Are they directly comparable? They seem to fit the same niche purpose. The Erica unit it way cheaper. I’d love a heat, but they’re so expensive. Looking at (and listening to youtube) the acidbox looks like a good alternative.
Anyone have/had both and have some guidance? Main aim is some warming/saturation and creative filter action on the main out for A4/AR pairing.
A few posts talking about the acidbox in that thread.
I’ve had the heat, it’s really good, but I ended up wanting a bit more character in my distortion and found I wasn’t using all the bells and whistles enough to justify it.
I’m currently lusting after an acid box.
Yeah, maybe I should have posted this as a question to that thread after all. (I did read most of it before posting, but on reflection, that is the right place for this question.)
Don’t know how far that’s helpful to you, but I have their Polivoks VCF Module which the Acidbox is based on. Instead of what a “typical” synth filter does, I use it mostly for mono bus processing – like one might use the Heat and Acidbox? Only really had the chance with the Heat at a friend’s.
That Polivoks thing is definitely adding some flattering overdrive in the low end and can make the treble a little more… liquidy (?) with some resonance. When you hit the filter input with more gain it pretty much retains the flavour of how it distorts, just gets stronger. And that’s it, it always stays one nice flavour. If you gel with it, then it’s fine.
But I guess if you’re more into exploring different kinds of distortion, or if you simply don’t like the sound of the Erica unit, then maybe look more towards the Analog Heat?
edit: Maybe also think of the knob layout of the units and how you intend to use them? The Acidbox looks much more inviting to tweak in my opinion.
…the only flavour/character i’ve never got out of the heat, was digital ugly cold cranky…
and well, never missed those…
I think I might take a punt on the acidbox, I suspect resale value would be reasonable, meaning if it isn’t for me, I can sell on and look at saving for the Heat.
Funny as its an analog box.
I think this video is interesting on this topic.
brilliant, thank you!
Surprised face
I’ve not owned a heat, but bloody love my acidbox!
I’ve just watched this too the other day, when my (second hand) Heat was shipping to me.
One comment on yt makes clear that the two VSTs are mastering plugins so they obviously do more to the mix than the analog ones. However, what works best for him works best right?
He really didn’t do justice to the Heat though, not using its potential against the competitors. Like not using its EQ or not emulating a compressor with the Envolpe generator because the VSTs for sure have this kind of processing involved.
VST plugins have better sounding saturation / distortion than hardware. Only very expensive pro rack can compete with plugins but the price difference does not justify to no use plugins on your tracks.
and only using one setting (saturation) Heat has a load more potential.
…analog heat is analog…???..now that u mentioned…
and plugins have “better” sounding saturation…i see…er, hear…
whatever this guy is hearing in his studio…via utube i can’t tell much of a difference between all of them…have’nt watched it all the way…is there ever a moment where he does a dry wet swap…?
cause to be honest, i can’t detect any saturation effect at all…
and as mentioned here already, saturation is only one of many tricks heat is capable of…
says he doesn’t like the filters on the heat but doesn’t say why?
Reviving this thread to ask what people’s thoughts on the Acidbox III are in 2022.
I’ve recently acquired a Machinedrum again and absolutely love it but notice I often find myself adding a smidge of analogue-style saturation to it in Ableton. I’ve watched the video above but wondered how people are still liking the Acidbox primarily as a saturator/distortion? And primarily for drums.
this is just my probably useless opinion, but i thought the overdrive circuit on the acidbox was very bad for end of hardware chain saturation. too dirty
i think the boum is better for both master bus, and single synth/drum machine sweetening/processing. i dont find external filters too useful, but at least the acidbox has a good envelope follower for the filter eg (iirc?) and the filter is nice. but how often do you use those practically? i thought it was best for bubbly filter fm sounds. really fun for experimental dirty stuff like that
Thanks for that. Yes, I’ve had the mono Acidbox in the past and just didn’t find myself using it very often for filter sweeps etc. It does sound like the Acidbox III does something a bit special with the stereo field but I’d probably be using it for 5% of its functionality.