I haven't had any sort of effects pedal in over a decade (not counting my SansAmp DI) but I used to own a cheap phaser/flanger and I'd like to try that sound out again. The MXR Phase 90 and the EH XO Stereo Pulsar are comparably priced, and both appeal to me. Frankly, I won't be able to try before I buy, so any help you good folks could offer would be appreciated. Bear in mind that I'm not after miracles in the effects department, just some change in my sound.
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MXR vs. EH
- Thread starter Anthbass
- Start date
Well, the Phase 90 is a phaser and the Pulsar is a tremolo, so the apples to oranges rule applies. The Phase 90 would compare to the EH Small Stone. A search for "phaser" should get you a huge wealth of comparisons and opinions about these two. Good luck.
Not quite. A phaser does what you said, but tremolo and vibrato are two different things. Vibrato varies the pitch of your notes and produces a warbling type effect. Tremolo is more like a volume pedal that is controlled via an LFO. A tremolo will generally give you a rotating or pulsating sound.
I'm sure someone else can explain this better that me or even hook you up with some samples of each.
Another thing you might want to consider is to try out a multi-effects pedal. They can be had for cheap and it will give you a first-hand experience with what each effect sounds like. Good luck.
I'm sure someone else can explain this better that me or even hook you up with some samples of each.
Another thing you might want to consider is to try out a multi-effects pedal. They can be had for cheap and it will give you a first-hand experience with what each effect sounds like. Good luck.
bongomania
Commercial User
Close, depending on your definitions. The phaser causes certain frequencies of the signal to go in and out of phase, for a swooshy swirling sound; a tremolo causes the volume level of your signal to go up and down rhythmically. The reason I specify volume is that the word "vibrato" means different things to different people. Actually, "volume" does too, but you get the idea. 
Im a big fan of the Phase 90 but not crazy about the EH Small Stoner phaser.
The Phase 90 gives a nice fat kind of phased sound.
The Phase 90 gives a nice fat kind of phased sound.
Honestly, I don't think very highly of EH. It seems as though every one of their pedals that I owned had some sort of issue. Some had crappy bypass switches, some affected volume and one just didn't work right out of the box. I know that a lot of people love EH and have had years of trouble free service from their pedals, but I'm not one of them. I should mention that I haven't tried any of their Nano or XO series pedals yet. Perhaps some of their QC problems have been addressed.
As for your original question: the MXR Phase 90 is a good pedal. I think you'll like it. Personally, I really like Boss' PH-3 Phase Shifter and Homebrew Electronics' Psilocybe. The Boss is very versatile and sounds good (IMO) and the Psilocybe sounds better than anything else I have heard. The Psilocybe costs about twice as much as a Phase 90, though.
Feel free to ask any more questions and good luck with the search.
IMO, Electro-Harmonix is an awesome brand with awesome sounds available from their pedals, but their older stuff has a mixed reputation for durability. The newer stuff, however, is really tough. If you're looking into a phase shifter and want the sweet, organic and lush tone of the original Small Stone, get the Nano Small Stone. It's much more durable, much smaller, and problem-free.
The Phase 90 I A/B'ed with the Small Stone a while back was thick, but a little dry IMO. It seemed better suited for guitar, for that Van Halen kind of tone. Plus, there's known issues with the bypass of the Phase 90 (signal leaking, etc.), whereas the Nano Small Stone is true bypass.
The Phase 100, on the other hand, looks really flexible soundwise. I haven't tried one, though. The Nano Small Stone was always enough for me, although I no longer use phasing on my board.
The Phase 90 I A/B'ed with the Small Stone a while back was thick, but a little dry IMO. It seemed better suited for guitar, for that Van Halen kind of tone. Plus, there's known issues with the bypass of the Phase 90 (signal leaking, etc.), whereas the Nano Small Stone is true bypass.
The Phase 100, on the other hand, looks really flexible soundwise. I haven't tried one, though. The Nano Small Stone was always enough for me, although I no longer use phasing on my board.
+1 Ive had a lot of problems with EH, but they have been small problems such as dodgy switches, pots etc.. Seems to happen over 12 months or so. I still go back for more though! They are very easily fixed and sound great. They also look pretty smart too!
Also agree with the Phase 90. Its a great Phaser and couldn't be any easier to operate
Yeah... Sometimes, I must admit you can hear a very sight bit of swirling in your signal.
I own a Phase 90 and use it all the time for bass. Its a great bass phaser.
I also own a number of newer EHX pedals and can't recommend them enough! I have the Stereo Clone Theory, USA Bassballs, Mini Q tron, and Little Big Muff (XO). They are all fantastic and a blast to mess around with.
I also bought the Stero Pulsar and though it was really cool, but returned it as I was not really looking for a Tremolo at the time. That being said, I will likely buy one again in the future as it was also a great pedal.
I also own a number of newer EHX pedals and can't recommend them enough! I have the Stereo Clone Theory, USA Bassballs, Mini Q tron, and Little Big Muff (XO). They are all fantastic and a blast to mess around with.
I also bought the Stero Pulsar and though it was really cool, but returned it as I was not really looking for a Tremolo at the time. That being said, I will likely buy one again in the future as it was also a great pedal.
MXR vs. E~H hmm
I have two smallstones, I like them very much and I've never had one problem with E~H. I don't like phase 90s at all, at least the new ones. But, there aren't any E~H pedals in my main setup right now, but there are 4 by MXR - Dunlop/MXR - Dunlop. My phase of choice is a old script phase 45 that I’ve had for ever, and it’s a cool pedal with a great sound but it has it's quarks, like it eats batteries and it has a little tone suck, but I have in my loop'w'blend so that is no problem.
I think you are really going to just try a few out to see what you like. If I was to buy a new phase I'd look at the E~H nano smallstone or the MXR phase 100.
I have two smallstones, I like them very much and I've never had one problem with E~H. I don't like phase 90s at all, at least the new ones. But, there aren't any E~H pedals in my main setup right now, but there are 4 by MXR - Dunlop/MXR - Dunlop. My phase of choice is a old script phase 45 that I’ve had for ever, and it’s a cool pedal with a great sound but it has it's quarks, like it eats batteries and it has a little tone suck, but I have in my loop'w'blend so that is no problem.
I think you are really going to just try a few out to see what you like. If I was to buy a new phase I'd look at the E~H nano smallstone or the MXR phase 100.
moogboy
Inactive
Phasers take your signal and run it through anywhere between 4 and 12 filters. those filter's cutoff frequency is modulated by an LFO. very nice effect when used properly.
Vibrato is your signals pitch modulated.
Vibrato is your signals pitch modulated.
Anthbass,
I'm not a phaser expert, but one thing I am a stickler for is wanting pedals that do not suck deep lows. In addition to being a good phaser I have found that the EHX Small Stone does not suck the lows.
The Small Stone I own however also has the Analogman mod that has been raised in other threads in the past (addresses a volume mismatch between when the Stone is on or off). Here is a link...
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I'm not a phaser expert, but one thing I am a stickler for is wanting pedals that do not suck deep lows. In addition to being a good phaser I have found that the EHX Small Stone does not suck the lows.
The Small Stone I own however also has the Analogman mod that has been raised in other threads in the past (addresses a volume mismatch between when the Stone is on or off). Here is a link...
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Anthbass -- which was it? Flangers and phasers are pretty different (although I think modern flangers are technically a form of phasing). Any case, I'd hate for you to accidentally get the completely wrong pedal for the sound you're looking for.
A lot of people here have much stronger opinions on specific brands of flangers, but the $15 Dano FAB Flange is a guilty pleasure of mine. It sounds very wet and is surprisingly versatile.
As for phase shifters, my vote goes for the Boss PH-3 -- mine's treated me well and is capable of a lot of different sounds.
What is the difference between a phaser and a flanger? I've heard them both and I know that a flanger has more of a 3D sound to it...
I had a phase 90 for years and really liked it in spite of it's quirks although I mostly used it for guitar. However I recently tried the small stone and was impressed with the sound quality. The color switch makes it a bit more flexible than the phase 90 and it's less muddled sounding for bass IMO.
