Algal Bloom versus AB Synth

[mathias]

This has probably been discussed, but searching the board and reading descriptions wasn't answering it for me:

Is the first mode of the AB Synth pretty much the same as the Algal Bloom, or is the AB Synth always going to be more extreme / fuzzy? I really like the Algal Bloom's sounds, especially the "lower gain" or less extreme sounds, if you want to call them that. I also like the oscillation and craziness the AB Synth can do. And I really like the AB Synth's case art

Thanks in advance!

[hclapp219]

They are quite different. THere have been a number of threads on the subject; I don't remember what they're called, but look through this forum or use the search bar and you should find them.

[mathias]

And I don't suppose I can get the ABSynth art on an Algal Bloom? Heh.

[hclapp219]

And I don't suppose I can get the ABSynth art on an Algal Bloom? Heh.

It never hurts to ask Tom

[sevenSHARPnine]

The Absynth is higher gain for sure. The Algal Bloom is more open, clear, and throaty (or gritty). I'd say the Absynth is much tighter and more focused. I really wish I still had my Absynth from waaaay back in the day so I could do a side-by-side video...

[mathias]

It's hard to tell without having one to play through, but it seems like the Algal Bloom responds to dynamics in playing so much better than most of the gritty/splattery fuzzes.

I love my Devi Ever VFM, but it compresses things so much by the time it is fuzzed up that all playing dynamics are lost. Has anyone compared a VFM and an Algal Bloom in a demo track or video? I'd love to hear them side by side.

[Fuzzy Picklez]

The Absynth is higher gain for sure. The Algal Bloom is more open, clear, and throaty (or gritty). I'd say the Absynth is much tighter and more focused. I really wish I still had my Absynth from waaaay back in the day so I could do a side-by-side video...

Pretty much this.
I've got both right now, so maybe I should do a video with both?

[univalve]

The Absynth is higher gain for sure. The Algal Bloom is more open, clear, and throaty (or gritty). I'd say the Absynth is much tighter and more focused.

[FuzzHugger]

And I don't suppose I can get the ABSynth art on an Algal Bloom? Heh.

It never hurts to ask Tom

^^Never hurts to ask!
It'd create some confusion, but that's fun! I've already created some confusion about the two of them.

As far as the Algal Bloom versus AB-Synth, they're two different fuzzes.
The AB-Synth takes maybe 30-35% of its circuit from the Algal Bloom (which is why the AB-Synth name subtly references it), but that's kinda irrelevant. They are really different things going on in the circuits. Tonally, the AB-Synth is layered, synthier/smoother fuzz, more pushed, higher gain, can get splattery, doesn't clean up similarly at all...

The Absynth is higher gain for sure. The Algal Bloom is more open, clear, and throaty (or gritty). I'd say the Absynth is much tighter and more focused. I really wish I still had my Absynth from waaaay back in the day so I could do a side-by-side video...

Right on!

[mathias]

Maybe I'll get both.

[univalve]

Maybe I'll get both.

Thant's what i did. Highly recommended.

[Seedy]

I've posted these separately in other threads but for your convenience, here are two short demos recorded under the same conditions.

Here's the Algal Bloom (with a Boss DD5):
[soundcloud]http://soundcloud.com/sim-tut/fuzzhugger-algal-bloom-with-boss-dd-5[/soundcloud]

and the ABsynth (with Electro Harmonix Hazarai):

[soundcloud]http://soundcloud.com/sim-tut/absynth-smmh[/soundcloud]

Personally I prefer the ABsynth overall but find the Bloom more practical(?) and flexible. So both. I'll keep both.

[mathias]

Is the Algal Bloom going to be as responsive to playing dynamics as a silicon fuzz face? (I built this one: http://www.runoffgroove.com/multiface.html with 2x 2N3904's and it cleans up nicely, but if I really dig in I get that fuzz sound. Basically, no compression.)

[Monkeyboard]

Is the Algal Bloom going to be as responsive to playing dynamics as a silicon fuzz face? (I built this one: http://www.runoffgroove.com/multiface.html with 2x 2N3904's and it cleans up nicely, but if I really dig in I get that fuzz sound. Basically, no compression.)

The Algal Bloom is one of the most responsive Fuzzes I have ever played. Responds very well to your playing. I have found that by lowering the gain and cranking the bloom you can get great responsive tones. But even with a little more gain it will respond.

[mathias]

Good to know