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Post by Russell B on Sept 15, 2021 4:40:11 GMT -7
Someone please tell me why I can’t stand chorus? I liked chorus on clean sounds in the 80’s, but that dropped out quickly. I have an AnalogMan bi-chorus, I just don’t use it and really don’t like it.
I’ve tried the Boss CE-1 setting on my M 5, but it’s just not something that I like. Maybe I’m running them the wrong way.
If we can ever get the 70’s Rock and Blues band going, I’ll need a good one on a few tunes. Let me know what you’re using.
Help!
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Sept 15, 2021 6:21:22 GMT -7
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Post by LT on Sept 15, 2021 6:53:21 GMT -7
I've used the Ibanez mini chorus and it worked well for me. I don't use chorus any longer, but I do use flanger (set mild). I have the old gray box MXR but the MXR EVH Flanger is on the board.
I had the AM Chorus as well (actually 3 of them), but found it too "thick" for me. Not sure if that makes sense, but that's how I perceived it in a live setting.
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Post by Russell B on Sept 15, 2021 6:58:02 GMT -7
I've used the Ibanez mini chorus and it worked well for me. I don't use chorus any longer, but I do use flanger (set mild). I have the old gray box MXR but the MXR EVH Flanger is on the board. I had the AM Chorus as well (actually 3 of them), but found it too "thick" for me. Not sure if that makes sense, but that's how I perceived it in a live setting. Yeah. Maybe that's what I hear as well. I was playing with he 80's rock band with that chorus, and I thought it was too muddy with the CAZ and turning down my guitar volume for clearer tones.
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Post by KeithA on Sept 15, 2021 7:33:54 GMT -7
Get the 'almost chorus' for those who don't like chorus
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Post by zpilot on Sept 15, 2021 7:59:54 GMT -7
You are not the only one. I dislike chorus also, mostly. And I have tried a bunch of them. Supposedly good ones. I have found an alternative that works well for me. The Dimension setting on my Keeley 30 MS Double Tracker. I only like chorus on certain intros that I have to play solo where that is a signature sound for that recording.
Probably the best sounding chorus sound I ever ran was a wet/dry setup. A stereo 2x12 cab. I ran through my dirt pedals and delays first and then into a mixer that split one side dry and the other with chorus/reverb. Chorus pedals try to approximate that with Blend controls but I found actually splitting the signal through separate speakers works much better.
And regarding the Boss Dimension C, I like the 30MS better. The effect can be dialed in to be more subtle which appeals to me with most effects. You can dial it up too if that floats your boat.
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Post by loucardguitar (Johnathan) on Sept 15, 2021 8:06:06 GMT -7
I'm personally a chorus nut. I have always loved the Homebrew THC. It's a simple three knob analog chorus. You can get subtle to somewhat crazy with it. But it's really easy to dial in a good tone. Homebrew isn't around anymore, but there is usually always one for sale on Reverb. I just saw a used one for around 128 bucks. That's usually about average for a used one. You will see them in both blue and green colors.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Sept 15, 2021 8:12:20 GMT -7
What's weird is that I don't really like ALL chorus pedals... but more so just my cherished CE-2. I snagged a MIJ one back in the eBay heyday when guys like Keeley, aNaLoG.MaN, Wamper, CMAT, etc. were all doing Boss "mods." Sent mine to Keeley, and now it both A) works on modern 9V power supplies without issue and B) has the fancy blue LED. Oh, and it sounds amazing, too.
I've tried so many others, too, and they all just sound different--mostly kind of "phase-y" and tilted towards the high-end without a lot of bass. My CE-2, on the other hand, is warm and lush and musical. I still didn't want to risk its value by putting it on my main pedalboard; but luckily I later tried the Mooer Ensemble King, which actually sounds dead-on accurate to the CE-2 plus it's true bypass and super tiny. Pedalboard problem solved!
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Post by "Z" Steve on Sept 15, 2021 12:19:16 GMT -7
A few years back (20 or so) I wanted a chorus pedal because I thought I needed one. I tried the Fulltone chorus and the Analog Man Chorus and didn't care for them - probably because I didn't really want chorus, I just thought I "needed one" to complete my pedal board. I did pick up a used Voodoo Labs Analog Chorus and used it mainly for the faux Vibe sound, but even after having VL mod the pedal for me it still had a huge volume jump when engaged (not sure if they ever made an adjustment inside the pedal fixing that). I sold it and now just use my Boss HR-2 if a chorus like part is needed.
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Post by Russell B on Sept 15, 2021 12:33:12 GMT -7
^^^
Years ago, I bought that really expensive Fulltone chorus. I didn't care for it.
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Post by Russell B on Sept 15, 2021 12:35:00 GMT -7
Maybe I need to try a real CE-2 and that Dimension C. Of course, Pete Throne makes everything sound good. lol
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Post by adam on Sept 15, 2021 17:06:38 GMT -7
I think they are really cool for spots. I really like the ce-2 waza in ce1 mode, into a clean amp. Most like my jc-120 amps. The analog man does that Nirvana come as you are sound to a T. The full tone choral flange gets a great fast Leslie sound, better than my expensive Neo ventillator pedal.
Back to the boss Waza one, rate at noon, depth 3pm in Ce2 mode is great into the distorted ems. Over the top, but fun. Same setting in Ce1 mode into a clean amp, and just stellar with the Ghia for some reason. Analog man one does a reasonable fast Leslie too.
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Post by Dan F"i"fe on Sept 15, 2021 17:08:18 GMT -7
EHX Small Clone 4600 Mini Chorus, Analog, true bypass, I picked one up from one of Marc's early Guitar shows for $20 and love it. They're selling on Reverb now for $500+
Honestly it's just a hint of chorus and pleasant, not the full chorus which is a different chip.
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Post by JeffG on Sept 16, 2021 7:10:15 GMT -7
I didn't like chorus for a long time either. For me, I thought it was kind of all or nothing and I didn't like the super chorusy sounds. The key for me has been finding a good analog chorus with a mix knob to dial in just how much of effect I want. That has been a TOTAL GAME CHANGER. My recommendation would be to try a pedal like that and if you still don't like chorus, then maybe it's not for you and that's totally fine.
A short list (not exhaustive) of analog choruses with blend control: Thorpy FX Deep Oggin Analogman BiChorus Mr Black Analog Chorus/Vibrato (with tap) Providence Anadime v4 Mad Professor Electric Blue II Seymour Duncan Catalina (with tap) Swindler Effects The Gulf (with tap) Carl Martin Atlantic Chorus (I think?) Supro Analog Chorus Paradox Effects Futura
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kcash
New Member
Posts: 28
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Post by kcash on Sept 16, 2021 9:15:27 GMT -7
I have an old Boss CE-2 that rarely makes an appearance on my pedalboard. I did the Monte Allums mod on it years ago to be able to use the "normal" 9v power supply. It sounds great, but I guess I'm not a big Chorus guy either. It works when needed though.
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Post by zpilot on Sept 16, 2021 9:20:31 GMT -7
When the Police were big I bought a CE-2 in order to get that Andy Summers sound and that is about the only chorus I have ever cared for. I also used it for Alabama tunes when they were big. That does not mean I would care for it today. Our expectations change with time. I liked wah pedals for awhile but grew tired of them too.
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Post by John on Sept 19, 2021 4:46:57 GMT -7
I absolutely LOVED chorus effect....back in the day. Back when people would leave it on all night.
But the last time I tried a chorus effect...it sounded 'dated'.
Just like a 'fuzz' would be labeled late 60's acid rock effect, a chorus would be labeled 80's everything.
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Post by adam on Sept 19, 2021 5:59:20 GMT -7
But the last time I tried a chorus effect...it sounded 'dated'. Just like a 'fuzz' would be labeled late 60's acid rock effect, a chorus would be labeled 80's everything. I've felt that way about delays for years now, like they should be taboo on a pedal board. Spring reverb and tremolo always immediately sound 60's to me. Probably nothing worse than over limited music production though, that just hurts my ears. Signed, grumpy old man.
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Sept 19, 2021 6:22:55 GMT -7
I recently bought the MXR M234 Chorus for a small board. They don’t call it a blend control, instead level, effectively the same. For $99 it does what it’s supposed to, then stays off most of the night. I still have my TC Electronics SCF from the 80’s ( the corded model) if I ever get serious about using chorus again.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Sept 20, 2021 9:36:46 GMT -7
I've got a CE-2 that sounds nice to me, it's not too intrusive and doesn't over-do the effect. I don't use it much but it's good for what it does.
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Post by zpilot on Sept 20, 2021 14:43:08 GMT -7
The CE-2 sort of defined what what a guitar chorus pedal is supposed to sound like. Kind of like the Telecaster did electric guitar and the SM-58 a vocal mic. There are "better" chorus pedals with more control but the CE-2 is what our ears have been trained to like.
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Post by sharkboy on Sept 20, 2021 19:06:28 GMT -7
In the 80s/90s, I had a JC120H and loved it- also have cycled through a bunch of chorus and multi mod pedals. Most of the past 25 years, I’ve been considerably more interested in using a stereo rotary effect. Even if I have a chorus in my head for a part, I almost always switch to the rotary effect.
A favorite thing is to run stereo out of a Lex or a Ventilator and put a phaser on one channel through amps that are spaced far apart for a really cool psychoacoustic effect.
Where I am right now: 1. My Zs like my Motion Sound cab better than my other amps. Gee. Go figure. 2. Simulation: Until recently, I preferred my Lex for clean stereo over my Ventilator, which seems a little better for grit. 3. Something has changed in my setup or I’m suddenly more picky. I’m looking to reevaluate my pedal sim rotary clean setup and will be digging down to optimize it.
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Post by Faze on Sept 21, 2021 18:50:05 GMT -7
Don't feel bad I am not a big fan of Chorus either I prefer the Chorus setting on a vibe pedal. I have a Jam pedal Retro Vibe. I never use the vibrato side. The chorus is thick and chewy though.
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Post by Russell B on Sept 22, 2021 13:16:36 GMT -7
Well, I had to get one for the upcoming rock/blues band. I ended up with a Boss CE-2W Waza Craft Chorus. I won't need it much, but I'll need it.
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Post by adam on Sept 22, 2021 16:17:35 GMT -7
Way to go Russell, I think it's a very solid choice. I wasn't so sure about mine when I got it, but I've really come to love it.
Not sure why, but that thing and a tele into the Ghia sounds amazing. The amp sort of opens up and has this huge, really organic and 3d type of sound. I think the buffer is really solid, and I really appreciate that when you engage or disengage it, it doesn't do that true bypass "clunk" when you hit the switch. I find that with the controls set at noon, it sort of sounds out of phase to me, but bumping up the depth takes that all away. It's kind of over the top set like that, but it's a really cool sound. If you want "my chorus is on and everyone knows it", it's killer. Might also add the cheaper boss chorus which has the mix and tone controls is also great at subtle type chorus sounds if that's what you are after.
It also doesn't do that thing where you just put it in line, you feel like your tone is compromised. It's a great pedal.
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Post by Russell B on Sept 26, 2021 12:05:09 GMT -7
I got the CE-2w and it’s nice. It’s different from the AnalogMan Bi-Chorus. I’m still not the biggest chorus fan though! lol
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Post by doctorice on Sept 26, 2021 12:41:34 GMT -7
Interesting video from That Pedal Show on chorus and flanger.
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Post by loucardguitar (Johnathan) on Sept 26, 2021 14:59:14 GMT -7
Interesting video from That Pedal Show on chorus and flanger. Very cool!! Makes sense, since chorus and flange is somewhat of a type of delay. I'm sure that Keith has an extra delay pedal laying around where he could test this out!!
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