Which chorus peds should I try?

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echorec
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Re: Which chorus peds should I try?

Post by echorec »

The Empress Nebulus is the best analog multi-modulation option off the top of my head. It can do more standard chorus sounds, but also tremolo, vibrato, flange, and Uni-Vibe territory. With a faster rate, or one of the blended settings, you'll be on the edge of phaser territory. If someone is willing to ship one to Belgium, they can be had for under $200 in used/excellent shape. (then tack on 30 Euros or so for shipping)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Empress-Effect ... SwRk5fz5aK

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I'd also recommend the Iron Ether Polytope and Keeley 30ms as chorus pedals for people who don't necessarily love chorus. If you want to add presence and coloration.

In the digital multi-mode area, you've got the BOSS MD-200 (classic chorus, phaser, flanger, Slicer, et cetera).

There's still (BBD-based) CE-1 clones out there. It won't get exotic like a Sea Machine, but for hypnotic pads, something like the Retro-Sonic Chorus is insanely smooth.
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Re: Which chorus peds should I try?

Post by frigid midget »

Thanks!

The empress is one of the good options that went under my radar, thnks for pointing it out.

I'm now on the fence about chorus vs phaser though. My flanger is staying on my board, and I kinda feel like a flanger can be dialed in closer to chorus than a phaser can. I mean, I don't need 3 dedicated modulation pedals, I wouldn't even know how to squeeze it on my board. Which is why I've also been looking at the OBNE Dweller, the Subdecay Quasar V4,..

I'm real picky when it comes to analog phase/chorus though, in a tgp kinda way :facepalm:
I love step phasers and other wacky spacey shit though, so I'll have to make a tough decision between something like the Empress Nebulus, Iron Ether Polytope, Keeley 30ms,...or an MD-200, for roughly the same price. The latter would also give me a whole bunch of other effects, so...decisions decisions :/
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Re: Which chorus peds should I try?

Post by echorec »

frigid midget wrote:I love step phasers and other wacky spacey shit though
Did you consider the Synesthesia? I haven't owned that one, but I have the predecessor from GFI (the Wavelogic). I was impressed by the sounds, and the S. goes much further. It costs more, but it'd be like getting 2+ pedals in one. (bitcrusher, fidelity effects, modulation) That'd be the most tweakable option, without going up to a Zoia.
Familiar effects from the original firmware like Tremolo, Formant, Phaser and Flanger have been given their own arpeggiated mode, where stepped waveforms in various patterns give these classic effects a whole new application.
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Re: Which chorus peds should I try?

Post by frigid midget »

echorec wrote:
frigid midget wrote:I love step phasers and other wacky spacey shit though
Did you consider the Synesthesia? I haven't owned that one, but I have the predecessor from GFI (the Wavelogic). I was impressed by the sounds, and the S. goes much further. It costs more, but it'd be like getting 2+ pedals in one. (bitcrusher, fidelity effects, modulation) That'd be the most tweakable option, without going up to a Zoia.
Familiar effects from the original firmware like Tremolo, Formant, Phaser and Flanger have been given their own arpeggiated mode, where stepped waveforms in various patterns give these classic effects a whole new application.
Wow, impressive piece of kit, also didn't get picked up by my radar. I didn't specify a budget limit, but I think spending 300Euro used on something that won't define my core sound...is only gonna happen if I'm really deeply in love with it.

As powerfull as the Synesthesia is, it's seems like it's not the kind of hands on pedal I'm into. Which is one of the reasons I'm not completely stoked about the HX Stomp, the price tag and typical "multi effect compromises" being the other reasons.
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Re: Which chorus peds should I try?

Post by digi2t »

qersty wrote:
digi2t wrote:Without going to rack units, my top three (no particular order);
- Strymon Ola
- Digitech Nautila
- Ibanez RC-99
And going into rack units? :cool:
Just for the chorus alone, Korg SDD-3300. Run the input through three delays in series, IIRC the patch is called "Lush Chorus", offset the three LFO phases by 90 degrees, and out in stereo. The only way I can describe it is like floating in a sensory deprivation pool, in water at the exact same temperature as your body, but with gentle waves bobbing you about. The only drawback is that a patch changes involve a half second dropout in the audio, but I didn't care since I only used it for the chorus. If I needed any other sound out of it, I would only change to another patch between songs. It's clunky (hey, it's 80's tech!), but that chorus... fuck me. That chorus....

At some point I mistakenly believed that a pedal could recreate that chorus Nirvana, and like a fool, I sold my 3300 to make room and cash for other stuff. I never have found a pedal (or rack) replacement for it, and now I can't even find a 3300 to buy. I built myself a machine that kicks me in the ass everytime I think about it. And that's all I have to say about that.
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Re: Which chorus peds should I try?

Post by goroth »

echorec wrote:The Empress Nebulus is the best analog multi-modulation option off the top of my head. It can do more standard chorus sounds, but also tremolo, vibrato, flange, and Uni-Vibe territory. With a faster rate, or one of the blended settings, you'll be on the edge of phaser territory. If someone is willing to ship one to Belgium, they can be had for under $200 in used/excellent shape. (then tack on 30 Euros or so for shipping)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Empress-Effect ... SwRk5fz5aK

Image

I'd also recommend the Iron Ether Polytope and Keeley 30ms as chorus pedals for people who don't necessarily love chorus. If you want to add presence and coloration.

In the digital multi-mode area, you've got the BOSS MD-200 (classic chorus, phaser, flanger, Slicer, et cetera).

There's still (BBD-based) CE-1 clones out there. It won't get exotic like a Sea Machine, but for hypnotic pads, something like the Retro-Sonic Chorus is insanely smooth.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Nebulus is digital.

It's also fucking killer.

I'm also a big fan of the one knob MXR chorus. It always sounds good.
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Re: Which chorus peds should I try?

Post by goroth »

digi2t wrote:
qersty wrote:
digi2t wrote:Without going to rack units, my top three (no particular order);
- Strymon Ola
- Digitech Nautila
- Ibanez RC-99
And going into rack units? :cool:
Just for the chorus alone, Korg SDD-3300. Run the input through three delays in series, IIRC the patch is called "Lush Chorus", offset the three LFO phases by 90 degrees, and out in stereo. The only way I can describe it is like floating in a sensory deprivation pool, in water at the exact same temperature as your body, but with gentle waves bobbing you about. The only drawback is that a patch changes involve a half second dropout in the audio, but I didn't care since I only used it for the chorus. If I needed any other sound out of it, I would only change to another patch between songs. It's clunky (hey, it's 80's tech!), but that chorus... fuck me. That chorus....

At some point I mistakenly believed that a pedal could recreate that chorus Nirvana, and like a fool, I sold my 3300 to make room and cash for other stuff. I never have found a pedal (or rack) replacement for it, and now I can't even find a 3300 to buy. I built myself a machine that kicks me in the ass everytime I think about it. And that's all I have to say about that.
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Gone Fission wrote: Thu Oct 24, 2024 2:21 pm That’s quarter-assed at best.
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Re: Which chorus peds should I try?

Post by digi2t »

goroth wrote: DINO!!

Good to see you again man!
:joy: :omg: :!!!:
Cheers! Always around, just lurking more than anything else. Taking a break from the pedals this winter to build a tube amp. Been on my bucket list for a while now, so I thought I better go for it before I kick it. Again. :lol:
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Re: Which chorus peds should I try?

Post by frodog »

Just saw this on the toobz. Could be something? I'd gladly rock it (reverb even!) if I didn't already have so many chorus pedals.
Image
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RsXbql1PK8[/youtube]
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Re: Which chorus peds should I try?

Post by frigid midget »

Damn. Just checked their other stuff, never heard of em. Seems like one of those underrated builders/brands that deserve a lot more attention.

That chorus/verb/tremelo just gave me a major pedal boner. An onboard tremelo would be awesome. It's one of those effects I kinda miss now and then, but don't use enough to justify the monies and board space for a seperate pedal. This one isn't even bulky or anything...and it looks cool :cool:
Of all the cool shit I seen so far, this is the one'd I'd stretch my budget for. Not by $100 though :(

No EU/UK shops seem to have one in stock, and it's ofcourse non-existant on the used market :cry:

I seem to be having more luck finding tricked out phasers. If can free up the board space, a simple boring MXR Micro chorus or something could cover the chorus tasks.
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Re: Which chorus peds should I try?

Post by Dandolin »

definitely a fan of Matty Mattoverse, and that thing sound noice. But I want a syncable trem and vibrato in one box. :snax: flange and trem I prefer unsynced with the flange nice and slow and the trem where have you (get my Doves on). :idk:
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Re: Which chorus peds should I try?

Post by goroth »

Dandolin wrote:definitely a fan of Matty Mattoverse, and that thing sound noice. But I want a syncable trem and vibrato in one box. :snax: flange and trem I prefer unsynced with the flange nice and slow and the trem where have you (get my Doves on). :idk:
This is the correctest post ever.
Matt rules and makes great stuff.
Slow flange plus tasty trem is the best.
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Re: Which chorus peds should I try?

Post by Dandolin »

goroth wrote:
Dandolin wrote:definitely a fan of Matty Mattoverse, and that thing sound noice. But I want a syncable trem and vibrato in one box. :snax: flange and trem I prefer unsynced with the flange nice and slow and the trem where have you (get my Doves on). :idk:
This is the correctest post ever.
Matt rules and makes great stuff.
Slow flange plus tasty trem is the best.
Image
now, who are we gonna taunt wheedle into doing an ILF special tremflangolo? :snax:
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Re: Which chorus peds should I try?

Post by penelope tree »

I've been using a Polychorus recently for chorus and flanger and I think it's pretty versatile. Maybe the new Eddy is worth considering? It has some unusual features.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OACrE6ozIiI[/youtube]
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Re: Which chorus peds should I try?

Post by echorec »

goroth wrote:Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Nebulus is digital.

It's also fucking killer.

I'm also a big fan of the one knob MXR chorus. It always sounds good.
That's right. 2013 was hundreds of pedals ago for me. I was thinking it was analog with digital enhancements (ala Chase Bliss).
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