Members monsterbot Posted May 30, 2007 Members Share Posted May 30, 2007 I picked up a Digitech PDS 1700 Flanger/Chorus from the 'bay recently. I got it today and hooked it up to test it out. Whenever I play a note there is almost a distorted element to the sound. The effect is there (chorus or flange), but there is an undercurrent of sound that sounds like a combo of light hiss and very light distortion. When there is no sound coming through, the pedal is pretty quiet (though there is a very quiet digital hum on the flange side). I am no stranger to older digital effects (and often like their characteristics), but this one is a bit unusual. The oddities I am hearing could be this pedals normal digital artifacts, and if so that's fine. But if this is abnormal, I would like to know so I can let the seller know. Anyone who has or has had a PDS 1700 please weigh in. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members monsterbot Posted May 30, 2007 Author Members Share Posted May 30, 2007 I recorded a quick sample of the issue I am talking about. There are two sets of samples in the file. The first is two chords strummed then plucked; clean, chorus, flange. The second set is plucked strings; clean, chorus, flange. The issue can be heard most when the flange is kicked in, especially on the second set when the strings ring out at the end. I have recorded these with a direct USB connection into Reaper DAW software. The chain is: Guitar > Digitech PDS-1700 > USB audio interface. It is a .WAV file at approximately 8 MB. I chose WAV so there isn't any degradation from lossy codecs (like MP3). I have the settings for the effect set pretty conservatively so it is easier to focus on the sound issue I am trying to convey. If your computer speakers aren't very good, you might try using headphones to hear it. Please reply here and let me know what you think. As I said in the post above, it might be the way this pedal is, as it is "vintage" digital. Especially interested in hearing opinions from current and past PDS-1700 users. Thanks! Here is the link: http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=DBA645AA0A17CE62 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JSutter Posted May 30, 2007 Members Share Posted May 30, 2007 That sounds normal. I have 2 pds 20/20 and they do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members monsterbot Posted May 30, 2007 Author Members Share Posted May 30, 2007 That sounds normal. I have 2 pds 20/20 and they do that. That suppose that would be the next best thing, as it has the Chorus/Flange AND Delay. I've gotten more used to it, but it still doesn't sound quite right. I found a good home for it between my two MagicStomps and they compliment each other well. The MagicStomps seems to mask the problem a bit. I intended to use it in the main chain of effects, but with the sound issue, it just won't work out. I've had other old-school digital units, including a Digitech RP3 and Ibanez PT5 (which had digital effects coupled with analog distortion). I didn't remember them having such prevalent artifacts. So is the PDS 20/20 all that like its reputation (HC reviewers love it), or just kinda a cool quirky pedal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JSutter Posted May 31, 2007 Members Share Posted May 31, 2007 It could just be that way from time. I wanna say one of mine doesnt have the problem as much, but I havent used that one in a good while. The multi play is definitely packed with endless sounds. It covers sounds from ibanez flangers to a poly chorus. It really has so many things going on that you'd want to get a second one. They are just too friggin big! Have you tired using the output 2 only? I liked that flange alot better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members yablokonooza Posted May 31, 2007 Members Share Posted May 31, 2007 I hear this as well in the old PDS series, especially with the 1000, 1002, and 2000 series Delays, but including the 1700 Chorus/ Flanger and the 1650 Distortion units. They are all rather noisy and don't age very gracefully - it seems to be a technological transitional period for the analog/ digital stompbox. Using the 2nd output may help a bit. When working properly, they sound great and are very useful/ versatile. cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members monsterbot Posted June 2, 2007 Author Members Share Posted June 2, 2007 So after some back and forth with the seller, he agreed to refund my entire amount, including shipping. Of course, I have to pay to ship it back, but this is life. It's a shame because the pedal was in excellent physical shape -- nearly looked brand new. I had to show him how degraded the sound was. My original direct recorded .WAV file didn't really illustrate how bad the issue was, so I mic'ed an amp and recorded it that way. Playing through an amp really brings out the problems and I think that is was convinced him. Here is the mic'ed amp recording of the PDS-1700. It is in a .ZIP file to save some bandwidth. The .ZIP also contains a recorded sample of chorus and flange from my MagicStomp and a .txt file explaining how I recorded. http://download.yousendit.com/37BA54777E4C01E0 A bit bummed this one didn't work out. But on the lookout for a good flange pedal that leans more towards subtle classic than 80s metallic. Not too interested in the jet-set woosh, but more of the moody constricted side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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