Where does the Boss CH-1 Super Chorus Fit In?

[@bsriaudio]

Its unreal how Boss took two of their analog designs and converted to digital and the results were so close that they didn't even make new models or say anything. It's effectively the same exact product and having done these tests trying to hear the difference I don't think anyone could prick them apart in a test where they didn't know which was which. Those folks are truly on top of their game.

[@kennethc2466]

As an owner of the REAL Roland Chorus, it is a world apart from the new digital version.

[@bsriaudio]

We're talking about comparing analog and digital compact pedal circuits with the same name designation here. Obviously different products are going to sound different. @@kennethc2466

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

I’ve compared digital and analog CE-5 and picked the analog!

[@havespacesuitwilltravel9607]

They work on the same principal. The chips don't really store any data and just provide signal processing logic exactly like the analog transistors. You can buy the replacement chips and, with a lot of skill, solder new ones on if something fails. It's one of those areas where the analog vs digital debate is wasted

[@Asillyhobo]

Holy macaroni, I tuned in and wasn't expecting a shout out! Thanks, and glad you reviewed it!

[@StompboxBreakdown]

That must’ve felt weird, haha. Thanks for the motivation!

[@93greenstrat]

I have been a fan of the CH-1 from day 1. A friend of mine had one back in highschool (Class of '89). I borrowed it and had to go get one for myself....... still have that pedal and use it to this day.

[@pizzagogo6151]

Thank you...I love chorus 😮 never been able to figure out the convoluted chronology & association of each so you history overview is much appreciated 😁

[@martingalicia36695]

Awesome episode. I learned new things about Boss Chorus pedals. I’m a Dimensional Chorus owner. Set it and forget it. 😊

[@noyd4172]

SUPER video, learned a lot, and looking forward to seeing you tackle that CE-20 in the future. I might completely off-base here, but especially that distorted example in the beginning gave me some slight Uni-Vibe feel with how it handles distorted sounds.

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Distortion makes Uni-Vibes of us all. Yeah, I heard that as well. Well definitely need to get around to the CE-20 this year. Thanks for watching!!

[@jrg770]

Nice breakdown of the BOSS Choruses. I always preferred the 1st edition CH-1 Japanese (MN3101\MN3007) to the CE-2 (MN3101\MN3007) or the CE-3 (MN3102\MN3207). Later, the CH-1 went digital (you can build one using a PT2398 IC). I have built a few CE-2s and always add a Effect Level & the additional stereo circuit part of the CH-1🍻

[@chrisdee5032]

CH-1 was never made in Japan was it?

[@dmac4793]

Boss Super Chorus is Way Way underrated

[@McGarveymusic210]

Tony hicks of the hollies used them. I don’t know if he still does

[@illegal_space_alien]

@@McGarveymusic210 I was introduced to the CH-1 on bass from Peter Steele of Type O Negative. He used it quite a bit. And it definitely has a distinctive sound, for sure. For example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aInUiHWsr82tms0feature=shared

[@gophercrow]

The white noise comparison was insightful 👍

[@RichRobinson]

This answered some questions I had surrounding these pedals - great job!

[@MythicResonance]

Depending on the day you ask me, this or the Clone Theory are my favorite chorus pedals. I love the CH-1's weird, almost square wave wiggle. It makes it feel so sleepy and waterlogged. Mine's probably a digital one, I've never even thought to check before. It just sounds good, that works for me!

[@michaelfowler3187]

That beanie cap sounded extra good with the bass matching pickguard!

[@hailmaryrecordings8255]

It fits right on my board since 2006. Love this pedal.

[@nigel7880]

Dave Navarro's Chorus of choice. I use mine to buffer a speaker jack direct out and slave to a power amp and cab. Works killer for Wet/Dry to if you want all the effect in the wet cab. Or if you're like EVH have some dry in it too. It's like it was made to go with the DD3. Had both on my board since the 90's. Great video man, you did some serious homework.

[@johnpotega6025]

I loved the intro jam on this one. Great video!

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Thank you so much! I really enjoyed the way that one came together.

[@YMF1891]

Hope you get to 10k soon.

[@Mattwillo]

Just picked up a second hand 1989 CH-1, it’s a beast!

[@michaelgriffin5304]

Very well done and very well put together. Great vid!

[@backlom]

Fantastic video. Well worth the wait!!

[@Issicra]

I just got a CH-1 and really dig it. It's nice to have a mix/level control. The only other choruses I've ever had are the DOD FX65 and the EH Nano Clone, and those lack having those. The DOD can be a bit overbearing as cool as it is, and I didn't like the Nano Clone for reasons I can't recall. Noise, maybe? The CH-1 is almost understated and transparent. It's super crystal clear, too. It's the second one I've had, and this time I'm keeping it. Great video.

[@revolead]

I found an older analog unit years ago, ripped out the cheap, inconsistent components Boss used from their Taiwan analog days, and replaced with super high quality capacitors. Made a huge difference in clarity, addressed some of the volume drop, and made the EQ differences more obvious. It's like having a CH-1w. I run it very tame and can get tones very close to my DC-2w (which I also love). I love subtle, bright chorus, so I've always loved the CH-1.

[@StompboxBreakdown]

That’s really cool, a DIY CH-1w!

[@joelwitherspoon6481]

That dummy plug trick can be moved to a toggle switch on the face of the pedal. On my CH-1, I ran a wire from the switch leg of the Output B jack to an SPST toggle switch, then connected the other leg of the switch to ground. Now it serves as a chorus/vibrato pedal! I’ve cranked the rate and depth on the vibrato setting; with delay and reverb, it worked great in certain worship songs!

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Good idea!

[@ReedHarrison]

I own the boss super chorus and I absolutely love it.

[@Noisekvlt]

Great video again! I'm one of those "not-a-chorus-fans", I prefer the Detune setting on my PS-6 over any traditional chorus but you've piqued my interest with this for sure. Still think my first real chorus pedal will probably be a DC-3 or DC-2w, but interesting nonetheless!

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Detune is a great alternative. I like the one on the Digitech Luxe, but the PS-6 rocks too.

[@noyd4172]

The PS-6 is Mike Stern's favorite chorus iirc

[@michaelgriffin5304]

I ended up going with a Strymon Ola after a lot of research and listening. No regrets at all and use it WAY more than I thought!!

[@Erlingha]

It’s a wonderful chorus. Was looking for the sound of Miki Berenyi in Lush, and apparently that’s what she had.

[@kennethbryant2804]

Great video! Thank you!! 😊

[@neilstewart5409]

I’ve got that pedal and it’s great for the pretender sound (brass in pocket etc) do you know which boss pedal can get the same sound or very close to a DOD supra distortion ?

[@al271987]

Am I correct in thinking that when Boss shifted the CH-1 and the CE-5 to digital, they really just shifted the delay method from a BBD chip to a digital delay chip? The tone and signal path and everything I thought stayed the same, they didn’t just go all DSP with it. That’s why they basically sound the same, the digital versions of those two pedals are still as analog as possible. At least that’s what I thought was the case.

[@StompboxBreakdown]

I didn’t fully trace out the digital pedal but that’d be my guess. It’s not like a COSM/MDP pedal where it’s just “all paths lead to the monolithic DSP chip”. It’s likely a custom chip that handles the A/D, D/A, compression and all that to get it sounding as much like a BBD setup as possible.

[@davidsummerville351]

Great episode

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Thank you!

[@Giovy-Perez]

awesome !the ch-1.. great Review! blessings

[@metalinsights9664]

The analog CH-1sounds like it adds a touch ambience (i.e., reverb) to the sound, as well.

[@havespacesuitwilltravel9607]

FYI those chips on the digital board are not as hard to solder as you think. They even make specialized soldering tips to help. It looks different and is smaller sure, but totally solder-able. Definitely requires more skill!

[@sommerpetter]

Great review!

[@justPiero]

I'd love to see you in a @jhspedals show!

[@Trubisko]

If you allow me to do an observation. I would you suggest using a strat guitar to ensure we can feel the limitation of the high frequencies of these chorus pedals.

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Good point, noted!

[@theloniouscoltrane3778]

Boss is the big boss of pedals nuff said!

[@michelvondenhoff9673]

Got the CH-1 and it is a fine pedal yet it takes a bit of trial & error to make it truly great.

[@Michel-r6m]

At first it was a nice pedal to me, then I started really fiddling the knobs and now this is my fav chorus. There are many nice chorus pedals (EHX!!!) but the CH-1 is great.

[@JasonAyalaSpare]

When I did my video on the CE series, someone commented that the CH-1 was actually supposed to be called the CE-4.. I don't know if that's true, but it makes sense.

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Yeah I don’t know how someone would know or prove that. Or what “supposed to be called” would mean. Boss has skipped over the number 4 in all but 1 pedal, so it kinda seems like it’s just a thing they do.

[@metalinsights9664]

@@StompboxBreakdown The number 4 is an unlucky number in Japan, kind of like our 13, so Boss typically skips it.

[@gooseabuse]

this paired with the SD-1 super overdrive and a PS-5 super shifter! That would be a super tone!

[@amylou7991]

Excellent (super) video! So is the EHX Tri Parallel coming soon?

[@StompboxBreakdown]

I’m trying to find a killer combination to make the video compelling. So far, I’ve found combinations that are interesting, but not “whoa, I gotta watch how this is made”. It’ll happen, I’m just a little distracted at the moment.

[@amylou7991]

@@StompboxBreakdown Makes a lot of sense. It has to be up to your very high standards! 😁

[@loveforallbxlmannif]

Would like to see you test the Marshall Supervibe. No one talk about but it's the best chorus pedal, i was using it always on with subtle setting, before drive..

[@mateoatehortua3716]

Dude, that Vibrato with the dummy plug would be very useful for shoegaze

[@ab8817]

is it true that the Boss Bass Chorus is just a CE-2 with a low cut knob? surprised there hasnt been a run on those, they're much cheaper than the CE-2

[@metalinsights9664]

The CH-1 sounds like it has a more aggressive high-pass filter, resulting in what I perceived as less low end and a harder midrange.

[@BigBoss1292]

I love all the Boss chorus pedals but my go to has always been the CE-5

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Love the CE-5, if I could have only one, it'd probably be that one, as well.

[@deanallen927]

Admittedly, since my gear got stolen 17 years ago and I lost my old original Dimension C, I'm not a chorus user, but I've been eyeballing the Super online - mostly because it's cheaper than the Ensemble, and then there's prices of new Waza choruses (please....). The closest I come is my MD-500 Dimension settings; one is "Button number one" and the other is the same thing dialed back with more straight signal. In the Super, when you turn the speed down a bit, I'm hearing just a touch of flangery feedback that I'm liking. I may take the plunge. besides, isn't it a law that every guitar player must have one chorus pedal kicking around the house?

[@alangarcia6967]

A super pedal. Its incrdeible how close is the TC Electronic Juno in sound and feel and its more incredible i want to try one also haha. Btw I was looking for a Digital Dimension but it was hard to get one.

[@nasticanasta]

Been using CH1 pedal forever

[@thebreakfastmenu]

I just got rid of mine because it randomly started doing phase cancellation to the extent where it was dropping volume. I miss it but I have no idea why it randomly started doing it.

[@Juicexlx]

burned capacitor, which is why the old analog version is preferable, because you can open it & solder-in new capacitors

[@SmokinFoolz]

Dimension-C yourself. Trust me. Don't love it or hate it but use it as a standard for BOSS Choruses.

[@StompboxBreakdown]

I’ve got the Waza, love it.

[@SubtractiveMoves]

Are you from Kingston?😊 I'm up in Saratoga

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Yup, right around that area.

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

The CH-1 is pretty unique in that it’s the only Boss Chorus with CH and “one” is pretty unique in the late 80s when it came out. I’ve an 1989 example that I never use. The DC-2 is my favorite Boss Chorus of all time. I’ve the DC-3 too but it’s a strange beast. This guy knows his Boss pedals. He’s obviously done his Masters at Boss University.

[@thechronicnoizeco.6675]

The bass player look suits you.

[@sun6moon9]

If you close your eyes, you will almost hear Josh from JHS

[@MeatyController]

That intro jam got me so HOT mmmmmmm

[@recklesstoboggan]

Wait... So, is it 3-CPO or C-3PO?

[@StompboxBreakdown]

I think in the Disney ones, he’s digital, and it’s 3-CPO

[@therewasascene]

CPO-3 - the CPO-2 used gears and pulleys and the CPO-1 was made completely of black rectangles and based off of the danger will robinson robot

[@helseygouveia6416]

Excellent matter.

[@kierenmoore3236]

The earlier CH-1 ARE better … they are actually analog … they then changed the CH-1 to digital (which sound very different) …

[@Noisekvlt]

Preferences vary obviously, but automatically assuming analog=better kinda goes against the whole spirit of this channel lol. I've discovered some awesome overlooked digital pedals as well as seen some of my own favorite "vintage" digital effects covered here. Imo that's what makes this channel so fantastic - focusing just on how things sound (and their history) rather than just the traditional over-hyped guitar gear

[@kierenmoore3236]

@@Noisekvlt Cool. I’ve never seen your channel before. I’m not assuming, in the sense you seem to imply. I have just about every boss chorus pedal, including early analog and one later, digital CH-1 … and the analog one sounds way better to me. Likewise, eg, early DD-3 with long DD-2 chips sound ‘better’ to me. ‘Everything you see is merely an impression; everything you hear is merely an opinion.’

[@FRRGC]

BimmerKvit clearly meant the channel of the video we are commenting on and not their own. In this video's comparison of analog vs digital did you hear the analog one to sound way better than the digital one? I thought the analog was a tiny bit brighter but I wonder if the eq knob could account for that. Either way, it wasn't a big difference in sound.

[@Noisekvlt]

@@FRRGC yep exactly. The digital sounded like it had more presence than actually being bright to me though

[@StompboxBreakdown]

I have a friend who's really into bourbon. When we go out to dinner, for him it's not about the food, it's finding a place that has a bottle of something he can enjoy and describe while we hang out. Meanwhile, I can't really discern or appreciate the difference between his super fancy, and usually pricey bourbon... and the stuff you can get for $40 a bottle at the corner store. And at first, I thought he was making it up to sound fancy, but I've seen him do blind taste tests, and even correctly notice when they poured him the wrong type of a particular brand. For him, it's worth the time and cost to find the pour of bourbon that makes him happy. So I'll never doubt someone with a discerning ear and a preference. However, when it comes to gear, I've seen so many people form strong opinions about gear based on the writings of others alone. Version 2 of a pedal is the best, Version 4 is garbage, let's completely ignore who's doing the playing, what guitar they're using, what amp they're playing through, what type of music they're using, how loud they're playing, and so on. In my comparison, I didn't bust out a protractor and a multimeter to ensure the knobs were at the same, nor is my playing 100% consistent between clips. So.... I'm sure someone could hear a difference. I'm sure someone could even hear a *big* difference if they've got an ear for effects the way my friend has a tongue for bourbon, and that's great for them to know what they like. I'm just saying that sometimes nuanced observations turn into black and white hardened facts without the benefit of personal experience.