Overdrive unit/pedal for warming digital synths?

[Arpangel]

I've been using mainly analogue synths for awhile now, my Mini Moog, Eurorack, for a bit, and now my Buchla. All I can think of is that I've got used to a ceartin type of sound.
But now I'm revisiting my old digital stuff, my A--Station is fine, that has a sound that's unique, and I don't mind that, but I have an Alesis Micron and a Proteus 2000 that could benefit from a bit of a warm up.
I know there are various ways of doing this, more obvious chorusing or layering, but that's not what I'm after, all I need is a thickening, warming up of the sound, I'm after a stereotypical tube sound, not something subtle, a cliched valve sound, harmonic distortion.

[The Elf]

Still can't say I interpret distortion as being 'warmth', but...

https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=47153

[Arpangel]

Still can't say I interpret distortion as being 'warmth', but...

https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=47153

That thread mentions the ART Tube preamp, I'm thinking along these lines, but I'm also thinking of maybe putting things through an amp, for a more dramatic effect.
Maybe distortion is the wrong word, I can hear in my head what I want, it's just bigger, warmer, I can cut the top,end and hoist the bass and lower mid, but that's not it, I think it may be the harmonic distortion of valves, they seem to do everything but don't rob the sound of clarity, it's like something nice has been added.

[The Elf]

dbx386? At some point you're likely to need stereo.

[Arpangel]

dbx386? At some point you're likely to need stereo.

Elf, I definitely need stereo, from the beginning.
This is a "saturated" market..... sorry!
The first thing that comes to my mind is the Culture Vulture, but that's stupid money, but this is like buying a suit, and just as personal, a fifty quid pedal might do it, ad we are talking about a little hundred quid synth, its not worth spending too much.

[The Elf]

Elf, I definitely need stereo, from the beginning.

Then I'd definitely put the dbx386 on your check-list. I thought those ART Tube boxes were all mono?

I'd recommend my beloved VKP-1, but I have only seen one other in many years of searches.

[ef37a]

They have been around for over ten years now and are seen as a bit 'Marmite', mainly because of size and power requirement but the Blackstar HT pedal range are noted for a good OD sounds and are very controllable. Might picjk one up cheaply second hand.

The 'warmf' is generated by a double triode and unlike most other 'toob' pre amps, these run at the right, ouchy, 300V HT.

Most versatile of the lot is the HT-Dual and that also has a speaker emulated second output ideal for recording or feeding a PA. Designed for guitar of course but the tone controls have vast range. TMB plus a sweep notch filter.

Got a good review in the mag.

Dave.

[Dan LB]

Elektron Analog Heat?
https://youtu.be/PQXPARuCXZg

There’s a MKii version now too.

[Arpangel]

I'm not after a "hovering on the edge" type of sound, just a "nice" valve processor, it's getting that balance, or getting something with a fine degree of control, I just want my Micron to sound like an Oberhiem through a Fender Dual Showman, come on chaps, is that really too much to ask?

[The Elf]

I just want my Micron to sound like an Oberhiem through a Fender Dual Showman, come on chaps, is that really too much to ask?

Yeeeeeeeeeaaaaah...


Have you considered a new synth?!

[Arpangel]

I just want my Micron to sound like an Oberhiem through a Fender Dual Showman, come on chaps, is that really too much to ask?

Yeeeeeeeeeaaaaah...


Have you considered a new synth?!

Yeeeeeaaahhhhh????? Oh, OK then!



I loved my Micron, got loads of good sounds for it, but lately it sounds so damn thin, for some reason.

[Drew Stephenson]

And an amp perhaps?

[Arpangel]

And an amp perhaps?

I've got a Roland Guitar Cube, I'll put it through that with a bit of drive, it's got a recording output, I'll try that.

[The Elf]

Whatever the question now is, the answer is "Novation Peak".

My work here is done!

[Arpangel]

Whatever the question now is, the answer is "Novation Peak".

My work here is done!

I've just passed the Peak, I'm on my way to the Summit...

[The Elf]

Whatever the question now is, the answer is "Novation Peak".

My work here is done!

I've just passed the Peak, I'm on my way to the Summit...

[chanceoperation]

maybe this?

https://www.radialeng.com/product/firefly

[The Elf]

maybe this?

https://www.radialeng.com/product/firefly

Mono, from what I can see.

[IAA]

I've got a Roland Guitar Cube, I'll put it through that with a bit of drive, it's got a recording output, I'll try that

Mr Wakeman no less pushed many of his synths/keyboards through external amplification in the studio to rather good effect!

You could also send some of your digital stuff through the Model D ext input - that's also quite a nice sound - Ive tried it with a Kronos lead and it was quite nice

Ian

[BillB]

Shouldn't you just attach wooden end-cheeks to the synths in question?

[ef37a]

I'm not after a "hovering on the edge" type of sound, just a "nice" valve processor, it's getting that balance, or getting something with a fine degree of control, I just want my Micron to sound like an Oberhiem through a Fender Dual Showman, come on chaps, is that really too much to ask?

Sorry to press the point but, the Dual can go from as clean as a triode ever gets and at neg 10 that is pretty bloody hi fi! To total mayhem in 3 stages and with excellent control.

Dave.

[Martin Walker]

Just spotted this YouTube video that may be of interest:

Does a TUBE PREAMP add warmth to your SYNTH?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joNM5No1Ef8

Jump to 13:03 to hear the A/B (ish) comparisons.

Martin

[Martin Walker]

Oh, and I just remembered that I wrote this for SOS yonks ago - it might just contain something relevant to your desires Tony

Warmer Sounds From Digital Synths

https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques ... tal-synths

Martin

[BillB]

That’s a great article, Martin, just what Arpangel needed. You forgot to mention wooden end cheeks and unnecessary brass fittings, which is surprising for you, but apart from that it was perfect.

[Arpangel]

Oh, and I just remembered that I wrote this for SOS yonks ago - it might just contain something relevant to your desires Tony

Warmer Sounds From Digital Synths

https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques ... tal-synths

Martin

Thanks Martin, that article jogged my memory about certain techniques, I used to use the PSP Vintage Warmer on a lot of my previous CD's, along with a plug-in called Wow and Flutter, that was on my old XP machine, which I no longer have, I really would like the PSP back again, it's a really great plug-in, and I think it could help me with this problem.
Listening back to a few tracks with PSP on them, they really do sound very nice, not OTT, just nice.