Is Chorus Totally Rubbish Or Do We Love It Really?

[@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!

[@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!

[@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

[@BEFEGE]

The chorus is awesome with The Smiths songs.

[@makkietakkie]

+BEFEGE I second this.

[@robcerasuolo9207]

Headmaster Ritual! @v@

[@mykelc205]

Gospel.

[@Cour_des_Voraces]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@ITheFight]

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

[@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.

[@onesavedvoice]

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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@ArgentPure]

I actually really liked the chorus into the overdrive!

[@phawinp]

you forgot to stack them all !!!!

[@Ghonosyphlaids]

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

[@DomSchu]

I love a light chorus over my clean tone.

[@elonmush4793]

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

[@jcthemuffin]

Good for rythem 80's sounds

[@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"?

[@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.

[@alexmurphy5289]

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

[@ryancoveyduc9160]

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

[@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?

[@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.

[@alexey7459]

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

[@michael_caz_nyc]

2 of My Favorites - too.

[@keeffan49]

5:01 free love freeway? by David Brent and Foregone Conclusion, right?

[@TheGigRigDaniel]

Bingo!

[@RotoSphere]

+Daniel TheGigRig So the sound at 15:30 is chorus into overdrive, right?

[@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.

[@MNGuitars]

If you guys are in a modulation mood some other time maybe you could do the strymon Mobius up against some classic effects that it emulates

[@TheGigRigDaniel]

+M Naps yeah, modulation is a really good one to do the analog v digital A/B thing with. Good call ;)

[@MNGuitars]

Daniel TheGigRig yea id really love to hear how close u guys can get to the originals..i cant live without my DEM and small stone phase and a good clasdic trem but the space on my board... Lol well i just hope the mobius is that close then=)

[@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.

[@rodgervanraalte3953]

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

[@先生木子]

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!

[@PaisleyWilde]

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

[@flatsix666]

Best show on the www. Well done guys!

[@TheGigRigDaniel]

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

[@NinetysixTele]

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

[@clusterfucktheory]

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

[@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?

[@dacrowster]

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

[@RaphaelNano]

Why do I feel like these guys just went and made dirty love right after they finished recording this video? Oh about the video, Chorus is something I CAN'T live without, I never played clean stuff ( other than jazz and similar genres ) without Chorus, it's just empty.. got myself a Digitech HardWire Chorus, what do you guys think about it? It's the only pedal I tried and I can try, cause we don't have any pedals in Iraq I have to order them.

[@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!

[@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.

[@cocohall16]

The phasing from your mics makes your dialogue sound like it has chorus on it ;)

[@Redhotchilipprs]

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

[@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....

[@Murry_in_Arizona]

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

[@nephilymbass1]

I love chorus. I’m an 80s kid and nirvana hit right around the time I was really starting to pay attention to music. But over the years I’ve rarely had a dedicated chorus pedal on my board. Oh I’d record with a chorus pedal. But for gigging Id use another pedal to get chorus like sounds. Like a modulated delay with the repeats dialed out or a whammy on the detune setting. Let’s me keep the board size manageable.

[@samatkinsphotography]

Old Blood Noise Endeavors released the 'Reflector' chorus pedal recently which is a very funky modulated version....Maybe the revolution has already started!

[@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 :)

[@johnchase8510]

Big fan of chorus and flange!Flange uses negative feedback, which is what creates the comb filtering effect. Jack the feedback high enough, and you get the deep jet flanging effects. Ahhhh :-)

[@liam421]

Great video as usual and Chorus is beautiful! Thanks guys

[@christopherecatalano]

That old Chorus Ensemble sounds amazing. Delay, reverb guy here for most of the wilder FX in my chain, but lately hunting for that Cocteau Twin, watery and warmly lushness Holy Grail thing. The Walrus Audio Bellwether had it in the Mod, but I was a little underwhelmed by the delay darkness and clipping when pushed to cut through. I miss it. Maybe the DMM TT-550. Thoughts? Thanks.

[@chrisharringtonguitarist]

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

[@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.

[@shckltnebay]

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

[@angelvargaspartida1891]

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

[@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

[@Goth108]

Stereo chorus forever! :D

[@dnc1769]

It largely depends on how you use it. Traditionally, yes it's used to give a 'lush & watery' type of effect but if you turn the level/mix down to about 30%-40% and the speed to about 5%-10% , it gives you a nice bit of depth without going full-on.

[@stuartnarduzzo4868]

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

[@simo109a]

Where is the TC SCF? Best chorus IMO. 30 years and still in production.

[@dan_s_higginson]

Chorus is making a comeback. Go listen to the new title fight and ceremony albums.

[@TheGigRigDaniel]

+Dan Higginson yes!!!

[@fernieferniehaus]

+Dan Higginson And in a lot of post-punk stuff like DIIV or Warpaint

[@dan_s_higginson]

I haven't heard of either DIIV or Warpaint. I'll have to go check them out!

[@dan_s_higginson]

Great suggestions thanks fernieferniehaus!

[@OrestLubinets]

+Dan Higginson The previous TF album was much better. A great combination of nice hardcore/punk and shoegazzzey parts. Now it is too much.

[@DimiLeventis]

For some reason, I really like Chorus with Single-Coils, but I really dislike it with Humbuckers.

[@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.

[@Claviceptic]

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

[@alanbainbridge_tville_ut]

I just got the DigiTech Luxe and it's awesome. It's billed as the 'anti-chorus'. It mixes a detuned signal with the clean signal. You get that thick shimmery chorus sound with no modulation! If you do another chorus video you should explore this option (or something like it).

[@KennyBlue23]

Please tell me ... The Overdrive you use in this show... is it a pedal, and if so which pedal, or is it coming from one of the amps ? Thanks...

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

[@foggydrifty]

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

[@superpunx2599]

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

[@guidosmits5442]

I use Chorus on some clean verses in the songs of my band. Really like the effect, it sparkles and shimmers!

[@ebookpioneers]

Man we played through these things constantly during the 80's. Now I can't stand to hear them. I want to hear the guitar sound like a guitar.

[@DrDavis77]

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

[@urbanrunoff]

late 80's I traded my CE 2 for a tube screamer... biggest mistake of my life ;)

[@tonyz4292]

You guys ever do a episode about filters? Envelope vs resonance and how each effects the signal

[@rom661]

I love my Carl Martin Chorus pedal. However I play in stereo and have two settings; one a more typical chorus which is very rarely used, and one set so low that you don't really think chorus when you hear it. But it opens up the sound due to the very slight phase delay it introduces. Most people don't know unless it's turned off.

[@Victorbrotto]

Chorus: After Drive: 18:50 Before Drive: 19:35 Flanger: After Drive: 19:00 Before Drive: 20:11

[@stuartbegley2085]

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

[@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. 👍👍

[@p_1210]

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

[@ThomasMetal75]

Best use of chorus is Andy Summers.

[@justaregulargamerjrg46]

absolutely man

[@timgroves3606]

Robert Smith

[@BluesLicks101]

Robert Smith has some good songs - my band plays a few Cure tunes, but we play a lot of Police songs too and he's nowhere near the innovator with Chorus that Andy Summers is.

[@randocalrissian4520]

Summers actually used an Electric Mistress flanger.

[@thomg.2110]

His earlier work he says he used an mxr phase 90.

[@chr15tree]

Massive fan of Ann Summers, did I mis-hear that at 11:20? ;)

[@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

[@aviator_bryan]

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

[@CountFeedback]

Andy Summers used the EH Mistress a lot but also used the JC-120 chorus on the later Police records.

[@edovinus]

The Flanger story is an eye opener for me. How would you set up a flanger pedal to get close to the Andy Summers sound?

[@martb8022]

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

[@ScreamingTubes]

the BOSS ME-5 allows for its internal CE-2 module to expand into flanger for some great sounds.

[@middle_pickup]

Great sounds. Would have loved to hear a comparison between the Boss boxes and the Deco.

[@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

[@javiceres]

So the CE-1 here has the input modded? It really sounds like a dream... of course is all the components on the signal chain, from the hands to the recording

[@enricobarchi8892]

What song is the one you’re playing at 6:36? 👏🏻🎸

[@HitmanJenkins1]

I love chorus, I've got a Locobox Stereo Chorus that I picked up for about £40 last year and it's been one of my go to pedals ever since, running that into a Boss SD-1, and then into a Fender style amp with a Mustang sounds incredible, especially for 80s style Indie Pop and Post-Punk.

[@kendric_BUF]

Please do a show on pitch vibratos! Boss vb2, behringer vibrato, strymon ola, jhs emperor, subdecay siren, ect...Pitch vibratos are soo underrated! Would love to hear some comparisons.

[@JigsawEyesore]

The Old Blood Noise Endeavours Reflector is something else, you guys need to check it out it's the next chapter of chorus. Chorus is definitely coming back!

[@billsherrington5996]

As you mentioned Leslies, any chance of a Pedal show on them? I'm a particular fan of the slow chorale sound that Joe Walsh used to get in his solo days ( with the real thing of course) but haven't heard a recent pedal that comes close

[@jacehughes8288]

Can't have 80's Crimson without chorus. You guys laugh at the fast wiggly chorus sounds but Scofield played some of the hipist solos ever on that sound!

[@lespeol]

Dat ce1. So impressive! So good!

[@noisyneil]

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