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I'm looking to complement my ABsynth with a bit of a cleaner dirt. I'm leaning towards a Singing Tree Lite, but any input on the Chalice or Algal Bloom xs?

And does anyone want to trade me one of those 3 for my Phantom Octave? I like that pedal too but need something for chording (chording?)

I've had all three, and I can tell you that none of these are very good for use as a transparent overdrive.

The singing tree is based on the tubescreamer w/out a tone stack. It got some mild gain and crazy clipping with the clipping knob dimed, and had a fair amount of volume, but it wasn't very transparent. It did sound good, it just wasn't very transparent. I had the full featured one that had options for clipping threshold and gain. I'm not positive but I think the only difference between the full featured and the lite is the light only has options for adjusting gain and volume.

The chalice is very similar to the ab-synth in circuit design. Massive, brootal fuzz without the oscillations. I've found low gain settings but nothing that could be called clear or clean. If your looking to stack absynths this could be a fun pedal to get, but if you're looking for a compliment that's different in tone, I wouldn't go with either of these.

The algal bloom felt very similar to the singing tree, it had lots of tone coloration but in a good way. It could great nice and fuzzy for a lot of settings as well, and you could have low gain settings as well. But on all settings you would know you had the algal bloom on, if that makes sense . I think running an absynth into an algal bloom could have good results, though. I think that the algal bloom, absynth and chalice are all based on similar circuits. I don't know for certain though. So with the algal bloom you might wind up having a pedal that plays and sounds like a lower gain absynth.

All of these will color your tone somewhat. Of the 3 I'd go with the singing tree as a compliment to the absynth, being based on a different circuit it would be the best candidate for different and complimentary tones.

The high five is my favorite overdrive, though. It's best friends with every fuzz I've ever had.

Hi Five Plus is great for a light overdrive.

Catalinbread DLS if you want something that can go a bit heavier as well.

Nice. Exactly the kind of info I needed. I love that ABsynth. Its soooo creamy. I've wondered how necessary it is to have both the ABSynth and the ABnormal but I just want more more more.

I have the ABsynth, and used to have the Algal Bloom. They are very similar while being diff at the same time. The "might end up with a lower gain absynth" is a good description. Been using the melx2 for my overdrive lately, and loving it. Still really want to try a hifive or singing tree.

Seedy wrote:I'm looking to complement my ABsynth with a bit of a cleaner dirt. I'm leaning towards a Singing Tree Lite, but any input on the Chalice or Algal Bloom xs?

And does anyone want to trade me one of those 3 for my Phantom Octave? I like that pedal too but need something for chording (chording?)

The Fuzzhugger section of the ILoveFuzz.com forums...this might not be the place for "nice clear overdrive".

I can't recommend the Algal Bloom enough, but it's a fuzz. Not a nice, clear overdrive. While it it can be dialed in to be clearer than many fuzzes, it is still a fuzz at heart.

Seedy wrote:I'm looking to complement my ABsynth with a bit of a cleaner dirt. I'm leaning towards a Singing Tree Lite, but any input on the Chalice or Algal Bloom xs?

And does anyone want to trade me one of those 3 for my Phantom Octave? I like that pedal too but need something for chording (chording?)

Some very helpful responses!

While the Chalice has the Gain control, lowering the gain is going to get you some gated tones, some nastier-but-cleaner stuff, etc. Otherwise, it's not that different from an AB-Synth. The Chalice was designed to be a non-oscillating AB-Synth 5k.

While it may not be super transparent, the Algal Bloom does shine for chording and clarity, and it has some nice semi-fuzzy overdrives.

Seedy wrote:I love that ABsynth. Its soooo creamy. I've wondered how necessary it is to have both the ABSynth and the ABnormal but I just want more more more.

Thanks!
The Algal Bloom isn't exactly ABnormal...the AB-Synth has about 1/2 an on-board circuit in common with the Algal Bloom. (That's where the AB thing came from...but it's cause some confusion. Just wanted to say that the Algal Bloom is it's own fuzz for sure! Much more classic and open compared to the AB-Synth.)

Thanks again all. I'm actually not sure I'm looking for an overdrive per se. I think I want it to be like my ABsynth, with the ability to get a little more clear. Just a little, little more clear.

Seedy wrote:Thanks again all. I'm actually not sure I'm looking for an overdrive per se. I think I want it to be like my ABsynth, with the ability to get a little more clear. Just a little, little more clear.

If I can say this...

Algal Bloom for sure!

More clear, more note separation, more clean, more overdriveish.

Tom Dalton wrote:

Seedy wrote:Thanks again all. I'm actually not sure I'm looking for an overdrive per se. I think I want it to be like my ABsynth, with the ability to get a little more clear. Just a little, little more clear.

If I can say this...

Algal Bloom for sure!

More clear, more note separation, more clean, more overdriveish.

Yes. Yes. I think this is the right answer.

Seedy wrote:

Tom Dalton wrote:

Seedy wrote:Thanks again all. I'm actually not sure I'm looking for an overdrive per se. I think I want it to be like my ABsynth, with the ability to get a little more clear. Just a little, little more clear.

If I can say this...

Algal Bloom for sure!

More clear, more note separation, more clean, more overdriveish.

Yes. Yes. I think this is the right answer.

I stand by every part of this. Tom knows how much I love the Algal Bloom! It's everything I've ever wanted in a fuzz. It's delicious.

Alright, I have an Algal Bloom en route and decided not to get rid of the Phantom Octave at all. I know in my heart that this is the way forward. I'll let you guys know how it all works out.

Seedy wrote:Alright, I have an Algal Bloom en route and decided not to get rid of the Phantom Octave at all. I know in my heart that this is the way forward. I'll let you guys know how it all works out.

Seedy wrote:Alright, I have an Algal Bloom en route and decided not to get rid of the Phantom Octave at all. I know in my heart that this is the way forward. I'll let you guys know how it all works out.

Why didn't anybody suggest the Groundswell? I know Tom discontinued it but it was still a great OD and is worth mentioning.