Members nckeyz Posted January 10, 2006 Members Posted January 10, 2006 I'm curious. I've been reading that some apply chorus and/or delay to their acoustic guitar. I'm just wondering why? What does this do (obvious answer is apply delay and chorus)? But more specifically.. what type of sound will be produced? Whenever I've heard chorus applied to an acoustic guitar it's been applied by amateur guitarists. So it sounds like a flange and really gross. Why do people apply this to the acoustic guitar? Is there something it does that I'm missing? Also, delay has always fascinated me. In what ways do people use this with the acoustic guitar? I have some ideas floating in my head, but I don't know if it'd work. I've heard these devices can enhance the sound in some cases, but I want to make sure I'm thinking along the right lines. Why do acoustic guitar players use these effects? Do these effects give the sound more presence? Just trying to learn. I might have to snag a delay pedal or something.
Members JasmineTea Posted January 10, 2006 Members Posted January 10, 2006 Originally posted by nckeyz ? ? ? ? ?? ? ? Lots of ??s in that post. Head down to the shop and try some peddles. They'll be glad to help you out. Trying to describe what those things do...hmm, I don't think I can. A stereo chorus splits the signal in two, sends one half straight to one speaker and slows the other half down before sending it to the other speaker. It kind of puts it slightly out of tune with the original. Describing what the parameters realy do is beyond me, but after you start tweeking the knobs you'll get the picture. A delay copies the original signal and sends it to the speakers a short time after the original. It can also act like a chorus. Again, I'm just a guitar player trying to describe electronic gizmos. But be warned: They are addicting, especialy chorus. Chorus and delay are best used in light doses. And yes, they do add presence.
Members MOTHBALL Posted January 10, 2006 Members Posted January 10, 2006 Effects add dimension to your sound. I use both. Delay being my favorite. But like everything, its how you use it, too much can ruin your sound. I would get the delay if i had too choose, you can have endless ideas with different delay settings. Chorus is a lot easier to use but not as intresting. It all depends on what sound you like or wan't, you have to try it to see if you like it.
Members d28andm1911a1 Posted January 10, 2006 Members Posted January 10, 2006 If you use effects it ain't acoustic.
Members nckeyz Posted January 10, 2006 Author Members Posted January 10, 2006 That answers a lot! Thanks. What would be a good delay pedal to get? What are popular delay pedals are using with acoustic guitar. I also figure I can use it with my keyboard as I do synth stuff too. Delay has me fascinated.
Members zookie Posted January 10, 2006 Members Posted January 10, 2006 I used to use a chorus pedal to add a slight touch of brightness. Now I just change my strings more frequently. I play an electric/acoustic through my PA usually with no effects. In a noisier venue, or in a place with poor acoustics, I will add just the slightest touch of delay to add some compression to the sound. I use the delay more for volume (in a weird way) than for the delay.
Members 57GLDTP Posted January 11, 2006 Members Posted January 11, 2006 Originally posted by d28andm1911a1 If you use effects it ain't acoustic. If you're micing or plugging in, it ain't acoustic either. 57GT:)
Members 57GLDTP Posted January 11, 2006 Members Posted January 11, 2006 Originally posted by JasmineTea Chorus and delay are best used in light doses. And yes, they do add presence. True Dat. 57GT:)
Members Stophe88 Posted January 11, 2006 Members Posted January 11, 2006 on the dave mathews/tim reynolds live at luther college cd tim uses some effects he gets some pretty cool sounds, it sounds like a little delay w/ some heavy duty reverb or somethin so i'd say it can sound good, but i'd imagine, like others have said, that it can ruin ur sound
Members lalatingstrings Posted January 11, 2006 Members Posted January 11, 2006 at times i love a slight delay.it really does add dimension,especially if you are recording in stereo and add a little delay to one of the trax.ive yet to use effects live though.but in the studio it adds a little spice.i love the delay.i dont feel the chorus.i hate the flanger.around 2 am the distortion can be quite intersting.sometimes.
Members 57GLDTP Posted January 11, 2006 Members Posted January 11, 2006 Originally posted by lalatingstrings the distortion can be quite intersting.sometimes. Just check out David Gilmour's In Concert DVD. He uses some distortion on his Taylor w/ great results. It can be done, you justhave to be careful not to over do it. 57GT:)
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted January 14, 2006 Members Posted January 14, 2006 Originally posted by d28andm1911a1 If you use effects it ain't acoustic. Some say if it's amplified in any fashion (even with a mic), it's not "acoustic"...splitting hairs or snobbery?I, myself, use effects on some tunes with my trio, but I'm definitely an "acoustic" guitarist.
Members mebaugh Posted January 14, 2006 Members Posted January 14, 2006 Here's a few thoughts - I am a chorus junkie and have tried many brands. I have awtched Phil Keaggy and seen his gear. I use what is arguably the best chorus ever made (and a bit pricey) the TC Electronics SCF Stereo Chorus Flanger - studio quiet, ANALOG, and shimmering chorus with 20-20k bandwidth. You won't find this in most retial stores- it is pure studio perfection and just costs alot. A good Chorus give you a more spacious, even slightly floating tone, as it is slightly de-tuning one signal. It widens out the signal and can even give it a twinge of a 12 string effect, depending on settings. It also adds a kind of pseudo-reverb it is a time-delay device. The quality from chorus to another is dramtic. Some are digital, brittle, poor freq. response, noisy. The TC SCF is a gem- I've sued it for about 8 years and I'll never get rid of it. I also use, for special applications the vintage Boss Dimension C (analog), which ahs a HUGE chorusy effect and several major de-tuning effects, but ha sNO blend control, Try the SCF for 10 minutes- you'll want one! I always play with a chorus (on about 75% of songs) fyi
Members JasmineTea Posted January 14, 2006 Members Posted January 14, 2006 Originally posted by mebaugh TC Electronics SCF Stereo Chorus Flanger....and just costs alot. Will keep that in mind. How much is a lot? Are they still making them?
Members martingibson70 Posted January 15, 2006 Members Posted January 15, 2006 To get an idea of what effects you'd like to apply to your sound, I recommend going to your favorite store and plugging into some acoustic amps with built in effects. That way you can easily dial up several effects made specifically for acoustic guitar and choose. Tip, if you can, use headphones to reduce the amount of bleed from the guitar itself. You'll hear just what's coming out of the amp.
Members cmacdon2 Posted February 5, 2006 Members Posted February 5, 2006 Originally posted by lalatingstrings at times i love a slight delay.it really does add dimension,especially if you are recording in stereo and add a little delay to one of the trax.ive yet to use effects live though.but in the studio it adds a little spice.i love the delay.i dont feel the chorus.i hate the flanger.around 2 am the distortion can be quite intersting.sometimes. anyone know what system Tim uses for his effects?
Members jackwr Posted February 6, 2006 Members Posted February 6, 2006 Originally posted by d28andm1911a1 If you use effects it ain't acoustic. +1:thu:
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