Am I crazy? Eventide MicroPitch vs. Boss PS-6 for W/D/W

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GreatRedDragon

GreatRedDragon

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So I've always run my 2203 through a Suhr RL load into Amplitube, which functions as an IR loader and post-FX processor. But I'm tired of being tied to a computer, so I've scored a Boss IR-200 and I'm using that instead, and now I need to provide my own post-FX. I've had a Boss RV-6 for a while that I've never used until now and it does the job of providing ambience (although since I'm just using the Reverb + Delay mode I'm thinking of trading up for a DD-8). But the big hole in the sound is detune.

In Amplitube I split the signal out of my Reactive Load into three separate cabinets, dry straight up the middle, left and right pitch shifted up/down 9 cents and 100% wet. Basic W/D/W setup but super effective. The Boss IR-200 has an FX loop that can not only run in stereo, but can mix with your dry signal running center, which is just perfect. In going for a physical rig I immediately went for the Eventide MicroPitch delay, because it is "the real thing." I got lucky and scored a used one for $65 off retail. And it definitely sounds good, and Preset #1 gets that classic H3000 detuned tone. And I can run in stereo, which is fantastic. But I think the interface sucks, having to toggle between two levels to adjust different settings is unintuitive as all hell (this is why concentric knobs were invented!), and even the software that's supposed compensate for that sucks, because it doesn't output in Cents and Milliseconds, only in CC values.

Now I realize I'm sitting on a pricey pedal that offers a lot of flexibility that I can't really use. And as I'm thinking I remember the Boss PS-6... wait, doesn't that have a detune function. I check, and it does! It doesn't have the full range of the Eventide, but it has the +/-10 setting I want. And like the Eventide, it outputs in stereo. I do a quick poke and find Youtube demos showing what I'm looking for, and it seems pretty convincing. I go down to my local store and not only do they have it, they have one used for $75 off retail!

When I A/B the two in my rig, I hear no difference in the quality of the detune between the two. The Eventide has the added features of dual delays and modulation, but the delays are already handled by the RV-6, and the modulation isn't something I want or need right now (if I did, I'd rather pony up for a DC-2w and run the stereo outputs of the PS-6 into that). And of course the PS-6 has pitch shifting, harmonizing and dive bombing in addition to detune.

So the Eventide pedal will be going back to the store, dethroned by a humble - yet infinitely user friendly - Boss pedal.
 
GreatRedDragon said:
So I've always run my 2203 through a Suhr RL load into Amplitube, which functions as an IR loader and post-FX processor. But I'm tired of being tied to a computer, so I've scored a Boss IR-200 and I'm using that instead, and now I need to provide my own post-FX. I've had a Boss RV-6 for a while that I've never used until now and it does the job of providing ambience (although since I'm just using the Reverb + Delay mode I'm thinking of trading up for a DD-8). But the big hole in the sound is detune.

In Amplitube I split the signal out of my Reactive Load into three separate cabinets, dry straight up the middle, left and right pitch shifted up/down 9 cents and 100% wet. Basic W/D/W setup but super effective. The Boss IR-200 has an FX loop that can not only run in stereo, but can mix with your dry signal running center, which is just perfect. In going for a physical rig I immediately went for the Eventide MicroPitch delay, because it is "the real thing." I got lucky and scored a used one for $65 off retail. And it definitely sounds good, and Preset #1 gets that classic H3000 detuned tone. And I can run in stereo, which is fantastic. But I think the interface sucks, having to toggle between two levels to adjust different settings is unintuitive as all hell (this is why concentric knobs were invented!), and even the software that's supposed compensate for that sucks, because it doesn't output in Cents and Milliseconds, only in CC values.

Now I realize I'm sitting on a pricey pedal that offers a lot of flexibility that I can't really use. And as I'm thinking I remember the Boss PS-6... wait, doesn't that have a detune function. I check, and it does! It doesn't have the full range of the Eventide, but it has the +/-10 setting I want. And like the Eventide, it outputs in stereo. I do a quick poke and find Youtube demos showing what I'm looking for, and it seems pretty convincing. I go down to my local store and not only do they have it, they have one used for $75 off retail!

When I A/B the two in my rig, I hear no difference in the quality of the detune between the two. The Eventide has the added features of dual delays and modulation, but the delays are already handled by the RV-6, and the modulation isn't something I want or need right now (if I did, I'd rather pony up for a DC-2w and run the stereo outputs of the PS-6 into that). And of course the PS-6 has pitch shifting, harmonizing and dive bombing in addition to detune.

So the Eventide pedal will be going back to the store, dethroned by a humble - yet infinitely user friendly - Boss pedal.
Click to expand...
Do you still use the PS-6 in this way? I'm considering adding one to my board. One thing I'm curious about is whether you can delay the detuned signal(s) by a micro-fraction like you can with the micro-pitch delay. I can do that with the TC Electronic Brainwaves which is included in my Plethora X5, but I'm probably going to remove the X5. This delayed micro-pitch effect is something I'll need to replace, and I'm thinking the PS-6 might be the way to do it.
 
After running my PS-5's for years for detune in my W/D/W and being completely happy with the quality of the detunes except the fact that they only detune in 5 cent increments and I really wanted that .9999cent Fair Warning and 1984 detunes is where the fidelity of the Eventide Pitchfactor shines IMHO.

I bought an Eventide Pitchfactor and I feel the detunes algorithm's are better but it's alot more expensive than the Boss PS-5 so YMMV.

Here's my PS-5 doing Fair Warning at a -5 cent detune instead of .999cents in a slaved mono setup(not W/D/W) to two cabinets. The .999 cent setting would sound more correct but the Boss doesn't suck by a long shot. I would imagine the new Micropitch pedal is competition for the PS-5.

 
Don't worry...

My Sony DPS M7 won the duel with the Eventide Eclipse in the Micropitch setting...

Eventide is the factory standard...does not mean its the best for every use...
 
The PS6 is great for this. I use an H9 for micro pitch detune and my son uses the PS6 for the same and they both sound about the same
 
Dig said:
Do you still use the PS-6 in this way? I'm considering adding one to my board. One thing I'm curious about is whether you can delay the detuned signal(s) by a micro-fraction like you can with the micro-pitch delay. I can do that with the TC Electronic Brainwaves which is included in my Plethora X5, but I'm probably going to remove the X5. This delayed micro-pitch effect is something I'll need to replace, and I'm thinking the PS-6 might be the way to do it.
Click to expand...
No delay is built in. You would have to use the PS-6 in a sidechain with a delay.

I don't use the PS-6 for that anymore. I use an MD-500, and run the EVH-style +/-9 cent Detune in parallel with the SDE-320 sim for a mega juicy Symphonic-esque sound. My PS-6 is for harmonizing and octaving now.

Speaking of.... Boss really should put out a PS-200. The PS line is so stacked with modes that it just begs for a programmable model. I'm kind of thinking replacing my PS-6 entirely with the upcoming Line6 HX One, just to serve as a MIDI-controllable Harmonizer.

harddriver said:
After running my PS-5's for years for detune in my W/D/W and being completely happy with the quality of the detunes except the fact that they only detune in 5 cent increments and I really wanted that .9999cent Fair Warning and 1984 detunes is where the fidelity of the Eventide Pitchfactor shines IMHO.

I bought an Eventide Pitchfactor and I feel the detunes algorithm's are better but it's alot more expensive than the Boss PS-5 so YMMV.

Here's my PS-5 doing Fair Warning at a -5 cent detune instead of .999cents in a slaved mono setup(not W/D/W) to two cabinets. The .999 cent setting would sound more correct but the Boss doesn't suck by a long shot. I would imagine the new Micropitch pedal is competition for the PS-5.

Click to expand...


It sounds good!

It seems the difference between the PS-5 and the PS-6's Detune effect is the PS-5 has a short delay built in, while the PS-6 is capable of more of an EVH-style Detune without a delay. The PS-6 goes in 5 cent increments from -20 to +20, but it also has +/- 5, 10 and 15 cent settings that are tracked in stereo (left side pitches up, right side pitches down) that makes it sound massive.
 
I know it's an old 2.5 years thread but I am bumping it.

I have an EVH SDE3000 delay coming in the mail, price was too good to not try it out. I saw Andy Wood's awesome video on building a W-D-W rig and a bit confused on getting an Eventide Micropitch as up North in Canadam the price for it is almost the double of a PS-6.

So is the jury still out? I just want a stereo detune effect, will I be happy with the PS-6?

And yes, Boss should have a programmable PS-6 pedal as you can set the pitch by cents in a Katana using the software.
 
No way do those toys compare to the full rack version for the smear the full circuits produce. Remember the size of the racks, well they were full of electronics that have their own sound. Yes, you're crazy...
 
Devin said:
I've definitely heard incredible clips with the PS-6

I should prolly get one
Click to expand...
Exactly what I am thinking at the moment as I don't need the added delay in the Eventide. And my goal is to build a W-D-W for fun, I won't be taking it out of my small home studio.
 
Devin said:
I've definitely heard incredible clips with the PS-6

I should prolly get one
Click to expand...
BenoA said:
Exactly what I am thinking at the moment as I don't need the added delay in the Eventide. And my goal is to build a W-D-W for fun, I won't be taking it out of my small home studio.
Click to expand...
As long as you don't need or want detune at .999 cents 1.000 cent levels and all the bells and whistles of the Eventide Pitchfactor pedals the Boss PS-5 or PS-6 work well enough. The PS-5 detune is in 5 cent increments only.

Keep in mind if you want true EVH Balance detune you will need two PS-5 or PS-6 pedals one set to -10 and +10 cents. I ran two PS-5 for years until I decided to finally buy a Pitchfactor. If you just want a basic detune that gets close you can run just one pedal set to -10 cents like Kent Carlevi did for his Balance tones.
 
Exo-metal said:
No way do those toys compare to the full rack version for the smear the full circuits produce. Remember the size of the racks, well they were full of electronics that have their own sound. Yes, you're crazy...
Click to expand...
I do agree the Pitchfactor was a big step up in sound/effect quality but the PS-5's weren't horrible if they can be bought right. If they want a more close better quality effect then the Eventides are worth the investment if you really really want THAT tone.
 
@harddriver sounds great and nice playing too. That's the PS-5? A quick look at the PS-6 manual shows it offers +/-5 or 10 in stereo, one going on both sides.

And your clip sold me

1754589763251.png
 
BenoA said:
@harddriver sounds great and nice playing too. That's the PS-5? A quick look at the PS-6 manual shows it offers +/-5 or 10 in stereo, one going on both sides.

And your clip sold me

View attachment 410990
Click to expand...
That's not my clip, that's Kent Carlevi playing a Tonelab SE into one Boss PS5 set for -10 cent detune only the PS-5 cannot do two detunes at once. If the PS-6 can then all the better for your setup with just one pedal. It's possible the PS-5 can do this as well, I don't think it can, I just used two pedals for my setup.

With all that said the Boss PS-6 used is around $100-$120 and the Eventide Micropitch is $200. Honestly for the difference of $80 bucks I would just get the Eventide Micropitch since the quality of the Eventide detunes are just the best.

But if you can find a good deal on a PS-6 it will work good, it just depends on exactly how close you want to get and how much you want to spend.

According to that diagram the PS-6 can and does send two different detunes settings +10 Output A and -10 Output B.:2thumbsup:

Here's another guy from YT using a PS-6
 
harddriver said:
With all that said the Boss PS-6 used is around $100-$120 and the Eventide Micropitch is $200. Honestly for the difference of $80 bucks I would just get the Eventide Micropitch since the quality of the Eventide detunes are just the best.

But if you can find a good deal on a PS-6 it will work good, it just depends on exactly how close you want to get and how much you want to spend.
Click to expand...

Up North across the border, I can have a PS-6 for 199$+taxes or a Micropitch for 381$+taxes... I looked at my local used market and none to be found. So at the moment, PS-6 fits a bit more my budget and I am mostly look for a fun and affordable way of building a w-d-w rig in my tiny home studio
 
BenoA said:
Up North across the border, I can have a PS-6 for 199$+taxes or a Micropitch for 381$+taxes... I looked at my local used market and none to be found. So at the moment, PS-6 fits a bit more my budget and I am mostly look for a fun and affordable way of building a w-d-w rig in my tiny home studio
Click to expand...
Since the PS-6 does do the stereo -10 and +10 with one pedal and the pricepoint works better for you I don't think you will be disappointed with it.:2thumbsup:

If it didn't do the stereo like the PS-5's limitations then I would say it would not be worth it.
 
BenoA said:
I know it's an old 2.5 years thread but I am bumping it.

I have an EVH SDE3000 delay coming in the mail, price was too good to not try it out. I saw Andy Wood's awesome video on building a W-D-W rig and a bit confused on getting an Eventide Micropitch as up North in Canadam the price for it is almost the double of a PS-6.

So is the jury still out? I just want a stereo detune effect, will I be happy with the PS-6?

And yes, Boss should have a programmable PS-6 pedal as you can set the pitch by cents in a Katana using the software.
Click to expand...
I was totally happy with the PS-6 for the Detune effect. I replaced it with the MD-500, but the effect was actually mono. Then I moved on to the Tricerachorus, which offers Eventide's detune in parallel with a 2-3 voice chorus/flanger. I would say the Tricerachorus is the best pedal I've tried for this stereo grease sound, it's a tremendous value because you can make any kind of chorus you want.

I traded all of it for a Fractal FM9. But if I just wanted stereo detune with nothing extra I would go for the PS-6.
 
@GreatRedDragon thanks. It's confirming my now "need to buy" a PS-6 😁
 
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