Difference b/t Boss PS-3 and PS-5?

gribuski · #1 02-11-2010, 11:38 AM

Can anyone explain what exactly the difference b/t the PS-3 and PS-5? I'm in the market for a Whammy-ish pedal. I've read really good reviews on the PS-3 for being respectable sounding and pretty versatile, and like that it also has some delay and chorus -type functionality. And saw some YouTube demos that I like as well.

But the PS-3 is discontinued (I think). I know I can get a good deal on EBay, but I don't use it (long story). So I looked into a PS-5, and the reviews weren't as good on it.

Anyone have any experience w/ both to give me some input?

Thanks!

rratajski · #2 02-11-2010, 11:43 AM

You can get a better deal on a ps-3 on here or HC than on ebay. I actually sold mine on ebay to make a profit!

The PS-3 has setting 7, which is a reverse pitch that sounds like cascading crystals. Bands like Cave In use it heavily (Tides of Tomorrow, Antenna, etc.).

Both can Whammy.

Have you looked into other octavers? What is your max for $$$?

gribuski · #3 02-11-2010, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rratajski

You can get a better deal on a ps-3 on here or HC than on ebay. I actually sold mine on ebay to make a profit!

The PS-3 has setting 7, which is a reverse pitch that sounds like cascading crystals. Bands like Cave In use it heavily (Tides of Tomorrow, Antenna, etc.).

Both can Whammy.

Have you looked into other octavers? What is your max for $$$?

I'm looking for a little more than just an octaver. In our set we intentionally leave no quiet between songs and insturment changeovers, so in any gaps the guitar player lays on his feedback and the drummer washes on the cumbals. I used to use a RC-20, and loop some feedback or chords. But I'm scaling back my board from 5-6 to a couple to mix things up.

I have some fuzz and want one more pedal, preferably something a little different than I've had for variety's sake. I like the idea of some potential use of delay, whammy (w/ and expression pedal), high octave and just general noise.

I've got $200+ to spend, but would spend more for the right thing. Some people save up change for vacations...I save up for pedals.

bassman1185 · #4 02-11-2010, 01:02 PM

For $200, the PS-3 would probably work pretty well. If you're willing to shell out some more money, the Eventide Pitchfactor does everything the PS-3 does and then some. It will do pretty much every pitch and time based effect you can think of (and some you probably wouldn't have thought of), but it's pretty spendy. I think it goes for about $500 new.

gribuski · #5 02-11-2010, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman1185

For $200, the PS-3 would probably work pretty well. If you're willing to shell out some more money, the Eventide Pitchfactor does everything the PS-3 does and then some. It will do pretty much every pitch and time based effect you can think of (and some you probably wouldn't have thought of), but it's pretty spendy. I think it goes for about $500 new.

So is the PS-3 worth the extra effort of seeking out (over the PS-5)?

rratajski · #6 02-11-2010, 01:41 PM

I would get the PS-3 over the PS-5 any day of the week.

The only thing I like more about the latter is the color...

bassman1185 · #7 02-11-2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gribuski

So is the PS-3 worth the extra effort of seeking out (over the PS-5)?

From what I can tell, yes. The PS-3 has more weird, ambient sounds in it, vs. the PS-5's straight harmony and pitch shifter functionality. If you can take a listen to the band Isis, their bassist uses a PS-3 ALL THE TIME, so you can get a feel for what kind of sounds you can make with it.

rr5025 · #8 02-11-2010, 09:40 PM

I've been toying with the idea of picking up a whammy lately (love the bass in Closer and messing around with my old roomate's whammy). After listening to a demo of this guy I'm curious how this compares to the whammy. Also I have a DD-3. Would the PS-3 and DD-3 be redundant?

rratajski · #9 02-12-2010, 04:43 AM

Not if you're going to use one for pitch shifting on one for delay.

skulletwhip · #10 02-12-2010, 07:47 AM

I like the PS3 so much I am currently trying to hunt down a second one.

For the ambient between song stuff you mentioned, the PS3 is the way to go. The PS5 is more akin to the Boss Harmonist.

gribuski · #11 02-12-2010, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skulletwhip

I like the PS3 so much I am currently trying to hunt down a second one.

For the ambient between song stuff you mentioned, the PS3 is the way to go. The PS5 is more akin to the Boss Harmonist.

Yeah, the more I've read and loked at the actual pedals/manuals the PS-3 is what I'm tracking down. It's actually a misleading to have ths PS-5 portrayed as a next gen PS-3 as it's implied.

PS: Nice sig reference. I love that record.

G0rilla · #12 02-13-2010, 05:47 AM

I think that PS-5 is more suited for guitars (same as Digitech Whammy). But again, if you need pitch shifting, PS-3 is only 50% of what you need (unless you like digital sounding shifts, glitches and some crazy chorus). Eventide Pitchfactor is only choice is see out there for good pitch shifting and some more.

Yes, all previously mentioned pedals (PS-3/5, Whammy) can do the job, and do it well, but they all have their sound character, that changes your tone vet heavily and both PS-5 and Whammy are a little bit limited in harmonies. They are great pedals, i personally use PS-3 alot and have used Whammy (not into pitch shifting any more) and i can only recommend them, but each for its own purpose.

**DosiYanarchy** · #13 02-13-2010, 07:07 AM

well the
PS5 can do some awesome pitch shift/trem arm/ flutter sounds just from holding the switch down - however the bypass in this mode is pretty sucky. The PS3 has different functions and does seem to have more options that are legitimately usuable on bass, and the Detune setting is a sweet chorus'd sound (this is what jeff from isis tends to have on most of the time).

I paid quite a hefty amount for my PS3 and for what i actually used it for - it turned into an expensive chorus, but i certianly did have fun with it and an expression pedal.

if the price was right i'd get one right now

skulletwhip · #14 02-13-2010, 10:10 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bIhJ...eature=related This is why a portion of my tax refund will fund a second ps3.

SMASH · #15 02-13-2010, 01:04 PM

I own and use both. They're both very cool, and very different (as stand-alones without expression pedal), devices - at least how I use them.

PS-3 I use mostly for delay and weird sounds on vocals or drums. You can twist the knobs while doing vocals to come up with very trippy stuff, or run a snare on congas through it for dubby delay sounds, boom-car added bass, or weird techno sounds. Because of the lack of pitch labelling or speed, and since you need to either be hands-on to really do cool stuff (see clip above) or use an expression pedal with a very fine touch (not me), I find it impossible to control very delberately while playing, so I don't use it for musical harmonizing or shifting/whammy sounds but rather for bizarre/random effects and for me those don't go well with bass (when jamming/gigging with others).

PS-5 I use a lot on bass, usually live for a whammy/pitch-shift effect during solos or loops. It can do this without an expression pedal (it works as one on its own, unlike the PS-3), the speed can be set onboard, and it has labelling for the pitches plus it stays in key when harmonizing so that suits me best.

To sum it up, I'd say PS-3 for delay or random sounds & fun, and PS-5 for musical functionality - especially if you're like me and not using an expression pedal.

gribuski · #16 02-14-2010, 02:11 PM

I'm going PS-3 after much more research and asking around. It's more for what I want (noise between songs)...I actually just won a bid on eBay.

$180 shipped. I probably could have gotten a better deal, but I don't have much patience.

No miracles expected, but I think I'll like it. Once I get it, I'll post my impressions.

Thanks for the input!

gribuski · #17 02-27-2010, 08:33 AM

I thought I'd wrap this thread all up....

I got and PS-3 in the mail earlier this week and LOVE it. It perfect for what I want to use it for. I don't have the expression pedal yet, but I'm getting it this weekend.

As far as the PS-5, I did try one out of curiosity, and it's OK. I can see someone using it if they're just looking for Whammy type stuff, but I'm glad I went with the 3.

Thanks all!