Q-TRON comparison – please help

This topic has 12 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 15 years ago by Mike VD.

Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)

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July 7, 2009 at 11:37 pm #78548

woodrow
Member

Is the new Q-Tron technically/sonically identical to the previous model?? I’ve heard that some of the new reissues are being compromised, sound-wise – sometimes even going digital, which isn’t my cup of tea. Don’t know if any of this is true, but I have a huge EHX arsenal and I’d like to keep it top-quality analog all around. Any helpful info about the old vs. new?
BTW- in case there’s any confusion as to what I’m comparing, here’s a visual aid: http://www.gear4music.com/media/12379/50/preview.jpg vs. http://www.stevesmusiccenter.com/EHQtron_t.jpg

Thanks,
Woody

July 8, 2009 at 2:28 am #99003

andvari7
Participant

As far as I know, the new Q-Tron is analog. The Stereo Memory Man W/Hazarai, HOG, POG, POG2, Micro POG, Stereo Electric Mistress, and the Holy Grail series are digital – I am certain of that. I’m not certain if the Holy Stain is digital, but I think some of the effects contained within are. The Voice Box has to be digital – if it isn’t, I will be beyond impressed, and will be forced to try it (and possibly buy it).

I’ve heard that some of these new XO pedals not only sound different, but undesirably so, even if they’re analog. However, I’m not convinced this is true – I’ll have to check out an XO BMS, an XO Q-Tron, and an XO whatever-other-old-school-EHX-pedal-they’ve-reissued-that-I-also-own-but-can’t-remember, and give you a more informed opinion.

In conclusion: If you can find an old Q-Tron for a better price than a new one, or vice-versa, GET IT BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.

July 8, 2009 at 4:33 am #99012

woodrow
Member

Thank you so much for the response, which was very helpful and informative. I didn’t know the original POG was digital – is that documented somewhere? Well, anyway… I sure hope I can find one of the older Q-Tron models, because these XO just aren’t getting such great reviews. I’m sure I’ll try it myself anyway, as there’s nothing more honest than one’s own ears. I already own a Tube Zipper, which I love, I just feel like the Q-Tron must have a sharper, more angular sound to it. Maybe I’m wrong, who knows.

July 8, 2009 at 4:43 am #99013

julian
Moderator

I think people tend to stereotype and be overly negative. While there are a few bad apples here and there, I think that most of the XO and Nano stuff is pretty good.

I’d also note that the only pedal that’s gone digital is the Electric Mistress, I’m not sure why. All the other digital pedals would be impossible to do analog or prohibitively expensive.

In the cases of the Worm and Muffs, the XO pedals are improvements over the big counterparts.

Best policy is always try before you buy though.

July 8, 2009 at 4:58 am #99014

julian
Moderator

Quote:

Thank you so much for the response, which was very helpful and informative. I didn’t know the original POG was digital – is that documented somewhere? Well, anyway… I sure hope I can find one of the older Q-Tron models, because these XO just aren’t getting such great reviews. I’m sure I’ll try it myself anyway, as there’s nothing more honest than one’s own ears. I already own a Tube Zipper, which I love, I just feel like the Q-Tron must have a sharper, more angular sound to it. Maybe I’m wrong, who knows.

Original POG is digital. It’s pretty much impossible to do that effect analog. There was one analog polyphonic pitch shifter in the 70s made by ADA and from what I’ve been told, it sounded horrible, it just relied on too many parts whose tolerances caused a lot of problems to everything.

As for bad reviews, I think what you can read in forums is misleading. People tend to generalize or stereotype.

July 11, 2009 at 1:40 am #99204

devnulljp
Participant

Quote:

In the cases of the Worm and Muffs, the XO pedals are improvements over the big counterparts.

Wait….this

is an improvement over this

or this

or this

???

July 12, 2009 at 12:18 pm #99246

m0jo
Member

Quote:

Quote:

In the cases of the Worm and Muffs, the XO pedals are improvements over the big counterparts.

Wait….this

is an improvement over this

..*vintage muffs*

You go buy a vintage XO then! OF course he means the newest/current BMP vs. XO BMP, don’t be pedantic.

There is a sound difference between the two, but it not sound quality or anything, I haver a feeling the “big” BMP is slightly dirtyer and had a touch more gain.. But I’ve only had a short time to compare them so I might be wrong.

In the gearmandude shootout he seems to have the same result though…

July 12, 2009 at 5:21 pm #99259

julian
Moderator

I was saying in terms of the current NYC or Sovtek. Not an improvement over the vintage stuff. Though I haven’t had any vintage to compare.

July 12, 2009 at 8:50 pm #99271

WatsonWood
Member

Doesn’t really matter which version of an EHX pedal one looks at. You try it and if you like the sound you buy it. Buying on spec is OK if you are familiar with the stomp box you want (as in Metal Muff, for example) but otherwise take your guitar to the store and check the pedals out until you’re happy. However long it takes.
BTW I think the Metal Muff is an absolute jewel and a great enrichment to EHX’s line of distortion/fuzz stomp boxes.

July 12, 2009 at 10:42 pm #96891

electro-melx
Moderator

Quote:

Is the new Q-Tron technically/sonically identical to the previous model?? I’ve heard that some of the new reissues are being compromised, sound-wise – sometimes even going digital, which isn’t my cup of tea. Don’t know if any of this is true, but I have a huge EHX arsenal and I’d like to keep it top-quality analog all around. Any helpful info about the old vs. new?
BTW- in case there’s any confusion as to what I’m comparing, here’s a visual aid: http://www.gear4music.com/media/12379/50/preview.jpg vs. http://www.stevesmusiccenter.com/EHQtron_t.jpg

Thanks,
Woody

Hey Woody I don’t know if anyone has answered this but yes for all intent and purpose the new Q-tron is the same (and yes analogue) NONE of the old pedals have ‘gone digital’ all the reissues of the analogue pedals are still analogue… and some of the new pedals are digital…. (like the SMM/H, POG etc) …and those are digital for a good reason!

July 12, 2009 at 10:49 pm #96784

electro-melx
Moderator

Quote:

I’d also note that the only pedal that’s gone digital is the Electric Mistress, I’m not sure why.

Just to be clear on what Julian said, the Deluxe Electric Mistress is still analogue (and will almost still be when it gets shrunk at some point) The new stereo electric mistress is digital yes…as to why, is true stereo flanging/chorus possible in analogue? (ie not just wet/dry split outputs, like every other analogue chorus/flanger I’ve owned?)

July 13, 2009 at 8:09 am #99310

Stoner Wizard
Participant

Hello again:

I’ve purchased recently an early 2000’s reissue of the EH Q-Tron (the one with black pointer knobs and Carling-type switch, it has external power supply and the original wooden box). The bassist of one of the bands I play with, has the latest EH Q-Tron big box reissue with modern round knobs, hex-nut secured type switch (I suppose it’s the blue 3PDT EH type switch) and cardboard box.

It’s on the way, so as soon as we compare both versions I’ll tell you if we find any difference between them. To make the test the more complete as we can, we’ll try both with bass and guitar. I don’t expect “night vs. day” differences but maybe we get a surprise.

I’ll keep you uipdated.

Regards.

Nacho

July 14, 2009 at 10:52 am #99389

Mike VD
Member

I’ve been using a Q-tron+ XO for the last week or so but I’m going back to my not so Mini Q-tron
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