BOSS PS-3 Graveyard

[Mr. Pickles]

While the BOSS PS-3 has enjoyed cult status since being discontinued, I feel that there are some effects products that are suitable replacements, the most notable being the Eventide Pitchfactor.

I've been reluctant to let go of old-blue since I can't afford the Eventide unit. The good news, for me, is that I've found and equally capable pitch-shift/delay unit that costs less than half of the PS-3 and 1/5th of the price of the Pitchfactor on the used market.

Drum roll please...

Gentles and ladymen - behold the Yamaha Magicstomp

I've had this thing laying around for years and I've only been using it at practice for the tuner and one amp sim. While scrolling through the deep edit mode, I came across an effect labeled dual ps.

This mode is pretty deep, and very easy to navigate using the usb enabled computer sound editor. It's not much more difficult scrolling through the menus on the unit itself.
Here are three patches that I've created that are in the ballpark of the PS-3.

Okay, maybe not. Soundclick is being a PIA. Soundclips coming as soon as I upload the files once again

[Joe Gress]

That was the one and only reason I was thinking about keeping my magicstomp that I had a long time ago.

I really liked how I could set the interval to come in at different delay times.

[CrispyDelicious]

[Mr. Pickles]

I play three notes: harmonics on the D and G strings and let the dual ps mode run its course.

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7653380


This patch starts the same way, but then I repeat a melodic progression.

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7653402


The next patch is played the same as the previous one.

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7653414


Caveats: I have a dying battery which would explain the slight distortion you may hear. There is some hiss as well thanks to my crappy soundcard.


The Magicstomp sets itself above the PS-3 in terms of flexibility for several reasons. Each pitch shift can be fined tuned over several parameters. The feedback for each can be set individually, as can the level. Additionally, each can be panned across the stereo field. There is a master blend of the wet and dry signal as well.

Pros:
Sound quality
Flexibility
99 user patch locations!!!
Deep editing capabilities
Price

Cons:
form factor
wall wart
discontinued

[Joe Gress]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

The next patch is played the same as the previous one.

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7653414

This clip makes me really miss my magicstomp.

[Mr. Pickles]

Originally Posted by joeinsprings

That was the one and only reason I was thinking about keeping my magicstomp that I had a long time ago.

I really liked how I could set the interval to come in at different delay times.

I haven't figured out how to control this (can it even be controlled?)

To be honest, I just tweaked some knobs at random while in deep edit mode

[Joe Gress]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

I haven't figured out how to control this (can it even be controlled?)

To be honest, I just tweaked some knobs at random while in deep edit mode

Ahh, I'll try and remember. In the editing there should be a delay time setting that you can adjust if I remember correctly.

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by CrispyDelicious

This looks more like a "Smithers; bring me Homer Simpson"

...Proceed.

[FreaqyFrequency]

That bass tone is killin'!

Yeah, I'm digging on the other clips I've heard from the Yamaha. I think, for other reasons though, the PF remains supreme.

Still, pleasant surprise from a buried treasure.

[Spacelordmother]

So how would you rate the magicstomp's other effects vs. the Zoom B2?

Was this the bass magicstomp?

[FreaqyFrequency]

Originally Posted by Spacelordmother

Was this the bass magicstomp?

In his profile, he identifies it as the EB (bass) version, so yes.

[Mr. Pickles]

Yup, Magistomp Bass. My buddy has a Zoom B2 and there are some interesting special effects in there as well. I haven't AB-ed them, but I could arrange that in the near future and start another thread.

Overall, I would say the the Magicstomp's (can I abbreviate MS?) modulation effects sound very digital and get lost in a band setting. However, they shine while recording direct and the coldness can be managed with tube DI's and whatnot. The models are excellent as are the compressors- I use these exclusively at rehearsal and at gigs.

The fuzzes and distortions are very weak on the MS.

The reverbs are very nice and I would like to spend some time with the sound editor to to tweak them to my liking.

I haven't had much success with the delays, but again, more time tweaking is warranted.



Overall, there are some real gems in this unit as stock patches and great potential for the creation of signature sounds.


Here's the kicker - I spent $70 when MF was blowing them out! It's been worth far more than that.

My parting thought is that a nice digital multi-effect is the perfect compliment to an analogue setup, especially one as flexible as the MS.

[Chronicle]

Nice dude, I'd hit it.


buy it i mean.

[varunkapahi]

something wrong with soundclick again, the clips are not working for me
edit: never mind htey worked

[Spacelordmother]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

Yup, Magistomp Bass. My buddy has a Zoom B2 and there are some interesting special effects in there as well. I haven't AB-ed them, but I could arrange that in the near future and start another thread.

Yes please.

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

My parting thought is that a nice digital multi-effect is the perfect compliment to an analogue setup, especially one as flexible as the MS.

Totally. I have a B2 on my board in the loop of my VFB-2 and it's great for adding a little something here and there, or throwing the feedback on a making some noise!