Is Chorus Totally Rubbish Or Do We Love It Really?

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In this episode, Daniel and Mick reappraise the not-so humble chorus pedal and what it can do for you. They also touch on flangers (missus).
Is it horribly out of fashion, or is it a staple that must be on every board? Where should it sit on your board? What happens when you add overdrive? Daniel and Mick bounce between the walls of the questions with the help of…
• Original Boss Chrous Ensemble
• Boss CE-2 (Keeley-modded)
• Electro Harmonix Electric Mistress Flanger
• VFE Choral Reef
Dan is playing his Fender Custom Shop ’63 Telecaster, Mick is playing a Collings CL Deluxe. The amps are a Two-Rock Studio Pro 35 with 1x12 Custom Zilla cab (Celestion G12H-75 Creamback) and Marshall JTM45 through a Marshall 2061X 2x12 cab (Celestion G12H-30 Anniversary speakers).
As always, TheGigRig G2 is controlling all the effects and amp routing and switching effortlessly.
Enjoy all this wobbling and shifting!
For more on TheGigRig see www.thegigrig.com

[@McGuire40695]

I must be crazy since Chorus is my absolute favorite FX pedal of all time.

[@grimlyfiendish7474]

Ya ain’t alone brother!

[@BerndThomasSchuller]

F*ck it, I'll admit it, I love chorus!

[@TheJeffcurran]

I had a CE1 back in 1983. You cannot imagine how great it sounded with a BC Rich Bich doubleneck played through it using the 12 string neck. It was a million miles wide and deep.

[@makkietakkie]

Chorus has been one of my main effects ever since I started getting into the electric guitar. Love the lush sound it has to it, perfect for tunes like The Smiths.

[@benspicer7470]

Johnny Marr sure made chorus sound cool. Love The Smiths!

[@BEFEGE]

The chorus is awesome with The Smiths songs.

[@makkietakkie]

+BEFEGE I second this.

[@robcerasuolo9207]

Headmaster Ritual! @v@

[@mykelc205]

Gospel.

[@BloodOnTheTracks_trbl]

Johnny Marr used a Roland JC-120 on their early recordings, so if you want exactly that sound either buy a vintage version of that amp or get a Boss CE-1. Tad bit expensive I'm afraid.

[@christianc9409]

John Seabury waza craft is more affordable with updated electronics

[@sonic7184]

Does anybody else think Chorus sounds watery? In my head Chorus flows like a river. Just like delay bounces like raindrops on the ground. Or maybe I'm crazy :P

[@iandoesallthethings]

Maybe you're a synethete.

[@sonic7184]

Ian Edwards I looked up the definition of Synethete and I don't think I am.

[@TannerGr8rix]

Sterotypical chorus always makes me think of water because a chorus effect was used for the theme music to a water level in Super Mario 64. I can't even shake that sound memory!

[@sonic7184]

Tanner Greatrix Music Super Mario 64 is one of my favourite games of all time.

[@AslanW]

Same here.. But that's probably because of Nirvana's "Nevermind" album cover and the fact that "Come as you are" was pretty much the first record I heard with a riff with a lot of chorus

[@MusicMan642]

Alex Lifeson uses a chorus live to make the guitar sound thicker to cover the multi tracked studio trickery. However the 80s killed it for me.

[@jaydnturley1948]

He used them a ton in the studio too. Flanger/chorus tones make up a lot of his sound!

[@michael_caz_nyc]

I Love Alex Lifeson. He is an Amazing Guitarist. One of my Idols.

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

I love chorus, can't help it, I just think it is awesome. Loads of top guys use chorus, Lifeson, Zakk, Timmons, the list goes on and on.

[@daveriff5792]

That middle, bridge section before Lifeson's ride in "The Trees" (Hemispheres) is pure magic because of the chorus... takes me right off of this earth! Just as one example of quality chorusing.

[@daveriff5792]

I agree! Then again, unlike most these days, you obviously have no attitude on 80's music. One must be open-minded in order to truly enjoy something!

[@joecritch]

These guys are big fans of the 'knowing look' and generally love a bit of eye contact.

[@sealteam608]

Lol I noticed that too... I left a comment then scolded down and seen yours... funny observation

[@70mcnevin]

Nice when two people know what they're talking about. It's rare. Most times in life it's one half knowing idiot, and the idiot who believes him.

[@mojoteq]

Giggity

[@markemma5]

I discovered you two about a month ago and I’ve been bingeing ever since. So informative and interesting, and when you crack each other up it’s just fantastic. Best info on pedals on the www.

[@phawinp]

you forgot to stack them all !!!!

[@ITheFight]

just ordered my CE1! wow what a great demo. this is probably the most honest channel out for gear.

[@nazmoking3171]

I appreciate this channel and how you guys examine the different characteristics of the various pedal types and how they can be manipulated! Gives us great usable ideas.

[@BasementShopGuy]

This show is A-mazing. One of a kind, with superb brainpower. Well spoken hosts (who have great chemistry) and in depth reviews showing not only pedal features, but how pedals interact with guitars and amps. Love it!! Suggestion for video: Envelope Filters (hint, MXR).

[@philiphopper4885]

You guys make it easy to be a kid again when playing music. Love your joy for music and love this channel! Please don't stop.

[@ronlight7013]

I bought and got rid of two choruses, the EHX Small Clone to which Dan referred (too synthetic sounding and not at all versatile) and the Joyo chorus (too muddy). I now use a wonderful $65 Mooer Ensemble King.

[@PhilHeesen]

I have been looking at a lot of chorus pedals online recently so this episode came at a great time! Definitely want a CE-2.

[@DoomedDawn]

Great stuff. I am really enjoying your videos and find them very usefull. Entertaining and educational at the same time. Oh, and the guitar tones the tones... So big thumbs up for Daniel and Mick. 👍👍

[@ArgentPure]

I actually really liked the chorus into the overdrive!

[@stuartbegley2085]

Another great vid guys, like how Dan actually explains the electronics of everything. Always interesting. Cheers!!

[@foggydrifty]

Thanks for such a great recording on the guitars, really nice quality!

[@ryancoveyduc9160]

Giant steps are what you take ... when you take in a master class of knowledge from Daniel and Nick. Great work again guys!

[@PaulGrahamGuitarst]

I love chorus effects in tasteful amounts. Keep the depth down a bit and the rate slow so you can just hear it in there thickening with some shimmer and its awesome. You could use it quite often clean or even with some dirt. Of course if the song calls for it, crank it.

[@flatsix666]

Best show on the www. Well done guys!

[@TheGigRigDaniel]

+flatsix666 ah, cheers mate ;)))))

[@liam421]

Great video as usual and Chorus is beautiful! Thanks guys

[@vk3fbab]

another great video guys. keep them coming

[@martb8022]

Love these guys. Look at how happy they are just geeking out on pedals!

[@stuartnarduzzo4868]

Another great show guys! A chorus pedal (Cosmichorus) made it back on my board over the last year and I love it!

[@chrisharringtonguitarist]

Can't believe I only just found this channel, love it!

[@DrDavis77]

Awesome show guys. Love my Small Clone - even if no one else does! Well done and keep up the brilliant work.

[@DomSchu]

I love a light chorus over my clean tone.

[@elonmush4793]

Some chorus makes me comfy but too much chorus makes me uncomfortable.

[@android199x]

Good for rythem 80's sounds

[@gabrieltudor6165]

Love the show ! Keep it up guys !

[@LysanderLH]

I think we should pass a law which states that ALL Chorus pedals should be a watery tropical blue, Flangers a rainy grey-green, and Vibratos a mercurial silver. Thanks.

[@kylelikeskjvbible]

+Darryld1 I've always seen phasers as green and flangers as purple sort of like how Boss PH3 and BF3 are

[@LysanderLH]

@116619063929999262p119 goes without saying that phasers are green and delay is black.

[@dannybrazen]

+Karl Beerman flangers SOUND purple to me. or have i just been conditioned by the manufacturers?

[@LysanderLH]

dannybrazen I think you're just being obtuse. Phasers are brown, Flangers are greeny-grey!! Get with the plan! It's loose cannons like you who start wars!

[@harrysouter2304]

+Darryld1 delays are white , reverb is red , wah is black , boost is bright green and distortion is red , black and white stripes

[@walkinginharmony]

Micks face glazed over when you explained how the chorus worked! Then he beams when he hears something cool! Great show guys you work well together and explain things very well. How about a show on attenuators/powersoaks?

[@sifender56]

Great show as usual guys!

[@Amy-wg8md]

Just started this after watching the later chorus vid. You guys look like you get more sleep these days, it's good to see :)

[@ehambright]

Yes!! Another killer video you guys rock!

[@robpags]

I look forward to your videos every week. Thanks.

[@Murry_in_Arizona]

17:18 caused a flashback to my childhood and late 60's morning and afternoon tv gameshows.

[@Rikk303]

Great demo guys.

[@orbitalchiller]

You guys are funny, yet relevant. Always a pleasure to watch your show. :)

[@christopherkelly2]

I thank Mac DeMarco for my love of chorus and vibrato. I went from guitar to synths- and love the 80s sound for synths but it wasn’t until Mac that I really fell in love with chorus. It isn’t for everything but when you want chorus - it really works for a sound.

[@waynewhiteside]

I had that Boss pedal in 1976, then I went and bought the Roland Jazz Chorus amp. I was in love with that sound back then. Great show guys. And yes, I am that old. lol

[@jatin7361]

Nothing will ever pry the CE-2 off my board. So many classic tones in that box. Keep the quality shows coming, gents.

[@aidanfl]

Does it sound like Brian May?

[@PaisleyWilde]

That CE-1 is really something else. Absolute quality.

[@JamesRussoMillas]

I've always loved chorus, no matter what the 80's and compressors may have done to it. It just makes the guitar sound HUGE.

[@andrestrat]

Very useful. Thanks Guys

Great video again, Thanks. Especially love that Daniel's T-shirt design is based on the Sinclair ZX Spectrum.keyboard layout:)

[@alexmurphy5289]

Alex Lifeson is the reason I own a CE-2W, but it's also just an amazing pedal anyway 😊

[@NinetysixTele]

The multi chorus fx on the Möbius and Ola are amazing.

[@christianboddum8783]

Best thing that happened to Chorus pedals was the mix-control, saved the Chorus from extinction! Love my CH-2, but it is too wet. Recorded chorus gets old really quick. A drummer friend of mine pointed out that you should avoid recording with chorus, for that reason, and he was right. I have recorded with really great rock tone, but the Chorus destroyed the directness, and can't be undone.. also things that messes with pitch is, for the most part, to be avoided (in order to have precise hearing of pitches). FWIW

[@rodgervanraalte3953]

There's something about the sweet sweet sound of an EHX Deluxe Electric Mistress. Gets me every time!

[@Ghonosyphlaids]

No need to defend chorus, guys. If it's good enough for Johnny fuckin Marr, it's good enough for us.

[@shckltnebay]

When Dan says " isn't it amazing" just makes the pedal that much better.

[@VERBANDTREM]

Another perfect episode! Dan you've inspired me to get a Tele! I'm going to go play with my CE-2 now.

[@aviator_bryan]

Walking on the moon. I geeked out a little every time you played it. :)

[@clusterfucktheory]

Great show. 'Metal Box' by PiL is a great advert for the Electric Mistress, too!

[@FilipeDiogo49]

you guys made want a Boss CE2 ...... i jumped on ebay to get before the video was finished....!!!! cool video guys

[@electrum218]

Best show on the net by far, keep it up. Another reason to look forward to Fridays! Well strange, spent the day dialling in chorus, Leslie and tremolo amp tones then caught this show! Chorus is NOT dead! How about a show on amp effects? Different amp effects, a real jc120, various 60s vintage amp tremolo types, vibratone etc....

[@digitaldilema]

Great show as always guys. Yep reminds me of the hole created by selling my JC-120 really awesome amp.

[@alexey7459]

Alex Lifeson and Andy Summers; My favorite guitar players and the gods of chorus/flange.

[@michael_caz_nyc]

2 of My Favorites - too.

[@allfortonechannel8979]

Amazing every time!

[@Ben.Morrison.]

Brilliant!!!! My No.1 KZbin channel - love you guys great stuff!

[@johnroberts838]

Brilliant demo, love my Chorus. Thank you.

[@Rockbanden]

Hi guys ! I love your "shows" . Not only informative and filled with great points and tricks but you are great are entertainers :o) I got a lots og inspiration from you guys. Thanks, keep posting.... and let me please get your comments on the Strymon Olá. Thanks.

[@p_1210]

Essential for 80’s covers! Chorus and compression on a clean tone is glorious.

[@coupe-lee]

John Scofield actually maxes out the controls on his CE-2 that the guys thought was so funny. It's actually really cool for funky leads and helps cut through the mix with the dissonance it adds.

[@lance134679]

You guys were getting some awesome, classic modulated sounds! That said, I haven't used Chorus since the mid '80's.

[@thomvogan3397]

Pedals are like songs, only the great ones get over-played. Never throw one away because it is at the moment considered dated, just wait a couple of years. Everything old becomes new again.

[@user-cq8xm7jp4v]

I find the "interesting" tee shirt Mick is wearing inappropriately hilarious, when Daniel is explaining how modulation works while Mick is nodding his head like "Yeah interesting". :o) Great by the way always a big fan of the show!

[@MichaelCoughlanmusic]

Love my Boss Chorus Ensemble CE-1! Still the best chorus known to man. Love the look on Mick's face when he hears it for the first time!

[@Claviceptic]

Actually bought a CE-2 recently and have never been more adamant about the decision. Absolutely beautiful sound.

[@lespeol]

Dat ce1. So impressive! So good!

[@christopherbrown5278]

Great video guys! Even though I predominantly play bass and produce that was really informative and musical. You crack me up! Be great to see you do a video on Strymon Timeline tricks and tips. I know it was featured in the Delay episode but it's such a deep pedal that shows up all over the place. Be neat to hear about what you do with it. Thanks for what you do.

[@mbosch1970]

Great show again!!...really enjoyed it, you guys are great and really make my friday!!....if you ever thinking of doing a part II on chorus pedals and/or rotary effects (the latter I hope you'll do sometime as well!), why not try the classics such as the Arion SCH-1 or EWS modified SCH-Z (Mr. Landau!!), Ibanez BC-9 (bi-chorus....great for those Scofield-type sounds) or Analogman (mini) Chorus...cheers!

[@stiffrichard2816]

So many demo videos of players misusing chorus pedals, enough to make you feel sick. You need to have a good ear and just set it for a 12-string jangle type thing or a wide doubling effect. If it can go fast enough, then a Leslie sound. Yes, you can make a sea-sick warbly vibrato sound but again, you have to have a good ear and not overdo it.

[@70mcnevin]

Dan's playing was amazing in this video. He's a modulation man through and through. 😎🤘

[@saustindavis]

I thought the chorus into the overdrive sounded really good! I've always said that I don't care for chorus, but I've been considering something subtle recently. Bands like The 1975 use it exceedingly well, so now I kind of want one.

[@anarchocommunist9154]

Chorus into overdrive sounds much better than the other way around, in my opinion. Alex Lifeson got some great sounds that way.

[@TheGigRigDaniel]

+S. Austin Davis yeah, I love chorus, phase and flange before my ODs, it seems to integrate and sound more natural

[@saustindavis]

+Daniel TheGigRig Exactly! To me it sounded very lush rather than swirly or overly detuned, which is what made me shy away from chorus for so long. Y'all have me wanting a chorus pedal for the first time in almost 10 years!

[@orlandol5470]

+Daniel TheGigRig What chord is that u play at 7:14

[@HitmanJenkins1]

Chorus into overdrive is one of my favourite combos! Another one is phaser into overdrive, I think modulation effects in general just sound nicer when placed before dirt pedals, they don't sound as overbearing, which is great when subtley is a key part of your sound.

[@castleoflions9958]

Caviar sandwiches!!?! haha. is that a thing? As usual, fantastic show guys. Someone get Mick a real bell before he hurts himself.

[@KAISERSIGMAX3]

Just...........LOVE this channel!

[@Redhotchilipprs]

I love chorus man!..it's one of my main effects

[@KAISERSIGMAX3]

Impossible not to smile while watching you guys.

[@yagoravell7944]

Great show, Dan a question for you, how the CH 1 from Boss stands if the others Boss chorus, for me sounds completely different from the CE line...

[@noisyneil]

John Scofield used Boss chorus on A Go Go. Made me enjoy the sound again!

[@Kiko_C]

Great video. Thanks guys. The Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble looks nice and affordable.

[@timothysavage4958]

What are the knobs set to on the Electric Mistress? Had no idea that was what Andy Summers used. Sounds great!

[@ModNicGuitars]

Really like the before drive and after drive part. Do that for everything!!!!! haha

[@PinkertonsThe]

Great show! I feel chorus have been trendy for a while now. With artists/bands such as War on Drugs, Mac Demarco, Kurt Vile using it quite a bit. Maybe not in a way that screams CHORUS!, but it is in there, adding colour.

[@maxsalasr]

I have always loved an used a chorus pedal. It's always in my pedalboard and almost can't do clean sounds without it. Also when I do solos, it widens the sound a lot, ala lukather, but the good era, not the overly modulated signal of the early 80s , more like the early 90s. Chorus with low rate and high depth does it for me. Currently using the Tc electronic corona chorus. Good and not expensive. Thanks for this episode guys, I loved it

[@andrewparfitt5899]

I love these you both do a great job. Im revisiting the 80s!

[@Fsuholley]

Just got a Keeley Seafoam and it is amazing. Thanks for the chorus show.

[@Fsuholley]

Seafoam plus.

[@kclawrance]

Me too, isn't it amazing if you look up pg perks review he explains how the bottom left button is a trem only when to the left and chorus when to right

[@cabbycabby1770]

Can't jam along with my favorite 80s songs without it. Must have!

[@BumbiPuck]

which pedals do you use in the start of this video? :) the second one sounds absolutely mint!

[@dacrowster]

That is the best recorded guitar sound I have ever heard on KZbin! So fat and thick ! Bravo²

[@CorbinMatthewsMUSIC]

Fun show!

[@Goth108]

Stereo chorus forever! :D

[@superpunx2599]

Cheap alternative to the Choral Reef is Nux Chorus Core(Tri-chorus) also rebranded as Donner Harmory. Just got one and loving it.

[@angelvargaspartida1891]

John Squire used the Ibanez CS9 in the first Stone Roses record and it sounds like pure heaven.

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

Seeing as you established in a prior episode that the correct plural of fuzz face is "fuzz fi" - I assume, by implication that the plural of chorus would be "chori"?

[@chrisbailey556]

So just watched this and bought a better chorus Ce5 (only other chorus I had was a behringer which being the pedal snob I am was of course not on my board). I have also purchased a new isolated power supply because of your other video. Thank you for giving me evidence when I'm questioned on where my money has gone. "See Dan and Mick said it was essential."

[@dannybrazen]

that CE-1 tone is GIGANTIC