The Vibe thread

[Chankgeez]

I haven't listened to that video yet, but I'm always skeptical of pedals sounding anything like they do in YouTube videos.

Videos are really only good for giving the barest idea of what a pedal actually sounds like.

[Tristan]

I know what you mean and I tend to agree but having experienced those vibes in real life I think that video actually comes pretty close that's why I mentioned it here.

[Chankgeez]

I'll give it a good listen. Thanks.

[Chankgeez]

Well, the sound quality in Graemey's videos has never been great, but he pretty much knows what he's talking about.

Yeah, 'ganger sounded best. (I think I like regular phaser better than vibe.)

The Roger Mayer sounded OK clean.

Sometimes videos really do capture & represent the true sound of pedals.

[Tristan]

The Roger Mayer sounds okay but that's about it, not what you expect from a gazillion dollar pedal.

[Gone Fission]

This thread caught my attention a bit so I've been doing some follow-up homework. The reports from the DIY pedal forums are that the MG Mono Vibe is from the John Hollis Easy Vibe project. They had been using the project PCB transfer layout verbatim, although I can't say if any tweaks were made to any values. Interestingly it's a circuit that uses opamps instead of discrete transistors and LEDs instead of a lamp bulb, like the Doppelganger that Tristan was finding more convincing than the other UniVibe clones.

[Tristan]

Interesting info!
I indeed heard something about the Mono Vibe being based on some DIY project, I didn't know it doesn't use a light bulb, it does sound exactly like a good vibe should though.
What I meant about the Doppelganger is that I just think it sounds the best in that video, I don't think it's likely as convincing doing the vibe thing as the Mono Vibe, for what it's worth.
The Korg NuVibe apparently also doesn't use a lightbulb by the way.

[univalve]

Next time Tris is here, we will make soundfiles. Then including the castledine.
Everybody needs some Goals in Life.

[Chankgeez]

[Tristan]

Whaha, goals in life, indeed, almost pissing my pants here!

[Gone Fission]

The Korg NuVibe apparently also doesn't use a lightbulb by the way.

Nor any sort of photo-coupling, not even with LEDs. I gather that the cadmium used in typical photo resistors is a no-no for ROHS or a similar product standard, so no wonder Korg, a global company, would design to all available markets with acceptable components. (I haven't watched it yet, but saw mention of a PGS demo that is supposed to be worlds better then the demos that came out when it was announced.)

[univalve]

Haha, somehow it would Love to have chankgeez Join our geargeeking physically. But that is a long shot... Sadly.

[Chankgeez]

That is a long shot, unfortunately, unless I'm somehow able to move to continental Europe. Which I'd love to do.

[Tristan]

Move, wow, that's quite a step, would be cool though!

[rustywire]

I recently got an original Fulltone Deja Vibe. Before its acquisition, I thought that op-amp based circuits got "decent to good vibe sounds" but now that I have a proper reference point...I've gotta say I was misinformed.
A good vibe doesn't mess with or alter the output of fuzz in front of it, and also produces a throaty, percussive throb when stacked into any dirt.
A good vibe sounds lush with depth whether clean, crunch or full bore fuzz tones...in both CHR and VIB modes.
A good vibe doesn't clip on the input and sound crackly when driven.

Everyone needs a good vibe. It stacks so well with everything.