----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, June 25, 2006 2:35 AM
Subject: Re: Thoughts on the Eclipse,
Fireworx, G-Force, and PCM81
I’ve owned all of these. Each offers unique pleasures, to be
sure, but the serious contenders for max mangling are only the Eventide
and the FireworX, and I'd go for the Eventide without hesitating.
My takes on each:
PCM-81...a big disappointment as a mangler, even with all the add-on
preset cards; opaque (but admittedly deep) interface, and really not a
multi-effector; it’s a multi-delay--get the PSP software version and
forget this one.
G-Force...routing and modulation heaven with a great interface, always
have 8 types of effect available in any possible order/config, but effects
quite conventional; pitch-shifting nowhere near as cool as the Eventide. With
clever, patient programming, it can do some wild morphing stuff because of the
deep mod options and many simultaneous fx, not because of having unusual
effects.
FireworX...should have been a G-Force on steroids, since it’s packed with
odd effects for sonic mayhem, but it's seriously crippled by low horsepower;
even tho its got lots of modules to pick from, it’s impossible to load
more than 2 or 3 without maxing the thing out. Same mod power and great
interface as the G-F, but what's the point of infinite routing options if
you've only got 2-3 effects going?? I sold my G-Force to get one and regretted
it immediately. I hated pretty much all the presets and never found anything
in it I loved exploring. I'm sure it would repay deep, committed investigation
because of the weird effects available, esp. in concert with other devices.
Too bad neither tc device will send its ultra mod power to external devices
via MIDI control...
The Eclipse will only disappoint if you’re expecting or used to the kind
of endless programmability you’d get with a tc, or DSP-Eventide; it’s a two
slot device with fixed algorithms, but these are rich and complex, covering
all the basics in deluxe style, and filtered multi-delays exceptionally
well...plus it’s got that multi-pitch-shifting thing that nothing else can
quite duplicate. It sounds so magnificent you’d never regret having one,
unless it only makes you yearn for an H8000.
You’ve already got really cool ring-mod-ing and some rudimentary
"synth-fx" with your VF-1s; actually, it seems that low-end hardware is where
you’re most likely to find the richest collection of unique-if-cheesy fx, all
of which would benefit enormously from an Eventide fairy-dusting
down-stream.
You already know my opinion of Reaktor as the weirdest and most endlessly
re-thinkable multi-fx to beat, right? Too bad that's not working yet with the
Receptor.....
Have fun!
dc
On Jun 24, 2006, at 8:07 PM, Krispen Hartung wrote:
I'd like to get your thoughts on the Eventide
Eclipse, TC Electronic Fireworx, TC Electrronics G-Force, and Lexicon
PCM81.