Reissue Stereo Polychorus
-uses Panasonic BBD chip
-has stereo outputs. each output is a fixed blend of dry and effected signal, but out of phase with each other.
-has a slide switch to turn on a sweep filter
-tune/delay knob increases clockwise the delay time of the effected signal
-knob placement is different from the vintage unit
Vintage PolyChorus/PolyFlange/EchoFlanger
-uses Reticon BBD chip, which is lofi, and doesn’t get as high delay time as the Panasonic, but has MOJO
-has an effect output and a direct output instead of stereo outputs
-has a blend slide switch to change the effect output from 1) a fixed blend of direct and effected signals, or 2) effected signal only.
-tune knob increases counter-clockwise the delay time of the effected signal
Are they really different?
For guys like me who collect vintage EHX and love to listen for differences, sure, they sound different. They might even sound different to a casual listener. And when using the Reissue in stereo, there’s a HUUUUGE difference in sound. But essentially, both make the same effects.
The Reissue is higher fidelity in the effected signal, has a more fluid modulation, and gets a slightly longer delay time in the slapback. it’s also less expensive to buy used than a vintage unit.
What makes the vintage unit special is the ability to isolate the effected signal using the blend switch. The Reissue can’t do this. Also, the Reticon chips are darker, so the chorus effects aren’t quite as crisp and trebley. Some musicians prefer a darker chorus.
If you like stereo effects, go with the Reissue. It sounds very etheriel in stereo.
I love a lot of Goth/Post-punk, like Bauhaus, Cure (marginal goth), Siouxsie Sioux & The Banshees, Clan of Xymox, etc.
But nothing, I mean nothing, compares to Dead Can Dance’s Within The Realm of The Dying Sun. “Persephone, the Gathering of Flowers” is one of the greatest compositions ever written in any genre :love:
There are several differences from the PolyFlange and the RI Stereo Polychorus. For starters, the PolyFlange uses the old SAD 1024 Reticon chips instead of the Panasonics. That’s pretty substantial.
wouldn’t you need two pedals to do stereo in and out?
how would you be able to have two signals go into one circuit and come out as two separate signals?
The main idea is that if the pedal before it has stereo outs, then you don’t lose the stereo effects of that pedal as long as the next pedal also has stereo ins and outs.
I imagine that the cost of desigining and manufacturing the enclosures would be more than the demand for such a pedal. Expression inputs seem to be more the trend these days.
Someone should really write a book on the history of the delay effect since the first echo units (from Echolette to Eventide) :lightbulb:
Hmmm, maybe that someone should be me. That would be a huge seller, at least on effects forums.
It helps to know the colorful history of the delay effect when appreciating the nuances of analog delays. Analog delays (tape, or BBD) have always had flaws, idiosyncracies, particularities, inconveniences, noise, lo fidelity, short delay times, etc. ad nauseum. Then when the microchip allowed for the first digital delays in the early 80s, everyone went apeshit over them. That is, until, the 90s when everyone started to long for the lo fidelity characteristics of analog again. Words like “warm” and “organic” suddenly became all important to guitarists.
So yes, the Memory Boy has analog characteristics, which are flawed by nature; but those very flaws are coveted by many. They aren’t’ everyone’s bag, and thankfully there are multitudes of choices in delays out there to satisfy your delay needs.
I still want a Bi-Filter, but I’m going to have to sell off some stuff first.
I’m still not decided on whether to get the Enigma or the Riddle, but I think I’m more likely to use it with bass. I have so many guitar filters already, it’s way past absurd.
The Cathedral keeps calling my name, but I’m trying to ignore the siren’s call and hold fast to the original 3 Grails. Tough to resist, especially those gorgeous graphics and the stereo inputs.
Full-on back to work after a 4 week vacation. :facepalm:
The Florida heat is sweltering, the AC compressor in my car died on me, my apartment is falling apart, my big gig for October got cancelled, and the work is steadily piling up on my desk.
But I’m happy to have a new Memory Boy and an XO Worm to mess around with this weekend :rawk:
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