Processed sound

fusion101

New member
I've been hearing the term "processed sound" being used commonly in the forum expecially when discussing vai's sound. Exactly what is it?
 
Re: Processed sound

I've heard it used several different ways. One is sterile, like some people describe EMGs to be. Another is overuse of effects, e.g. that crappy sound when people use too much chorus. Yet another is more subtle use of effects and EQing to create a very unique sound, but which doesn't sound organic/traditional.
 
Re: Processed sound

fusion101 said:
I've been hearing the term "processed sound" being used commonly in the forum expecially when discussing vai's sound. Exactly what is it?


Lots of compression, delay, reverb, chorus, wah, whammy pedals...etc. I really like Steves tone when he was with Zappa, even frank told Steve that he soundsd like an electric ham sandwhich...and was refering to his tone...after flexable Steve started to have a much more precessed tone, with lots of rack mount boxes being used...
 
Re: Processed sound

When I think 'processed', I think of 80's era bradshaw racks, too much gain, active pickups, and chorus and delay covering everything.


Some classic examples of over-processed tone:

Steve Lynch's work with Autograph
Early 90s Steve Lukather
'Journeyman' -era Eric Clapton

Vai's tone isn't necessarily over-processed. It can sound a bit over-thick and inarticulate at times, to my ear, though.

For a real-world encounter with 'over-processed' tone: go to a store and plug into a multi-effects floorboard, ie: Korg, digitech, boss. Those things always have comically over-effected stock patches that'll make anyone who plugs in sound okay.
 
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