Recommend me an effect with character for my diy-multi-fx project

[Auke Haarsma]

I am looking for an effect with character (or which adds character).

As some of you may know I am working (over 1.5 years now...) on a diy multi-fx unit: http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=56334.180

Currently I have:
input->
ROG Splitter ->
SHO ->
ROG Omega ->
DOD250 ->
TS808 ->
Big Muff ->
RAT ->
Dr Boogey ->
CE2-Chorus ->
Phase90 ->
NeoVibe ->
Tremulus Lune ->
PT80, with modulation mod ->
Blender and/or A/B switch

Externally I will have a Wah and Fuzz (Tonebender).

I also have a Box of Rock and a Crunchbox (both Marshall-ish). I'm considering dropping them both for a BSIASB2 or something like that. Same goes for the Phase90. Since I already have a phaser (Neovibe) I consider dropping the Phase90.

What am I looking for:
An effect that really adds something to the sound. Possibly a Flange, or an Octave up. I think I already have enough boost/dirt pedals, so something more spacey, vibey, subtle etc.

I play through an Vox AC30 CC1 with a Gibson LP (with humbuckers).

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[flo]

Depends a lot on what music you like of course but:
A nice auto-wah like a Mutron: Neutron from GEO - GGG.
I went to see Adrian Belew last week and liked his use of:
- Octave-up fuzz (Jimi sound). Tycobrahe Octavia from GGG or the Octavia from Tonepad.
- Volume swell like a Boss SG1 Slow Gear. BYOC has one.

[GREEN FUZ]

It`s not subtle but you can get some interesting effects from the Maestro FSH-1.

[Valoosj]

I am looking for an effect with character (or which adds character).

As some of you may know I am working (over 1.5 years now...) on a diy multi-fx unit: http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=56334.180

Currently I have:
input->
ROG Splitter ->
SHO ->
ROG Omega ->
DOD250 ->
TS808 ->
Big Muff ->
RAT ->
Dr Boogey ->
CE2-Chorus ->
Phase90 ->
NeoVibe ->
Tremulus Lune ->
PT80, with modulation mod ->
Blender and/or A/B switch

Externally I will have a Wah and Fuzz (Tonebender).

I also have a Box of Rock and a Crunchbox (both Marshall-ish). I'm considering dropping them both for a BSIASB2 or something like that. Same goes for the Phase90. Since I already have a phaser (Neovibe) I consider dropping the Phase90.

What am I looking for:
An effect that really adds something to the sound. Possibly a Flange, or an Octave up. I think I already have enough boost/dirt pedals, so something more spacey, vibey, subtle etc.

I play through an Vox AC30 CC1 with a Gibson LP (with humbuckers).

Any ideas?

Thanks!

It's been 1.5 years now eh. You've got a bit more than a fortnight left to finish it all. You better hurry.

As for the BSIAB versus the BoR, I say keep the BoR.
The crunchbox is nice too, but it's a lot louder.

Have you considered the phase 90 mods? Being the feedback and the mix knob, as well as the toggle for 45/90 switching.

A flanger would be nice, but the ones I have seen require quite expensive ICs.
Anyways, well talk about this a lot on November the 22nd I suppose.

[Mark Hammer]

You definitely want an envelope-controlled filter in there.  It WILL change how you play.  You will want to stick it in between your assorted distortion pedals at the front of the line.  Between your DOD250 and TS808 seems like a sensible place.  That will let you drive it with distortion and also use it like a wah in front of distortion.

[Ben N]

As for adding character, adding options for compression and eq to other pedals might broaden things. There have been some cool eq options floating around here lately, plus ROG's Tonemender and Mr.EQ, Anderton's Frequency booster, etc. There are also a fair number of compression choices, and if they are intended for use with distortion you don't need them to be clean and so they become simpler. If you can spare a pole of the bypass switch on each of your distortions, say, you could wire things up so they toggle the bypass on a compressor somewhere else on your board. Make that switch selectable, and you have added a new flavor without adding more "dance steps".

[Auke Haarsma]

I went to see Adrian Belew last week and liked his use of:
- Octave-up fuzz (Jimi sound). Tycobrahe Octavia from GGG or the Octavia from Tonepad.
- Volume swell like a Boss SG1 Slow Gear. BYOC has one.

A Octavia should/will probably be added to my fuzz/wah combo.

It`s not subtle but you can get some interesting effects from the Maestro FSH-1.

That thing is SICK  That one has to be on my board.

You definitely want an envelope-controlled filter in there.  It WILL change how you play.  You will want to stick it in between your assorted distortion pedals at the front of the line.  Between your DOD250 and TS808 seems like a sensible place.  That will let you drive it with distortion and also use it like a wah in front of distortion.

Thanks, I'll be putting the FSH in that plosition.

As for adding character, adding options for compression and eq to other pedals might broaden things. There have been some cool eq options floating around here lately, plus ROG's Tonemender and Mr.EQ, Anderton's Frequency booster, etc. There are also a fair number of compression choices, and if they are intended for use with distortion you don't need them to be clean and so they become simpler. If you can spare a pole of the bypass switch on each of your distortions, say, you could wire things up so they toggle the bypass on a compressor somewhere else on your board. Make that switch selectable, and you have added a new flavor without adding more "dance steps".

I have tried to ross comp, didn't really like it. EQ seems like a good one to help kick lead in the mix.

I'd also like a flange, but since the SAD1024 is expense/hard to get, are there any other good flangers that are well documented?

Other wicked tips for stuff like the FSH-1 is also appreciated. More suggestions?

[bdevlin]

It might be worth taking a step back from those Maestro soundbytes.  My 2 cents, something like a Mutron (Nutron) is much more musical and not as noisy.

[Auke Haarsma]

Okay, I can consider that. What is 'musical' in your ears?

[bdevlin]

Okay, I can consider that. What is 'musical' in your ears?

Aah!  Good point.  It may be your inclination for something more "over the top".  But to directly answer your question......Milli Vanilli or David Hasselhoff

[Auke Haarsma]

haha! LOL 

[rogeryu_ph]

How bout a REVERB..... you don't have on you list and it suppose to be at the last. Tonepad I know has one.

[runmikeyrun]

TSA?  Uglyface?  Atari Punk Sim?  You GOTTA have a noisemaker in there!

[nordine]

Shin Ei FY-2

[MikeH]

bluebox has character written all over it.

[Auke Haarsma]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'll sure check them out asap!

[salocin]

You definitely want an envelope-controlled filter in there.  It WILL change how you play.  You will want to stick it in between your assorted distortion pedals at the front of the line.  Between your DOD250 and TS808 seems like a sensible place.  That will let you drive it with distortion and also use it like a wah in front of distortion.

+1

Just started building my first envelope-controlled effects and they're amazing!

[flo]

Add a side-chain input for the envelope detector so you can for instance put a sustaining distortion signal on the input and the clean guitar signal on envelope detector via the side chain input. 

[Auke Haarsma]

Last weekend I have etched two PCB's:
-GGG/Geofex Neutron
-BSIABII

So I will have my filter and I will have a replacement for the Box of Rock/Crunchbox.

I was also very tempted to built either the ugly face or the Blue box. Like 'm both a lot...but I decided not to built anymore effects (for now). Instead I focus on more or less finalizing my project first....

Thanks for all the suggetions!

[A.J.]

I love my Pearl Octaver!  Not a great octave up on its own, but the two down is a lot of fun and it tracks really well and its cool with an Envelope Filter.....something to think about....

A.J.