How to Choose Effect Pedals for Your Synth - Daniel Fisher

[@demofactory]

That was ear and eye opening!!!! Pretty sure you just sold a lot of pedals!!!!! Thanks for another great video!!!! Just broke the exclamation key on my computer keyboard%$#&*

[@Phillyfast]

You know what this video makes me want to do? Ditch work, put in an order for the snyth and all these pedals, wait anxiously for a day or two for them to show up, and lock myself in my garage while I tinker for days on end. Love these kind of videos!

[@machiwoomiapoo]

Agree!

[@jonathanredman8497]

Definitely less is more!

[@gfgnickname_not_chosen2598]

The problem is... if you ditch work you don’t have enough money to place the order 😞

[@jiminywatts]

Do it!

[@orlandofebres7604]

I'm TELLIN'YA YOU'LL WALK-OUT A MONK!! 😁😁😁😇😄😄😄

[@BlasphemousButler]

This was very timely! I'm looking at FX pedals for the first time in my life (for my Minilogue) and your demo was perfect. Thank you!

[@samaBR333]

Andrew Cecka me too! great video

[@adamoliver82]

how about this,me to!, wish I'd watched this before buying one that's not really fit for purpose.

[@Wil_Dsense]

Yes same here. So far I use the Polara Reverb, it pairs pretty well with the minilogue am happy with it. Now I'm looking to expand the chain with some more (preferably analog) fx. So which pedals did you guys use?

[@winterland2011]

Just WOW. The whole video. Someone mastering the sound and explaining clearly the concepts. Thank you

[@mikedegrazia]

Ive watched tons of videos on this subject today (synth and pedals). Every single one sounded non musical and like they didnt know what the hell they were doing just randomly turning things on and off then turning knobs and flicking switches. Except this one... Dan this is awesome. Thanks so much.

[@bitronicc1887]

Daniel- Whatever they are paying you, it isn't enough. I always thoroughly enjoy seeing your video demos, as you're clearly a genius and highly passionate about synthesis and electronic music. You seem like an extraordinarily talented and knowledgeable individual. Thank you for doing such a fantastic and professional job with these videos, they really are a pleasure to see.

[@freakphysics]

Daniel Fisher is to sound demonstration as Bob Ross is to painting teaching. Thank you for your always insightful videos, man.

[@cdh79]

11:32 i love how the ping-pong delay and reverb add this depth to this melody and it all comes together.. definitely something that needs to be listened to on headphones to get the full effect!

[@JoeyBelville]

OMG - Daniel you are my new synth nerd hero!! This clip gets me freaking pumped!

[@johningram2153]

This a a great video. I've been playing piano and "keyboards" for a long time, but just recently got into analog synths. I did not expect that this journey would eventually lead me to guitar pedals, but they apparently have the modular effects game down, and there's no reason for the synth industry to reinvent that wheel. But, as a total non-guitarist, the world of pedals is vast, and unfamiliar. This video is super helpful. Thanks.

[@jorg-em]

Thanks for the demo, Daniel. Goes to show how much sound you can get out of a simple analog synth with these pedals.

[@Normandy_Mike]

Now I needn't feel guilty about abandoning my guitar pedals when making electronic music. This is an excellent & inspiring video.

[@lostinepic]

I had watched it like 15 times for 4-5 months....best review so far for what im looking for

[@zoomosis]

For synth players on a budget the Zoom MS-70CDR pedal is definitely worth a look. Chorus, Delay & Reverb (including shimmer), plus a whole bunch of other effects all built into the one pedal, all for roughly US$150. The original pedal came with 86 effects but Zoom recently released a free firmware update for it which adds another 51. That's roughly $1 per effect, which is incredible value for money. The pedal is also stereo, and you can chain multiple effects.

[@Wil_Dsense]

zoomosis aye, it sounds all well and good written down,and Does have nice sound, however... it's digital, it's a bit thin sounding. just not same as analog effects now is it. I was almost about to buy it ... which is why I'm at this vid looking at real analog fx peds. Do you have the zoom ms70cdr, if so How you like it

[@ericfricke4512]

The reverb, delay, and chorus pedal are all digital, if I'm not mistaken.

[@jacobbrown1690]

yea it works well with keyboards i use in a guitar rig.....but have tried with my synths

[@jacobbrown1690]

@@ericfricke4512 so are the eventide pedals and many synth players use them...

[@ebeep]

It's been on my pedalboard for over a year. It's not in my guitar signal chain for but instead is used solely for my DX7 and works wonderfully for replicating the usual effects chains I use in my DAW. It's super handy and is powered by my pedalboard power supply. I just bought another one yesterday for the other DX7 user in the band :)

[@rexterrocks]

I've always used effects pedals but I do like to use a Kaossilator KP2 at times. It's such an expressive unit and sits nicely next to a synth. There's something about controlling parameters of effects with the movement of your fingers whilst playing that is very satisfying.

[@ashleyjamesbrown]

was literally basket placing both the rv6 and tc flashback for use on my jx03 and this video proved its a good choice. thanks for the very interesting overview.

[@woodswalker88]

At last I understand how other people got this deeeeeep spaaaace drone while my synth just played Notes.

[@StarsWithScars]

You Sir!!! learned something today.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Very cool. I know a lot of people just output synths into DAWs and work with plugins. But just like it's gratifying having a lot of knobs, sliders and buttons on a hardware synth for creativity, the same holds for hardware effects. Of course you pile enough of them up, it starts to get expensive, and you may as well buy something with a heap of FX built in to it (Virus, Prophet-6, etc).

[@graphene1487]

You deserve a raise man! Excellent work

[@sweetwater]

Thank you! I will pass it along to Human Resources.

[@Hyper5nic]

Faaantastic! Instead of buying more synths, instead i'm looking for the next pedal-upgrade. :-) Thank you very much for creating and sharing this video, it really does some out-of-this-world things to a main synth.

[@lance134679]

Great demo on how effects (especially time effects such modulation, delay, reverb) can transform synth sounds.

[@setphaser]

I've been looking for a video like this for ages!! More please!

[@timelesswheelman1161]

Mr. Fisher, I believe you are the most knowledgeable synth master to make videos showing us mere mortals the capabilities of synths. I would like to know which synth(s) on the market do everything in this video within the capabilities of the synth itself, without needing the pedals. Would you please share that info with us, or let us know which synths come closest to performing these abilities without the pedals? Thanks in advance!

[@janminor1172]

Timeless Wheelman the Behringer deepmind has lots of built in effects, can use up to four at a time afaik...

[@timelesswheelman1161]

Thanks! and its only $999. I'm thinking the Novation Peak would also be VERY nice...

[@originalfallinggirl]

You're awesome when it comes to demos. Thanks so much!!!

[@MisterMotel]

you expain everything so well, and I just love the sounds you are making at 11:38

[@coldwar1977]

This video is the main reason I bought me a Flashback. Sweeping all day long!!!

[@orbitalchiller]

I have a Minilogue too. I process it through, for now (within mixer fx loop if possible): MXR Analog Chorus + Seymour Duncan Vapor Trail Analog Delay + TC Electronic Hall Of Fame reverb.

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

orbitalchiller Do us guys sone demos please :-)

[@CallxMexLos]

dam that mxr analog chorus sounds delicious haha i have an analog distiortion from them and love it, do you highly recommend that analog chorus?

[@orbitalchiller]

yes, very much. it is a pristine analog chorus. Best price/value in its range, imo.

[@CallxMexLos]

dope thanks, thats the blue pedal right? i may just grab one, i just ordered a boss gt 1 but i still love analog more

[@yotrakzproductions7324]

Perfect idea man. Never considered an effects pedal for my synth. Definitely gon' get one for my 1983 Moog Rogue.

[@jonathanredman8497]

Great informative video. It made me realise today's pedals are better than multi FX boxes. These days they sound fabulous too. I originally had a cheap Flanger on my Yamaha CS5 mono synth but it added so much noise.

[@jarkokoo]

Neat video, good tips/demos. I've lately gone 100% hardware FX route myself, with pedals. Few tips for that route, which weren't mentioned in this video: get a mixer that has AUX send & return, so you can use your pedal-chain easily with all your gear without constantly plugging and un-plugging. Another one: get patch cables for your pedal-chain, so you'll save some desk space. And lastly, many guitar/bass distortion pedals also work really well with synths. For example you can easily give some colour for leads and strings and also some nice crunch for your basslines with guitar/bass distortions. At the moment I'm having a distortion, chorus, delay and reverb all as physical pedals and I don't use any effect except a compressor on software side. Next up I'll maybe buy some flanger or phaser and maybe at some point a second distortion.

[@sweetwater]

Hi jarkokoo, thank you for the useful tips. You might enjoy our "Distortion Pedals for Keyboard" video we released last year featuring 20 guitar/bass distortion pedals: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2azq6KlZZuCaJI

[@Hexspa]

The synth skills are strong with this one

[@joshuahanson9273]

Finally someone demoed the digitech nautila on synth. it's incredible on anything & everything electric!

[@sunilsolanki]

Fantastic video. Loved the demo at the end. Gave me lots of ideas and uses for pedals. Thanks!

[@crappie050764]

I'm also inted to by a minilogue. At the moment have 2 pedal effect, boss rv6 is really amasing and the elektro harmonix 22500 looper, will be great with ambient loop effects by using different patches and minilogue

[@SamChaneyProductions]

The Ring Thing makes that analogue Minilogue sound more like a FM synth (which I'm a huge fan of) but still retains the warm tone of the Korg - Kind of a best of both worlds between subtractive analogue and frequency modulation.

[@EnochDark]

ring mods are baddass instruments in their own right... check out zvex's

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

Think this is the 11th time ive watched this video. So so great to see has to be said again . Very spot on explanations !!

[@sasarasa88]

Great video Daniel. Except for the flashback, which I already have and like a lot, I had not considered the other pedals you are showcasing here. Good advice, appreciated.

[@elvishpaisley]

wow, cool pedals. great jam! very smooth ending too!

[@786itube]

Excellent presentation once again from Daniel. Apart from being quite entertaining, I felt I learnt so much

[@JonSnowIII]

Can’t thank you enough for making this video!

[@davidjameschamberlain]

my favorite pedal for synth is easily the Small Stone, it is such a great sound

[@YoYoYo]

This is nice video. I was looking for pedal on synths reviews for a long time and they are hard to find. That on is excellent. Hope we can see more in the future.

[@KevNoonz]

Super Ego sounds insane. Great video.

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

Excellent video. Thankyou for sharing this video. I really cool for more videos of synths run through fx pedals. Really opens up new sonic dimensions to the sound .

[@trilfiger448]

I’m watching this trying to find a pedal for my minilogue so this was perfect

[@rederickfroders1978]

May I suggest a Zoom MS70-CDR? Great little multieffects pedal that allows up to 6 units at the same time, in an effects chain entirely of your choosing.

[@leiruagetro]

I have a Prophet 08 from DSI, It's my favorite analog synth so far, and I've been using a big sky with it. I have considered an H9 core or max however for it

[@MegaPhalaenopsis]

Thanks alot. You shown us many interesting things whith a minilogue , but whatever the analog synth you will use , to add effects pedals will always open the door to others sound dimentions. I want to buy several ones to plug to my Moog sub37, so,understand how this kind of video can be usefull to me.

[@isaiahrichard3147]

Awesome sounds and very inspiring.

[@Tobes1100]

This was just the video I was looking for! Thanks.

[@anonymusum]

I´m really impressed by the Ring Thing. Thanx for the demo.

[@RobFlaxMusic]

This just made me want to buy all these pedals! Great demo; inspiring sounds. Side note: 11:00 that's the first time I've ever heard somebody pronounce it "DAY-lek". Definitely "DAH-lek," bro. ;-)

[@sweetwater]

Dreadfully sorry Rob, I was inadvertently channeling my inner Peter Cushing. Thanks for watching!

[@MrBannystar]

Haha that was the one thing I was gonna comment on too, but apart from that I really enjoyed the video. I really want to make my own ambient music in the future for a hobby and this was an interesting video, thanks!

[@romanonardelli-drummerforfun]

Great video and beautiful sound

[@josephmills3864]

Just wow..sold on all of them. Starting to think maybe I just need all those pedals with my old synths I've already got and I'll have massive experimental analog sound.

[@sweetwater]

Hi Joseph, effect pedals are an awesome way to rekindle the fire with your existing gear. Thanks for watching!

[@neilbarbu]

You always teach me something Daniel Fisher my friend from Fort Wayne

[@WoodysAR]

Weird coincidence. I bought 2 Super Phaser PH-2's to dual phase the output from the Software Synth (XILS PolyM) that I bought at Sweetwater, using the AKAI ADVANCE 61 Smart Controller I also got at Sweetwater. (the two Superphasers I got from eBay, but they are both Japanese Vintage!

[@MadelnMachines]

I saw the recent article on sweetwater - using multi-effect processors with keyboards and synths. I'd love to see a demo of the the Line6 M13 and Zoom Gn5 on some synths. They seem amazing for live performance and studio - having 4 effects easy with a screen and tons of knobs per effect to play with. Really hands on and fun. Does the quality of effects and sound stand up to dedicated units though? I love that the multi-effects are so easy to chain and save - less cable mess is always a good thing!

[@sweetwater]

Hi MIM. I haven't had concerns about sound quality on multi-FX units. Mostly because there are few things sold that don't sound good (the internet is brutal about such things). I once did a gig with three M13s under my feet side-by-side as one unit. It was stunning to look at on the dark stage, and looked like I had the Deep Thought computer at my command.-_Daniel_

[@Philippe44]

Daniel makes sci-fi soundtracks disguised as promotional videos

[@sweetwater]

Hi Philippe, check out the sci-fi soundtrack we made on the next video: Pedals to Make Your Guitar Sound Like a Synth kzbin.info/www/bejne/bauUe6hvl856kKc

[@edsknife]

I immediately thought of Metroid Prime

[@edsknife]

2:47 sounds like Phazon Mines and 4:34 sounds like Space Pirates

[@MeanderingSlacker]

Let's be honest that's all synthin is. Some times it is dancing robots other times it is the void of space, but it's still sci fi

[@montxsuz]

Sweet. Plus a ehx Ring Thing not mentioned above ;) I might have to get some of that.

[@BillyBatsonMarvel]

A brilliant way to get the sale numbers up , keep these type of videos coming and take all of my $$$... 💵💵💵

[@jorgefpramos]

The thing, for synth users it is best to use eurorack modules to flexibility and portability.

[@danielmiyahara320]

I have a Qchord which is unlike most other instruments but I find pedals to be perfect for it, especially with delay and reverb

[@oscillated139]

superb demo. Thanks.

[@qaisbenjamin8238]

I love what u do, keep up the good work, I had many questions about this and as if God knew what I was thinking u had put it on, thank u Daniel Fisher,

[@bunkerz5326]

Greatly inspiring. I am not able to work out how all these are interconnected. Can anyone explain what needs to done to create this set up?

[@sweetwater]

Hi BUNKERZ53. I simply connected the Audio Out of the synth to the Input of the first pedal, whose Output was connected to the Input of the next pedal, and so on. The only change is that I put all of the stereo pedals at the end of the chain so that I could connect the Left and Right Outs of each stereo pedal to the Left and Right Ins of the next pedal. The final stereo Outs were connected to the Left and Right Ins of the video camera. Thanks for watching! -_Daniel_

[@reviewerman9786]

This is incredible. Idea pump. Thanks.

[@graphene1487]

I keep referring back to this bid. Great info and advice

[@josebonetto]

Great explanation, very clear, thanks for this !

[@MichielvanDort]

Nice vid. My first thought was, why I would want external effects for a lot of things my synth does on it's own. But I see. My second thought was about funding...

[@elmortobeats5919]

Michiel most analog synths don't have fx.

[@analogsynthplayer]

Inexpensive casio through those pedals would sound good. Good video

[@MadelnMachines]

I'd love to see you do more of these kinds of videos with new and different pedals used with synths. I like that you kept the synth sound simple and did it in a really methodical way. I have loads of DAW effects native and 3rd party but I want more hands on tweakability and something in dedicated hardware. I'm not sure whether to get an all in one solution - something zoom g3n or line 6 m13 or helix LT? Whether things like the strymon big sky and timeline are really worth it? Whether to just build up your own individual pedals into a collection instead? Love your moog one demos by the way - more please!

[@Iain0101]

Nice! Makes me want to buy pedals now instead of more synths. Reminds me of years ago when I borrowed my guitar players chorus for my Juno 106 and turned it into a brand new instrument.

[@sweekycheeks]

Awesome instant effects gratification. I use an old casio 1000p though a kaoss pad mk1. It transforms its bland soft mono sound into a stereo atmospheric monster. Might look at getting a couple of these pedals for my Korg Z1 for a complete picture. Great demo. :-)

[@harmenvlies]

Nice!! Maybe also adding A/B switch pedal?

[@mago777]

Extremely well done, great content very informative interesting and educational, I've always used synths and midi controller keyboards but I had no idea you could do all that with pedals! Also great video production too, more videos like this please! 👍😃👌😀

[@elmortobeats5919]

The ring thing sounds so freakin awesome! I need it for my moog 37 😁👌 buying on in 2 days. Thanks for the great demo.

[@RestorationsFOD]

Wow those ambient sounds are just gorgeous! The exact sound I aim for in my darker DnB textures. Thanks for the info!

[@lennartverhoeff]

Awesome video! I've got my Minilogue running through a Kaosspad at the moment, but am looking to get some discrete pedals so this is great :) Liking the look of that Ring Thing pedal.

[@fabiangunnarson4855]

Awesome presentation! I have the same Flashback Delay and Looper pedal, and I REALLY would like to know what ping pong setting you are running! I feel like the installed ping pong does not offer the same width of the panning. It seems you are loading it from a custom tone print, and I would love to know what it is!

[@jeffbrown897]

Currently using a Chroma console , syntax error 2 , Bygones , and a Colour Theory for samples and synths ...

[@electricblade5]

The doctor who reference was unexpected but appreciated.

[@PedalsFusion]

Great video guys, thanks !

[@kgbinfo]

incredibly helpful video, Demon Dan! (I came over here from the Moog forum). I've got a DX-100 that I usually drench in effects before anyone hears the sound of the thing, so I'm always looking for pedals that will work well with it. I don't often find something that sounds bad processing synths, but there are definitely pedals that do it better than others... That Ring thing has me GASsing hard right now. Maybe I should just order one right now...

[@CSCOTTNYC]

Awesome video! Getting some more Pedals asap.

[@freeelectron8261]

Thanks Daniel - great sounds!

[@tremolo664]

Cool! Any upcoming videos like this with the Korg Monologue? Thanks.

[@Hexspa]

3:29 "can use a 9v battery". I'll say. Sucks 'em down like a drowning sponge. Make sure you disconnect your inputs (or is it outputs) on battery-powered pedals.

[@786itube]

It will be interesting to see a comparative review of the same pedals being wired in series as is, and in parallel

[@RyanWright]

I've got a Novation Bass Station 2 on the way, and have a Helix. Me thinks it will be a fun combo.

[@MadelnMachines]

What's the best way to record synths with pedals since many were designed for guitar signal rather than line level? Are there any issues or things to bare in mind to get optimum signal?

[@sweetwater]

Hi Made in Machines. I've been using stomp boxes with my keyboards since the mid-1970s. You definitely can clip their inputs (and not in a pleasing way) if the output of your keyboard is too high. But I've found that keeping your keyboard's volume slider at around 75% works just fine in almost all cases. Thanks for watching!

[@MadelnMachines]

@@sweetwater Great, no problem then.

[@ld8341]

Thank you, what a useful review. I've been struggling through reviews of guitar pedals trying to work out how they might 'synth' together. I now have some idea of the creative potential of each type and their cumulative effects. Quick (lol!) question, since it seems like most budget synths skip the all-important effects outputs to make a tune into characterful music, is there a single desktop effects box that would combine these for synths, or a set of Eurorack mods for instance? I was looking at the Mooer Ocean Machine as one possibility, though even that's clearly a guitar-oriented device.

[@Fmgangbanger]

thhhaaaaank yoooouuu i needed something like this for quite a while

[@paro80]

i am hipnotized by the superego !!!

[@ebeep]

Nice! I've been waiting for this! My gigging synth doesn't have effects and I don't want to bring a rack of gear or a laptop.

[@dj4che]

I didnt even know I wanted any pedals til this passionate adorable old dude showed me I did.

[@antiHUMANDesigns]

That "Ring Thing" seems useful. Might get one, later on.

[@thedrumunkey8582]

I just want to throw a little thought in here... things get exponentially more interesting when you set this all up with multiple pedals on individual sends from a mixer, but DONT use returns. Instead route them back to their own channel on mixer so you can THEN send them to other effects. Unfortunately you need a mixer with more channels than you "need" to get a lot of sends... but I think the behringer headless mixers like the xair allow some crazy routing but have not bought one yet to find out. Or.... to just experiment, pick up a cheap iOS interface and play with ToneStack to see what you like before you buy hardware equivilants..

[@SailfishSoundSystem]

The BOSS and the TC sound great.

[@breslin44]

Any tips on getting the full value of fx pedals with stereo in/out? From several stereo output synths at the same time. Is there some sort of patchbay configuration that could do this? A vid on something like this would be great.

[@breslin44]

Think I'm gonna get a Mackie vlz4 1642. What about using it's groups as stereo sends for example?

[@sweetwater]

A stereo Group sending to stereo effects, then brought back to a stereo Return, is a great way to maintain the stereo image of both the effects and the source.

[@monogramadikt5971]

ive got so much in the box at home but more and more i want to start playing around with hardware, just looks like too much fun yeah