Chorus pedal - BOSS, Digitech or EHX

bobulibobium · #1 03-08-2009, 06:47 AM

hi, im trying to decide on which chorus pedal i should get. ive got the BOSS CEB-3, Digitech Multi chorus and EHX sound mistress as my top three chorus pedals ive found so far.

atm, im leaning more towards the digitech as, in accordance to the sound clips ive heard, it has a thicker sounding chorus, and is able to produce the heaviest and most layered chorus. therefore it seems the most versatile.

anyone have any different thoughts? other suggestions? i was looking into the clone theory too, but it didnt seem to be what i was looking for

shooter_mi · #2 03-08-2009, 07:42 AM

I've owned both the Digitech and the Boss, and I preferred the Boss. I found the Boss did light chorusing more nicely, while the digitech didn't sound very natural to my ears, even when used at subtle levels. The digitech sounded more futuristic than I wanted my signal to sound, too. The Boss has the filter knob, which allows the chorus to effects the whole frequency range or only higher register notes, which I used a lot, too. Writing this out, it's clear I prefered the boss because it was more useful (for me) as a light chorusing, controlled-use, unobtrusive-sounding effect. If that isn't your bag, the digitech might work even better for you. IMHO.

RCCollins · #3 03-08-2009, 08:00 AM

The digitech is a "multi-chorus" and is better compared to a boss chorus ensemble, which has a similarly thicker sound.

I prefer bi-/trii-/multi-chorus type effects on bass, at least at conservative settings for that thickening effect. I don't like heavily chorused bass that much.

dakpluto · #4 03-08-2009, 08:30 AM

I can't say I have any issues, problems, or regrets with my EHX Clone Theory for my chorus duties. Nothing passed under my foot yet to replace it.

Sir Edward V · #5 03-08-2009, 11:24 AM

Clone Theory has some hissing problems that you just can't get rid of, IME. I have had a Boss CH-1 (Super Chorus) for a few years, and I love it. It does thick pretty well.

Happynoj · #6 03-08-2009, 11:40 AM

You might want to check one of the Boss chorus pedals which aren't the bass specific model. I've tried the CEB-3, and didn't like it a whole lot. The CE-5 on the other hand - very nice.

fivestringgecko · #7 03-08-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Edward V

Clone Theory has some hissing problems that you just can't get rid of, IME.

I have several of the chorus pedals mentioned here... Boss CEB-3, EHX Clone Theory and EHX Stereo Mistress.

The Boss is more of a subtle "always on" chorus and I like it quite a bit. It fits in quite nice for my church choir.

I wish the Clone Theory didn't have that hiss, because it's THE chorus sound I want, more of a "doubling" than a traditional chorus. Be aware that the Vibrato mode on the Clone Theory is pretty much throwaway... it sucks out WAY too much low end. Despite the issues, I just can't bear to part with the Clone Thoery though...

The Stereo Mistress is chorus AND flanger, so it's a bit of a different animal, but still sounds fantastic... you can get everything from mild chorus to CRAZY.

I've got some sound clips here...

Boss CEB-3
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=5312948 (subtle)
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=5312954 (deep vibe)

Clone Theory
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=5273730 (chorus 1, then 2)

Stereo Mistress
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6773380 (chorus flanger)
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6773387 (filter matrix mode)

EDIT: Added some more clips in a later post, figured I'd post them here too, just in case!

Boss PS-5 demo, Detune mode, various settings
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7519890

Danelectro DC-1 Cool Cat, various settings
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7519882

And for the Tool lovers... (please be patient with me, I use a pick once in a blue moon...

)

Boss PS-5/Sansamp BDDI
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7519900

Danelectro/Sansamp BDDI
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7519897

Hope they help!

5sg.

thefruitfarmer · #8 03-08-2009, 04:52 PM

Boss CE-5. It does a nice metalic warble which adds a little extra to the bass sound.

I tried my Small Clone but did n't like it on the bass.

It's personal thing with chorus pedals. A lot of people seem to like the CE-5 but it is icey and metalic. I like just a little of the effect just behind the bass. I found the Small Clone (which I expect sounds similar to the Clone Theory) just too much on the bass. It turned it into something too far from my bass sound, making it all watery and warbling. Maybe it would have worked better as a parallel effect?

@ bobulibobium

You may well have to try several to find one that you really like. If you can get several from your short list out in a shop and A/B them, trust your ears then you should get one you like.

bobulibobium · #9 03-09-2009, 12:35 AM

ok, thanks for all opinions so far! appreciated heaps

but no one has really mentioned a pedal thats versatile, providing a thick rich chorus and a light chorus. anything that does both the digitech thickness and the lightness of the boss?

ill check out the boss guitar chorus too, thanks for the tip.

bobulibobium · #10 03-09-2009, 06:54 AM

woah, just listened to those sound mistress clips fruitfarmer and its nuts!

the flange effect is really cool too, and seems to be a deep and powerful chorus. i was listening to mysticboos clips on the wiki, they seemed lighter and not as full, maybe this is just what im looking for!

anymore opinions and suggestions would be great though

JanusZarate · #11 03-09-2009, 04:20 PM

To be fair, those clips of mine were poorly recorded.

The Stereo Electric Mistress is on the warm, liquidy side of the spectrum. The Clone Theory is a polar opposite - I'd describe it cold and heavy on the detuning, which makes it a particularly unusual and unique chorus pedal. The Clone Theory doesn't do light chorus at all (it goes from moderate to insane), whereas the Mistress can go from just a touch to a reasonable thickness (not as far as the Clone Theory).

If you want a better idea, check out my band's YouTube page. Our live videos of "Let It Go" and "Thick" are good examples of songs with the Mistress on.

I usually don't crank the depth on the chorus past 12:00, and I usually combine it with the flanger side.

chrisisnotevil · #12 03-09-2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Edward V

Clone Theory has some hissing problems that you just can't get rid of, IME.

the hiss really bugs me when i'm on my own, but it vanishes pretty quickly in the mix with the band so it's not that big a deal for me... great little pedal!

fitz420 · #13 03-09-2009, 10:21 PM

i would recommend the older boss ce-2b. u can usually get 1 for 50 bucks. subtle and warm.

bobulibobium · #14 03-09-2009, 10:58 PM

@mysticboo

i can barely even notice it in let it go, but it sounded pretty good in thick

still open for more suggestions and samples

Crystalman85 · #15 03-09-2009, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

To be fair, those clips of mine were poorly recorded.

The Stereo Electric Mistress is on the warm, liquidy side of the spectrum. The Clone Theory is a polar opposite - I'd describe it cold and heavy on the detuning, which makes it a particularly unusual and unique chorus pedal. The Clone Theory doesn't do light chorus at all (it goes from moderate to insane), whereas the Mistress can go from just a touch to a reasonable thickness (not as far as the Clone Theory).

If you want a better idea, check out my band's YouTube page. Our live videos of "Let It Go" and "Thick" are good examples of songs with the Mistress on.

I usually don't crank the depth on the chorus past 12:00, and I usually combine it with the flanger side.

They were poorly recorded? they sounded pretty good to me. and just to let you know, I am a fan of the sound samples you make on soundclick. you make some really cool sounds with the effects you use on your bass. Personally, I like the clone theory clips. sounds awesome on bass.

Low D. · #16 03-10-2009, 08:07 AM

When I was out for a good chorus pedal I 've tried everything I could find at local stores, compared them side by side, and I have found only one that was effective enough and way better than the others: BOSS CE5.

Dont let the tag "guitar" fool you, its for bass too and its way more effective and cool than the CEB-3.

bobulibobium · #17 03-13-2009, 01:21 AM

is there any clips of the CE5 being used on a bass? cant find them anywhere

JanusZarate · #18 03-13-2009, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobulibobium

is there any clips of the CE5 being used on a bass? cant find them anywhere

Ever listen to Tool?

Justin Chancellor uses a CE-5.

bobulibobium · #19 03-15-2009, 05:30 AM

orly?? well that sounds good! forty six and 2 is where he uses it? does anyone have any other clips? id like to see what else it can do

bobulibobium · #20 03-18-2009, 07:06 AM

no one has any CE-5 clips?