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Algal Bloom versus AB Synth
Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 8:11 pm
by 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!
Re: Algal Bloom versus AB Synth
Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 8:15 pm
by 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.
Re: Algal Bloom versus AB Synth
Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 8:16 pm
by mathias
And I don't suppose I can get the ABSynth art on an Algal Bloom? Heh.
Re: Algal Bloom versus AB Synth
Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 8:30 pm
by hclapp219
mathias wrote:And I don't suppose I can get the ABSynth art on an Algal Bloom? Heh.
It never hurts to ask Tom
Re: Algal Bloom versus AB Synth
Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 11:51 pm
by 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...
Re: Algal Bloom versus AB Synth
Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 12:43 am
by 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.
Re: Algal Bloom versus AB Synth
Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 4:16 am
by Fuzzy Picklez
sevenSHARPnine wrote: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?
Re: Algal Bloom versus AB Synth
Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 6:01 am
by univalve
sevenSHARPnine wrote: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.
Re: Algal Bloom versus AB Synth
Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 11:43 am
by FuzzHugger
hclapp219 wrote:mathias wrote: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...
sevenSHARPnine wrote: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!
Re: Algal Bloom versus AB Synth
Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 11:45 am
by mathias
Maybe I'll get both.
Re: Algal Bloom versus AB Synth
Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 2:24 pm
by univalve
mathias wrote:Maybe I'll get both.
Thant's what i did. Highly recommended.
Re: Algal Bloom versus AB Synth
Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 3:24 pm
by 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.
Re: Algal Bloom versus AB Synth
Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 3:49 pm
by 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.)
Re: Algal Bloom versus AB Synth
Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 7:04 pm
by Monkeyboard
mathias wrote: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.
Re: Algal Bloom versus AB Synth
Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 7:05 pm
by mathias
Good to know