While browsing the Ninja Tune Zen Delay thread and reading about it’s playability, I was wondering which other FX pedals or desktop boxes are designed to be performed live as their own instrument ?
See the Zen Delay in Action here - it’s a hands-on tool in creating rhythmic variation, tension, and relief on the fly (especially when used on the master bus with careful filtering):
Another box that also offers very good playability would be the Bedidub Digital Echo. Although only mono and with no way of automatically syncing to external triggers (compared to the Zen Delay) it’s still very immediate and fun to play (and not only for dub). Plus the 2 filters sound very nice and make it easy to isolate the desired freqeuncies for the delay.
The pioneer RMX-1000 provides direct access to isolator and repeat / gate effects as well as a range of buildup/breakdown effects. This seems to be made with the intention of providing DJ’s with an easy way to make transitions between tracks.
Do you know of any other pedals or desktop boxes that would also fit in this category ?
(And just to clarify - I know that every pedal with knobs CAN be played/performed live. I’m thinking more about FX devices that are intended to be played live and that have the ergonomics for it (i.e. larger spacing between the buttons, knobs, etc.).
Looks interesting, although with all its capabilities, it seems a bit much for a live situation (even if you can live-sequence the parameters via the faders). Do you have any video that shows it in action ?
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Looks interesting, although with all its capabilities, it seems a bit much for a live situation (even if you can live-sequence the parameters via the faders). Do you have any video that shows it in action ?
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Ef303? I sold mine a fair few seasons ago, but I remember it allowed midi synced fx using sliders which was fun to jam on, but it was typically cryptic when getting down into the settings. The built in synth and drum machine were useless but the fx were ok. Still see them around for fair prices. YouTube search comes up with a few demo vids.
Oh wow, I love it ! The incredible variety of different sounds this thing can produce is quite astonishing. Check this video for a demonstration of its self-oscillating feedback and use on the master bus: youtube.com/watch?v=dNwafxgfC4w
I did a saxophone record with just Blooper and Mood on the table-top. Lots of hands-on. I actually can’t imagine them on the floor for as often as I touch them.
Other regular table-toppers I use:
Fabrikat
Count To Five
Matrise
Scrutator (malekko. If gen loss was grungy)
It looks quite beautiful with the wood, knobs and lights. It sort of present itself as a workbench for rhythmic surgery and packs a lot of extra options besides the Quad Delay (Filter, Reverb, LFO, Looper).
It sounds very “clean” in the available Youtube videos (compared to the other playable delays), but I haven’t had the chance to test one in person yet. I think even the price is very reasonable at ~650 €.
Lol, there’s this old lady who lives next door and always asks my wife what I do…I guess this video will perfectly explain that whole simmesizer?! thing to her.
Btw, what about the Strymon Volante? Seems playable to me.
Moogerfoogers are a natural fit here, and in my quest not to fall into a modern FX box money pit with the late-night Youtube viewing buyer’s remorse, I’ve also been reevaluating the Boss RE-20, which I think fits the bill (especially if you use the expression input). And if MIDI CC is factored in, the Quadraverb can also ease some of that GAS. The Jomox T-Resonator is another option that comes to mind from my own pile. All valid ways to keep the wolf from the door (and a tip of the hat to Elektron’s FX here, too).
I recently got a Wow and Flutter pedal (demo coming soon hopefully) and it’s pretty playable in my standards as well. You can get a lot with the in built enveloppe follower and well as having a lot of fun just twiddling the knobs like a maniac.
