What's your favourite Tremolo circuit?

Jim Jones · September 09, 2003, 11:49:02 AM

Hey guys,

Just curious as to your faves... I built the Anderton one from JD's site yesterday and it sounds pretty good - although I'm getting quite the pumping "thud" with higher intensity settings.

Is the EA the DIY holy grail?

Thanks!

Jim

Rodgre · September 09, 2003, 12:07:28 PM

great question.

I like different ones for different reasons, but I'm not sure if I've built the ultimate yet...

I like the Kay for the stutter effect.

I like the Anderton for warm wobble.

I like the Commonsound/3ms for tweakability.

I like the Pulsar for simplicity.

I haven't built the EA trem, but that's on my short list.

Roger

Paul Perry (Frostwave) · September 10, 2003, 12:06:27 AM

A lot depends on how much noise you can stand.
Quietest trems I eer heard were made using teh DC controlled preamps of boom boxes. I think for diy, the vactrol based ones would be best.

gez · September 10, 2003, 04:19:18 AM

Quote from: Paul Perry (Frostwave)Quietest trems I eer heard were made using teh DC controlled preamps of boom boxes.

Do those preamps use OTAs? (just curious).

Paul Perry (Frostwave) · September 10, 2003, 08:10:19 AM

The boom box preamp chips are a special purpose audio device. There isn't an OTA there, as such. It is more like a specialist VCA, plus tone & balance. National Semiconductor did one LM1036, but so did Japanese & Euro manufacturers. I can't remember what was in the purple Dunlop rocker tremolo, but it was nice & quiet.

Jim Jones · September 11, 2003, 03:21:59 PM

Thanks guys! Anyone else with a favourite?

Jim

Gil · September 11, 2003, 04:20:53 PM

EA tremolo sounds the best to my ear and taste, very round and warm, vintage sounding !!

Highly recommended !

80k · September 11, 2003, 04:24:14 PM

unfortunately i haven't heard as many tremelo circuits as i would like.

My friend and I recently finished a tap tempo/sequenced tremolo, that we plan on doing a small production run with. Here are the soundclips. I was wondering if anyone has heard any other trem pedals that have such an aggressive stuttering effect? i have been told that the EHX one is very aggressive. would love to hear your thoughts on these soundclips. Suggestions would be welcome too!

http://www.secondsun.net/tremclip1.mp3

http://www.secondsun.net/tremclip2.mp3

These were recorded with a Strat on a hot bridge pickup. It's a 4 stage sequence, each stage allowing the trem to be divided by 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 16. the tap tempo times the duration of each stage (for instance, divide by 1 and it's just plain ol' tap tempo tremolo).

darren · September 11, 2003, 04:31:49 PM

Quote from: Jim JonesIs the EA the DIY holy grail?

heh. it was for me! i love it. people come and ask me about it after a gig, even if they didn't know i built it!

but tremolo is like fuzz - it's all very personal. you can't get a 'smooth' sound out of an EA very easily, so some people don't like it - one guy i built one for brought it back cos he thought it was broken :roll:

Rodgre · September 11, 2003, 05:46:15 PM

Quote from: 80k
My friend and I recently finished a tap tempo/sequenced tremolo, that we plan on doing a small production run with. Here are the soundclips. I was wondering if anyone has heard any other trem pedals that have such an aggressive stuttering effect? i have been told that the EHX one is very aggressive. would love to hear your thoughts on these soundclips. Suggestions would be welcome too!

http://www.secondsun.net/tremclip1.mp3

http://www.secondsun.net/tremclip2.mp3

I love it! Let us know when you have a run ready to sell.

I do a similar sequenced trem trick by using a gate and a drum machine trigger, but if you have it all in one pedal, that's fantastic!

Roger

80k · September 11, 2003, 06:12:09 PM

Quote from: Rodgre
Quote from: 80k
My friend and I recently finished a tap tempo/sequenced tremolo, that we plan on doing a small production run with. Here are the soundclips. I was wondering if anyone has heard any other trem pedals that have such an aggressive stuttering effect? i have been told that the EHX one is very aggressive. would love to hear your thoughts on these soundclips. Suggestions would be welcome too!

http://www.secondsun.net/tremclip1.mp3

http://www.secondsun.net/tremclip2.mp3

I love it! Let us know when you have a run ready to sell.

I do a similar sequenced trem trick by using a gate and a drum machine trigger, but if you have it all in one pedal, that's fantastic!

Roger

hey!
wow, i've seen the Curtain Society perform a few times in the Boston area. And I also own your Life is Long Still, and Volume, Tone, Tempo albums.

Saw you open for the Swervedriver guy's new band, as well as a few other headline shows in Boston clubs. Always enjoyed your music.

I have moved to San Diego since, but if i am ever in the area, i would personally deliver a tap tempo/sequenced trem to you at a show

Regards and thanks for the kind words concerning the soundclips.

Rodgre · September 11, 2003, 06:58:22 PM

Quote from: 80k

hey!
wow, i've seen the Curtain Society perform a few times in the Boston area. And I also own your Life is Long Still, and Volume, Tone, Tempo albums.

Saw you open for the Swervedriver guy's new band, as well as a few other headline shows in Boston clubs. Always enjoyed your music.

I have moved to San Diego since, but if i am ever in the area, i would personally deliver a tap tempo/sequenced trem to you at a show

Regards and thanks for the kind words concerning the soundclips.

Wow! That's pretty sweet. I remember that show well! Toshack Highway and the Fly Seville at TT's!

Email me at Roger@curtainsociety.com and I'll send you some new stuff!

Roger

News:

What's your favourite Tremolo circuit?