Members IRG Posted April 13, 2008 Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 I'm looking at a tremolo, not an effect that I have, and not sure how much it will be used. The EHX Stereo Pulsar seems like a good choice- $82 new. I'm considering the new SD Shape Shifter which also seems good, more $. Don't think it has thestereo option, which seems like a good thing to have in a tremolo (I do use stereo with my rig). Worth getting the Pulsar? Who has one, and how do you like it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members spoonie g Posted April 13, 2008 Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 stereo tremolo is awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ming Chow Posted April 13, 2008 Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 Nice little pedal. I've had mine for over a year now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members friction Posted April 13, 2008 Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 I've had one for almost a year as well and like it a lot. I think it's the most versatile trem pedal out there for the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members driverhasabomb Posted April 13, 2008 Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 I have one, it's extremely versatile. It will take a bit of time to learn all of the settings. One thing to remember is that about 1 o'clock on the pulsar knobs is the same as the maximum settings on almost any other trem. Any further and it starts getting out of sync with itself and doing weird stuff, which is pretty cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members friction Posted April 13, 2008 Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 I have one, it's extremely versatile. It will take a bit of time to learn all of the settings. One thing to remember is that about 1 o'clock on the pulsar knobs is the same as the maximum settings on almost any other trem. Any further and it starts getting out of sync with itself and doing weird stuff, which is pretty cool. Very true. Knobs are also VERY touchy...you have tons of control. Some people don't like how touchy the knobs are, but it is not difficult to dial in a good sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members IRG Posted April 13, 2008 Author Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 Thanks guys, this sounds good to me. Most of the EHX stuff is kinda quirky which I like most of the time. I also have the larger Mini Q-tron, thinking about selling it for the smaller Micro Q-tron - which is supposed to be even better for guitar than the Mini. Where in your effects order do you place the Pulsar? I will use it in an effects loop, which is in order in my sig. I'm thinking I might place it early, like right after the EQ. Or should it go towards the end, after modulation? Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rocket34bg Posted April 13, 2008 Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 i have one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members friction Posted April 13, 2008 Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 Where in your effects order do you place the Pulsar? I will use it in an effects loop, which is in order in my sig. I'm thinking I might place it early, like right after the EQ. Or should it go towards the end, after modulation? Thanks again. I usually keep mine second to last, just before reverb, unless I use the stereo outs and put it last in line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Snufkino Posted April 13, 2008 Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 Very true. Knobs are also VERY touchy...you have tons of control. Some people don't like how touchy the knobs are, but it is not difficult to dial in a good sound. I'd say that's down to a lack of quality control on EHX's part. The Depth knob is only good at about the 1 o'clock position and the Rate just blurs out the effect past about 10 o'clock. Plus it has volume drop and a little hiss. If you want it just purely as a sound effect that you'll be using with other pedals, then it's versatility makes it worth the money, and the stereo option is a plus point of course. But if you want true, rich, thick tremolo sounds look elsewhere. The Shape Shifter may be an option for both, though of course that means more spending... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wacopacco Posted April 13, 2008 Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 i have one but i can't talk about it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members IRG Posted April 13, 2008 Author Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 I'd say that's down to a lack of quality control on EHX's part. The Depth knob is only good at about the 1 o'clock position and the Rate just blurs out the effect past about 10 o'clock. Plus it has volume drop and a little hiss. If you want it just purely as a sound effect that you'll be using with other pedals, then it's versatility makes it worth the money, and the stereo option is a plus point of course. But if you want true, rich, thick tremolo sounds look elsewhere. The Shape Shifter may be an option for both, though of course that means more spending... The hiss and volume drop don't appeal to me at all. I swear my SMMh has a volume drop as well. I see myself using tremolo by itself, and also with a slightly overdriven sound. Nothing too wild really. What else would you recommend under $150. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rocket34bg Posted April 13, 2008 Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 I'd say that's down to a lack of quality control on EHX's part. The Depth knob is only good at about the 1 o'clock position and the Rate just blurs out the effect past about 10 o'clock. hmmm... no (i think the pedal may do more than you think it does) and volume drop? i guess i'm not hearing it. i mean it is a tremolo.. the high point in the volume hits where it's supposed to (to my ears at least). a boost should help. but this should be for all tremolos.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Liberty Belle Posted April 13, 2008 Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 i have one and its cool,its got no vloume drop either.btw its not true bypass as it only uses a 3PDT and is stereo. not that you can even tell its not TB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members IRG Posted April 13, 2008 Author Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 i have one and its cool,its got no vloume drop either.btw its not true bypass as it only uses a 3PDT and is stereo. not that you can even tell its not TB. I don't think the true bypass is an issue for me. The SMMh isn't either, and it's fine. The pulsar is certainly a good deal $ wise. I see MXR has a new one out, but it's $169. The T-rex Tremster sounds nice, but $200. The Shape Shifter seems like the only other trem I would consider vs. the budget Pulsar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Liberty Belle Posted April 13, 2008 Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 eh still has good prices and the best effects imo,two very good reasons to use EH stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pedalboard Posted April 13, 2008 Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 I really like mine. I had a bit of a reliability issue with it when switched to the square waveform, but it shouldn't be a problem if I take it in to get a replacement. The only problem I have with it is the lack of tap tempo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members shadowshocker Posted April 13, 2008 Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 I just recently got the Pulsar. I'd definitely recommend it, it's very versatile. My only complaint is that there's no switch to turn off the stereo effect, so if you want it mono, you have to unplug the stereo out. Maybe I'm being too picky... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Snufkino Posted April 13, 2008 Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 hmmm... no (i think the pedal may do more than you think it does) and volume drop? i guess i'm not hearing it. i mean it is a tremolo.. the high point in the volume hits where it's supposed to (to my ears at least). a boost should help. but this should be for all tremolos.... Try turning the depth knob all the way left, i.e. off. You get a little boost, but then as you turn it clockwise, that boost suddenly clicks off and the trem is 'activated' rather than smoothly coming in. For me it sounded like the high peak of the tremolo was where my original volume was. The original signal should be slap bang in the middle of the peaks and troughs for good old thick trem tone. The depth seemed to have 'jumps' in it too, rather than shifting in one smooth path which increases in size as you crank the dial. Maybe I just got a dud pedal but I've read a lot of similar stories. And half of the Rate dial is clearly redundant unless you want a really tinny extreme effect that sounds nothing like tremolo. Even though I love the Shape dial and choice of two waves, it just wasn't worth the compromise. Shame as it was a really cute little pedal aswell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members friction Posted April 13, 2008 Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 I notice just a tiny bit of a volume drop on choppier settings, but it's negligible because as mentioned above -- it's the nature of the beast with trem pedals. It could even be my imagination. I've never noticed any hiss or any additional noise. I don't know the full story on the new MXR trem but it doesn't appear to offer anything more than the Pulsar (except for a stereo footswitch) but for twice the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members IRG Posted April 13, 2008 Author Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 Try turning the depth knob all the way left, i.e. off. You get a little boost, but then as you turn it clockwise, that boost suddenly clicks off and the trem is 'activated' rather than smoothly coming in. For me it sounded like the high peak of the tremolo was where my original volume was. The original signal should be slap bang in the middle of the peaks and troughs for good old thick trem tone. The depth seemed to have 'jumps' in it too, rather than shifting in one smooth path which increases in size as you crank the dial. Maybe I just got a dud pedal but I've read a lot of similar stories. And half of the Rate dial is clearly redundant unless you want a really tinny extreme effect that sounds nothing like tremolo. Even though I love the Shape dial and choice of two waves, it just wasn't worth the compromise. Shame as it was a really cute little pedal aswell. What do you use now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Snufkino Posted April 13, 2008 Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 If CM bring out a square wave... I've had my eye on the Seymour Duncan Shape Shifter though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Snufkino Posted April 13, 2008 Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 Oh, and the Catalin bread Semaphore tremolo too, but the only UK dealers are in London and postage from the Sates will be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members IRG Posted April 13, 2008 Author Members Share Posted April 13, 2008 Well tremolos are by their vary nature loosing volume with every wave, right? So perhaps boosting the volume a bit sort of compensates for that perceived drop in volume. The Semaphore is supposed to be very good. More than I want to spend though. Shape Shifter is about my max I think, for this pedal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Liberty Belle Posted April 14, 2008 Members Share Posted April 14, 2008 i think alot of people perceive a volume drop on the SP but in fact there isn't one. you can test it by turning the depth right down and comparing it to your clean signal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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