The lowdown on effects. (analog or digital)

  • Thread starter Thread starter capnkid
  • Start date Start date
capnkid

capnkid

Optimus Prime
Is analog better than digital, say- in the effects department?

If am am looking for say chorus, delay, overdrive pedals etc. should I stick to analog?
I want what everyone wants, to keep the integrity of my 18 watt, but I want to use pedals.
 
Hell I dunno, I guess as long as it has true bypass either one would work. :confused:

Anybody else?
 
I recently bought a Boss dd6.After 2 days of trying to get a usable sound out out of it, I returned it.One thing that all digital pedals have in common(the
ones I've played)is that they cause a strange bass response on tube amps.
Almost like a blown speaker.Until I can afford the tape delay that I want,I
will just do without.
 
It would be in a companies interest to Make some hand wired point to point effects in China.

99% of effects are unfixable by the consumer.

I think if a company like Peavey (they already have started a line of amps made in china) would get on that train, they would start a new fire.

I think people would rather have things they can tinker on and fix themselves. I don't see why it couldn't be accomplished when the rate of pay is 30 cents per hour over there.
 
It doesn't matter as long as it is a quality pedal. Remember that...quality is the important part.

Analog delays cannot achieve the same length of delay that digital can, so its a mute point as to analog vs. digital for that. Plus the reverse effect I would venture to say is impossible live on analog. Tap tempo is a neat feature too...never seen that in an analog pedal. Analog pedals have a "feel" to them though, so you have to try them to see if you like it...especially if you were raised in this digital age.
For overdrive and distortion most will say only analog. I won't even try to argue this one objectively.
Chorus pedals are the same as delay, you have to try both analog and digital to know what suits you.
Reverb is in the same boat as delay. If you want a spring reverb, an Accutronics unit will work like no other. Analog pedals can sound great too. If you want something more lush and full with a smoother taper, you need to go digital.

Tape delays are nice, but at $1000 I will pass...until I win the Lotto.
 
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capnkid said:
It would be in a companies interest to Make some hand wired point to point effects in China.

99% of effects are unfixable by the consumer.

I think if a company like Peavey (they already have started a line of amps made in china) would get on that train, they would start a new fire.

I think people would rather have things they can tinker on and fix themselves. I don't see why it couldn't be accomplished when the rate of pay is 30 cents per hour over there.
Click to expand...

A well built hand wired PCB will beat point to point every single time because you can't get the consistent sound from unit to unit with PTP...let alone with the motto of "build as cheap as possible."

I think it was Bogner that has a great article somewhere online about using high end PCB components in their amps. They really crush all the myths online about "point to point".

But any pedal built today that I have seen (sans multi-effects) are still fixable by anyone who knows what they are doing. Modding them can be a pain though because everything is crammed in there for space saving purposes, not so we can add extra knobs or switches, but its still fixable if you know what you are doing.
 
Outlaws said:
A well built hand wired PCB will beat point to point every single time because you can't get the consistent sound from unit to unit with PTP...let alone with the motto of "build as cheap as possible."

I think it was Bogner that has a great article somewhere online about using high end PCB components in their amps. They really crush all the myths online about "point to point".

But any pedal built today that I have seen (sans multi-effects) are still fixable by anyone who knows what they are doing. Modding them can be a pain though because everything is crammed in there for space saving purposes, not so we can add extra knobs or switches, but its still fixable if you know what you are doing.
Click to expand...

I thought the whole guitar playing thing was about getting your own sound?
Unless your a cover band I guess.

What great guitar sound would we be missing if all there was, was PCB?
 
capnkid said:
I thought the whole guitar playing thing was about getting your own sound?
Unless your a cover band I guess.
Click to expand...

There are a lot of famous guitar players who have gotten their own "sound" without modding stuff. The "sound" is in the technique. If you want your own unique effect or amp, you should build your own from scratch like Brian May. :D

If you are talking about Bogner and THD using PCB to get consistent sound, you should try to find a good Marshall Super Lead. Its very difficult because all the rich rock stars already own them.
 
SHEPPARDB. said:
I recently bought a Boss dd6.After 2 days of trying to get a usable sound out out of it, I returned it.One thing that all digital pedals have in common(the
ones I've played)is that they cause a strange bass response on tube amps.
Almost like a blown speaker.Until I can afford the tape delay that I want,I
will just do without.
Click to expand...

Hm, the only pedal I've used that had this problem was a Line 6 Echo Park, and the pedal was defective in the first place. Maybe it's the amp's bass response going out of whack when certain frequencies hit it. I had a microphone that would do this when singers would hit certain notes. Unnoticeable at first but came out enough while mixing to totally ruin the take.

Oh, and I use a Boss GT-8 and it sounds beautiful. It's all about trying on your setup before buying. Just bring your head to wherever and take a few hours to get acquainted with your options in a setup you're already comfortable with.
 
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