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Non ADA Gear => Rack Gear => Topic started by: rabidgerry on March 05, 2018, 07:14:26 AM

Title: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: rabidgerry on March 05, 2018, 07:14:26 AM
Hey Fellas,

anyone ever used or had experience with a Digitech Studio QUAD 4?  Looking at this for a new live/studio rig I am building.  I'm using the a Boss SX700 currently and whilst it sounds great I had the level/mix controls.  Way too complex for my liking.  Having used a lot of Boss stuff over the years, this take the biscuit in regards to unnecessarily complicated system of controling effect and dry mix.

Anyways long story short, I want another unit, that does the job, and the digitech maet my live needs as it has a harmonizer on it.  This is not essential in my studio setup since I have multiple great harmonizing units, but since I can't have a huge rack live, a need a unit that can do a basic harmonist function as well as my reverbs and choruses and delays and I stumbled upon this unit as a possiblity.

Anyone any clue about it?  I might be able to pick up a V2 very cheaply.

Eventually live I aim to move to midi control also and have only a midi contoller on the flloor and get rid of my Boss GT5 (it will be kep though for ultra light weight rig options for abroad).
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: vansinn on March 05, 2018, 12:30:01 PM
Haven't had one myself, but it's engine is pretty similar to the TSR-24.
IIMC, the Quad can do four mono tracks or two stereo or one stereo plus two mono.
However, it's somewhat limited in it's programming, meaning you can't set up effects chains any which way you might want.
But, if you have the need for processing two stereo tracks (or one of the other combinations) in one compact device, whilst not really needing loads of custom programming options, it's a device hard to beat.
Sound quality is excellent; you won't be disappointed.
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: rabidgerry on March 05, 2018, 01:10:48 PM
Thanks Van
my needs are basic.  I need the ability to have Chorus Delay and Reverb in that order (and not all on at once) and when I aint got chorus on the ability to have pitch shift/harmonising on with reverb.

Probably not the biggest demands in the world.  However I would expect to be able to turn effects on and off at leisure and also various settings with use of midi.  You know what a QUAD sounds like then?
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: MarshallJMP on March 05, 2018, 01:47:05 PM
Just have been going thru the manual and it seems to me it's very limited in what you can with it. If I where you I would the manual carefully before you buy it.
Also it doesn't seem to have an intelligent pitch shifter either.
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: Systematic Chaos on March 05, 2018, 03:53:24 PM
The Studio Quad (V2) ain`t that bad but it`s not what you're looking for. There's also a slight switching latency and (as MJMP already said) the Pitch Shifter id a Pitch Shifter, not a Harmonizer (not intelligent).
Hunt down a used Digitech GSP1101 (dubbed "the poor man's AxeFX; they pop up for cheap), hook up whatever of your Preamps you want to in 4 cable method and you're set for a long run with everything you want and need in a compact 2u config.
With the latest Beta C63 FW you have a more than usable intelligent pitch shifter with very decent tracking and can load up to 10 user cab IRs in the GSP1101.

I have both the GSP1101 and the old VGS2120 as well as an AxeFXII and some other gizmos...hit me up if you wanna know some more in depth...
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: rabidgerry on March 06, 2018, 03:14:58 AM
I looked at the manual for the Quad and it said "Harmony" and there is also scale selection and key selection which in my experience is not just pitch shifting, that's intelligent pitch shifting territory.  See attachment on the right hand side.

I looked at the GSP1101, but it really seems too much for my needs.  I'd be keen to avoid using 4 cable method as well  since I have finally noticed a difference in using 4 cable method and plugging directly into the preamp and running effects after the pre.
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: Systematic Chaos on March 06, 2018, 04:39:19 PM
Whatever floats your boat man ;-)

I checked out a Studio Quad V2 briefly in 2006 but it sounded better when apllied to our mixing desk than when hooked up to my (Pre)Amp. The switching latency, lack of spillover and overall quality for the guitar sound made me disconect the patch cables instantly.
I dunno with what gear you checked out the 4cm, but I can attest that the GSP1101 is very transparent and youĺl hardly notice any difference especially when hooked upt to a power amp and cab.

Just my 2 Japanese Yen....
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: rabidgerry on March 07, 2018, 01:06:21 AM
Ok made a mistake, the manual I was reading was the Studio 400 Quad.  Some what confusing.  The 400 does have intelligent pitch shifting, the Studio Quad V2 does not.  The 400 looks like a good unit actually but is too large.

Back to the drawing board!!

I've used 4 cable method for years SC, and also in the last few years since moving to rack preamps.  I used it with my Boss units and it sounded good.  But something different that I like seems to be present when going direct into the pre.  I noticed this in my studio (where I was also using a GT5 in 4cm), there was some kind of extra texture present that I never heard before.  Very subtle, but it was there.  My live set up is Gt5 and preamp in the loop, the output to amp.
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: Systematic Chaos on March 07, 2018, 02:21:57 AM
 8)

OK, I get the picture. With the GT5 (being a floorboard) you have immense lengths of cable runs back and forth to your racked preamp(s). That itself results in a definite degradation of your signal.

Having your needs in terms of weight restrictions/size (when it comes to travel) in mind I suggested the GSP1101. GSP and preamp in 2u rack bag, small midi controller (e.g. Control 7, can be found for 30€ used) in the rack bags pocket. Done.
Guitar signal to rack and in there is where it stays with no extra lengths of cable (except some small 15cm patch cables in the back of the rack). Just a Midi cable from rack to floorboard. -> Clean solution.
You can either decide to bring your poweramp of use the loop returns of the venue's backline amps for fly in gigs.
Compared to the internal of the GT5/SX700/GX700/...units of that era, the GSP1101 is by far more transparent in 4cm.
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: rnolan on March 07, 2018, 02:35:57 AM
Hey RG, if you really want to get pedantic the 4 CM method is slightly floored from the start as it is totally dependent on the Fx units quality (remember the old posts where MikeB and I tested 4 CM with his GMaj 2 (which digitizes the input etc etc) compared with using a mixer and preserving MP1 analogue signal).  Did it sound better all analogue with mixer, yes but Mike lost some CC functionality (i.e. GMaj2 master vol control).
Your main driver (correct me if I'm wrong) is to build the smallest foot print rig (that sounds great) so you can fly with it.  So (for what they are worth), my thoughts are ADA preamp (MP1 ?  or 3TM 4cm into decent FX (I recon a Lexicon MX300 (new reliable has all the FX you want including pitch/harmonising, eq etc) and IIRC you have poweramp.  Or better MP2 with MX300 (or similar) in the stereo parallel loop (no 4cm issues).  The MP2 has a room eq knob BTW, this will help you adjust for all the different cabs you end up using (and the cab sim outs will feed the FOH (jack or XLR), no mic up required).  Then to control it all you just need a phantom powerable midi pedal. And I you could put some sort of boost thing in front (preferably a rack mount thing?), anyway my 20 cents AUD)
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: Systematic Chaos on March 07, 2018, 02:59:11 AM
Haha....Rich, I knew my comments would trigger your 4cm distaste and wrath  8) :wave: :thumb-up:

Reason I suggested the GSP1101 specifically:
- relatively cheap on the occasion market
- outstanding quality/price ratio
- designed for guitar and integration of external preamps
- series and parallel routing possible within GSP1101
- independent 1/4 and XLR outputs (cab ir (de-)selectable on either)
- good harmonizer
- very good overall fx quality
- very transparent sounding
- up to 10 user cab ir can be uploaded (with latest c63 FW)
- footprint and weight
- *sidenote* was used extensively by pros (Megadeth, Dweezil Zappa, Queensryche,....) 

Especially the IR options for the outputs enable you to set up your sound with your IRs and can have it run to the board/desk for FOH with a consistent sound everywhere while still having the option to plug the 1/4 outputs to whatever poweramp/cab you want to

...when the drummer starts to chime in, you won't hear the 13th row of overtones that gets lost at the analog/digital conversion ;-)
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: rabidgerry on March 07, 2018, 03:38:23 AM
8)

OK, I get the picture. With the GT5 (being a floorboard) you have immense lengths of cable runs back and forth to your racked preamp(s). That itself results in a definite degradation of your signal.

Having your needs in terms of weight restrictions/size (when it comes to travel) in mind I suggested the GSP1101. GSP and preamp in 2u rack bag, small midi controller (e.g. Control 7, can be found for 30€ used) in the rack bags pocket. Done.
Guitar signal to rack and in there is where it stays with no extra lengths of cable (except some small 15cm patch cables in the back of the rack). Just a Midi cable from rack to floorboard. -> Clean solution.
You can either decide to bring your poweramp of use the loop returns of the venue's backline amps for fly in gigs.
Compared to the internal of the GT5/SX700/GX700/...units of that era, the GSP1101 is by far more transparent in 4cm.

That's true about the cable, it still sounds fine, I just think it sounds better directly into the pre.

In my studio when using 4cm and the boss GT5, the leads are short also, so degradation is definitely not an issue here, it's hard to compare the live sound to the studio setup.  But since I changed from guitar > pre > FX using the sx700  I think a bit more clarity and bite is present.

With the SX700 there is no 4cm.  My chain is like this:

Guitar > Pre > RockMAN eq > Rocktron Hush IICX > Rocktron Intellipitch > SX700.

Sounds great, just I hate the mix controls of the SX700.

Live I was hoping to have:

Guitar > Pre > NS-50 Noise gate > SX700 > Power Amp

But now I've decided I don't like the SX700 controls at all.  First boss I've disagreed with.


Hey RG, if you really want to get pedantic the 4 CM method is slightly floored from the start as it is totally dependent on the Fx units quality (remember the old posts where MikeB and I tested 4 CM with his GMaj 2 (which digitizes the input etc etc) compared with using a mixer and preserving MP1 analogue signal).  Did it sound better all analogue with mixer, yes but Mike lost some CC functionality (i.e. GMaj2 master vol control).
Your main driver (correct me if I'm wrong) is to build the smallest foot print rig (that sounds great) so you can fly with it.  So (for what they are worth), my thoughts are ADA preamp (MP1 ?  or 3TM 4cm into decent FX (I recon a Lexicon MX300 (new reliable has all the FX you want including pitch/harmonising, eq etc) and IIRC you have poweramp.  Or better MP2 with MX300 (or similar) in the stereo parallel loop (no 4cm issues).  The MP2 has a room eq knob BTW, this will help you adjust for all the different cabs you end up using (and the cab sim outs will feed the FOH (jack or XLR), no mic up required).  Then to control it all you just need a phantom powerable midi pedal. And I you could put some sort of boost thing in front (preferably a rack mount thing?), anyway my 20 cents AUD)

I agree probably keeping analogue does sound best, but it really isn't bad sounding going through a unit digitized or not.  I've never noticed any additional bad artefacts from using my boss.

So lexicon has intelligent pitch shifting eh?  I wasn't aware of that.  I must look at both MX300 and GSP1101.  Are there any older lexicons with intelligent pitch shifting?  I ask this because older units are cheaper and I'm looking for a bargain as always.

edit:  Richard the MX300 has no intelligent pitch shift which is a shame as there are some bargains on ebay right now for them!

Really pissed the SX700 did not work out.

- *sidenote* was used extensively by pros (Megadeth, Dweezil Zappa, Queensryche,....) 

and most Importantly Glenn Tipton  :headbanger:

https://digitech.com/en/news/glenn-tipton-of-judas-priest-relies-on-digitech-gsp1101-preamp-processor (https://digitech.com/en/news/glenn-tipton-of-judas-priest-relies-on-digitech-gsp1101-preamp-processor)

Mind you, I don't like how his guitars have sounded in years hahahaha so perhaps it's not for me.  I hate all modern tones, this is probably the worst era ever of guitar tones.  Who knows though perhaps my rig with a GSP1101 would sound good......................... :thumb-up:

I'm not ruling it out mate  :thumb-up:
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: rnolan on March 07, 2018, 04:33:38 AM
Hey SC, Mike has gone back to 4cm for the added functionality, and I actually agree with you (as you said back then, "is it that big a difference" or words to that effect). Once we are all cranked up.... splitting hairs (ahh but the purist in me..LoL).
Hey HG, I disagree with the sound of all boss stuff (as you know, but I'll bight my tongue... hey if it works for you  :thumb-up: ) and SC's suggestions make allot of sense (and they are usually on the money  :thumb-up: ), have you thought of using your rockman preamp thingy ? (I assume you still have it ?), given you guys are 3 piece, the compressor on the guitar wont matter that much dynamically (another idea..).  I'd like to hear you opinion on a MP2, they have way more gain than MP1, very versatile preamp...  But hey, you could make your life easier with a AxeFX, one stop shopping.... (I'm trusting SC here as I haven't used one)
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: rabidgerry on March 07, 2018, 06:45:57 AM
I disagree with the sound of all boss stuff (as you know, but I'll bight my tongue... hey if it works for you  :thumb-up: ) and SC's suggestions make allot of sense (and they are usually on the money  :thumb-up: ),

Weird you don't like Boss to that degree, so many others disagree with you lol  At least one pedal has to be to your liking, they've so many classics.  Anyways their GT5 sounds a lot better to me than many of their later pedals, that's why I chose it, a lot more analogue.  And their chorus is pretty famous too.  Anyways I'm not a diehard, but their equipment works well with me (once I gained an understanding of their MFX units which took a while).


have you thought of using your rockman preamp thingy ? (I assume you still have it ?), given you guys are 3 piece, the compressor on the guitar wont matter that much dynamically (another idea..). 
  Then I would sound like a rockman permanently which I don't want.  Also I want to play through speaker cabs, something the Rockman Sustainor isn't designed to do.  It's means to be played through flat cabs.  I've committed to real cabs so I'm sticking with them.


I'd like to hear you opinion on a MP2, they have way more gain than MP1, very versatile preamp... 
I'm not in the market for another preamp, it may have more gain, but it will still need a boost as it doesn't have the three tier distortion stage.  I'm happy to stick with MP1's and a boost infront of them  (except the 3TM of course).  If the MP2 had intelligent pitchshifting we'd be in business.


But hey, you could make your life easier with a AxeFX, one stop shopping.... (I'm trusting SC here as I haven't used one)
  That's not going to happen.  I prefer the gear I use and the setup, and for one thing it's a lot cheaper.  I'm looking to spend a very small amount of money and an AXE FX is very expensive.  Also not as much fun as using real gear.  I went from modeling (albeit may be not as good) to real gear so I'm not about to revert back.  Might suit some people but I'm hanging onto my MP1's and my Rockmasters.

I just need a 1u Rack fx unit with all my reverbs delays and chorus's and pitchshifitng with a modicum of intelligence.

Upon looking at the SX700 manual there are a million (a lot) of different ways to configure the effects chain.  Perhaps these are the answer to me getting better use out of the unit.  I know nothing about parallel effect placement so may be if I looked into using one of the parallel arrangements it would help me with the  mix between direct sound and fx better????
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: rabidgerry on March 07, 2018, 08:52:12 AM
This could be an alternative, has stereo input  :whoohoo!:  It's boss though, sorry Richard!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BOSS-VF-1-24-BIT-MULTI-EFFECTS-PROCESSOR-HALF-RACK-ROLAND/292474058569?hash=item4418cff749:g:-ZQAAOSwCj5anyxA (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BOSS-VF-1-24-BIT-MULTI-EFFECTS-PROCESSOR-HALF-RACK-ROLAND/292474058569?hash=item4418cff749:g:-ZQAAOSwCj5anyxA)
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: Soloist on March 07, 2018, 09:30:49 AM
I don't know how much you want to spend but on the cheaper side you can grab a Rocktron Expression used for about $100. T.C. Electronics G-Major used for $200 or a used G Major 2 for $275. All will do what you seek.
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: rabidgerry on March 07, 2018, 01:03:02 PM
Checked all of the out, the G-majors seem quite expensive over here used or not, and the Rocktron Expression doesn't do intelligent pitch shifting.  The Rocktron would be perfect otherwise as it's in the right price bracket etc.
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: rabidgerry on March 08, 2018, 12:38:29 AM
Update!!

So perhaps the SX700 is good after all and I'm just not used with having a processor that alows to have effects in parallel connection.

So up until not I have been using the serial configuration of effects on the boss.  It has however a whole bunch more.  I don't really understand what these are for or how they would benefit me.  But I got thinking about Richard and his mixer idea and keeping shit all analogue.  Well then I started to realise that the Boss has a "Thru"  setting for the input.  This according to the manual is "analogue".  I had been using this prior to this thread but not to it's full potential as I was trying to run the effetcs in serial and I was getting confused with the amount of dam levels there were in the mixer section of the unit.  Then I started to look at it like Richards mixer idea.  Then I started to realise if I thought of the mixer to use the levels like so but use one of the parallell configs.  So I did and played about with it for an hour.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Got good sounds using Chorus and Reverb.  This is all I played about with so far but I'll delve in more this evening.

I think I'm getting there.  But I still need to try out other module effects and delay and see if I can get this stuff wrking as and when I want/need.  So with the "Thru" setting I am getting basically the exact same signal I get when I bypass.  This is pretty pure sounding to me, it actually sounds different to what the input signal sounds like when it is set to "direct %100".  So I checked "Thru" and bypass over and over and determined there was not one bit of difference.  So now I realised "Thru" was like a pure signal that you can blend in the effect with in parallel, but it will be better using the right configuration.

Would love someone with better understanding of effects in anything OTHER than serial connection to take a look at the SX700 manual and tell what the f++k all the other configs are about and what is the best way for me to set the effects up.  I feel I've just scratched the surface with it.

http://cdn.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/SX-700_OM.pdf (http://cdn.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/SX-700_OM.pdf)

Still open to ideas on other units BTW
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: rnolan on March 08, 2018, 02:15:57 AM
Hey RG, email me the manual and I'll have a look for you.  Probably the main consideration (apart from gain structure/noise) with Fx is weather you want the next Fx to affect the previous FX e.g. generally you'd probably apply chorus followed by delay (so the delay(s) includes the chorus) followed by reverb.  So with my rig, chorus (when I use it (mostly on clean sounds)) is applied in MP2, I send that (via mixer Fx sends) to Quadverb.  I don't use the Quadverb chorus just delay and reverb.  The delay is set up to feed the reverb ins (so serial) then mixed back in with the direct sound (which in this case also has chorus if I've applied it).

Boss/Roland gear all has the "Roland" sound/colour even their 3rd octave graphics (which is probably where my aversion started as they were often in PA systems back then when the PA owner couldn't afford klarkteknik or similar decent trasparent eqs).  I find it muddy, (lacking transparency) and it's in all their stuff from amps to pedals to keyboards to mixers even drum machines (it's subtle but always there  :facepalm: ).  To their credit, they are well made etc and often well appointed for the price point. But hey each to their own, what sounds muddy to me may sound warm to someone else... And obviously people like them, they've been around for a long while now.

The next FX unit I buy will be a Lexicon, best reverb I've ever heard going back to the Lark224X.

Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: rabidgerry on March 08, 2018, 03:00:59 AM
Never found anything of their to be "muddy", I don't think Andy Summers would agree  :) Anyway, whole other arguement there I fail to see.

I'll send you the manual mate.

If a lexicon had intelligent pitch shift I'd give them ago.  The reverbs on this SX700 sound very good to me.  Generally my use is very subtle anyways.  I always have a little on in the background.  As SC said earlier

Quote
when the drummer starts to chime in, you won't hear the 13th row of overtones that gets lost

That goes for a lot of things I believe not just analogue/digital conversion.  Don't get me wrong, I'm fussy, but sometimes you just have to know when to stop setting the bar.

If think personally best reverbs I've ever heard where impulse reverbs, but that's another discussion I don't want to get into.
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: rnolan on March 08, 2018, 04:13:19 AM
Hey RG, I've been eying off the Lexicon MPX 300, worth a look, not sure how intelligent its pitch shifter is  :dunno: but seems bloody good value.

The other discussions we can have off line.
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: rabidgerry on March 08, 2018, 05:16:01 AM
I've already answered that Rich,

Lexicon doesn't do a intelligent pitch shift on any of the MPX units.

Value for money, f++k yeah they are indeed.  I nearly snapped one up the other day in great condition for just over £100.  The pitch shifting killed it for me.  Something I need and plan on using a lot more of in the future hence all my other threads about harmonizers.  I'm set in the studio, but for my new idea on a live rig I was needing a solution.  This may have changed now since i'm not digging the SX700 now because I realise it needs configured differently ro get the best.
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: Soloist on March 08, 2018, 06:21:57 AM
Too bad the G Majors are so expensive there used. They allow 4 configurations : Serial, parallel, semi parallel and serial2. Depending on the tone you want. I use all four because they are assignable per patch.
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: MarshallJMP on March 08, 2018, 06:38:08 AM
Maybe a TC electronic G force ?
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: rabidgerry on March 09, 2018, 03:19:26 AM
Maybe a TC electronic G force ?

Had a we look at those as well MJMP, their not dropping their price much on the second hand market.

I may be able to survive however with the SX700.  Getting to grips with the Mixer/level controls.  It's kinda awkward for me as it's not like other effects units but I'm getting their now.
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: MarshallJMP on March 09, 2018, 02:05:18 PM
Well I saw one on a second hand site here for 250 euro with a G card.
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: vansinn on March 10, 2018, 02:05:05 AM
Why not simply get a Digitech 2120, create a send/return loop on the analog clean channel, and hook-up an ADA there..?
You'll be able to use both the 2120 tube preamp and the ADA in parallel :woohoo:
You'll have all the effects your can dream up, and if it's a 2120 Artist, you'll get fairly good speaker emulation to boot.
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: rnolan on March 10, 2018, 04:56:00 AM
Hey RG, I read the SX700 manual and sent you email, it will do what you want (and hopefully not do your head in  :facepalm: ), it's not a unit for the faint hearted LoL, very sophisticated/appointed and very versatile.  Although it would be good if it let you define your own patch/routing algorithms for the effectors (which is what you can do with a mixer/desk), but it provides plenty of usable options.
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: rabidgerry on March 10, 2018, 02:25:56 PM
Why not simply get a Digitech 2120, create a send/return loop on the analog clean channel, and hook-up an ADA there..?
You'll be able to use both the 2120 tube preamp and the ADA in parallel :woohoo:
You'll have all the effects your can dream up, and if it's a 2120 Artist, you'll get fairly good speaker emulation to boot.

It's 2u and that's 1u more than plane's like you to travel with in their luggage hold lol  I really would like to avoid 4cm as well.  Sounds like a good unit.

Richard, I respond to your email properly, but as you say I need to think of the SX700 as a mixer, this is what I think has been tripping me up and finally I am getting the hang of it.  More on this later.  It's a good unit btw  probably underrated because it's Boss and there seems to be some kinda stigma attached to Boss I've noticed that's pretty ridiculous  :lol:

Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: rnolan on March 11, 2018, 04:35:43 AM
Hey RG, well I haven't heard what the fx in it sound like, but if (as you say they are good, and I trust your judgment here) then it's a very good bit of kit.  I'd like to know/understand more of their thinking with the predefined algorithms (they're not really algorithms, more patch and routing schemes).  The Boss stigma probably depends a bit on "who" and "when" you are.  Boss was Rolands cheap and cheerful (initially), this has changed over the years (not to mention back then it was called "Jap Crap").  Anyway, I was quite impressed when I read the manual, though I suspect many would find this unit way to complicated (no doubt like some of Lexicons units).
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: rabidgerry on March 11, 2018, 05:01:49 AM
I think by now Boss has well overcome this and are hitters in their own right and have been for some time.

But back to the point, in my investigation into other units quite a few of them have predefined algorithms.  But my trouble is I wasn't sure what the hell any of them were for.  I was looking at this through serial connection only.  And now that I've realised how to get the serial connection to work I'll probably stick with that. My trouble as the mixer settings.

Say I was using chorus, and I had a mix of 50 dry and 50 wet on each channel, well the output of the chorus needs to be 100% going into the next effect.  Then the next effect (reverb in this case) you have to have the mix 100% each channel and then control the mix of both effects using the reverb output.  Taking this output down fully leaves a dry guitar signal, adding it back in gives you the chorus going into the reverb effect blend.  I still don't fully get why this is but it seems to be the way it works.  Now I'm not sure what way it will work with a third effect inserted before the Chorus but I'll soon find out.  I'll never use the RSS effect so literally only mod, delay reverb I need this unit for and perhaps occasionally the eq.
Title: Re: Digitech Studio Quad V2
Post by: rnolan on March 12, 2018, 12:58:13 AM
Hey RG, it seems (though not shown on the diagrams on pg 17) that there is a direct L/R bus that the Fx chain mixes back into (Dirct: Direct level), so on a mixer this would be like the the preamp output routed/assigned direct to the main L/R outs.  The Fx chain is then mixed into this bus controlled overall by the last effector in the chains output level.  Apart from Eq (which is strictly serial (in the Fx chain) when it's in), all the other Fxs let you mix (they call it balance) the amount of effect with whatever their input signal is (i.e. from the previous effector/unit in the chain).  So these all mix into the Fx chain in parallel and the whole Fx chain is like a parallel loop (send/retrn) with the dry signal.  So having the last effector/unit in the chain (normally reverb) at 100% wet is how you'd do it with a mixer as it is then being mixed with the dry input signal (controlled by the Dirct: Direct Level) and the last effector units output level.  So think 4 faders, panned L/R in pairs, 1&2 are direct (MP1), and 3&4 is the Fx return all assigned to the main mix bus.

The effector chain is like (conceptually) a separate mixer with a stereo send for each effector all coming back into separate L/R channel pairs which have their own sends (like on a mixer).  This isn't quite as versatile as a mixer in that the effectors are in a preset (algorithm) order (albeit variable to some extent).