Intelligent Harmony Machine VS Quintessence: Which Wins? (Harmonizer Shootout)

The TC Electronic Quintessence and Electro-Harmonix Intelligent Harmony Machine go head to head in this detailed feature and sound comparison. Which one wins?
Thanks to Sweetwater Sound for helping to make this video possible. Affiliate links to both pedals:
EHX Intelligent Harmony Machine: sweetwater.sjv.io/7555Ly
TC Electronic Quintessence: sweetwater.sjv.io/9gggxy
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Bandcamp: chordsoforion.bandcamp.com/music
Bill's signal chain: (Sweetwater Affiliate links, see disclaimers below):
Ibanez QX54QM Guitar: sweetwater.sjv.io/oqqqob
Heet Sound EBow: sweetwater.sjv.io/JzrR5a
TC Electronic PolyTune Tuner: sweetwater.sjv.io/q444Ag
D'Addario XPND 2 Pedalboard: sweetwater.sjv.io/rQQQGD
Wampler EGO Compressor: sweetwater.sjv.io/PyyyVX
Strymon Riverside Overdrive: sweetwater.sjv.io/eK4mZO
Strymon Iridium: sweetwater.sjv.io/5gb402
Morley Volume Pedal: sweetwater.sjv.io/LXXXx0
TC Electronic Ditto X4 Looper: sweetwater.sjv.io/m555oe
TC Electronic Flashback Triple Delay: sweetwater.sjv.io/Wqqq6e
Strymon BigSky Reverb: sweetwater.sjv.io/KjjjZe
Focusrite Clarett 8Pre USB: Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/anRm7M
iZotope Ozone 9 Advanced: Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/ZQb17k
Video Chapters:
0:00 Shootout!
0:12 What is a Harmonizer Pedal Anyway?
1:00 Let's Compare the Features
3:24 Some Big Differences
4:31 Minor 3rd Harmonies in C# Minor
6:49 Major 3rd Harmonies in C# Major
8:04 How Do They Sound with Delay?
9:13 How Do They Sound with Distortion?
10:55 How Do They Sound with Distortion & Delay?
12:08 Perfect 5th Harmonies in C# Minor
13:36 Polyphonic Pitch Shifting, TonePrints and Custom Modes
16:54 OK, OK! Which One Wins?
Chords of Orion - Ambient guitar is life
Bill Vencil - Guitars
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Sweetwater Affiliate Disclosure:
Chords of Orion is a participant in the Sweetwater Affiliate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for Chords of Orion to earn fees by linking to sweetwater.com.

[@karlboman]

I prefer the cleaner sound of the TC here. It also sounds like it tracks quicker and with less artifacts on sustained notes.

[@michaelhmiles]

Noticed that as well, the tone of the EH is also brighter.

[@phillosopherguitarist2673]

I am usually into EHX but the modes knob is simply a better option than just a major/minor switch. Probably through bias the EHx wins soundwise but featurewise the TC - they should team up and combine those pedals. I personally don't care for stereo options. In the studio you can double your licks dry/wet and live, the mix knob does the job completely for me. Thanks a lot for the comparison work!

[@JarkkoKokkonen]

In case this is a deciding factor for anyone considering the electro harmonix; You can get all the scalar harmonies from the EH pedal by learning the key signatures. D Dorian, E Phrygian, F Lydian etc are harmonically the same same as C major. So you can get all those harmonies by selecting the corresponding major or minor scale.

[@DelScully]

man you truly are one of the best reviewers on youtube! Love your playing as well and you just seem like a genuinely good human. wishing health and happiness to you and your family!

[@asynchronicity]

I really like the way you play these pedals!

[@paulsimmons5726]

Brian May in a box, LOL! The problem with both of these is that they require the user to select the exact key for best results, obviously. That will eliminate the local shredder from just playing his best licks without knowing where he's headed during his "journey" up and down the fingerboard! Oops!

[@livingthedream137]

Fantastic video and channel. Very helpful thanks. !

[@Emily_M81]

The TC seemed to track better to me, especially prominent on faster parts. Thanks for sharing! If I had to pick one, it would be the TC pedal. The EHX isn't bad-sounding per se, I just think the TC edges it out on pleasantness and tracking, not to mention the customization options. Lol, it depends, the classic and often correct answer. I know someone that makes dice to roll with "it depends" on every side XD I'm bringing this next thing up because I know you like baritones, Crimson Guitars is building a baritone live on his channel and donating the money from raffling it off and from channel donations to the British Red Cross (the UK government is matching such donations). I can also delete this part of my comment with no hard feelings if you feel it doesn't belong.

[@livingthedream137]

I do agree that the TC tracks better and it’s great to have all the modes. However, one big advantage that was not displayed is the EHX can basically do a capo mode up or down by the use of the polyphonic override. In theory you can instantly drop tune your guitar or give it a virtual capo to go up. Don’t know how well it works considering it didn’t track as well as the TC in harmony mode but that could be a game changer.

[@MarkdeManbey]

Great demo - thanks

[@MustafaAldhaheri]

Thanks for the time and effort to make such a nice video. I would however put the EHX after the TCE as the late one has a True bypass so the signal wont change. On top of that I wish that every pedal or amp compare should have a looper as the first pedal to make a guitar loop and change pedals, amps, setting... etc. to make the comparison 100% perfect. TCE has slightly more natural sound and less noticeable latency as well as it is a fully digital pedal with an editor Application plus it can be further enhanced with firmware updates.

[@McGuinty2]

I’m glad I watched this first. The fact that you can select all modes in addition to all keys on the Quintessence makes it the clear winner for me. It also helps that I already own a EHX Pitch Fork so I don’t need that extra but cut down functionality from the IHM. The tracking seems a little less glitchy on the Quintessence as well (although that little bit of glitchy-ness on the Pitch Fork is part of the appeal for me as I bought it as a less fiddly and smaller stand in for a Digitech Whammy)

[@martijn_yt]

The mode switch should not have to be a deciding factor. You can also harmonize in all modes with the EHX: if you play in C , choose 'key C' to play in Ionian (or minor) mode. Choose 'key D' to 0lay in C Dorian mode, 'key G' for C Myxolydian and 'key A' for Aeolian or minor mode :)

[@christophergarbutt6233]

Loved the Wishbone Ash reference. The pioneers of twin lead guitar. Massively under heard and under rated! Sounds awesome.

[@peteracosta744]

Excellent video… Thanks. Quintessence hands down!

[@gcroteau7226]

thank you so much, great demonstrtation

[@mr-nr4td]

you can see the twitches when the mushroom residuals are kicking in.... definitely gonna be the market for this .

[@iamgodbringmecake]

Ooo this is gunna be a good one. I had the quintessence and now I regret getting rid of it. It sounds the best harmonically and tracking-wise. But I’m pretty sure the EHX did better with the low C

[@DanielPestanaTranslations]

Although it’s a pitch shifter with less features, comparing both to the EHX Pitch Fork, the Pitch Fork sounds so much better. Those seem very glitchy. Thank you for the review.

[@steverherb]

The TC is clearer, but the EHX sounds more natural to me

[@haliaeetus8221]

I have the TC and agree.

[@gregfranklin1243]

EHX one has such a digital and artificial thing going for it, but it also feels a bit more harmonically full for some reason. The TC sounds really organic comparitively, at least to my ears.

[@samseitz9937]

I really liked that last sound from the TC. I’d love to hear you use that in a song.

[@jonathanfrieze8497]

i think thin lizzy is the greatest under rated band incredible deep cuts there dual guitar harmonys were stunning such a fun band cant wait to get one of these i have a digi whammy but i dont think its can do what these can not that i would get rid of it i cant even get rid of pedals i never use need to fix that great video thanks chords of orion

[@dgittelson7]

Excellent presentation

[@macsarcule]

TC seems tighter, or maybe less “scrape-y, clicky” high frequencies. I have a Quintessence on the way and wanted to see if I was missing out. 🙂 TC’s interface feels simpler for me too. I also liked when your delay got a little darker later on, maybe more analog delay vs tape delay sound? And I like the TC mix knob to try to hide that poggy / organ tone. Great video, Bill! ✌️😌🎸

[@legends1979]

I've owned the EHX Intelligent Harmony Machine. Promptly returned it due to power issues, got another same thing. It glitches out and has a very unique voltage requirement , and even when you use the supplied wall wart it can still have issues. Buyer beware

[@brianfergus839]

Same issues here. Very disappointed in the EHX unit. I’ve had two konk out on me in six months.

[@waynecristaudo7220]

Same problem plus I think the pedal not great

[@anthonyansell1430]

Had that problem with ehx ocean 11 too So annoying

[@allandalesizemoreandthelos4016]

I’ve had that with a few pedals. Pitchfork. Bass9 etc

[@mattruscio1001]

No problem here with EHX, but I’m using a good power supply: CIOKS. Always make sure you supply the pedal with it’s required needs. I use to run a brick (DC brand) and a voodoo power supply, always had issues with different pedals.

[@RUHDD4HVN]

No noticeable latency on the TC. The EH while sounding good tends to have a bit of a pre-delay effect to a small degree. Think bathroom acoustics (not reverb but the echo) with the EH. A little latency can have a positive effect when wanted as per dueling players tend to do.

[@fabiofernandes8562]

software A short delay is possible via the toneprint software

[@malcolmgordon2988]

I’m a bit of an EHX fanboy, but in this case, I think the TC sounds ever so slightly better… a bit more natural sounding to my ear.

[@ReplbliSCUMSareSICK]

Reliability is important to me, that being said, I would NEVER OWN ANOTHER "TC Electronic" pedal EVER AGAIN!

[@citizen303]

The TC's signal sounds distinctly more compressed and synthetic to my ear. The EHX is darker on low notes, but overall more natural sounding.

[@haliaeetus8221]

You are correct. I know cause I own that TC pedal.

[@popsplace0420]

Ok Bill.. This head to head sparked some creativity and whacko stereo signal path routing. Guitar, compressor, light drive..ABY... L) Mimiq, Quintessence, Roctary, Duotime, Illumine, Amp 1. R)Mimiq, Harmonizer. Poly Blue Octave fuzz, Duotime, Illumine, Amp 2. It's Nuts; and super wide. Dry Dry is a DSL 20 / 2×12

[@adammindykowski6984]

I have to declare a conscious bias insofar that I expected to lean towards the EHX. However, to my ears the TC sounds slightly more focused with a tighter definition in the harmonised note. Also, I really like the detailed adjustments available with the mode and Tone Print functions. That said, I wonder what the EHX would sound like with an acoustic guitar (assuming no tracking issues)? I think the broader tonal response of the EHX might suit the equally broad frequency range of an acoustic. It may be worth giving it a go with the Godin sometime. Anyway, two really interesting pedals and a great shootout Bill.

[@cthncthn7405]

The TC is more transparent. The EH sounds artifacty, or at best chorus-ey. Artificial. The TC just sounds more like multiple guitarists playing the harmonized part perfectly-ish. This is what I needed to know, thanks. And this was an EXCELLENT review! I love the delayed harmonies on the TC

[@Waldek.k]

A very good comparison. Personally I use G-Force TC electronic is the best.

[@nathanmielke1977]

I think the EHX had a better tone to my ears, the TC tracked better and has more features. I'd like too know the price difference, if the TC is cheaper I'd probably go that route, however I did like the tone of the EHX better overall. Price is my factor when looking at gimmicky pedals for that one song.

[@kingstumble]

The EHX is approx 50% more expensive---in the UK at any rate.

[@roycefaina1438]

EHX sounds sharper and more focused with tone and sound to me.

[@haliaeetus8221]

I own the TC and it doesnt sound like a guitar. More artificial tone than the EHX unfortunately.

[@JeffHendricks]

Fascinating!

[@rmp5s]

Pretty amazing how far tech has come. They sound basically the same, as they should. I didn't notice any tracking issues or anything. Cool!

[@niaralosusa]

...strange artifacts with the EHX on the low C-sharp...sounded way too artificial for my taste.

[@ajsuicide9490]

I think the Quintessence is a bit more, I think it is more true to tone in the sense that it sounds like the EHX alters or buffers the tone a slight bit and the Quintessence tracks better and has hardly any delay whatsoever or at least not one I can hear or notice but the EXH I can hear the delay a bit even though it is so short. The Quentessence harmonized notes sound dead on the same time as the guitar where the EHX sounds buffered or like there is maybe a capacitor on it somewhat. IDK, the EHX has a slight bit more options harmony wise from the pics I have seen of the two pedals. It's a tough choice but I think I will go with the Quintessence to be honest. Great vid and comparison though. Also, awesome channel. I have been subscribed to it for a while and your vids are great. So keep 'em coming!

[@micahflanders6789]

Have you tried the Meris pedals? The Hedra, Polymoon, and Mercury7 in particular would feel right at home on this channel (unfortunately they’re pretty pricy at $300 each, so I won’t be getting them anytime soon)

[@nickcook3948]

The TC definitely has lower latency and seems to track better.

[@simaojoseph]

Nice to see the 5essence come out for a ride. Was it my audio or are you overloading somewhere in your chain? Really like the 5Essence has the other modes to play with.

[@Hauge24]

For a Opeth fan as me I think the TC is just perfect for those beautiful harmonies

[@kisskisskill404]

TC all the way (I'm bias as i've reviewed this and own it and LOVE it) On my review i had a lot of people complain that their tone SUCKS! basically because they placed this BEFORE the distortion - This is fine if you want - TC can also change into a poly pitch shifter in the edit mode. the MASH button can make it into a DIVE bomb or Whammy effect too! really really good! I'd love to play with the EHX one day too! Great review - subbed to check out more!

[@mattgilbert7347]

How do you turn it into a poly pitch shifter? I have enjoyed the dive bomb/whammy effect using the MASH switch, it really is great fun :)

[@sagespane7617]

Great video! Did you use the harmonizers before or after the distortion? I didn't really catch that. I was toying with the idea of getting the IHM as an allrounder pitch pedal (I'm a new to these pedals) but the Quintessence is a strong contender there's something to the sound which makes me question whether I prefer it over the IHM. However as you also said in the end I think the IHM is the better choice for me if I want a versatile pedal for both harmony and pitch shifting. Also, I'm almost a bit shocked how good the Quintessence sounds here and how much I disliked the Brainwaves in your other video (it sounded very shrill to me) Is there a big sound quality difference in person? Keep up the great work!

[@chordsoforion]

I normally prefer pitch shifting after the distortion. That way it sounds more like 2 guitars.

[@Patrick-857]

Either way is good. They produce very different sounds. I will say with any digital pitch shifting device, before distortion makes it more organic, and hides the digital sound, after distortion makes it cleaner and more distinct, like Bill says, like two separate instruments. They are both cool.

[@mikesmithwick1570]

Great comparison Bill, I've been waiting for this! I have one question though that I've not seen asked yet....I have the Quintessence and love it, but it really struggles with acoustic guitar, have you any advice on this, or is it just not designed for use with an acoustic pickup?

[@chordsoforion]

That's a good question Mike. I have not tried it with acoustic guitar. I bet it depends on the type of pickup system you have and where you have the pedal in the signal chain. It def needs to be a clean strong signal into the Quintessence. For example, I would think that you would want to put the Quint after any kind of acoustic preamp (if you are using one).

[@mikesmithwick1570]

@@chordsoforion You're right Bill, it varies a lot depending on what guitar I'm using and what the settings are on the Zoom A1X Four I use as a preamp....paired up with my Tele though is a whole different ball game!

[@DelScully]

get a boost pedal if it needs more output from certain pickups!

[@magicg8112]

Both of these pedals sound to me like they suffer from the same problem as other harmonizes. That problem is that there is virtually no attack on the harmonized sound. What you get is more of a straight frequency that does not sound like a natural instrument is playing the harmonized note. They have their use as an effect pedal, but really don’t sound like two guitars playing harmonized notes.

[@nojeshei]

True. But these are just toys. No one uses these in studio and when used live no one in the audience thinks theres a second guitarist... cause there isnt. But its a cool toy for a cover band.

[@yunamadsimackomen881]

In my opinion, the Quintessence Harmonizer sounded a bit more natural with the dry-wet knob at noon. The twin harmony did not interfere at all with the main signal, as a matter of fact, its volume was slightly lower than the main. The Electro-Harmonics pedal had a… kind of unusual EQ boost to the harmony part. It boosted the higher frequencies, and possibly lows as well. Overall the harmony sounded brighter than the Quintessence. This is the only difference I heard, which I am sure could be further mitigated by turning the dry-wet knob. However… I don’t know about that EQ-boost that that Electro-Harmonic does. Since there are no EQ controls on the pedal, I doubt the boost will go away by turning the dry-wet knob. And to be fair, this boost is a good thing: it allows your harmonized signal to penetrate through the mix better, especially in the context of a live performance. Great for solos. The Quintessence, on the other hand, sounds “unedited” and more natural with the harmony engaged, which is not bad either, because here the signal brightness depends on your guitar tone. When it comes to the options of scales and modes, the Quintessence obviously gives more options to harmonize. As a guitar player, I like to experiment with modes, and therefore I would appreciate that. If you, let’s say, don’t know what the heck modes are, and want to play basic major or minor riffs, that’s fine too. In that case, the Electro-Harmonix will make it simpler for you. Lastly, the price aspect is a little annoying to me, as we ideally shouldn’t judge the equipment based on the price, but how well it does it’s job. Uhhh…. My wallet is not inexpendible, however. So I think with the larger variety of options when it comes to harmonizing, more natural sounding harmony, the ability to select a custom scale/mode, and a cheaper price, I would go with Quintessence.

[@alexnicolas7]

Cool video! I am the only guitarist on a band of three and I wanted to create cool harmonies all by myself, so I watched many videos and found your Tc Quintessence Review. I love that pedal, still hard for me to use it ( since I'm not a musical theory expert, but this pedal motivated me to learn more on it). It is cheaper, more flexible and sounds just a little bit better for me than the EHX. But what sells it to me is the toneprint. I even use it to record some "bass" parts, making it do me some 8th below and putting the mix knob all the way up.

[@kisskisskill404]

I stick a TC Nether infront of mine and my WORD it sounds thick!!!

[@alexnicolas7]

@@kisskisskill404 I thought of buying the nether aswell, glad you like it!

[@kisskisskill404]

@@alexnicolas7 it's not the best at tracking but for what I use it for (chonky riffs) it works fine! and it cost about 40 bucks.

[@alexnicolas7]

@@kisskisskill404 yeah, Tc pedals are really affordable and they do their work, I bought their Iron curtain Noise Gate around that price too, 36 euros, that's crazy. The only thing I don't like about the Quintessence is that looks a little bit like Squidward to me 😂, the nether looks cooler to me in that sense

[@kisskisskill404]

@@alexnicolas7 googly eyes already purchased to complete the squidward look! 😅😅 that's fucking brilliant!

[@McGuinty2]

Transients especially sound cleaner and better defined to my ears on the TC. The EHX seems to have a sort of upper harmonic aliasing on lower notes as well? I don’t know, they both seem like really good pedals in their own right

[@useme2305]

i'd love to see the EHX IHM vs the Meris Hedra.

[@thepricillove5244]

They're both using the same processor chip. The same as the eventide pitchfactor. Either way either will do

[@EthanRMus]

awesome demo! for anyone debating features like me - the TC's mode selector is actually useless I believe. say you wanted to play in D# phrygian, you dont need a mode selector with a phrygian option, you can just set it to B Major and it will function exactly the same. as long as you know the relationships between the modes, you dont even need a major or minor toggle, you could get all the modes in all 12 keys with just a major mode. toneprint stuff is a big plus though if you want more than the standard heptatonics

[@danieloren6109]

Yeah I have the quintessence and while you can do most stuff with relative modes, it’s super handy for any exotic scales or things like the melodic and harmonic minor.

[@manny75586]

The TC sounds a bit like someone with a wah pushed a quarter forward while manipulating a volume pedal or using a smooth gate. The EHX sounds a little more like it's chorused. Has a bit of that warble to it. Both sound like they track pretty well, which is great. I remember ages ago you had to spend thousands on an Eventide to get performance anywhere near this level. Both of them seem worth a go. As guitarists, we all know damn well we're going to buy both of them haha.

[@goldenboy8167]

I have the TC. The TonePrint feature is nice as I have one of the selections set for an octave below and another set for an octave above and below. Eliminates the need for me to have an octave pedal. And the having the modes to select are great. However, I personally don’t like TC footswitches. And in rehearsal situations turning on the TC sometimes has a perceived volume drop so it would be great for a future version to have a output knob to boost the signal a bit.

[@javiceres]

I think you might be able to set the output with the editor software

[@goldenboy8167]

@@javiceres Thank you. I will look into that

[@reverendtos4271]

Exactly. I like the sound and capabilities of the Quintessence, especially the ability to send the harmony note to the other side of the stage. But the footswitch is awful. I usually have a 60% chance of it working when I hit it. I'm probably going to stop using it live :(

[@goldenboy8167]

@@reverendtos4271 I just realized that the Quintessence could go in a loop pedal, then it could always be on and the loop would be the way to activate/deactivate the effect.

[@reverendtos4271]

@@goldenboy8167 Holy crap I never even thought of that lol. I'm running it with an Ampero stomp so I could do that 😅

[@sterlingmcvay2469]

Also, I heard a little hint of a King Crimson RED toward the End - consider doing a piece with Bass, Drums, along with it..?

[@azurduy117]

I can't hear a noticeable difference. The TC unit would win thanks to Toneprint and MASH-the added performance possibilities feel quite handy (though the EHX polyphony might be tasty depending on the context too).

[@TheModmc]

love the functionality of tc electronics but to me the ehx sounds better....cant they do a joint operation pedal pls

[@andrewjaman4697]

It would be cool to have an intelligent harmonizer pedal with presets, if you play or improvise over key changes.

[@fabiofernandes8562]

The TC has the mash and the 3 tonepints that work as presets

[@jgreat4785]

Which one of these is easier to use live for basic maj / min 3rd harmonies? Is one faster to dial in than the other?

[@KarlDemo]

Does the TC have Some kind of natural compression? Anyway, i like it a lot.

[@kingstumble]

When you are stuck with a fixed interval it's never going to sound natural. I used to have the Boss Harmoniser and just could not get it to work for me.

[@autistichead8137]

I own an EHX so I’m biased in that I already love it to death.

[@andyryder5287]

The TC is tighter and hard synthlike-no bad thing. The EHX is saggier in a good way more sloppy character as is typical with EHX stuff. Both pedals are great. All depends on one’s taste and style. What’s the price difference! All good.

[@user-mw5sy5xm7y]

Hello . How do you play in the TC Electronic when you play a spaniol scale for example : you play 4 notes in 3rd mode = E / D / C / B , you get G > F sharp > E > D . ( wich is a minor scale ) How can I get 3th voce like this = G > F Sharp > E > E Flat ? ( like a major scale ) ( SOULD BE LIKE IF I PLAY THE CHORDS E m , D , C , B ) I would greatly appreciate a detailed answer. Thank you

[@reneraymond7807]

Bravoooo!

[@MrRob33]

Iron Mained has my favorite harmonized leads

[@geraldhector2743]

Is there a battery in the IHM ? I have but I’ve never use a power supply with I just plug it in and go ,can someone tell me.Thank you.

[@blasperez7764]

Pitch/Harmonizer pedals need a tone knob just for the wet signal. The EHX has that weird zingy artifact that a tone knob or hi/lo pass filter could cure. Is there a pitch pedal w a tone control???

[@spaceted3977]

I like the Electro Harmonix best !!!! I already have an Electro Harmonix Organ Machine and it's Amazing !!!!

[@garthmoore]

Agree with commenters here on the TCE. The EHX is too chimey or bright for what I prefer.

[@tonesofhome69]

I listened thru my headphones. There's tiny buzzing sound at the end on the TC. But it's just my ears I suppose..

[@lnlnd]

If I would need a pitch shifter, I would get a pitch shifter. In terms of harmonization the Quintessence is more flexible (thanks to Toneprints) to me. In terms of sound they do sound close but different, and Quintessence sounds less muddy and cleaner, though I heard some slight artifacts of pitch shifting which were less prominent with the EHX pedal. But I would stop on TCE, because sometimes, I play stuff in unexpected modes (mostly preferring Harmonic Minor/Phrygian Dominant), so to be able to use a harmonizer in that case I need to be able to set a custom mode.

[@TheFlutecart]

Sounded like the TC was losing it on the bottom register stuff and the distortion. The EHX has the Pitch Fork/pog mode, a big plus.

[@herokillerinc]

Roland aria E-4... made for voice I guess but it has a quarter inch input jack... Absolutely the wickedest harmonizer I have ever used

[@Elazarko]

Very interesting! I'm trying to figure out what pedals I should buy. I want to start with one or two pedals to use with my digital piano, for piano and Rhodes sounds. I've started to watch a bunch of different reviews and demos and I realize Delay and some kind of Harmony pedal are high in my priority list.. obviously a "microcosm" or "Shallow Water" would be nice but I'm not quite sure they would be the right choice in the beginning. Out of all the pedals you ever heard, is there any stereo pedals you would you personally recommend specifically for piano and Rhodes? I (try to) play mostly Jazz, funk and fusion stuff like Vulfpeck, Cory Wong, Scary Pockets. Also I'm wondering how does the Electro Harmonix Pitch Fork compare with the Quintessence? Thank you so much!

[@Elazarko]

I very much value straight forward, easy to use with great tactile experience gear.

[@Elazarko]

Hey, any suggestions?

[@chordsoforion]

I don't have any as I am not a pianist. That being said, my good friend Caleb Nei makes good use of the Strymon El Capistan in his piano music: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3K7mHt5mLmraLs

[@terrysmarina1737]

I'm looking for something that will let me play double or triple leads like Boston or the Do Bees

[@sterlingmcvay2469]

Do A 2nd Comparison, this time Use 2 Amps, One Unit to an Amp, using the Full Stereo Mode on the TCE, and try some Varied Harmonies (Per Pedal) that will Work Together, perhaps Loews Order On One pedal to Higher on the Other. The EHX is a bit Warbly to me on the Harmony Sound? Can you dial back the amount of the Harmonized Pitch to fix the Latency or Warbly Part. I'm planning on getting a Harmonizer, so I'm researching which I want. The TC seems a Little WARMER in Tone and better Harmony Pitch, to my Ear. The Boss SY-1 is my next purchase, before a Harmonizer, though and probably the INFINITE also Before.

[@oceanfiretv]

oceanfiretv 1 second ago OK my question is what kind of compromises do you think the TCE Unit made to be able to engage the polyphonic pitch shifter mode? It doesn’t seem too far off from the pitchfork. Your mission should you choose to accept it: How about doing a video that compares the pitchfork with the TCE unit in polyphonic pitch shifter mode?

[@chordsoforion]

Which TCE unit are you referring to? The Quintessence does not have a polyphonic pitch shifter mode. The Brainwaves does though, and I have compared it to the Pitch Fork in another vid.

[@bretthake7713]

Hello, I am considering a very specific use case and I'm wondering how either of the key/major/minor/mode options will work if I were to always input the exact same key - let's say open C for example... Will adjusting those knobs change my key to something else entirely, or does it simply change the key of the harmony notes only and play them (potentially the wrong key) on top of the C tones being input? Not sure I'm explaining it well, thanks in advance for any info!

[@ValirAmaril]

its the latter, in case you're still wondering

[@bretthake7713]

@@ValirAmaril thanks for the info, I had never found a solution. Unfortunately I am searching for the first effect (full key change) not the latter effect (harmony change)

[@ValirAmaril]

@@bretthake7713 so, shifting all the notes by a selected interval? I'm doing that with a digitech the drop pedal. it's like a £120 capo lol

[@jimthecraftyguitarist878]

In a band context I think they would be indistinguishable.

[@chordsoforion]

Fair point!

[@MrSneaksful]

$100 difference between the price too.

[@manperm7760]

Has anyone had any experience with either in an acoustic setting?

[@basilwhite]

So if I set either of these pedals to C Major, and set the doubler to add a third above, it will play a major third or a minor third depending on what note I play; for example, if I play C, E, or G, the pedal adds a major third, and if I play D, F, A or B, it adds a minor third, correct?

[@chordsoforion]

Best way to know how the Quintessence will calculate the notes is to look at page 6 in the manual: mediadl.musictribe.com/media/PLM/data/docs/P0DDK/QUINTESSENCE%20HARMONY_M_EN.pdf The IHM seems to generally follow the same calculations.

[@tzenobite]

can you use it for make chords? a 3th and 5th?

[@AmerikkkaGuitars]

Amazing video, was stuck on which to purchase but I'm probably gonna buy the TC version because I can add the Harmonic Minor scale. Seems like the poly is nice on the ehx but keeps the same interval, which makes the notes out of key and is more of a one trick pony. Eventide quadravox is so much powerful but is only software based, the hardware version probably way out of my range.

[@kisskisskill404]

Agreed this is SUCH a good video - There's a detailed review on the TC thing on our channel but I reccomment subbing to this channel if you haven't already - Always good details

[@Damianlkh]

My thoughts exactly. I use harmonic minor and a couple other scales pretty regularly(you know, cuz metal) and the TC clearly tracks better in general, both with faster and lower notes

[@AmerikkkaGuitars]

@@Damianlkh Yeah definitely tracks well and it has 125/250ms delay also. I do wish you can create your own scales, you have to use the scales TC made patches for.

[@martijn_yt]

If i understand the theory correctly, the major/minor switch as well as the 'mode' switch are essentially unnecessary, as these modes are all versions of the major scale, but with a different 'starting' point. Would be more interesting if the switches could be used to choose non-major scale modes :)

[@arno-luyendijk4798]

Boh. This is a difficult one. I prefer the TC on one thing only, that the bypass switch can be used as an expression means, like what I am used to from my Hall of Fame 2 pedal.

[@albertopeixoto]

What type of weird sounds can you make if you run them at the same time?

[@kisskisskill404]

Ohhhh Let's take the 2nd out (harmony only) into the other pedal to create dual scales!!! That would be MENTAL and I must try this!!! (TC owner - LOVE it - tracks so fast)

[@Billkwando]

Give this man a Gonkulator!

[@manixsage8706]

What about the New Behringer octave Divider?

[@VoiceOfGood]

They both sound pretty good .. I'm kinda' likin' that guitar ..

[@Estudio_Quesney]

Nothing would make me happier than seeing you in a jam with Don "Fuc@%€" Carr

[@KarlDemo]

The toneprint-option is the decider. The TC wins.

[@shanejb2121]

Late to comments here, but I find there's a slight latency to the EHX, and it struggles a bit giving a slightly glitchy performance. The edge goes to the TC imo, but I find both pedals over compress the hamonized notes over the unaffected ones. I've been looking for an alternative to my currently problematic Eventide Pitchfactor, until I can get it serviced, but really, I don't think you can beat Eventide. Maybe a better choice to get a Pitchfactor, or H9 second hand as the tracking, tonal character, and true to performance dynamics are just so far ahead of the game even today. Again, just my take. I'm sure in the right setting, these could both be useful.

[@balderfanini]

I cant get any of these to do thin lizzy tho? Why?

[@LuMagazine]

Half the FX palate on the EHX require 440 tuning, which cuts out those of us who like to tune down to 432. Otherwise the rest is sweet indeed. Have not tried the Quintessence, but does it also require 440?

[@chordsoforion]

I suspect it does. I do not see an option to move the tuning baseline to 432.

[@Fffects.Demons.Demos.]

Bill is a god or possibly god with that beard!

[@BonafideToolJunkie]

Has a lot of potential for video game theme songs.

[@EricTheCleric93]

If I know nothing of music theory, would it be a waste to buy one of these? Specifically, if I have no idea what key I'm playing in.

[@GuyIncognitoFR]

I plan to use my ears and trial and error.

[@mattgilbert7347]

TC tracks better, but the EHX has a POG-like thing going on which is quite charming. Digitech Harmony Man FTW!

[@buttfacemcghee]

Is it just me or do both of these have a super digital sound? I was on the fence about investing in a harmonizer, but if they sound digital (almost to the point of light fuzz), it’s probably not for me. Or is it be a the guitar is tuned so low?

[@MickeyDs14]

The best harmonizer I’ve ever heard is the Digitech Harmony Man. But it’s discontinued, so it’s hella pricey and you have to hope the power supply doesn’t crap out.

[@dimitrisnanos1940]

Can you, please, compare them to Whammy 5?

[@fco2172]

you should do the Boss PS-6 Harmonizer