Need some Pedals for my Mark V! Delay, Chorus suggestions?

[RocknRory]

I've had my Mark V for about 3-4weeks now and I love it still. I tweak it all the time and my ear is changing even more for good tone. Cranking it with the output at 10 or higher really lets this thing shine! Especially for distorted channels. Anyway...

I tried my friends MXR Analog Delay the other day thru my effects loop and noticed whenever i turned the pedal on, it just sucked my tone COMPLETELY. It took all the crunch and treble and made it kind of muddy. I messed around with the Mix knob and I have a question first, what's the purpose of the Mix knob? Should I just keep it at 12 or increase it or what, and can it help me not loose tone from this pedal?

I'm searching for a good delay and I hear people talking about the TC Electronics Nova Delay all the time, how does it work? It looks pretty fancy and solid, but does it suck tone at all through the loop? Any other cheaper delay options?

Also I love messing around with Chorus, and I would like a good chorus pedal that isnt like 200+ dollars. I also don't want something that will suck my tone. Is chorus best in the loop on in front, I'm not really sure with that. I'm assuming loop. Another pedal that would be cool to put in the loop (again, no tone sucker!) is a good noise gate. This isn't really necessary, but I'm just wondering if anyone uses a good noise gate/supressor in the loop that doesn't kill your tone (my NS-2 in the loop kills it completely, so I only use it in front, but I dont even use it that much anymore!) I just want to kill the preamp hiss when the volumes a little louder, but this isn't really NEEDED. Just curious. Thanks guys, and tell me if you know any other awesome pedal's to mess around with.

 

[eudaimonia02912]

In my loop, I have the following effects, in this order:

1. MXR stereo chorus (set for warm, smooth, subtle analog sounds)
2. TC Electronic Nova Delay
3. TC Electronic Nova Reverb

I leave them on all the time, but I turn the loop on only for leads. They all sound great, and have a positive impact on my tone.

These effects are really meant for the loop, not for the front of the amp.

I had an MXR Carbon Copy and a Digitech Hardwire Delay before the Nova Delay. The Carbon Copy was a nice, warm analog delay, and had some good modulation. It was easy to use and always sounded good. The only reason I switched the the Hardwire was that I wanted some more versatility. I switched to the Nova because I wanted presets, precise times, and the ability to do tap tempos on the fly.

The MXR stereo chorus is the best chorus I've tried so far. When I first started using pedals again (after using a processor for a while), I tried a pricey Maxon CS-550. It was either too fake or too bright sounding for me. The MXR's tone controls and bass filter switch allow me to dial in just the right tone.

As for a noise gate, I use an ISP Decimator in front of the amp, not the the loop. On both my Mark V and my previous amp, I found it worked best there. (Otherwise, if I set it high enough to work for high gain sounds, it would cut off notes on clean tones.) It doesn't have any audible effect on my tone.

 

[theroan]

Get a Line 6 M9 or M13 has great sounds and you can do this (watch below). If you want a single chorus pedal, the Boss CE-2 is amazing. The Nova Delay is a great unit too.

http://www.youtube.com/user/rjmmusic#p/u/5/ztIS-GubTD4

http://www.youtube.com/user/rjmmusic#p/u/8/aSDZpZmqddo

 

[sean106alcon]

I just use a simple Boss Super Chorus and it sounds great. Real crisp and great chorus tone IMO.

 

[jb's 52]

EHX Small Clone for chorus and a Stereo Memory Man w/Hazarai delay for me...

Been through quite a few effects pedals but the small clone has stayed since I got
it and I've never thought to replace it. It works really good with the Mark V and doesn't
suck tone at all. It's along the lines of a Nirvana sounding chorus so if you're into the more
shimmery-80's type chorus look for something in the Boss CE family.

My Stereo Memory Man w/ Hazarai was an upgrade from an old Boss DD-5.
Although I don't run it in stereo anymore it still sounds great in mono.
I've been keeping it out front lately since it's the only thing I'd put in the loop
but it does sound a tad better in the loop. People have reported that there is
a volume drop with the SMMH but I've yet to hear it nor does it suck tone.
I'll admit though, there is a lot of knob twiddling to do with this unit and it can
sometimes be too much but with anything this versatile you're gonna have to
experiment a bit to find the stuff you want.

Good luck!

 

[RocknRory]

In my loop, I have the following effects, in this order:

1. MXR stereo chorus (set for warm, smooth, subtle analog sounds)
2. TC Electronic Nova Delay
3. TC Electronic Nova Reverb

I leave them on all the time, but I turn the loop on only for leads. They all sound great, and have a positive impact on my tone.

These effects are really meant for the loop, not for the front of the amp.

I had an MXR Carbon Copy and a Digitech Hardwire Delay before the Nova Delay. The Carbon Copy was a nice, warm analog delay, and had some good modulation. It was easy to use and always sounded good. The only reason I switched the the Hardwire was that I wanted some more versatility. I switched to the Nova because I wanted presets, precise times, and the ability to do tap tempos on the fly.



The MXR stereo chorus is the best chorus I've tried so far. When I first started using pedals again (after using a processor for a while), I tried a pricey Maxon CS-550. It was either too fake or too bright sounding for me. The MXR's tone controls and bass filter switch allow me to dial in just the right tone.

As for a noise gate, I use an ISP Decimator in front of the amp, not the the loop. On both my Mark V and my previous amp, I found it worked best there. (Otherwise, if I set it high enough to work for high gain sounds, it would cut off notes on clean tones.) It doesn't have any audible effect on my tone.

Hmmm you used a Carbon Copy and liked it? I used my friends carbon in my loop and it DESTROYED my tone. Any solutions? Also I know the Mark V's reverb isnt the greatest, but you really perfer spending 200+ on a pedal for reverb? Also is the Line 6 M13 a good device? Wouldn't just buying seperate pedals be a better option for sound quality? I'm not sure but the way I look at it is nice pedals are expensive, but work better then the Line 6 ones or models or whatever.

 

[eudaimonia02912]

In my loop, I have the following effects, in this order:

1. MXR stereo chorus (set for warm, smooth, subtle analog sounds)
2. TC Electronic Nova Delay
3. TC Electronic Nova Reverb

I leave them on all the time, but I turn the loop on only for leads. They all sound great, and have a positive impact on my tone.

These effects are really meant for the loop, not for the front of the amp.

I had an MXR Carbon Copy and a Digitech Hardwire Delay before the Nova Delay. The Carbon Copy was a nice, warm analog delay, and had some good modulation. It was easy to use and always sounded good. The only reason I switched the the Hardwire was that I wanted some more versatility. I switched to the Nova because I wanted presets, precise times, and the ability to do tap tempos on the fly.



The MXR stereo chorus is the best chorus I've tried so far. When I first started using pedals again (after using a processor for a while), I tried a pricey Maxon CS-550. It was either too fake or too bright sounding for me. The MXR's tone controls and bass filter switch allow me to dial in just the right tone.

As for a noise gate, I use an ISP Decimator in front of the amp, not the the loop. On both my Mark V and my previous amp, I found it worked best there. (Otherwise, if I set it high enough to work for high gain sounds, it would cut off notes on clean tones.) It doesn't have any audible effect on my tone.

Hmmm you used a Carbon Copy and liked it? I used my friends carbon in my loop and it DESTROYED my tone. Any solutions? Also I know the Mark V's reverb isnt the greatest, but you really perfer spending 200+ on a pedal for reverb? Also is the Line 6 M13 a good device? Wouldn't just buying seperate pedals be a better option for sound quality? I'm not sure but the way I look at it is nice pedals are expensive, but work better then the Line 6 ones or models or whatever.

I used the Carbon Copy on my 5150 and XXX, but I traded it away before I got the Mark V. I never noticed it destroying my tone. Maybe my ears aren't as sensitive as yours. That, or I suspect that it's because I tend to run my amps very dark, and so effects that roll off the high end don't bother me.

 

[RocknRory]

Yeah I run my presence pretty high when i play at low volumes so it kills it there. when i turn it louder i usually back off the highs.

 

[scoden]

I used a Carbon Copy in the loop of my Mark V and at first I found my volume to drop when it was engaged . I turned the effects loop send down a bit and now the levels are equal with the loop on or off. I switched to a Vox Time Machine and noticed the same.

Someone who knows more can chime in ,but I think it has to do with eor not the effect is meant for line level or instrument level use......either way sounds good without any tone loss now.

 

[pj1967]

I use a Maxon AD-999 into an MXR M-134 stereo chorus. I prefer the warmer analog effects. I replaced a Diamond Halo Chorus pedal with the MXR 'cause the Diamond pedal was way too bright and boxy sounding...which was quite disappointing since the Diamond had the richer/"wider" chorus effect. Anyone else notice this with the Diamond Halo?

 

[mejoshee]

I use a Maxon AD-999 into an MXR M-134 stereo chorus. I prefer the warmer analog effects. I replaced a Diamond Halo Chorus pedal with the MXR 'cause the Diamond pedal was way too bright and boxy sounding...which was quite disappointing since the Diamond had the richer/"wider" chorus effect. Anyone else notice this with the Diamond Halo?

+1 again for the mxr stereo chorus! great range and really easy to tweak (it's nice having all the parameters right in front of you instead of in a processing menu).

you can do borderline flangey stuff too, like the andy summers police-type stuff, or go more in your face with distortion and play some rush. and iirc john petrucci used it before. not as hi-fi as the tc 1210 he's using now, but i think actually the mxr warmth lends itself to the mid-rangeyness of the v. imo, anyway.

i think it's best for subtler clean passages, but if you set it to just one thing, i bet you could get it to cover distorted tones too. don't know what it's like with emg's but i bet they'd give you the 80's clean metal tone if you tried.

 

[pj1967]

Anyone care to comment on the Fulltone OCD vs Xotic BB vs Ibanez TS808 (or any other boost/overdrive pedal)?

--PJ

 

[Mork]

I use a Carl Martin but I would happily use a Digitech Hardwire chorus.

 

[mejoshee]

Anyone care to comment on the Fulltone OCD vs Xotic BB vs Ibanez TS808 (or any other boost/overdrive pedal)?

--PJ

yes, interested to hear what opinions are out there for these pedals in a mark.

i have a sparkle drive (basically ts808+mixable clean boost) and it's actually good to dial back in the clean tone to keep the od sound from turning to mush. in ch 2 i find it gives it a good mid kick for really nice ac/dc or zep type tones even with the 6l6's (now on to el34's and not looking back).

in fact, the way i had it set, it was least useful in the clean channel. i found it to be excellent for an extra saturation, hairy grit sort of icing on the cake thing. i don't think it should be the sole source of od on a mark, unless you cascaded 2 of them. but if you're going to layer od on od, might as well just use the channels already on the amp.

i know a lot of metal/solo type players like to use the ts for boosting solos, but i wonder how the bb preamp fares in this regard, it seems like their approach would be more useful for the clean side to get a relatively mild od, or to add sustain to an already driven stage.

i had considered the ocd, but it sounds like it's best used in a non-master volume type amp like a marshall, with low to medium od to add an extra "channel."

 

[espmaster1]

I run the MXR Phase 90 (the EVH one) and that has a really good phaser sound, especially because it has the script button that adds to its versatility...
I also have the Eventide Timefactor, a pricey pedal but it's stereo baby! I love the way it sounds on the Mark V. It really changes my playing experience, having a good delay that is....

 

[eudaimonia02912]

Anyone care to comment on the Fulltone OCD vs Xotic BB vs Ibanez TS808 (or any other boost/overdrive pedal)?

--PJ

I have an OCD and TS808. The OCD can sound good when used as a pseudo-channel (i.e., with medium low gain into the clean channel.) But I really like it as an almost clean boost. I put in in HP mode (which has some midrange to it), volume cranked, dirt nearly off, and the treble boosted very slightly. I then use it to add sustain to solos on channel 3, and to make the Marshall JCM800 sound of channel 2 get really thick and saturated. Basically, it allows me to keep channel 2 at a medium gain, but turn it high gain at the flip of the switch.

The TS808 is fine, too. Right now I'm using it sometimes as a slightly weaker boost. But it isn't getting much use anymore.

 

[Heritage Softail]

I run the MXR Phase 90 (the EVH one) and that has a really good phaser sound, especially because it has the script button that adds to its versatility...
I also have the Eventide Timefactor, a pricey pedal but it's stereo baby! I love the way it sounds on the Mark V. It really changes my playing experience, having a good delay that is....

If you like the stereo, look for an Ibanez Flying Pan Phaser/Panner FP-777... The original is >$$$, the reissue was only like 250 or so units, so still $$. If you happen to see one it is a killer phaser, add the panning and it's time to sift your weed on your old 2112 album cover and roll a white owl... :shock: Dude..... like...... wow.......

 

[elpingua]

Hi There,

Check out the chorus pedal by Analogman. They make a few versions depending on how many choruses you want to use. Their plain-jane chorus pedal sounds great to my ears and it has true bypass (no tone sucking). Little pricey at around 200ish but it sounds pretty darn good. Also could try to pick one up on fleabay.

I haven't decided if I am going to use a rack setup or individual pedals. If I go with pedals I am likely getting the Analogman. Hope over to youtube and there are tons and tons of demos. There are tons of videos of all pedals on youtube and will give you a great idea of what the tone is like.

PS: DLS Chrous pedal also sounds great.

Hope that helps - good luck.