Alternatives to EVH SDE: Eventide Micropitch, Halo, DIG...?

[LPMojoGL]

I've had the EVH SDE3000 since it came out. I can't be bothered to do a deep dive with it. It's a huge pain in the ass. I hit an EVH preset, turn down the mix, and use the tap tempo. Sounds great.
I've used it in stereo and wdw, but realistically go mono 99% of the time.
I realize I'm missing out on the bulk of its capabilities. Seems like a waste of $ and space, being so huge. Never figured out the purpose of plugging the guitar direct into the pedal, something with the noise gate?

I have and love the OG Strymon DIG, pretty much since it came out. Had an original SDE3000 and DD2 at the same time. The SDE sounded slightly better, but was eclipsed by the ease of use and functionality of the DIG.
2 things about the DIG, that I don't dig: 1. The first repeat is always loud, clean and clear despite the settings. 2. It's a pain in the ass in its own way with the 2ndary function knob turning and internal mono/stereo jumper. Those 2 things limit me to keeping the mix down, and just using it as a basic dual delay.

I had a friend's Halo pedal here for a good while. It seemed like a solid option at getting similar tones without any of the dialing in. A simple, yet versatile tool.

I'm intrigued by the Eventide MicroPitch. It seems like it can do what these pedals do, and much more. The 2ndary functions seem easier to work with, and the presets in the software offer a plethora of sounds without the need to discover them by endless dialing.

Has anyone had all or some of these delays, and settled on one for the sounds and usability?

 

[Kelly]

Depends on how many presets you need. I haven't experienced the first issue you have with the DIG. Maybe try doing a hard reset. The worst thing about that pedal is sometimes you adjust something with the secondary knobs and forget about it. If I start playing out again I'm going to leave the DIG on my board for dual delay, and use another delay for everything else. The new DIG would be great, but spending that much for the pedal and then having to buy a midi controller to access presets is just ridiculous.

 

[LPMojoGL]

Depends on how many presets you need. I haven't experienced the first issue you have with the DIG. Maybe try doing a hard reset. The worst thing about that pedal is sometimes you adjust something with the secondary knobs and forget about it. If I start playing out again I'm going to leave the DIG on my board for dual delay, and use another delay for everything else. The new DIG would be great, but spending that much for the pedal and then having to buy a midi controller to access presets is just ridiculous.

DIG is my fav delay. I probably should do a reset. Who knows what I have going on after all these years.
In a direct shootout video, I preferred v1 to v2. Who knows if there is actually a difference.

 

[SonVolt]

I have both an SDE-3000EVH and EvenTide MicroPitch. The MicroPitch sounds great doing the Hagar detune thing, but as a standalone delay pedal it sounds pretty weak/crummy. The delays were meant to be kept sub-100ms to thicken the detune effect. Yes, you can raise the delay times to a standard delay settings, but it wasn't really designed for that, and it's kinda obvious and uninspiring when you hear it.

Just a suggestion, but a Fractal VP4 sounds identical to a SDE-3000EVH and MicroPitch. I've got VP4 presets in Axe-Change for both of these pedals.

 

[LPMojoGL]

I have both an SDE-3000EVH and EvenTide MicroPitch. The MicroPitch sounds great doing the Hagar detune thing, but as a standalone delay pedal it sounds pretty weak/crummy. The delays were meant to be kept sub-100ms to thicken the detune effect. Yes, you can raise the delay times to a standard delay settings, but it wasn't really designed for that, and it's kinda obvious and uninspiring when you hear it.

Just a suggestion, but a Fractal VP4 sounds identical to a SDE-3000EVH and MicroPitch. I've got VP4 presets in Axe-Change for both of these pedals.

Great info, thanks! Saved me from going for the Eventide as an all in one.
Ill check out the VP4

 

[heath]

I have the SDE-3, the Halo, and the Micro Pitch. SonVolt hit the nail on the head for the micropitch. Use it for detune, not for delays. The halo is a great delay, and probably my favorite delay ever for clean and mildly driven tones with the AT setting. I like the dotted 8th note alone setting on it pretty well too. I tried them side by side before I bought the SDE-3 and it is going to sound really close to the SDE-3000 units, but smaller and simpler. If I was wanting something similar to the SDE-3000 tone wise, the SDE-3 is how I would go, if you want a delay pedal with a few presets and some really neat tricks up its sleeves, go Halo. Or do like me and have both.

 

[LPMojoGL]

I have the SDE-3, the Halo, and the Micro Pitch. SonVolt hit the nail on the head for the micropitch. Use it for detune, not for delays. The halo is a great delay, and probably my favorite delay ever for clean and mildly driven tones with the AT setting. I like the dotted 8th note alone setting on it pretty well too. I tried them side by side before I bought the SDE-3 and it is going to sound really close to the SDE-3000 units, but smaller and simpler. If I was wanting something similar to the SDE-3000 tone wise, the SDE-3 is how I would go, if you want a delay pedal with a few presets and some really neat tricks up its sleeves, go Halo. Or do like me and have both.

Awesome, thanks!
Loved the Halo when I played it. Much easier to use and smaller than the SDE3000.
I doubt I could get more than $350 for the EVH. Hate that I'll never tap into its full potential.

 

[Exo-metal]

DIG is my fav delay. I probably should do a reset. Who knows what I have going on after all these years.
In a direct shootout video, I preferred v1 to v2. Who knows if there is actually a difference.

Not that it is ever gonna happen but this was a thread I started bc a rackmount strymon DIG delay would be sick...

 

[LPMojoGL]

Not that it is ever gonna happen but this was a thread I started bc a rackmount strymon DIG delay would be sick...

No doubt. Such a killer pedal that could blossom as a rack.

 

[Exo-metal]

Their features are exceptional and too many to be accessible by secondary or internal means...

The future is here, but it sucks.

 

[Meanjoegreene]

echo plex delay and luxe pedal for slight detune

 

[RedPlated]

DIG is my all-time favorite delay. It's the cleanest delay I've ever heard with high gain.

I actually got the V2 recently and like it.

 

[LPMojoGL]

DIG is my all-time favorite delay. It's the cleanest delay I've ever heard with high gain.

I actually got the V2 recently and like it.

Did you keep V1 when you got V2?

DIG has been my fav for a long time. It sounds as good in the loop of a high gain amp, as it does with an acoustic going direct to board. It's the one, out of like the 5 or 6 I currently have, that ends up on the pedalboard.

The Dispatch Master is my 2nd favorite, for that ambient thing it does so well. Sounds good no matter how you set it.

 

[RedPlated]

Did you keep V1 when you got V2?

DIG has been my fav for a long time. It sounds as good in the loop of a high gain amp, as it does with an acoustic going direct to board. It's the one, out of like the 5 or 6 I currently have, that ends up on the pedalboard.

The Dispatch Master is my 2nd favorite, for that ambient thing it does so well. Sounds good no matter how you set it.

I have the V2 on my board. I still have the V1 but will probably sell it.

 

[SonVolt]

Awesome, thanks!
Loved the Halo when I played it. Much easier to use and smaller than the SDE3000.
I doubt I could get more than $350 for the EVH. Hate that I'll never tap into its full potential.

The SDE-3000EVH is a forever pedal for me. It may come and go on my board (and come again), but it's so damn awesome and unique I'm never getting rid of it.