Thinking of going all analog

I get with going all analog but for me there are some advantages to digital effects that keep me using them. Mainly it keeps my board a manageable size, simply cannot tap dance or transport a big board any more. My 2 Zoom MS pedals replace 20 at least.

 

I sometimes do wish my need\want was simpler for effects but between what I like and my bandmates expect there is little choice.

 

Analog / digital has nothing to do with sound, quality or features. It's a designer choice that has zero impact on the user.
What makes you "tired" of digital effects?

 

This might be considered a minor hijack, but ampwise I was operating fully digitally for several years as a gigging bassist. It was the fastest way to reduce size/weight in my working rigs. I used Bass V-amp pro w/Crown XLS 2500, TC's RH450, Yamaha BBT500h. Even used a Fender Bronco floor modeling preamp/effects unit because i prefer a bright voicing in an amp. They sounded fine for a while as I revelled in the versatility and weight/space savings they offered.
Eventually tone became an issue as the bands i'm working with evolved, I began to need a more vintage sound and having been there back then I soon realized my tones were suddenly not quite appropriate for gigs I was playing.
The answer for me was to return to analog. For me that has meant purchasing (on the cheap, mind you) a small fleet of all analog amps, some being vintage 70's gear. Presto! All the period correct 60's & 70's tone I recall was now readily available.

My analog fleet all obtained in the last 4-5 months from used equipment sellers like GC & CL:

Amps B100r bass combo $249.99
Acoustic 126 bass combo. $149.99
Acoustic 120 head $119.99
Acoustic 270 head $299.99
Acoustic 406 wide cab $225.00
Peavey VB-2 tube bass head $500
80's vintage Peavey 115 cab w/Eminence Legend $100 + $90 for Eminence spkr

I have a small collection (yes it's become a hobby of sorts) now of analog amps to compliment my digital gear and feel much more valuable now as a player for hire, as well as my regular band scenarios. For me, analog is so far still where it's at.

 

While I would disagree that analog/digital has no impact on sound or the user, it's a bit hard to make recommendations without knowing the reason for the switch. Maybe the solution is just a better digital delay, instead of switching to analog.

 

I agree over all but analog and digital also have their places where they perform better or worse.

Take synthesizers for example. Analog is the standard in a way, if you want the synth sounds of most classic albums you need a nice analog synth. But digital has come a long way and now has a lot more potential, not to mention hybrid gear.

I think effects are the same in a way, most classic FX tones were achieved with analog gear. But now you can do more with some digital stuff, people just still often prefer analog sounds in many cases.

So TLDR analog and digital both have their places. Neither is superior just becouse its analog or digital.

 

"analog" delays may not digitize the signal, but they do sample it. As a result, they can have have the worst artifact of a digital system (aliasing) if the filtering isn't done well (it typically isn't) and usually much worse dynamic range. If you like how your carbon copy sounds, don't sweat it, but you should know a good digital delay will sound more like your bass. And hiss less.

 

You can always warm up a digital effect by the simple expedient of putting 3.5 to about 40 milliseconds worth of delay after it. That gives it a much less digital vibe.

If you don't want to tie up an expensive delay pedal just for that, EHX makes an inexpensive one specifically targeted for that purpose called the Analogizer. It runs just shy of $80 new, or around $50-60 used. I found it useful taming some otherwise excellent digital effects that were just a little too 'digital' sounding.

 

you should NOT get rid of the Sure wireless. Less room on stage means more chance of someone tripping on a cable or
cables getting tangled.

There is never a good reason to choose a cable over wireless.

 

Analog cigarettes are better too.

 

Also CD's and MP3's sound better than vinyl.

 

For me, true analog is simple.
Passive bass, cable, amp set to flat. No effects. Hell, I barely use a tuner.

I get the appeal of effects and I have had a few. My favorite is a small Varitone I made and that too is passive.
However, I'm not a fan of delay and reverb. Distortion is a huge no no.

I'm a believer that bass should be clear, organic, passive, centered in the mix and as flat as a board. Adjust your tone accordingly.

 

Just about all the effects on my board are analog, but that wasn't really a conscious decision. I just sought out the stuff that I liked the sound and features of. The one exception is delay, I prefer digital. Haven't found an analog delay that I thought worked well with bass, I prefer brighter digital stuff.

 

Yes, Yes, Yes to the Acoustic 270 head - I absolutely love the tone. I also have an Acoustic 204 4 x 12 cab that I am in the process of replacing the drivers with Eminence bass drivers.

 

Sounds to me like you're not "getting tired of digital effects," you have some specific issues with specific models of digital gear. I don't mean to be pedantic here, it just seems like you're painting with too broad of a brush.