Opinions on modulation effects

[Pens]

Okay, I'm having a need for some kind of modulation pedal. I've tried several and just don't really like most of them out there.

I heard the demos of the TC Shaker Vibrato, and I like it. Thing is, I know it's just a chorus pedal with the dry line removed. That means it's a bit limited to what it can do unless I add a jumper wire from the effect input to output to keep the dry line in there.

Alternately, I like the Small Clone, and could mod it with a switch to remove the dry line for vibrato, and then it would be a chorus/vibrato.
However, fewer parameters to control, but this might be a good thing. Dunno.

These are roughly the same price, Used.

Then there's the full blown option of just getting a Polychorus which can do any of these and then some. The new XO version is really nice looking. The con being, it's over double the price.

Opinions?

[johnnyseven]

Never tried the TC but i've always liked the Small Stone. However if what you really want is the Polychorus it may be best to save up your pennies and buy one as if you buy one of the others and find your not satisfied with it you may edn up doing that anyway. Plus Christmas is coming and you should treat yourself.

[Mike]

Plus Christmas is coming and you should treat yourself.

Actually it's sort of about treating other people...

I still vote Polychorus, but after Xmas.

[paul_]

I've had a Polychorus for 12 years and it's the ultimate modulation box for me. Every pedalboard rennovation starts with the Poly being plopped down and other shit being wired around it.
It actually isn't even a very versatile chorus pedal in the traditional sense; it's chorus gets pretty psycho fairly low on the dials. If you primarily want chorus, I'd get a Small Clone. The Poly's flange effect has the most delicious Leslie-ish swirl when set subtly but can get similarly psycho, and utilizing the feedback knob in double track mode makes it sound like you're playing inside an aluminium trash can or something, also great for synths and feedback. Also, many perfectly reasonable settings can go off-the-wall apeshit with one flick of the sweep filter, which I think gives the pedal a real on-the-fly tweakability which many claim it DOESN'T have. I just jump between 2-3 settings and keep flicking that switch for about 5 different things.
It'll definitely hold your interest more than most other modulation units in my experience.

[johnnyseven]

Plus Christmas is coming and you should treat yourself.

Actually it's sort of about treating other people...

I know but I always like to but myself a little present too.

[jumbledupthinking]

Maybe a crazy suggestion as you haven't mentioned a delay, but a Memory Boy could be an option?

Technically a chorus, a vibrato & an analogue delay all in one cheap pedal that doesn't use up too much room on your board.

[batsbrew]

outside of the list, strong suggestion for Fulltone Mini DejaVibe
2 in one
univibe clone, and vibrato

[Pens]

Last night I went to GC and they didn't have any of the three I listed above, but they did have the Fulltone Mini DejaVibe and Memory Boy.

I tested them both. I didn't like either one.

[batsbrew]

Yep id scratch the vibe sounds then

[plaidbeer]

It's not one of the choices listed, but what about an M5? You can use chorus when you need it, vibe, flange, phaser, tremolo, etc. Cheaper than a new Polychorus or Deja Vibe.

I demo'd an M9 this past week and was impressed with its modulations.

[Pens]

Never heard of it, who makes it?

[jumbledupthinking]

It's a Line 6
Link

[Doog]

The younger brother of the Line 6 M series:



I personally love my M9 and don't care who knows it. If you fancy it, I can knock up a quick demo of the modulation FX contained within the M9 (and also the M5 and M13).

[Pens]

Yeah, if you wouldn't mind? I'm leery of digital stuff as it's harder for me to potentially modify if I want to do so later, but I'm curious as to how the chorus/trem/vibe sounds are, basically anything that going to "wobble" notes. I don't want the flange and shit, just the wobblies.

[plaidbeer]

Pens, I really like my CE-2 and I'm not going to sell it even when I get an M9, but the chorus sounds on the M9 sounded damn good to me in my limited time at GC with it.

[Doog]

Yeah, if you wouldn't mind? I'm leery of digital stuff as it's harder for me to potentially modify if I want to do so later, but I'm curious as to how the chorus/trem/vibe sounds are, basically anything that going to "wobble" notes. I don't want the flange and shit, just the wobblies.

No probs, I'll knock you up a little mp3 (possibly video) tomorrow. One of my fave things about the M9 is the additional parameters on some of the effects, parameters not offered on the original pedal the unit is modelling; this alone might satisfy your inner "tweaker" enough so you wouldn't want to mod anything.

There's also a few different chorus and tremolo models, including a nifty version of the Lightfoot Labs 'Goatkeeper' trem, allowing you to do cool rhythmic stuff with the different sequences of speeds.

[taylornutt]

Pens, if you want the "wobble" modulation effects, I can't say enough good things about the EHX Worm XO and EHX Wiggler. Worm has Auto Wah, Phaser, vibrato, and tremolo. Wiggler has 4 flavors of vibrato (Univibe, Leslie, Vox Amp Vibrato, Electric Piano) and tremolo. The Wiggler is a large pedal but it's worth it for the tone and can be really subtle or over the top. I also have the Small clone Chorus which I think is great.

As far as the Polychorus goes, would you be open to an older one or just the new one? I just saw a used one for $150 on CL and with XMas coming more should start to appear.

[benecol]

I can't say enough good things about the EHX Worm XO and EHX Wiggler.

This would place you at odds with pretty much everyone else who's ever used one: Pens, approach with caution. To echo what Doog's said, there's a whole lot of tweakability going on with the M5/9/13 which I reckon will more than make up for their hackability. If you were to get one and still get the DIY itch, Drasp of this parish sells mod kits for them.

[taylornutt]

I can't say enough good things about the EHX Worm XO and EHX Wiggler.

This would place you at odds with pretty much everyone else who's ever used one: Pens, approach with caution. To echo what Doog's said, there's a whole lot of tweakability going on with the M5/9/13 which I reckon will more than make up for their hackability. If you were to get one and still get the DIY itch, Drasp of this parish sells mod kits for them.

What are you talking about, Benecol? I have not seen anyone here with an axe to grind against these pedals or any horror stories. Both pedals get favorable reviews on the web from other users. The Wiggler has tubes so you have to make sure the output is not set too high or it can buzz and it's a big pedal. I own both pedals and they work and sound great. EHX makes good pedals and these two are no expection. The only problem with the Old Worm was the noise and that was fixed in the XO version. Both pedals use non standard power adapters, but so does the Polychorus (24 volt just like the Worm).

Here is a demo of the XO worm the gearmandude did for me.
[youtube][/youtube]

[youtube][/youtube]

[benecol]

I'm also referring to the many other effects forums I read, and more importantly, the fact I've played them both. The Worm's always been one of EHX's duffers.