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+--post-date: 2023-03-18
+--type: blog
+--tags: music
+--pinned: true
+ <article>
+ <h1>A Tour de Chorus</h1>
+ <p>I&#39;ve been talking a lot about chorus on my mastodon, like, A LOT.
+ So I thought it would be fun to explore my chorus pedals a bit and
+ present this information in some shareable way, since no one wants to
+ listen to 18 minutes of audio in a row.</p>
+ <h2>What&#39;s on display</h2>
+ <p>So I have three chorus pedals to show off today:</p>
+ <ul>
+ <li>Boss CE-20</li>
+ <li>Warlus Audio Julia</li>
+ <li>Multivox CB-1 Chorus Box</li>
+ </ul>
+ <h2>The other gear</h2>
+ <p>I will be playing each of these pedals through my THR-100HD (see
+ <a href="/blog/music/2023-01-06/"
+ rel="me noopener"
+ target="_blank">my previous music blog post</a> in which I deep dive a
+ bit into this amp). It&#39;s running on the crunch channel, just at
+ the edge of breakup, with little to no reverb.</p>
+ <p>As for guitar - I am using my Reverend Descent RA Baritone.</p>
+ <h2>The demos</h2>
+ <p>For each of these demos I will be playing the same loop (mostly). I
+ recorded a loop into my Boss RC-3 to remove any playing bias towards the
+ more warbely chorus tones, and to make it easier for me! Each demo is
+ about 48s long (depending on how good my trimming was). I added a bit of
+ EQ in post to cut out some digital hum introduced when pairing my CE-20
+ with my RC-3 so sorry about that...</p>
+ <p>Let&#39;s start with the clean tone:</p>
+ <figure>
+ <audio controls=""><source src=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/clean.mp3">
+ <p>Download <a href="/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/clean.mp3"
+ rel="me noopner"
+ target="_blank">MP3</a></p></audio>
+ </figure>This loop is something I had been noodling on all week, while on
+ my chorus kick. I feel it&#39;s actually a decent demo because it calls
+ on a lot of classic chorus sounds. Individually picked notes, bright open
+ strings, and then at the end some Nirvana-like dark power chord picking.
+ All classic chorus sounds to me.
+ <h3>CE-20</h3>
+ <p>Next we can go through the CE-20. The CE-20 has 4 modes we&#39;ll be
+ demoing, but there are a total of 6. We are demoing the &quot;Rich&quot;,
+ &quot;Standard&quot;, &quot;Dimensional D&quot;, and &quot;CE-1&quot;
+ settings. I skipped the &quot;Acoustic&quot; and &quot;Bass&quot;
+ settings as they&#39;ve always felt like some slight EQ on the
+ &quot;standard&quot; mode.</p>
+ <h4>Standard</h4>
+ <p>We can start with &quot;Standard&quot; as it&#39;s the most &quot;boss
+ chorus&quot;. Though I personally feel it lacks a bit of the bite the
+ CE-1 and CE-2 offer. But it wouldn&#39;t surprise me if
+ &quot;Standard&quot; was just a CE-2.</p>
+ <figure>
+ <figcaption>
+ CE-20 Standard Mode - Rate 10 o&#39;clock, Depth 2 o&#39;clock
+ </figcaption><audio controls=""><source src=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/ce-20-standard-r10-d2.mp3">
+ <p>Download <a href=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/ce-20-standard-r10-d2.mp3"
+ rel="me noopner"
+ target="_blank">MP3</a></p></audio>
+ </figure>
+ <figure>
+ <figcaption>
+ CE-20 Standard Mode - Rate 2 o&#39;clock, Depth 10 o&#39;clock
+ </figcaption><audio controls=""><source src=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/ce-20-standard-r2-d10.mp3">
+ <p>Download <a href=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/ce-20-standard-r2-d10.mp3"
+ rel="me noopner"
+ target="_blank">MP3</a></p></audio>
+ </figure>
+ <h4>Rich</h4>
+ <p>Let&#39;s compare this with the &quot;Rich&quot; mode. And keep in
+ mind the only settings I will be changing between these CE-20 modes is
+ the rate and depth. There is actually quite a bit of tone controlling you
+ get in the CE-20. But I generally keep those fairly static based on my
+ guitar and amp settings, and for the purposes of these demos are
+ static.</p>
+ <figure>
+ <figcaption>
+ CE-20 Rich Mode - Rate 10 o&#39;clock, Depth 2 o&#39;clock
+ </figcaption><audio controls=""><source src=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/ce-20-rich-r10-d2.mp3">
+ <p>Download <a href=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/ce-20-rich-r10-d2.mp3"
+ rel="me noopner"
+ target="_blank">MP3</a></p></audio>
+ </figure>
+ <h4>Dimensional D</h4>
+ <p>This mode is a recreation of the SDD-320 Dimension D effects unit,
+ later made into the Boss DC-2. This effect is one of my favorite
+ choruses. It&#39;s so unique. On the CE-20 there are 7 modes: 1 - 4, as
+ well as 3 &quot;combo&quot; modes: 1+4, 2+4, and 3+4. These map directly
+ to their SDD-320 counterparts, which also let you stack the modes
+ together. This really shines in stereo, but since the Julia is mono, I
+ felt it&#39;s only fair to use these how I use them on my board.</p>
+ <figure>
+ <figcaption>
+ CE-20 Dimensional D Mode - Mode 3
+ </figcaption><audio controls=""><source src=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/ce-20-dimensional-d-3.mp3">
+ <p>Download <a href=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/ce-20-dimensional-d-3.mp3"
+ rel="me noopner"
+ target="_blank">MP3</a></p></audio>
+ </figure>
+ <figure>
+ <figcaption>
+ CE-20 Dimensional D Mode - Mode 4
+ </figcaption><audio controls=""><source src=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/ce-20-dimensional-d-4.mp3">
+ <p>Download <a href=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/ce-20-dimensional-d-4.mp3"
+ rel="me noopner"
+ target="_blank">MP3</a></p></audio>
+ </figure>
+ <figure>
+ <figcaption>
+ CE-20 Dimensional D Mode - Mode 3+4
+ </figcaption><audio controls=""><source src=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/ce-20-dimensional-d-3-4.mp3">
+ <p>Download <a href=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/ce-20-dimensional-d-3-4.mp3"
+ rel="me noopner"
+ target="_blank">MP3</a></p></audio>
+ </figure>
+ <p>These are always so cool to hear. When you get into the combo modes
+ you start getting more &quot;chorus&quot; and less just
+ &quot;width/movement&quot;. But these are interesting to listen to
+ compared to the clean. There is subtle differences - but they&#39;re
+ there! It&#39;s almost like it is now less stark and smoother. Like the
+ notes are lathered in butter, mmm!</p>
+ <h4>CE -1</h4>
+ <p>Okay, now on to the real show, the CE-1. Not much to say about this
+ one. It&#39;s a CE-1, you have an &quot;intensity&quot; knob, and
+ it&#39;s so rich. The delay rate is much slower than you would expect,
+ almost logarithmic. But when you get past noon it starts to get quite
+ seasick.<br>
+ <small><em>Editors note: 7 o&#39;clock may be a bit higher than 7. None
+ of these pedals have freaking numbers on their knobs, so it&#39;s all a
+ guess. But it&#39;s a bit up from off</em></small></p>
+ <figure>
+ <figcaption>
+ CE-20 CE-1 Mode - Intensity 7 o&#39;clock
+ </figcaption><audio controls=""><source src=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/ce-20-ce-1-7oclock.mp3">
+ <p>Download <a href=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/ce-20-ce-1-7oclock.mp3"
+ rel="me noopner"
+ target="_blank">MP3</a></p></audio>
+ </figure>
+ <figure>
+ <figcaption>
+ CE-20 CE-1 Mode - Intensity 10 o&#39;clock
+ </figcaption><audio controls=""><source src=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/ce-20-ce-1-10oclock.mp3">
+ <p>Download <a href=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/ce-20-ce-1-10oclock.mp3"
+ rel="me noopner"
+ target="_blank">MP3</a></p></audio>
+ </figure>
+ <h3>Multivox CB-1 Chorus Box</h3>
+ <p>The Multivox CB-1 Chorus Box is a CE-1 clone, according to the gear
+ page, it&#39;s literally just the same circuit and components. I got my 5
+ years ago because, well, I love chorus. Currently, a part of my rack unit
+ to be used with my synths, this chorus is just so smooth. But the biggest
+ trouble is dialing in the right level. You&#39;ll notice for the CB-1
+ demos it&#39;s a different demo recording. I had to move my setup and I
+ accidentally wiped the RC-3. But because the CB-1 can be a bit tricky to
+ dial in, it&#39;s a bit quieter than the other demo tracks. But the level
+ control is one of my favorites, as it can add some crunch to the tone on
+ the peaks, adding a lot of flavor. I am running my guitar through the
+ &quot;hi&quot; input, because it gives me a bit more play with the input
+ level.</p>
+ <h4>Chorus</h4>
+ <figure>
+ <figcaption>
+ CB-1 Chorus Mode - Intensity 7 o&#39;clock
+ </figcaption><audio controls=""><source src=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/cb-1-7oclock.mp3">
+ <p>Download <a href="/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/cb-1-7oclock.mp3"
+ rel="me noopner"
+ target="_blank">MP3</a></p></audio>
+ </figure>
+ <figure>
+ <figcaption>
+ CB-1 Chorus Mode - Intensity 10 o&#39;clock
+ </figcaption><audio controls=""><source src=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/cb-1-10oclock.mp3">
+ <p>Download <a href="/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/cb-1-10oclock.mp3"
+ rel="me noopner"
+ target="_blank">MP3</a></p></audio>
+ </figure>
+ <figure>
+ <figcaption>
+ CB-1 Chorus Mode - Intensity 2 o&#39;clock
+ </figcaption><audio controls=""><source src=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/cb-1-2oclock.mp3">
+ <p>Download <a href="/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/cb-1-2oclock.mp3"
+ rel="me noopner"
+ target="_blank">MP3</a></p></audio>
+ </figure>
+ <h4>Vibrato</h4>
+ <p>While this is mono, so it&#39;s acting like a straight vibrato. When
+ playing in stereo this creates it&#39;s own chorus, the stereo outs are
+ &quot;dry&quot; and &quot;wet&quot;. This differs from the CE-1 chorus
+ too, so it&#39;s like 2 chorus pedals in one. These demos are in
+ mono.</p>
+ <figure>
+ <figcaption>
+ CB-1 Vibrato Mode - Rate 10 o&#39;clock, Depth 2 o&#39;clock
+ </figcaption><audio controls=""><source src=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/cb-1-vibrato-d2-r10.mp3">
+ <p>Download <a href=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/cb-1-vibrato-d2-r10.mp3"
+ rel="me noopner"
+ target="_blank">MP3</a></p></audio>
+ </figure>
+ <figure>
+ <figcaption>
+ CB-1 Vibrato Mode - Rate 2 o&#39;clock, Depth 10 o&#39;clock
+ </figcaption><audio controls=""><source src=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/cb-1-vibrato-d10-r2.mp3">
+ <p>Download <a href=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/cb-1-vibrato-d10-r2.mp3"
+ rel="me noopner"
+ target="_blank">MP3</a></p></audio>
+ </figure>
+ <h4>CB-1 Off with Level Boost</h4>
+ <p>The CB-1 when over driven (just by the guitar itself) gets really warm
+ crunch to signal, and it&#39;s a lot of fun. I usually run my Model D
+ through this and I love it.</p>
+ <figure>
+ <figcaption>
+ CB-1 Off - Level to a point where when I dig in it clips heavily
+ </figcaption><audio controls=""><source src=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/cb-1-off-with-level.mp3">
+ <p>Download <a href=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/cb-1-off-with-level.mp3"
+ rel="me noopner"
+ target="_blank">MP3</a></p></audio>
+ </figure>
+ <h3>Walrus Audio Julia</h3>
+ <p>I picked up the Julia because it&#39;s such a versatile chorus: giving
+ you control over the rate, depth, lag, waveform, and mix. This lets you
+ craft basically ANY chorus sound you want. Exploring sounds, I&#39;ve
+ noticed the major limiter being the rate. The Julia is just SO fast. Even
+ at min rate, it&#39;s still faster than like 1/3 of the Boss rates. But
+ the sounds are still amazing!</p>
+ <figure>
+ <figcaption>
+ Julia - Triangle Wave, Rate 7 o&#39;clock, Depth 2 o&#39;clock, Lag 3
+ o&#39;clock, Mix 12 o&#39;clock (chorus)
+ </figcaption><audio controls=""><source src=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/julia-chorus-1.mp3">
+ <p>Download <a href="/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/julia-chorus-1.mp3"
+ rel="me noopner"
+ target="_blank">MP3</a></p></audio>
+ </figure>
+ <figure>
+ <figcaption>
+ Julia - Sine Wave, Rate 10 o&#39;clock, Depth 2 o&#39;clock, Lag 9
+ o&#39;clock, Mix 12 o&#39;clock (chorus)
+ </figcaption><audio controls=""><source src=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/julia-chorus-2.mp3">
+ <p>Download <a href="/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/julia-chorus-2.mp3"
+ rel="me noopner"
+ target="_blank">MP3</a></p></audio>
+ </figure>
+ <figure>
+ <figcaption>
+ Julia - Sine Wave, Rate 9 o&#39;clock, Depth 3 o&#39;clock, Lag 9
+ o&#39;clock, Mix 12 o&#39;clock (chorus)
+ </figcaption><audio controls=""><source src=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/julia-chorus-3.mp3">
+ <p>Download <a href="/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/julia-chorus-3.mp3"
+ rel="me noopner"
+ target="_blank">MP3</a></p></audio>
+ </figure>
+ <figure>
+ <figcaption>
+ Julia - Triangle Wave, Rate 8 o&#39;clock, Depth 12 o&#39;clock, Lag
+ 12 o&#39;clock, Mix 5 o&#39;clock (vibrato, max)
+ </figcaption><audio controls=""><source src=
+ "/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/julia-vibrato.mp3">
+ <p>Download <a href="/blog/music/2023-03-18/audio/julia-vibrato.mp3"
+ rel="me noopner"
+ target="_blank">MP3</a></p></audio>
+ </figure>
+ <h2>Thoughts</h2>
+ <p>Realistically? I love every single one of these choruses. It&#39;s
+ such an amazing effect, and I was messing around with the dirty channel
+ too, which still sounded great! The CB-1 was by no means a steal, but
+ it&#39;s my favorite chorus tone. But it comes with some quirks being a
+ late 70, early 80s device. The CE-20 is amazing but very much a &quot;mid
+ 00s digital pedal&quot; giving some of that digital-ness to it,
+ especially when mixing with other digital pedals. I&#39;m sure you heard
+ the high pitched wine in the background. I EQ&#39;d it out, but it&#39;s
+ there, and it bothers me. I think getting a CE-2w would give me a lot of
+ the options I want from this, without those digital artifacts. The CE-20
+ would be perfect if it had a vibrato mode, given the CE-1 has one, and
+ really make it the perfect all-in-one. But given I&#39;ve had this pedal
+ for at least 12 years (probably closer to 13. I can dig out the box and
+ see if I kept the receipt). I got in in college as my first ever chorus.
+ I was enamoured with it. I&#39;d be on my board today if it wasn&#39;t so
+ big. The Julia is the perfect multi-tool chorus, and I&#39;ve been really
+ happy with it. But it lacks that really SLOW rate that the Boss pedals
+ have, making it a BIT harder to really dial in the CE-1 tones.</p>
+ <p>I joked on mastodon that I was did this to convince myself I don&#39;t
+ NEED a CE-2w or DC-2w...and now I want them even more!</p>
+ </article>
+