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The Best Chorus Effects Pedal Made

For guitarists, having an array of effects to activate on the fly is essential for spontaneous creation, especially performing live. The best way to achieve this is by using a prolific range of effect pedals, of which one of the most familiar is chorus. A number of companies produce high-quality chorus pedals, yet each is slightly different in how it sounds.
  1. What Is a Chorus Effect?

    • Chorus is a familiar effect used in music production, and is commonly used on stringed instruments like bass and guitar. It uses a short delay, around 70 milliseconds, that gives the sound a slight doubling effect. The delay is modulated, which gives the sound a slight wavering in pitch. Part of the unprocessed sound is used, along with the delay, to produce the effect. The depth of the chorus effect is controlled by the modulation depth of an LFO (low frequency oscillator). The faster the modulation, the less depth needed.

    Providence ADC-3 Anadime Chorus

    • Providence is a subsidiary brand from Pacifix Ltd., located in Japan. The chorus is described as rich and warm, which is achieved through the use of a special microchip. The two basic control knobs, "Depth" and "Speed" with a "mode" switch, can be used to switch the response of the delay. Gus G., touring guitarist with the bands Firewind and Ozzy Osbourne says, "I've been using the Anadime Chorus on the road and it's amazing!"

    Boss CE-2 Chorus

    • This pedal is hard to find since it ceased production in 1982. It had the same circuits used in the Roland Jazz Chorus JC-120 Amp, released in 1976. It is a very basic pedal, with "Rate" and "Depth" control knobs. The original pedals can be identified by the green "Made In Japan" sticker on the bottom. Its signal-to-noise ratio is 90 dB or more, with input impedance at 470 Kohm. The color was a light turquoise.

    TC Electronic SCF

    • TC Electronic's SCF (stereo chorus and flanger) is a combination pedal of chorus, pitch modulation, and flanger. The flick of the "Mode" switch changes the current effect. Control knobs include "Speed," "Width" and "Intensity," which has three functions that allow the blending of chorus and a clean signal when set to "Chorus." The signal-to-noise ratio is 100 dB, making it close to noiseless when it comes to electronic sound generated from the circuitry. It has a pair of outputs allowing mono or stereo effects.

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