TONELAB ST - VERY MUDDY DELAY!!!

[talas]

Today I've got my tonelab ST and I've notice in first 5 minutes that delay is verry muddy and I'm very disapointed!!! On my DA5 is delay much better. I'm thinking about selling ST becouse delay is my favorite effect and I just can't work without it. Is the same thing with SE and LE or is this muddy dely just on ST ???

[Voxman]

What do you mean by 'muddy'? Don't go by the factory default settings for goodness sake - these are often over done.

Have you tried the Echo-plus, which is an analogue tape echo delay?

And have you tried adjusting the parameters on both delay & echo-plus?

I think this is a parameter settings issue (see p22 of the manual), because the delays sound pretty good to me.

Rich

[talas]

I never go by factory presets - alwayc clean up my presets so that none of effects/parameters is chosen. And then I start with clean sound, add effects like chorus, delay, reverb and inally add drive if it's nessesary.
muddy delay - when you hit the string the tone ic clear and every next tone (copy of primary tone) is muddy, it lost clearness. And every next tones should be as clear as primary tone, just speed and volume of repetition sounds should be variable by parameters. And it's the same with echo plus.
Try to "OFF" all the effects, just turn volume to 8 to get clean sound wich should be the same sound as bypass sound. Then turn on delay and listen to repetition sounds and compare it with the first sound (that sound that you produce) in brightness. You will notice that every first sound is a lot brighter than every others wich follow that sound.
Rich, if you have any suggestions, please let me know - thanks!

[Voxman]

Hmm - I'll have a closer listen tonight if I can. In the meantime, try a factory reset in case this is a software glitch.

Rich

[talas]

I've tried with factory reset and it's still the same thing. Can anybody compare delay from ST with delay of SE or LE ???

[Voxman]

Well, I played it last night & tried out the delays. Granted, we're not talking top quality, but for a piece of kit at this price point there's nothing much wrong with them that I can hear & they seemed perfectly usable to me & didn't sound 'muddy'. I'd be happy gigging with those delays.

Perhaps you're just very demanding and aware of the delays you like

[talas]

As I said delay and reverb are effects wich I use 95% and they must be perfect. I will add one stomp box delay next to ST and I think it must be OK. I just don't want to sell ST becouse magnificent amp and cabinet simulators, they are so close original sounds !!!

TNX to Voxman

[dayslypper]

This is Muddy delay because this is copy of BBD analog delay and this is only one delay that ST manages.

http://www.voxamps.com/downloads/PDF/To ... df#page=26

10. DELAY
This models an analog delay that uses a Bucket Brigade Device
(BBD). Its audio quality is lo-fi, but is popular for its warm sound.

[Voxman]

This is Muddy delay because this is copy of BBD analog delay and this is only one delay that ST manages.

http://www.voxamps.com/downloads/PDF/To ... df#page=26

10. DELAY
This models an analog delay that uses a Bucket Brigade Device
(BBD). Its audio quality is lo-fi, but is popular for its warm sound.

Yes, re BBD comments - and No! re 'only one! The ST also has 'Echo Plus' based on a tape delay - this will give you better 'repeats'

Rich

[Kiwicano]

I bought the ST and was excited to hear the delays especially and wired up a box with two mono output jacks and a stereo jack cable coming out to the unit, i hooked up my amps and no matter how much I tried my delays were muddy. they were no better than the cheap delay pedal i had before to be honest. it was a little off putting because the covers band i play in plays a bit of U2 (yawn) so i need a good delay. it was enough to put me off the ST and I called one of my bosses and did a swap for some cash and repairing his rental guitars and got his brand new Tonelab LE.. whose delays are worth the price alone.. luckily i got it for $400 nz and a few hours of my time. they retail for $750 nzd dollars here.
I don't think you'll ver get crystal clear "digital" sounding delays, its an all anologue delay in the ST and in saying that has that warm, "muddy" delay replys... not to everyones taste, certainly not mine. but in saying that i had read the owners manual from cover to cover before buying it so i knew it might not be perfect..
But i can safely say MY LE is one of the best bits of kit i have owned or toured with, and I'm a professional guitar tech with over 8 years of international touring experience. and having used, and toured with and owned most guitar effects, and amp modeler hardware out there..