad way to go, and it provides the best of both worlds, IMO.

I suppose its better than pretending its LITERALLY 1970, if it were, im sure there would be more analogue only equipment available

 

[miroslav]

It would not be complicated for me to skip the DAW part and just track to tape and mix in analog.

But the DAW allows room for a LOT of valid editing improvements that tape never could...so you can really polish/clean up your tracks before mixing if needed....and hey, I'm no virtuoso!!!
There are days when notes are missed, noises introduced...etc...and I see NO point in doing 45 takes (like I use to when back in my 4-track days), when I can do 3 solid takes, comp in the DAW down to one...and end up with a great overall track.

Editing is IMO the single most important benefit of using a DAW...everything else I prefer doing in analog…why not use the best of both.

 

[Chilljam]

I know the 'd word' is a big no no in analogue recording, But is it really breaking the rules so much if I use a digital fx pedal, I can't find an analogue version. Should I feel like ive 'let down the team'? I haven't used it yet, but it would save me a lot of hassle..what do you think?

I always have this dilemma, especially cos i use a nice fender tube amp. Basically, if i am after a distortion effect for my guitar... i would try to get it using only the amp but if i'm not happy with it and i know i can get a better sound using the fx pedals i will, i tell myself that if it sounds better it will still improve the overall mix regardless of the fact that i have introduced a digital conversion into a signal that is otherwise (usually) all analog.

 

[miroslav]

I always have this dilemma, especially cos i use a nice fender tube amp. Basically, if i am after a distortion effect for my guitar... i would try to get it using only the amp but if i'm not happy with it and i know i can get a better sound using the fx pedals i will, i tell myself that if it sounds better it will still improve the overall mix regardless of the fact that i have introduced a digital conversion into a signal that is otherwise (usually) all analog.

Why don't you just use analog OD pedals?

I would NEVER use a digital distortion pedal. The only digital pedals I use even with parallel processing of the dry are delay pedals, and that's mainly 'cuz it's not easy/inexpensive finding analog delay pedals with long delay times (but there are some).
I'm planning on getting the analog Pigtronix Echolution, though right now I'm using a digital w/parallel procesing VOX Time Machine, but I also have an analog DOD FX96 and then there's my very cool, Multivox tape delay (like the Space Echo) that I've had for over 30 years.

Otherwise...all my other pedals (OD, Phase, Flange, Reverb, Fuzz) are 100% pure analog.

 

[jpmorris]

Why don't you just use analog OD pedals?
I would NEVER use a digital distortion pedal.

I just took my Behringer overdrive pedal apart, which is basically as cheap as they come (I use it for vocals occasionally, I'm not a guitarist, so I figured why make a huge investment).
Inside is, as I suspected, an op-amp and some diodes, albeit a few more support components than I'd expected.
A digital distortion circuit would require far more complex design and more expensive parts just to replicate what can be done for peanuts with a handful of analogue components or an analogue ASIC.

I might be letting theory trump practice again, but the only time I can see it being sensible is in a multi-fx unit (and in my experience the distortion mode always sounds awful), or when you need total flexibility over how the distortion is happening, e.g. virtual models of 25 different circuits.

That said, the Behringer multi-fx pedal I purchased at the same time, that is digital. I use it for chorusing the vocals and I have no qualms about using that in an otherwise all-analogue setup. Besides, it achieved precisely the effect I was aiming for, the moment I plugged it in
Unless you can get a really nice spring reverb or can afford an actual plate or chamber, the chances are you're going to be using a digital reverb in the mix anyhow.

But digital distortion, ewww

 

[nate_dennis]

I know the 'd word' is a big no no in analogue recording, But is it really breaking the rules so much if I use a digital fx pedal, I can't find an analogue version. Should I feel like ive 'let down the team'? I haven't used it yet, but it would save me a lot of hassle..what do you think?

Nah man. Listen. This whole thing is about doing what feels right and sounds good to you. Most home recordists don't have access to plate reverbs or echo chambers. So using a digital reverb is almost the only option. I get what you're saying about the team, but there really is no team. I mean a lot of us use MIDI synchronization in our analog recording . . . now is that 100% analog? I dunno. But you just use the tools you have to the best of your ability. If you are working hard and being honest in your craft you have no reason to feel that you are anything less than sincere.


Just my $.02

 

[heatmiser]

I know the 'd word' is a big no no in analogue recording, But is it really breaking the rules so much if I use a digital fx pedal, I can't find an analogue version. Should I feel like ive 'let down the team'? I haven't used it yet, but it would save me a lot of hassle..what do you think?

Yes, that rule must not be broken and you will get kicked off the team !

 

[ofajen]

One of my first recording tools, along with the Otari 4-track and a pair of SM-57s, was one of those MXR blue face digital delays. I think it was the model 113. I'd still be using it, but it had recurring issues with the internal card connections, and one time I put one in wrong and fried something, and I have yet to be able to get it fixed.

It had a very "analog delay" sound, because the bandwidth got reduced at longer delay settings, so the high end got more and more rolled off. A very musical sound. I miss it. Now I have a later MXR delay that I use some. The sound quality is better on longer delays, which is a bit of a bummer, and also it lacks the audio range of modulation (from 10 Hz up to 1KHz) that the older unit had that allowed me to do FM processing. So, obviously, I'm a fan of old digital delay units. If it sounds right, use it.

Cheers,

Otto

 

[Chilljam]

I just took my Behringer overdrive pedal apart, which is basically as cheap as they come (I use it for vocals occasionally, I'm not a guitarist, so I figured why make a huge investment).
Inside is, as I suspected, an op-amp and some diodes, albeit a few more support components than I'd expected.
A digital distortion circuit would require far more complex design and more expensive parts just to replicate what can be done for peanuts with a handful of analogue components or an analogue ASIC.

I might be letting theory trump practice again, but the only time I can see it being sensible is in a multi-fx unit (and in my experience the distortion mode always sounds awful), or when you need total flexibility over how the distortion is happening, e.g. virtual models of 25 different circuits.

That said, the Behringer multi-fx pedal I purchased at the same time, that is digital. I use it for chorusing the vocals and I have no qualms about using that in an otherwise all-analogue setup. Besides, it achieved precisely the effect I was aiming for, the moment I plugged it in
Unless you can get a really nice spring reverb or can afford an actual plate or chamber, the chances are you're going to be using a digital reverb in the mix anyhow.

But digital distortion, ewww

Hmm.... wait is something like a Boss HM-2 a digital distortion? I always figured it was.