Analog Guitar Pedals v. Digital Modeling Pedals?

[bharris22]

Hi Everyone,

Stupid question, but what is the difference between these two? For example, how does an analog overdrive stomp box work differently than a DigiTech, Line 6 or other modeling-based overdrive pedal? Am I correct that the analog box takes the guitar signal and processes it directly by running it through transistors and other electronic components, while the digital modeling pedal applies a digital model of the effect of those transistors and other electronic components to the signal?

Thanks!

[KrisM]

you are correct. The models don't really get into the nitty gritty component-level, though, they typically model a specific effect/pedal/amp as a whole*

*newer stuff might just do that.

[bharris22]

Thanks!

[BertKoor]

Analog pedals don't do AD/DA conversion, bypass is truely bypass.
A digital pedal will still pass your signal through the AD & DA converters, the output signal will have a slightly different level & impedance. Also it's very hard to make digital audio hardware without any latency. There will always be a small buffer on the input & output stages. That will delay your signal some milliseconds (same as moving some feets away from your amp)

With a digital guitar effects pedal chances are you create a handful of presets and leave it like that after a while. With an analog pedal chances are you find one nice setting, you leave it like that and just switch it on & off. Happy accidents with wrong settings happen.. Having multiple analog pedals means you'll become a tapdancer as well.

[lfm]

In the case of overdrive, an analog one most likely do some eq(pre-shaping) and boost signal level a bit - and the overdrive is supposed to happend in your regular amp. So pedal helps creating a higher signal level at first stage in amp - and create more distortion that way.

A digital overdrive will also create distortion by itself - before amp. And all do the AD->DA conversions as BertKoor states.

[IsFact]

Digital Modeling Pedal is also fine for me, but'em depend on quality and their technology.

I use BIAS/JamUp of Positive Grid by iOS, quite nice tone, and convience

[Athom]

I have a multiwave distortion from Soundblox and a fuzz pedal from devi ever. each pedal do their unique charm.
same thing happen if i choose to use my Blackstar amp or Kuassa's amp plugins, both can shape my guitar track perfectly.

[werp]

Found one of these 1/2 an hour away from home for $149 AUD...Monday's a public holiday so I'm gritting my teeth until Tuesday..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwJ6FwCb7dQ