The Rack Chorus Shootout

[@IoannisHealingMySoulOfficial]

sorry but this super flame mapled guitar has stolen my attention so what this very beautiful brand?

[@BigHairyGuitars]

:). Shabat guitars. It's a "Shabat Lynx". shabatguitars.com/lynx/

[@BrandonBames]

Man, that Fulltone is about the best chorus I’ve ever heard. Incredible

[@lorenmorgan1931]

It's really the best rack chorus ever made. I used to have one of them, and I had a Peavy Adverb III rack that digitally could almost nail it (with a lot of programming), but until IK Amplitube 5 and TH-U added this model, then there was nothing modern digital out there that can comprare. I think Eventide does have a Triceritops pedal that is affordable that can do this and a little more now though.

[@McLeanAB88]

Love that you threw in "Time Stand Still"... HOLD YOUR FIRE is one of my favorite RUSH albums and saw them on that tour... TC1210 and Dimension D were in full effect!

[@pcbullets8726]

Some great sounds out of all of these choruses. The Stratish guitar you are playing really makes these effects shine. All 3 together is definitely the best sound!

[@Cpt_Adama]

Surprisingly the Boss Dimension C holds it own against much more expensive rack modules.

[@JesseJuup]

And the Klark Teknik dimension d rack is close to the original.

[@chiricm]

I thought it sounded great honestly.

[@_mysilentblue2227]

Right, back in the day I would have skipped it because it was not a multi FX box & no tweakable controls, young and dumb. Today I kick myself looking back to the 80's and not buying 2290 & a Dimension, also the Mesa 20/20.

[@adlegol]

How is the headroom on the KT?

[@POGFROGULPOP]

Michael, I love the INXS "I need you tonight" intro comparisons. TC Electronic 1210 nails that particular sound. Everything else sounds rather flat in comparison. I've got a 90's TC Electronic Stereo Chorus + Pitch Modulator & Flanger Pedal I'll now need to drag out to do that INXS Chord vamp, to see if it gets close to the 1210.

[@FlashGrover]

Yay for INXS

[@gregboboski9904]

I like how you're not always just schilling a product but also interesting inquiring minds want to know kinda stuff, thanks! [ and the 80's was good times and rack pieces are not evil ]

[@gregboboski9904]

@@stephenfrancis303 Might still be a.f.a.i.k there are a lot of audio addictions, how much is too much compression? If you want to reveal someone ask them what makes a good producer? Everyone has an opinion but the answer is dependant on what the muscians need. Some of the pedals these days are so digital I think why not just get a multi effect rack or you can buy eventides pedals 1x1 until you've paid more than a used harmonizer but it'll be a long time til 2080 then who knows!

[@RJRonquillo]

I'm partial to the fullness, or the full tone, of the TERC.

[@user-ql1pc7pi9x]

I liked all of them. Time Stand Still is also such a beautiful chorus soaked song. I was just sitting here playing that song myself 👍

[@jasonstone1046]

So many riffs, so little time. Enjoyed the clip immensely Michael.. Inspired me to throw on Tales from the Bulge.

[@fixpedalboards1969]

All 3- definitely all 3, I have a soft spot the TERC because I might know the champion who made the chassis…However being old enough to remember when these weren’t nostalgia I remember lusting after the TC. Awesome as always!

[@Yupppi]

Yup, Fulltone Tri-Stereo any day of the week. Stupid delicious. When you switched to distortion and Les Paul, it didn't matter which one you used for chorus, the core sound was so good.

[@eoinjennings519]

A follow for time stand still and my favourite effects ! Have just been working on settings on my plethora for various Rush tone eras - have the dimension d as well

[@dcdno_one2393]

I always thought the Scholz Rockman Stereo Chorus halfrack was among one of the simplest (one shot wonder) and best - 80s and not 80s at the same time...

[@nikolavuksan2029]

Man, the fullltone has sooo much depth!

[@adlegol]

And clarity, and headroom.

[@DavidMorley]

I adore my tc1210. Just sounds fabulous on guitar, keys etc. Also love the chorus/flanger/pitch mod pedal. But that trichorus sounds fabulous

[@isaacjohnson.]

So many great chorus sounds! Love it. Great job Michael.

[@Peter_Stoops]

LOOOVVVEEE THIS!!!! - 80’s throwback chorus tonefest!!!! - The fulltone is stunning!!!! The Waza is awsome as well, and the tc is cool in its own way….👍👍👍

[@mentoneman]

sweet vid brotahtoes! if i’m being honest, the recent rockman rack demo you did had an overall better chorused clean in the sound you got on that video than these demos, but i’m a huge fan of absolutely CLEAN chorused cleans with no grit. i do hear a diff between the TERC and real TSCs too. still i really loved hearing these top dogs back to back and appreciate the work you put into this-mahalo!🤙🏽

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Thanks. I don't disagree with you. There's something about the sum of the parts creating the whole sound that works. Having the super clean with ZERO muck in the sound lets the chorus really bloom.

[@mentoneman]

@@BigHairyGuitars yes! you and Leon Todd are my 2 fave rack gear demo guys. he too seems to enjoy some gravel in his fractal clean tones which makes it a little harder to hear exactly what the pure effect sounds like. 🤙🏽

[@clownhands]

I have the dimension C waza. In the effects loop of SLO-100 with a buffer it gives full-on Clapton 24 nights tone. I love it.

[@wakjob961]

Shiva Devices (RedSeven Amplification) had an amazing Dytronics clone called the "The Wave" rack chorus.

[@KalosPVP]

That's the most eye catching fretboard I've ever seen.

[@michaelallen8223]

The TC 1210 sounds best to me. I like that it doesn’t take over your tone.

[@_mysilentblue2227]

Thumbnail, Topic & Mike = Instant 👍

[@SDH2023]

Lots ‘a tone there. I liked the TC mojo the most, I must confess. But the Dimension C pedal brought its A-game to the party. Think I need one of those. 😁

[@TheRude42]

Love the Rush nod ❤️

[@ginoames]

I rediscovered chorus over the last year or so. I kinda stop using it all together in the early 90's and just started missing that sound. I keep it to an MXR pedal and just add a smidge. PS- super props for the Time Stand Still riff. Awesome.

[@tomwyant9532]

I learned that my Sweetwater bill will never be paid off. And I need to practice more.

[@donewithmodernlife]

I feel you on that one. Worst thing I ever did for my savings account was get a Sweetwater card. At least I only buy stuff on no interest specials. 🤷‍♂️

[@ExplosionDestroyer]

Love them all equally. Great video.

[@tonictonetomrockstar1931]

nothing like some Rush and that chorus, love it!

[@andrewbettis4247]

The Dimension C sounds great for being in a small pedal format.. btw the fretboard and neck of that axe is beautiful

[@Twobarpsi]

Like a glazed donut!

[@BlugubriousMusic]

I know I am supposed to comment on how one chorus did such and such and and the the difference in the watchacallit and impedence of the so and so is all whatever... truth is, I just love the video. This is like asmr for me. So, for video's (content's) sake and my sanity, thanks.

[@kylecoffey6010]

Excellent Video as always Mr. Nielsen! So Chorus has a long rabbithole for me & after years & years of drooling over the ever unobtainable Tri Stereo Chorus I was sooooooo disappointed when I finally got one (Fulltone's Version) Even after using for a couple of years I finally realized that just don't like Tri Stereo Chorus. It just isn't me - disclaimer - Fulltone really nailed the sound IMO but I'm just not into the whole TSC thing as much. Love my 1210 but my all time fav of the chorus bunch is the H3000's micro pitch shift sounds (patch #519 I believe) & the evergreasy Yamaha SPX90's #15 "symphonic". I even prefer modulated delays over strait chorus but that's just a matter of taste! Love this channel - best gear demos on the net!!

[@bigdavedave9865]

The TC is that INXS sound for sure. Dimension D sounded killer with two amps to me 😎

[@EddieVanAidan]

I love my Dimension C! Only downside is it distorts very easily in the loop of my Kemper, so for higher gain stuff I have to fiddle with the amp volumes. But the tone makes up for it!

[@Telorchid]

I'm finding 'effects loop distortion' an issue with my DC-2w and others have as well. I wish these had a bit more headroom, but they do sound excellent.

[@EddieVanAidan]

@@Telorchid yeah happens with my CH-1 as well. I just turn down the amp section volume on patches that I know I'll use chorus on, annoying but it works.

[@danielhenry4614]

Are you referring to the waza dc ? I’m about to pull the trigger I will use it in the loop with mostly hi gain and some clean

[@hawg427]

That guitar neck/fretboard is super sweet.

[@Twobarpsi]

Like a glazed donut 😃

[@johnsaras1]

You can’t demo different choruses without an Alex Lifeson riff🎸👍

[@stevie..d..charvelman4543]

I personally like the Synergy-2 rackmount preamp with the Marshall 800 and Plexi Module setup. I would my Marshall Jmp-1 rackmount preamp for the Synergy setup. Great video, keep up all your great work my man.

[@OnfloorAudio]

Imo .... the TC was it for me , honorable mention to the Boss Dimension C & D settings . Very cool demo . I kinda like the " From the hip " demos.

[@roscius6204]

One whole rack space for a chorus shows how fundamental the chorus sound was to that era. In reality most decent chori?? will give you what you need in a mix unless you're absolutely looking to nail it. I blew my CE2 recently 😩 and mostly have just been using the Timelines chorus hack.

[@Gorbyrev]

Time Stand Still & Close Enough, serious musical taste buds at work here Me Nielsen!

[@malevolentsound]

Damn something great about that overly processed TC sound love it

[@kalebaldwin5398]

Eric Clapton used the original Tri-Stereo Chorus in lieu of the Leslie for a few years (Journeyman era). He had a rack full of stuff, including the 1210, 2290, SPX-90, and a couple of other things, but his tech said the Tri-Stereo Chorus was pretty much all he used.

[@Twobarpsi]

The finish on that guitar is making me hungry for glazed donuts!

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Haha

[@Morte_Deus]

DUDE, i was just looking for a comparison on these! I used to own the 1210 and sold, yea i regret that one.

[@peterschaefer1665]

I really like the Allan Holdsworth method of using delay with 8 taps to achieve almost a very keyboard like clean chorus tone.

[@clarkrichardson949]

Agreed, huge fan of the Yamaha UD Stomp for chorus (and all the other AH patches) Kind of like a quad stereo chorus! Great show, thanks Michael!

[@Deadite8593]

Man I really enjoyed that Dimension C pedal. For me almost everything you showed here is usable, about the only thing I didn't like was the 1210 plugin. Maybe I'm not that picky but it all sounds pretty great to me.

[@rikkousa]

@Deadite8593 good call. I was a TC Electronic fan until I heard the Dimension C b2B. Both were excellent, but Dimension C gets it for me.

[@jayboy6895]

O boy I’m looking forward to seeing this 🤘 🙏

[@geoffreymerrifield5666]

I was impressed by the Boss Dimension! In a mix all is subject to change, but I’d start with the Boss.

[@vadlasletta]

I `ve got a terc/tri and a 1210. I like the preset mode the best. I like the tc 1210 for gainer sounds. If you combine the preset mode with pitch its THE sound. If you combine preset and manual mode on the terc, I would normally not use pitch. Oh and the TC tends to boost the signal a bit.

[@marcpendergrast5670]

Been chasing the 80s tri chorus tone since...the 80s. Im sure the Fulltone is the best re creation. Had the Eventide, Dimension D and loads of chorus pedals. The MXR 134 Stereo anoalog is "The One" I keep for the de-tuned sound. That in tandom with stereo delay really creates a lush image. Then I kick in an MXR 234 for actual chorus. Most organic way Ive found anyway.

[@PMiller3425]

I have a TERC which is great but very very wet. 1210 was my favorite. Dimension always has sort of a harsh ring.

[@PhilipValdesMusic]

"At least we weren't practicing" 🤣

[@christophergray42]

Nomad axxeman... Does the job nicely. 🤘🍻

[@b.scottfarthingsworth]

7:09 obligatory Dann Huff lick always welcomed

[@danilofaggiolino7125]

I do fu**ing need a TC1210 in my rack!!!!

[@JesseJuup]

Wow that Neunaber sounded great in there between the classic giants!

[@shakeyjonez]

Intellifex 8 Voice Baby!

[@dan_perry]

This! And to add, you can build some wicked chorus effects in the GSP2101.

[@Basedboomerchadbear]

Yeah brother!!!

[@kalebaldwin5398]

The STP sound. Candlebox too, I believe.

[@carlbrady6132]

I really like the tone of that strat. Went to check the specs on the Shabat website. There seems to be a choice of 3 different pick-ups. Do you know which ones you got? thx

[@StreetsOfVancouverChannel]

"DANN HUFF - THE INTERVIEW with Michael Nielsen" - Winter '21!!!"

[@peterschaefer1665]

Dimension has the magic...and stays cleaner for some reason.

[@ROKZLEON]

For me, it's Dimension, Tri-Chorus, and then 1210. Roland/Boss to me is the defacto Chorus of all choruses. But dang, that Fulltone Tri-Chorus sounds awesome!!! Thanks for the vid!!!

[@FtWayneIN]

Just a heads up. You folks might watch out for the ADA STD-1, and the Rocktron Pro Chorus. Both amazing units. Really enjoyed this video. 5 stars man! *****

[@greg4272]

I think a practical approach to test these against each other could have been, trying to achieve the larges possible chorus effect on each, that are still usable, without going int extremes.

[@vaughanmacegan4012]

You got pretty close the the Yamaha SPX90 Symphonic sound with the INXS intro comparisons.

[@Synth2000]

And Rocktron pro chorus

[@geezberry8889]

bought a Rocktron Prochorus. Any good? Supposedly a clone of the TSC

[@davidg.c.3887]

Dimension C the signature sound of Dann Huff, awesome.

[@fernandes5986]

I guess the Tri-Chorus excells in all situations. Btw I've read somewhere that the original tri-chorus is based on 3 Boss CE-2 in parallel, is that true?

[@ofethare]

We’re eating good today fella’s! I know that guitar vst company made the Yamaha Symphonic mode, wish it could just be a stand alone plug-in. I’d spend money just to get without anything else to cut down on potential DSP usage.

[@peevee605]

I miss the Eventide 949 plugin in and the H3000 in this comparison. That said the Fulltone unit is very rich in sound. And everything sounds great in the hands of the master.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

I was sticking with only ANALOG rack chorus’ on this one. But mixing an analog and digital chorus is a great recipe

[@peevee605]

@@BigHairyGuitars this was a great episode, I get the point. I have a modified Arion Stereo Chorus at home and the warmth from analog is hard to beat. Your channel is No1 of its kind as well, keep up the great work.

[@neonether]

I love my TERC. Sounds so damn amazing. Unfortunately that UAD plugin was disappointing to say the least.

[@brianhook]

Would be interesting to try some odder choruses like a synthoma elkorus (akin to BBD choruses used for string machines)

[@mikefrench2499]

Michael, did I miss something as the Roland D was mentioned (and shown), but never heard? We got the DC-2 pedal, is that exactly the same as the rack D, I don't know? I have the original DC-2 and the Waza DC-2, I also have the DC-3 (Digital Dimension), which are different, but there are 2 versions of that as well (Space Dimension, being the other), maybe that's another shoot out, all the Boss/Roland DC's. Let us know. Cheers

[@gainmeister4505]

They all sound good, I like the symphonic on yamaha units and the chorus on my lexicon alex isn't so bad either.

[@ayeapprove]

I mean the SPX Symphonic Patch in a pedal would sell like hot cakes

[@svenheineken8958]

Love the ABC of chorusses! Nice to throw in some plugin clones for those who can’t get their hands on the real deal... Would be interesting to know if you use both sides of the 1210 or one side in stereo?

[@BigHairyGuitars]

I use both sides. It seems more 80's decadent that way. :)

[@4GuitarTrance]

All great choruses, but NOTHING compares to the Dyno-My-Piano/Songbird/Dytronics CS-5 (all pretty much the same choruses) when dialed in correctly. They have a richness and a sonic atmosphere that nothing compares to. The Roland Dimension D was good too, but try finding any of them today without paying an arm and a leg for them. I have an original Dyno-My-Piano Tri-Stereo chorus. Nothing like it. BTW... the Neunaber Inspire was surprising... it was pretty rich and lush sounding. Thanks for the comparison. Fun!

[@kierenmoore3236]

Didn’t like the Fulltone, for whatever reason 🤷🏻‍♂️ … liked the 1210 best for what is really a stable ‘widening effect’, as you say. Have an old DC-2; have never tried the big, ol’ Dimension D rack unit, but would be very interested to. CE-1 and early/OG CE-2 (thick! and my first chorus [I remember getting one to cover Echo Beach in a party/dance band with a big brass section: talk about obnoxiously thick chorus, the way I had it set at least as a young player, lol], so undoubtedly biased) will always be ‘the’ chorus sound, to me, tho’. Great vid, as always - thanks, Michael!

[@heliobluesrock]

I thought that the three at the same time has some compression on it. Not sure if it came from the effects or the KZbin compression. Then, after listening to it, you said you used a compression pedal "time to time". The compression pedal was active when you played the three choruses at the same time, or the compression derived from the effects? Thanks for another marvelous video!

[@BigHairyGuitars]

I think the pedal was still going. I think.

[@donsmith5385]

It’s amazing how Roland micronized the Dimension D rack unit into a pedal, EVH used that before the Eventide, Steve Stevens as well, it’s all over Rebel Yell

[@kalebaldwin5398]

I've never heard of EVH using the Dimension D. He used the DC-30 Analog Chorus/Echo on Diver Down, which is a totally different thing. And the Eventide was used in the studio as early as VH II, for "You're No Good" and "Bottoms Up!".

[@donsmith5385]

@@kalebaldwin5398 he used it on Diver Down

[@kalebaldwin5398]

@@donsmith5385 Really? On what tracks? "Secrets"? Dimension D was 'the sound' (or one of them) back then, so I don't doubt it.

[@rockanthems]

Tri stereo blasts all of them way away

[@peterknicked]

The INXS riffs felt best with the 1210 or the Boss, but on the strat parts alone the 1210 seemed less good. Worked a bit better with distortion, but it seemed to eat frequency so to speak.

[@atiredblue]

Can you borrow a passion & warfare universe for a video? Please

[@cmath8577]

What about an AMS 1580S with the Chorus Controller?

[@niccolograndi4341]

will they be available in kemper profile? 🤘🏻😎

[@kjetilalexandersaltnes8643]

What about... TriceraChorus with detune..? Would've been a serious contender here imho. But to get the record straight.. The 1210 is just amazing. Again. As always. The TERC is great too. On it's own term. It's not a Dytronics CS-5.. Not a true clone in my ears. But it's quite close, and it's a more budget-friendly solution compared to buying a CS-5..😅

[@RichBischoff]

That demention c pedal sounds nice.

[@guitfiddleblue]

Curious your thoughts on the Strymon Ola, or the Mobius’ chorus?

[@johnneiberger]

Modes 1, 2 and 4 on the Dimension C: the loneliest modes of all. Have they ever been used?

[@BigHairyGuitars]

hahah

[@aristocaster]

Cannot believe, Chorus test without some version of Yamaha SPX?? 😀

[@BigHairyGuitars]

It was an analog chorus only party. :)

[@aristocaster]

@@BigHairyGuitars Oh, right.

[@Burkhimself]

The Yamaha SPX-90…..or was that just a Zakk thing ? Overall, I think I leaned liking the Dimension (pedal) a little more…..

[@BigHairyGuitars]

The SPX90 was huge, but it was digital. All 3 of these are analog chorus boxes. That's why guys would have one of these, AND and SPX (for example).

[@kalebaldwin5398]

The SPX-90 was used for a lot of things other than chorus. Mike Landau used it for pitch detune (which he called the "womanizer" effect), and a lot of guys used it for reverb. Mick Mars still has one in his rig, though I don't know what he uses it for. It was used a bunch for bass, drums, and just about anything else. And it was a fixture of PA racks. I was just listening to Ace Frehley's "Trouble Walkin'" album, which came out in 1989, and it sounds to me like they used the "Symphonic" patch for some of the guitars.

[@Telorchid]

Rick Beato says Andy Wallace used the SPX-90 on bass, in stereo, for a lot of mixes (e.g. Rage Against the Machine and Puddle of Mudd) to get a little width on the instrument. I thought I could find a link to post here but I don't see the particular video I watched. Taken down, perhaps? There are Andy Wallace mixing secret videos but I haven't watched them all yet. Reportedly it was also in the Edge's rig at one point for reverbs or 'symphonic', though I'd assume these were used on the Shimmer signal path only (AMS doing the actual shimmer and Yamaha doing stereo stuff?), which goes directly to the PA.

[@deanbibb3680]

Time Stand Still!

[@peterknicked]

ADA MP-1 has the overlooked chorus me thinks.

[@LightWingStudios]

Sorry I'm late to your vid...I'm using Amplitude 5 with the Fulltone addon....TERC, Tape Delay and OCD. It's the poor mans Landau clone approach. I don't practice either. I find that just Farking Around is more than satisfying even tho I get nowhere. :)

[@BigHairyGuitars]

NICE, sounds like a killer combination. I love IK stuff

[@abrackas1]

1210>TRI>Dimension

[@Twobarpsi]

1210 sounds great!

[@rombidaut1917]

SPX-90 ?

[@satch72]

every single time you switch to the next unit I think "oh my god that sounds better" But then you switch back and I think "no THAT sounds better. hahaha. I have the Dimension and Trichorus as plugins. Need to add the TC 1210...

[@dangolguitartech]

Really great video! Not sure if I learned anything or not, but at least I wasn’t practicing…🤠

[@Crazykiwi2]

It's a shame you missed the Roland Space Echo and Yamaha E1010. Although perhaps we should be grateful that the attention doesn't inflate prices like it has with Soldano and Mesa Boogie preamps.