Boss Chorus Shootout
My thoughts are below! But first, timestamps:
0:00 Ground rules
0:10 RIFFS, IN A LIGHT MIX
0:20 CE-1
0:31 PastFx chorus ensemble
0:41 CE-2w (ce-1 mode)
0:51 CE-2w (standard mode)
1:02 CE-2
1:12 CE-5
1:23 DC-2w (standard mode)
1:33 DC-2w (sdd-320 mode)
1:44 CE-1 (high input)
1:54 PastFx chorus ensemble (high input)
2:05 CE-2w (ce-1 mode)
2:15 CE-2w (standard mode)
2:25 CE-2
2:36 CE-5
2:46 DC-2w (standard mode)
2:57 DC-2w (sdd-320 mode)
3:08 CHORDS
3:22 CE-1
3:50 PastFx chorus ensemble
4:17 CE-2w (ce-1 mode)
4:45 CE-2w (standard mode)
5:12 CE-2
5:39 CE-5
6:07 DC-2w (standard mode)
6:34 DC-2w (sdd-320 mode)
7:02 VIBRATO
7:16 CE-1
7:30 CE-2w (vibrato mode)
7:44 PastFx chorus ensemble
7:58 RIFFS, NO MIX
8:09 CE-1
8:19 PastFx chorus ensemble
8:30 CE-2w (ce-1 mode)
8:40 CE-2w (standard mode)
8:51 CE-2
9:01 CE-5
9:12 DC-2w (standard mode)
9:22 DC-2w (sdd-320 mode)
9:32 CE-1 (high input)
9:43 PastFx chorus ensemble (high input)
9:53 CE-2w (ce-1 mode)
10:04 CE-2w (standard mode)
10:14 CE-2
10:25 CE-5
10:35 DC-2w (standard mode)
10:46 DC-2w (sdd-320 mode)
10:57 Let me know what you think!
I was lucky to be able to borrow a Boss CE-1 and of course, as a huge chorus junky, wanted to compare it with the other Boss chorus pedals I own! Also went out and got the Boss BP-1w to make it a more true comparison. Hope you lovely chorus nerds enjoy the shootout! Here are my thoughts:
BP-1w: The CE-1’s preamp thickens/warms things up whereas in CE mode this pedal seems to have a bit more of a neutral flavor and retains way more fidelity in the highs. Once you get the gain cookin’ a little bit though it sounds pretty similar, although the highs stay more prevalent. And honestly while the CE-1’s preamp sounds heavenly with the chorus effect on, you can’t turn the preamp off and this pedal not only gives you the option to turn the gain up to whatever level you want but turn the effect off whenever you like haha. It's pretty legit, I really like it, plus RE mode rocks.
CE-1: It’s the GOAT. There’s just something special about how warm the chorus is. I can see why it’s still so highly sought after and I don’t want to give it back because the sound is literally perfect to me lol. But at the same time it’s really impractical on a board with its large footprint, power needs, and because when the chorus/vibrato effect isn’t on, the preamp takes a decent amount of highs out of the signal. It also plays weird with certain pedals and buffers in front.
PastFx Chorus Ensemble mn3007: Obviously not a boss chorus haha but I couldn’t not compare it given it’s supposed to be a super accurate clone. To me this one is clearly the closest in sound to the CE-1 (in chorus mode). They pretty much nailed the preamp, although I think it’s got slightly more bass than the CE-1. Without a direct comparison I’d be hard pressed to tell the difference. The vibrato mode on here sounds really nice but not as close to the CE-1 as the chorus mode.
CE-2w: I was expecting the CE-1 mode on this to be a little closer to the original but it does a pretty good approximation especially given the footprint and extra features. In general I think the sound of this one is more in line with the other CE pedals as they all have a more shimmery top end. Comes across as more flangey than the CE-1 to me, but still super pleasant. It’s deeper than the other CE pedals but not as deep as the CE-1. Standard mode sounds a lot thinner than the original CE-2. However, I think the vibrato mode on this is nearly indistinguishable from the CE-1’s. They totally nailed that.
CE-2: Another classic. Doesn’t sound like the CE-1 but still a nice lush albeit different sort of deep chorus sound. More shimmer than the CE-1.
CE-5 (analog): There’s 2 versions, analog and digital. Mine’s the analog one and I think it’s one of the best CE pedals. I didn’t have time to explore every setting for the video but to my ear the waveform on the CE-5 sounds the closest to the CE-1. With the EQ cuts you can sculpt the sound more than the others and I wish I had dialed back the highs a bit because it’d be a lot closer comparison to the CE-1. It definitely has the most low end next to the CE-1. I like how it sounds like there’s not as much midrange push in this as the CE-2/w.
DC-2w: I know I know, it's a different breed of chorus effect but I thought why not include it just in case anyone was curious. It has a somewhat noticeable volume drop when on and in mono sounds thinner than the others. Sounds magnificent in stereo though. I like it best for super jangly stuff!
Gear: Fender thinline jaguar, Fender '65 princeton reverb reissue
Recording: Sennheiser e609, UA volt 276, drums in Garageband
Background art from The Red Turtle (2016)
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Links for me stuff
Music: meganl.bandcamp.com/releases
Instagram: / just.megan11
Merch: megan-l-shop.fourthwall.com
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Пікірлер: 40
This was a ridiculously through review. Good job.
Crazy cool review, I’m a psycho and bought all of the Waza pedals over the past few years, until this video didn’t even know the Booster preamp Waza pedal existed 😂 look how educational u are 👏🏼
@MeganL
21 күн бұрын
Hahahaha yeah it's relatively new! The waza pedals are so great right?! My favs have been the DM-2w, VB-2w and BP-1 so far. Still gotta try the SD-1w but I've been hesitant since the original SD-1 is awesome already.
I really appreciate videos that don't waste time with unnecessary talking, It's great that you get to the point and let us decide based on the evidence you provide. That being said, there may be some considerations that are not self-evident based on audio alone. some pedals may be less reliable, easier to use, easier to integrate on a pedal board, etc. I am just making some things up to make a point, It might be helpful to hear your subjective observations since you went to all the trouble of trying all these pedals in all these different scenarios. That's a nitpick, feel free to disregard. Well done and many thanks.
@MeganL
22 күн бұрын
Thanks! I wrote all my thoughts down on each one in the description of the video! Warning, they're exhaustive haha
@rickhbrown
22 күн бұрын
@@MeganL D'oh! Great notes, thanks
This is my ideal chorus comparison, but seemed too impractical to attempt myself. Thanks so much for putting this together!
They all sound great! But that Chorus Ensemble that was first was really great.
Always had a soft spot for chorus, nice job on demo
First and foremost, this method of comparison for this audience is the best I’ve encountered on KZread. Thank you for the effort. I’m loving the CE-2w in standard mode. I might consider getting one and keeping it as a subtle always-on.
@MeganL
22 күн бұрын
Thanks so much that means a lot! If you end up getting the CE-2w it's worth trying it early in the chain either before drives or sandwiched in-between two drives. Sounds really really cool with that bit of mid push it adds.
Really well done. I could even hear the differences through phone speakers. Nothing got as dark and smoky as the OG but they all sounded pretty good, just different from each other.
@MeganL
22 күн бұрын
Thank you! I feel like I got two sorta conflicting opinions out of this comparison. One is that the CE-1 really is a step above the rest, and two is that they all sound good in their own way it all it doesn't really matter 😂
This was hella good in everyway! I’m sure that many will find this and make their chorus decisions based on this and on your of og shootout. I think that I enjoyed most of the CE-2w sounds with the BP-1w. How do you like the preamp/boost, will we get a jam or demo of it? I would love hear it in other situations aswell!
@MeganL
21 күн бұрын
Yeah I'm really diggin' the BP-1w, especially in RE mode with the gain cranked. Perfect Radiohead sounds haha. I definitely plan on a demo when I find the time!
@jyysopeltonen
21 күн бұрын
@@MeganL perfect Radiohead sounds! After that description it seems like I would love it
amazing comparison!!
This was super cool! Thank you, Megan! ✌️😌🎸
Your riffs and tones are always 🤌
Great video. Outstanding riffage all the way through!
Soooooooo GOOOD! 🔥
No better person to do this. You're the best
いつもありがとう
CE-5 GANG FER LYFE
@MeganL
22 күн бұрын
For real. When I tab away from the video and just listen to the audio, every "oh this one's great which is it?" it's the CE-5 every time
I have an md-200 that I use for chorus, but I liked this video anyway because it's well made and the riffs go hard
Very nice. I love chorus and this is a great shootout. I’ve been thinking about getting the pastfx CE deluxe for awhile now. Have you tried their PX65? I’m also interested in that one. Thanks for the video!
@MeganL
22 күн бұрын
I'm super interested in the px65 - apparently it's the John Frusciante Under The Bridge sound 🤩
smokin'👍 your observations are really great, and your musicality sends your videos over the top. keep going. and i agree....the original CE-1 is just something very special. dan from That Pedal Show makes some of the same great points in a good video.....the pre-amp is everything. the EQ is of course perfect too. I really like the EQ on the original CE-2 too......1980s in a box. The CE-2W is a great tool for those who cannot afford a CE-1 or an original CE-2, but a tiny bit of the magic is missing somewhere, somehow. Love for you to get ahold of an Ibanez CS-9 and do a comparison with it along with the CE-1 and CE-2. The CS-9 has it's own very special 80s EQ/spirit, but for me it's been a hard beast to tame......can get kind of spikey, and has its own boosted signal thing going on. I'd be interested to see what you do with it.
@MeganL
22 күн бұрын
Thanks so much! One of my friends is a big CS-9 fan and he's got me very interested in it too. Seems to be an even more shimmery version of the 80s chorus sound!
CE-1 all day, but thought the CE-2 + preamp wasn't too bad. They all sounded solid tho!
Was hoping to see the CH-1 but fantastic video nonetheless!
@MeganL
22 күн бұрын
Thank you! I REALLY wish I were able to get a CE-3 and CH-1 for this video but deals on Reverb weren't popping up in my budget on time hahaha
great ! I find the CE2 quite desappointing surprisingly 😮
NOICE
I have an original CE-5 and it sounds great, but I'm lusting over the CE-1 and I'm thinking I could possibly emulate it just by adding a tiny bit of flanger to it. That's what I hear to get that sound. It almost sounds like maybe a tiny bit of phaser might have been added as well. Why must I get so micro-obsessed with these tempting little metal boxes...
This is such a good video. How do you like the BP-1w? Edit: sorry, missed your thoughts on it in the comments lol. Seems like you really like it.
@MeganL
22 күн бұрын
Yeah I think it's really cool! The hint of compression in CE mode and the way RE mode breaks up are standout features!
@chadromney
22 күн бұрын
@@MeganL thanks for elaborating!
For me it's #1 Roland JC120/Boss CE1. #2 CE-5. #3 Past Fx. And I am still jelly of your Johnny Marr-isms as I am a Johnny Marrk-xist minus ur talent. I gotta try out a boss RV6 and a Princeton but i ain't never selling my JC's. That CE1 with a drive in front is just killer.