Solid state = Clean = Better for Effects?

[haujobb]

I'm pretty sure a boss flanger is not digital.

Just because a electronic device has IC's doesn't mean that it's digital.

Digital implies that the signal passes through an AD/DA converter of some sort.

Yeah I was getting into more of an example along the lines of something like this. Take a this flanger for example.

The original ADA Flanger is a vintage thick swirly chewy, and versatile flanger that is considered by many one of the best flanger's ever made. It has anolog circutry but is still SS and doesn't have tubes or whatever (used ~$200-$250)

Then you have a Boss BF-3 which is thin, too swirly sounding like its overtop the note instead of part of it. Real "digital" sounding. (used >100) Digital circutry.

The ADA is much more desired for it's warmer more natural sound, so why not run it through a more naturally sounding amp?

 

[ihixulu]

Philbiker. I asked a question because I didn't have an answer. ...
My thread isn't irrelevant. Your answer and attitude is.

May I be the first one to point out that Philbiker is the first one who gave you the most honest, true, and ultimately rational answer to your question?

He's right. The tubes vs. SS argument is extrememly tired and irrelevant when it comes to subjective concerns like "what sounds better?"

 

[ibz]

I'm pretty sure a boss flanger is not digital.

Just because a electronic device has IC's doesn't mean that it's digital.

Digital implies that the signal passes through an AD/DA converter of some sort.

Hmmm I've might be using wrong termonology picked up from reading guitar effects forums, hmmm.

Irregardless, I do notice an audible difference in warmth and depth between these two units. And I can't place what differentiates them and therefore intern causes me to make this deffernciation.

 

[haujobb]

It has to do with the actually components and construction techniques.

Vintage effects are sometimes handwired, the older IC's are considered to be 'warmer'.

Newer effects are built as cheaply as possible, PCB's are done by machine, cheap asian IC's are used, etc...

 

[ihixulu]

It has to do with the actually components and construction techniques.

Vintage effects are sometimes handwired, the older IC's are considered to be 'warmer'.

Newer effects are built as cheaply as possible, PCB's are done by machine, cheap asian IC's are used, etc...

The differences between older IC's and newer IC's are mainly reliability (new ones are more reliable), frequency repsonse and performance (new ones are generally better, which results in a more accurate but sterile sounding pedal) and construction quality (new ones have tighter tolerances as a result of (gasp) technological innovations).

Now when you say cheap Asian IC's which Asian country are you referring to? Japan? Singapore? China? I know of an IC manufacturer in Massachusetts that stays in business simply becasue they make some odd-ball parts but their overall quality is terrible. Help me make sense of your Asian IC's comment.

 

[Philbiker]

Philbiker. ....snip...

Sorry, I just think that the question and premise is irrelevant is all.

 

[greenboy]

The differences between older IC's and newer IC's are mainly reliability (new ones are more reliable), frequency repsonse and performance (new ones are generally better, which results in a more accurate but sterile sounding pedal) and construction quality (new ones have tighter tolerances as a result of (gasp) technological innovations).

Sterile? I figure if the input is detailed and complex that something with high accuracy and headroom is going to output a signal that is rich with nuance. "Sterile" just seems to be a catchword for accurate - as opposed to "highly colored" which usually messes with the bandwidth distribution curve without specifically being asked to by settings.

Anyway. Good designs can be had with tubes, solid state, digital ... just as good recordings can be made using any of the technologies, when using skill and good choice of equipment.

 

[vier-personen]

I think if you want to preserve the characteristic tone of a certain fuzz pedal, you should go to a clean amp. If you play a tube amp clean, theres no problem. But if you already have some distortion from the amp itself, you will still know when you turned the fuzz on, but it will be less clear -which- fuzz.

 

[ArwinH]

I think maybe it should have asked whether effects should be run into a colored amp or a relatevile clean and neutral sounding amp.

I have a friend that is getting a custom build pedalbord from pete cornish, and Mr. Cornish suggested he move from his current diezel amp to a Hiwatt, because of the Hiwatt's cleaner, less colored/ sound, due in part to teh headroom taht the amps have.

Although both these aps are tube, I'm sure you can see the relevance to the discussion at hand.

 

[Bizmo]

Tubes & SS are like your right hand & your left hand, hard to live without either. These PC's we all use are SS, digital devices. Every transistor, diode, IC inside my PC could be replaced by a tube(s). Would I want that..... HELL NO, the thing would be as big as my house. For signal control in either your all tube or SS amp, digital IC's are used. Which would you prefer, a small op-amp inside your amp, or a tube to do the same job? A pn diode or a tube? Get with it all, embrace technology & realize that just about everything we use today in it's present form is the result of the Space Program. I have an amp that is tube pre & tube power, do I call it an all tube amp? No way, there are dozens of transistors, IC's & other SS components in it, which I'm happy to say do a fine job.

 

[wiro]

With the fake-tube pre-amp Sansamp RBI plugged in the return of the AI focus 2R series III head I don't need any effect any more. Eh, well .... almost ..... Except for the Aural 204 exciter in the effect send-return of the RBI to add some harmonics.

 

[tombowlus]

Tubes & SS are like your right hand & your left hand, hard to live without either.

Truer words were ne'er spoken.

 

[haujobb]

The differences between older IC's and newer IC's are mainly reliability (new ones are more reliable), frequency repsonse and performance (new ones are generally better, which results in a more accurate but sterile sounding pedal) and construction quality (new ones have tighter tolerances as a result of (gasp) technological innovations).

Now when you say cheap Asian IC's which Asian country are you referring to? Japan? Singapore? China? I know of an IC manufacturer in Massachusetts that stays in business simply becasue they make some odd-ball parts but their overall quality is terrible. Help me make sense of your Asian IC's comment.

Asian may have been in incorrect word to use

TBH I'm not up on the IC manufacturing markey, my knowledge is that some are of good quality and cost a little bit more for a lot (Motorola and Toshiba maybe?) and some are cheaply made, with poor QC, but can be had for pennies (and sometimes less).

Ofcourse, set my straight if I'm dead wrong.