Analog vs. Digital
- Thread starter lex666
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lex666
New member
Re: Analog vs. Digital
What about modulation effects like Flange? I tried the Ibanez FL9 flange (they say its analog) but I didn't care for it. I'm gonna try the Boss BF3 flange next. I'm looking for a thick flange sound that I can use without going thru the effects loop. The say the Boss is digital. How can I tell? How noticeable will the digital be vs. the analog?
("they" being the reviews on harmony cental, but I don't trust 'em)
What about modulation effects like Flange? I tried the Ibanez FL9 flange (they say its analog) but I didn't care for it. I'm gonna try the Boss BF3 flange next. I'm looking for a thick flange sound that I can use without going thru the effects loop. The say the Boss is digital. How can I tell? How noticeable will the digital be vs. the analog?
("they" being the reviews on harmony cental, but I don't trust 'em)
Vasshu the humanoid typhoon
Unseen
Re: Analog vs. Digital
If you know what to hear in most analouge delays...well yes, but with the new hybrids the delays has gotten very very good, sometimes even more useful than most analouge delays.
On the modulation side it is quite an achivement to get it right, you are forced to make several memory buckets to make chorus or flanging work, otherwise you'll end up with a doubler-modulator instead, the BBD's are quite hard to replace.
They have their very own sound in modulation effects.
It will be a bitch to get a digital thing to sound like a BBD, don't think it really can be done good enough.
By the way I have an old FL-9 from 83 I think it is, that one is fat, I wish it had a mix-knob, maybe I'll stuff in an internal trimmer someday.
If you know what to hear in most analouge delays...well yes, but with the new hybrids the delays has gotten very very good, sometimes even more useful than most analouge delays.
On the modulation side it is quite an achivement to get it right, you are forced to make several memory buckets to make chorus or flanging work, otherwise you'll end up with a doubler-modulator instead, the BBD's are quite hard to replace.
They have their very own sound in modulation effects.
It will be a bitch to get a digital thing to sound like a BBD, don't think it really can be done good enough.
By the way I have an old FL-9 from 83 I think it is, that one is fat, I wish it had a mix-knob, maybe I'll stuff in an internal trimmer someday.
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That90'sGuy
DyzaBoyzologist
Re: Analog vs. Digital
It is getting tougher to distinguish digital from analog these days. To me, there is more warmth (and typically compression) to an analog signal. Digital seems to be a bit cleaner, but also can sound a bit "dry" or sterile.
It is getting tougher to distinguish digital from analog these days. To me, there is more warmth (and typically compression) to an analog signal. Digital seems to be a bit cleaner, but also can sound a bit "dry" or sterile.
gripweed
Jolvisologist
Re: Analog vs. Digital
Tube vs. solid state? Analog vs. digital? Who cares? If it works for you use it. I've heard some analog stuff that sucks and some digital stuff that is great. What works for you might be different than what works for me. In the end you are the one who has to be happy with your tone. If you aren't digging it no-one else will either.
Tube vs. solid state? Analog vs. digital? Who cares? If it works for you use it. I've heard some analog stuff that sucks and some digital stuff that is great. What works for you might be different than what works for me. In the end you are the one who has to be happy with your tone. If you aren't digging it no-one else will either.
Quencho092
New member
Re: Analog vs. Digital
tubes are way better.....gosh.....
tubes are way better.....gosh.....
celticafro
New member
Re: Analog vs. Digital
You guys should check out the AnalogMan website, too. If you're into flanges, he's got some links to some sweet, sweet flange effects. If you're into delays, he's got a kick-ass mod for boss digital delays (DD2, 3, 5, and 6), where he installs a two-position high-frequency cut switch. The DD6s sound pretty good anyway, but the switch gives it a really smooth, dark sound, much more like an analog delay.
EDIT: Check out the "New Additions" section at analogman.com and click the link to the TZF Flanger effect to hear what really, really nice analog flanging can sound like, and tell me that digital sounds just as good. For this kind of effect, I have never seen a digital flange that gets these kinds of sounds.
You guys should check out the AnalogMan website, too. If you're into flanges, he's got some links to some sweet, sweet flange effects. If you're into delays, he's got a kick-ass mod for boss digital delays (DD2, 3, 5, and 6), where he installs a two-position high-frequency cut switch. The DD6s sound pretty good anyway, but the switch gives it a really smooth, dark sound, much more like an analog delay.
EDIT: Check out the "New Additions" section at analogman.com and click the link to the TZF Flanger effect to hear what really, really nice analog flanging can sound like, and tell me that digital sounds just as good. For this kind of effect, I have never seen a digital flange that gets these kinds of sounds.
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Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Analog vs. Digital
The place where you really hear the difference between analog and digital FX is in the headroom, which is the amount of space there is between your picking attack and the point where the effect distorts in a bad way. Also, the size of the sound.
Digital devices have a narrower dynamic range, so they don't transfer all the richness from a guitar to an amp the same way analog devices do.
You could actually do an experiment with a digital pedal and an analog pedal side by side. When you play softly, the two pedals might sound almost equal. However, when you hit the strings harder and really dig in, the digital pedal will start to display that harsh pingy sound, whereas the analog pedal will handle the harder attack.
The place where you really hear the difference between analog and digital FX is in the headroom, which is the amount of space there is between your picking attack and the point where the effect distorts in a bad way. Also, the size of the sound.
Digital devices have a narrower dynamic range, so they don't transfer all the richness from a guitar to an amp the same way analog devices do.
You could actually do an experiment with a digital pedal and an analog pedal side by side. When you play softly, the two pedals might sound almost equal. However, when you hit the strings harder and really dig in, the digital pedal will start to display that harsh pingy sound, whereas the analog pedal will handle the harder attack.
grams
New member
Re: Analog vs. Digital
I'd also go with: what you thinks sounds better is _the_ better thing for you. But also, there is some stuff that can be achieved "much easier" with digital/trans than analog/tubes tech and vice versa...
For chorus I really love the Small Clone. I modded it with a depth knob instead of the default switch. I also like my clean sound best with a shimmery chorus and a slight "slap back" delay ... beautiful
I'd also go with: what you thinks sounds better is _the_ better thing for you. But also, there is some stuff that can be achieved "much easier" with digital/trans than analog/tubes tech and vice versa...
For chorus I really love the Small Clone. I modded it with a depth knob instead of the default switch. I also like my clean sound best with a shimmery chorus and a slight "slap back" delay ... beautiful
