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Struggling to find Chorus bliss

SanDiegoHarry

SanDiegoHarry

Inactive
Supporting Member
Aug 11, 2008
17,143
9,104
San Diego, CA
#1
I have had many, many choruses (Chorusi?) over the years - Boss/DOD/TC/etc and currently have an AnalogueMan bi-chorus... but they never make me happy. Either too much effect, too little effect, too big/small/deep - just not right.

I want a nice, transparent effect that would add that nice "shimmer" that a good chorus does without making the mids go crazy, sapping the bass, warping the tone...


My buddy NoStatic is recommending the Jam pedals "Waterfall" (nice and spendy, of course) - I heard it once on his board and it sounded nice - but I played it for all of 2 minutes.

Any other suggestions?
 
#4
Another vote for the IE Polytope. It's not labeled as a chorus pedal but you can dial it in do all kinds of chorus/modulation/detuner type stuff. That's what is on my board...

The Boss CE-5 is another favorite of mine. Simple, effective, inexpensive, easy to find used.

I want to try the Tech 21 Bass Boost Chorus because it sounds like it would be perfect soundwise, but the pedal isn't in the right format for me.

The TC Corona can be pretty subtle depending on how it's set. I assume that's what you tried already?

I really want to try out the new Aguilar Chorusaurus. I checked out my local Aggie dealer yesterday to see if they had one in stock but they didn't. I may break down and order one.
 
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#7
SanDiegoHarry said:
I want a nice, transparent effect that would add that nice "shimmer" that a good chorus does without making the mids go crazy, sapping the bass, warping the tone...
Click to expand...

MCS4 said:
For a "shimmer" style chorus effect that doesn't get away of your natural bass tone, I recommend a pitch-shifter-style chorus like the Polytope (which is what I use). You just need to make sure to keep the effect on the subtle end, since these can get weird easy.
Click to expand...

Dave W said:
Another vote for the IE Polytope. It's not labeled as a chorus pedal but you can dial it in do all kinds of chorus/modulation/detuner type stuff. That's what is on my board...
Click to expand...

Alien8 said:
IE Polytope will get you there.
Click to expand...

I often like to be the one to break from the consensus but in this case I can't. The Polytope sounds like exactly what you are looking for. It's capable of super wacked out tones but when dialed in very subtly I think it shines at being a "shimmery" sound without the outdated warbling 80's style chorus. I tore up my board to start over and foolishly sold mine and I'm already hunting for another. Fantastic at just adding a bit of thickness or being more noticeable as a cool, modern sounding chorus and/or vibrato. And my personal favorite use is to make synthy lines sound more authentic.
 
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#11
If it doesn't have to be super wet sounding, I'm personally partial to a UniVibe type pedal - it's less "chorus" and more like a pair of phasers, but it gives a little shimmer and movement that I always like =0)
 
#12
My two favorite choruses I have tried are my Bass Whammy and an EHX Stereo Electric Mistress. I know the Whammy is not a "chorus" but the detune settings sound great to me for chorus tones.

The new MF Chorus could be a winner too. I would love to try one.

That being said I am not a huge fan of chorus so I tend to like the barely there effect.
 
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#14
From one Harry to another, here's another vote for the Tech21 Bass Boost Chorus. It's the only chorus I've used so I have no reference. But it gives me the shimmer I need in some songs and has a detune function that can be dialled from subtle to not-so-subtle for where that's needed. It also has a multi-voice switch that adds an element of grandeur (sorry, only word I can think of) that I never knew some songs we play needed. Depending on the settings, the pedal can get very crazy, but I haven't found a space in our music for such extremes.
For my set up and sonic preferences, the Tech21 is perfect. It has so many options that there would have to be a sound in there for everyone, but you might need to spend some time with it, as I have. Good look with your search, let us know how you go.
 
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#17
There is one called or made by Empress, not sure if thats the manufacturer or pedal name, its white and red, sounds pretty good, 200 and change I think, but the MXR micro chorus can be had on EvilBAY pretty cheap.
 
#19
I would also recommend the polytope. You can set it to de-tune mode. This just means that there is no oscillator operating on the effect. This is very similar to having a couple tracks of bass with perhaps 5-10 ms of fixed offset when run in the subtlest modes. Plus there is a variable filter which allows you to hi-pass the effect. This way the lower frequencies are untouched. This also allows you to add a lot of top end shimmer without making the bass washed out and lacking punch. The one negative is that I have not been able to get a good traditional, CE-2 like chorus sound out of it. It anyone knows the secret to that, please share.
 
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