EHX Memory Man/Boy/Hazarai?

smeet · #1 06-08-2010, 01:02 PM

I really want a delay, for live bass performance and secondarily for studio use with bass/guitar/whatever.

I'm confused between the sounds and features of the:
1) Deluxe Memory Man (old stamped frame box)
2) Deluxe Memory Man
3) Deluxe Memory Boy
4) Stereo Memory Man with Hazarai

As I understand it, these are sort of in order from most rich sounding to most digital sounding, and also in order from least features to most features.

Tap tempo is nice, but the demos I have heard seem to show the Memory man sounds richer and nicer than the Memory Boy. Is that true? How about the current Memory Man compared to the old stamped sheet metal case? Is there a big difference there?

So first I want the great fat analog sound, but I would also like controls and tap tempo and all that good stuff. Is the Deluxe Memory Boy the best compromise? Is its sound as good as the Deluxe Memory Man? Is the Hazarai very digital sounding compared to the analog pedals? It sounds like it in the demo videos.

Please help!

JanusZarate · #2 06-08-2010, 01:35 PM

I haven't used the Deluxe Memory Man and Memory Boy side-by-side (and I have yet to try out the Deluxe Memory Boy in person), but I can say this at minimum...

The first three you listed are analog (there is some digital control involved on the DMB, though), and definitely sound like what you generally expect analog to be. The Stereo Memory Man with Hazarai is a true digital delay pedal which sounds very different than the other Memory ___ pedals. The repeats are clear and precise, the delay times are vast, and you have a wealth of features you simply can't get from any analog pedal (looping, reverse delay, etc.). While the SMMH does have a tone control to make the repeats more analog-like, they won't decay like analog delay repeats will.

So in looking at these, you really should place the SMMH in a class by itself. Don't discount it, though - it's an awesome pedal! Plus, the digital vs. analog delay experience is different on bass than on guitar, especially if you play fingerstyle. You may appreciate the clarity that digital delays can offer. I love using its modulation with the delay tone cranked up. It makes for some creepy lo-fi warbly delays.

As for the DMB, that's another story. It's a hybrid in the sense that the core delay circuit is analog, but many of its features rely on digital controls (i.e., tap-tempo). If you want true analog with the benefit of tap-tempo, in addition to all of the classic features of the analog Memory Man/Boy pedals, the DMB is probably your best bet.

I need to find a Deluxe Memory Man one of these days so I can do a side-by-side review with my Memory Boy. I'm curious to see how similar the basic delay and modulation sounds are.

dannybuoy · #3 06-08-2010, 01:48 PM

The filter control on the SMMH is really useful with bass. It can also do reverb (it's the decay knob). Delay and reverb usually mean muddy low end, but with the filter knob you can put the delay/reverb only on the top end. If I had to keep one delay pedal it would probably be this one. The only thing I don't like about it is the blend control is 50/50 wet dry at noon, causing a volume drop on the dry signal, which limits the usefulness of the looper.

I've not tried the EHX analog delays, but I have the MXR Carbon Copy which is in the same ballpark. I much prefer the digital repeats of the SMMH, but the analog delay is cool for lo-fi stuff and I can spend ages making crazy self oscillation noises with it!

Gashaponcito · #4 06-08-2010, 01:53 PM

if you want a Delay for live performance I would suggest the Hazarai, like Janus said its sound differs a lot from other Delays of EHX (not in a bad way) but the possibility of having Presets actually make it extremely useful in a live setting and I really think in a gig no one is going to notice if your delay is analog or digital (in my experience)

smeet · #5 06-08-2010, 03:08 PM

Thanks for all the advice!

The features on the Hazarai sound great.
But the video here:
http://www.ehx.com/products/deluxe-memory-man

Makes it sound *MUCH* more fat and rich than this one:
http://www.ehx.com/products/stereo-m...n-with-hazarai

Is the difference not as big as it sounds there? Or do people think that the digital delay might actually sound better on bass? I really love the runaway distorting feedback you can get from analog delay. I don't suppose the SMMH can do anything like that...?

Can anybody comment on that indefinable FEEL thing of playing bass through one or the other live? Can I get both a powerful wall of sound and a dreamy soundscape out of all of these?

I guess I should try to seek out a dealer and play through both. Duh. But please keep those informed and experienced opinions coming, it helps a lot!

G0rilla · #6 06-08-2010, 03:36 PM

Deluxe Memory Boy. Amazing tool, and delay ofcourse. I have put it side-by-side with vintage DMM in old, and all i can say - EHX did it again! Vintage analog sound, great oscillations and modulation. And FX loop. You can make amazing doom/drone with fuzz or synth in loop, or Bootsy - style funk with envelope filter, or crystal with PS-3 and modulations.

A permanent stay on my board. I am still very surprised that it isnt favorite of TB community.

smeet · #7 06-08-2010, 04:15 PM

Cool, that's good to know!
Have you compared it to the Stereo with Hazarai model?

G0rilla · #8 06-09-2010, 02:26 AM

Nope, but i guess they would sound pretty close, however, i see them as too delays from different categories.
First of all, SMMH is digital, DMB is analog. Second, SMMH have a looper, which changes alot in way you gonna make the sounds. Actually only things they have common, is posibility to add modulation and tap tempo, so i would consider them as two different tools in your sonic arsenal.

KarateKid25 · #9 06-09-2010, 02:42 AM

There are some clips for the Memory Man with Hazarai in the Effects wiki: http://www.talkbass.com/wiki/index.p...p_Database#EHX

FWIW, I love mine, but don't have any experience with the others in the range, so can't really offer any advice.

dannybuoy · #10 06-09-2010, 01:04 PM

Nope, the SMMH can't self-oscillate. You could always get the SMMH and add the Memory Boy since it's pretty cheap!

smeet · #11 06-09-2010, 01:12 PM

I was thinking about the SMMH and the Behringer Vintage Time Machine, which is even cheaper. Has anybody heard that one? It LOOKS like a DMM clone, but how's the sound?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

Nope, the SMMH can't self-oscillate. You could always get the SMMH and add the Memory Boy since it's pretty cheap!