Chorus block

Contents
1 Available on which products
2 Channels or X/Y switching
3 Chorus types and effects
3.1 Types
3.2 Boss CE-1
3.3 Vintage tape
3.4 Dimension D
3.5 BBD algorithm
3.6 Vibrato
3.7 Tri-Chorus
3.8 Dual Chorus
3.9 Creating a chorus with other blocks
4 Position of the Chorus block on the grid
5 Mono or stereo chorus
6 Parameters
6.1 Parameters table
6.2 Voices
6.3 Stereo Spread
7 More information about chorus

Available on which products

Axe-Fx III: 2 blocks
FM3: 2 blocks
Axe-Fx II: 2 blocks
FX8: 2 blocks
AX8: 1 block

Channels or X/Y switching

 Axe-Fx III and FM3: 4 channels
Axe-Fx II: X/Y
FX8: X/Y
AX8: X/Y

Chorus types and effects

Types
1. Digital Mono
2. Digital Stereo
3. Analog Mono
4. Analog Stereo
5. Japan CE-2
6. Warm Stereo
7. 80's Style
8. Triangle Chorus
9. 8-Voice Stereo
10. Vintage Tape
11. Dimension 1
12. Dimension 2
13. Dimension 3
14. 4-Voice Analog
15. 8-Voice Analog
16. Stereo Tri-Chorus
17. Dual Chorus

Boss CE-1
Emulating the Boss CE-1 using a LFO-driven Flanger block (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/presenting-t
he-boss-ce-1-moaee-mother-of-all-effect-emulations.59591)

Leon Todd dials in the Boss CE-1 sound, based on the 'Japan CE-2' type in the Chorus block (http://forum.fracta
laudio.com/threads/ax8-ce-1-blind-test.141424/) with YouTube demo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?time_co
ntinue=4&v=M37ojINmE8w)

That Pedal Show: Dan's Broken Ensemble (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbjWvN9nGAk)

M@'s CE-1 emulation (https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/boss-ce1.160631/post-1925191)

Vintage tape
This type uses the tape delay algorithm from the Delay block. It sums the left and right block inputs into mono,
so use caution as stereo cancellation may occur.

Dimension D
Based on Roland's SDD-320 Dimension D. Original manual (http://media.rolandus.com/manuals/SDD-320_O
M.pdf)

The Chorus block provides three Dimension types: Dimension 1, 2 and 3. These correspond to the modes on the
original device.

The Dimension C pedal was created by Boss to produce the Dimension D effect through a pedal. In 2018 Boss
released its DC-2W Dimension C pedal, an update which is part of the Waza Craft Series. YouTube (https://m.y
outube.com/watch?v=Tt9nrVOnV70)

According to Guitar World, SRV used the Dimension D to add thicken his solos and still keep the tone natural.

"The Dimension Mode parameter turns on "Dimension Processing". This can be turned on in any
type. However I highly recommend using the Dimension Type as it sets the correct base algorithm,
LFO type, delay time, phase, etc., etc. as well as turning on the Dimension Processing. The
Dimension D is really just a typical chorus. At the output, however, some special processing occurs
that gives that unique sound. Turning Dimension Mode to one of the three settings engages the
various aspects of that processing." source (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/dimension-type-
mode-unclarity.79153/#post-962721)

"A Dimension D is a fairly typical chorus with some added analog processing on the outputs. The
analog processing has a "normal" mode and a "boost" mode. The unit itself has four switches.
These switches set the rate and the depth as well as turn on the boost mode. The switches do the
following: Slow rate (0.25 Hz) and low depth, Slow rate and normal depth, Fast rate (0.5 Hz) and
normal depth, Fast rate and normal depth and "boost" on. The depth is actually reduced in modes 3
and 4 to compensate for the higher rate. In the Axe-Fx this is done automatically when Auto Depth
is on. Therefore I've indicated the depth as "normal" in modes 3 and 4 as the amount of pitch shift
is roughly the same as mode 2. There is also an EQ that is present in all the modes on the dry
signal. The LFO is a triangle wave and is 180 degrees out of phase between channels. The
Dimension Mode parameter has three settings: Low, Medium and High. Low: Dry EQ off, boost
off. Med: Dry EQ on, boost off. High: Dry EQ on, boost on. The Low setting has no equivalent on
an actual Dimension D since the dry EQ is always active. The Dimension Type sets the LFO type,
phase, Auto Depth, Hi Cut, etc., etc. and sets the Dimension Mode to Medium. With the
appropriate settings of Rate and Depth you can duplicate modes 1, 2 & 3 on the actual Dimension
D. To duplicate mode 4 you simply set the Dimension Mode to High. The Rates are given above.
I've found a Depth of around 25% to be a good starting point. Increase or decrease to taste. The
Type does NOT preset the Rate or Depth." source (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/12-03b4-d
imesion-d-preview.79253/page-2#post-964250)

(Cooper Carter) "Try the "Dimension 1" type, with Mix at 35%."

BBD algorithm
This uses an algorithm which is based on the BBD algorithm from the Flanger block. All the “Analog” chorus
types use this algorithm, as well as the "Dimension 2" type: Analog Mono, Analog Stereo, Dimension 2,
Dimension (and probably Japan CE-2).

"Those types use “analog” delay lines. The delay lines are virtual bucket brigade devices with the
delay time controlled by a virtual oscillator. That behavior is consistent with how they would work
in the real world." source (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/not-a-bug-triangle-lfo-in-certain-c
 horus-types.140241/#post-1662572)

Vibrato
There's no dedicated Vibrato effect block or type. You can create this effect by using a 100% wet Chorus (no
dry signal).

Select the Digital Mono chorus type. Keep everything at default except (source: M@):

Rate: as desired
Depth: 50%
Delay Time: 0.10
Auto Depth: High
Mix: 100
Level: -6
Stereo Spread: 0

Mix at 100% is not a absolute requirement. As documented here (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/presenti

ng-the-boss-ce-1-moaee-mother-of-all-effect-emulations.59591), the Vibrato mode of the venerable Boss CE-1
depends on a variable Mix setting.

More in Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibrato_unit)

Tri-Chorus
The Tri-Chorus is a very lush chorus that was very popular among studio players in the 80s and 90s. The
original devices have been discontinued, but there are a few replicas.

AX8, FX8 and Axe-Fx II – Use the Chorus and/or Quad Chorus (Axe-Fx II only) effects, combined with Pitch
Detune. Forum discussions here (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/another-tri-chorus-thread.99868) and
here (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/tri-stereo-chorus.125791)

Axe-Fx III and FM3 – The Chorus block has an authentic Tri-Chorus emulation type, based on a Dytronics
Songbird TSC-1380. Forum discussions here (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/which-tri-chorus-was-used-
for-modeling-as-its-not-clear.136778/#post-1620722), here (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/a-little-taste-
of-the-new-tri-chorus-clean.135536/page-5#post-1607271) and here (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/axe-
fx-iii-tri-chorus-vs-fulltone-terc.136922). Demonstration by Camilo Velandia (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/thr
eads/michael-landau-style-tri-stereo-chorus.139154)

"It's just chorus. You can't do it with the II. It's a unique algorithm and there's no way to adjust the
chorus block to get the same results. The III has a separate tri-chorus algorithm." source (http://foru
m.fractalaudio.com/threads/the-tri-chorus-sound.148267/#post-1753931)

Videos:

Dytronics Tri Stereo Chorus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3I6euvvLFc)

Pete Thorn demos the Fulltone TERC (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b-jcn9t-MM)
Dual Chorus
Not available on the Axe-Fx II, AX8 and FX8.

This type has independent LFOs for the left and right delay lines. The delay lines are BBD emulations.

Creating a chorus with other blocks

The Multitap Delay block in firmware Ares can also create a lush multi-voice chorus.

The Pitch block and Plex Delay block can create a multi-voice detuning effect.

Leon Todd replicates the 8-voice chorus in Rocktron's Intellifex using the Multitap Delay (https://forum.fractala
udio.com/threads/intellifex-style-8-voice-chorus.153396/)

"Just use the flanger with zero feedback and modulate MANUAL. In some cases, the Flanger is
now a better chorus than the chorus!" source (https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/axe-fx-iii-firm
ware-version-12-00-public-beta-2-beta-3.157788/post-1881824)

Position of the Chorus block on the grid

You can put the Chorus block either before (PRE) or after (POST) the Amp block. Placed PRE, the block
operates as a pedal on a traditional pedalboard. Placed POST, it takes the role of a studio/rack effect.

Mono or stereo chorus

A stereo Chorus block before the Amp block will be summed to mono, so make sure it is set to mono (LFO
Phase: 0) to prevent phase cancellation issues.

Some chorus types (such as 80s and Triangle) "invert" the wet sound on one side. If you're collapsing the signal
to mono after the Chorus block, the wet side will completely cancel and you'll hear no chorus at all.

More information about phase cancellation

Parameters
Parameters table
 Parameter Axe-Fx III / FM3 Axe-Fx II AX8 / FX8

Type yes yes yes

BASIC

Rate yes yes yes

Tempo yes yes yes

Delay Time yes yes yes

Left/Center/Right/Master Depth yes yes yes

EXPERT

Low Cut, High Cut yes yes yes

Phase Reverse yes yes yes

Drive yes yes yes

LFO Phase, LFO Type yes yes yes

LFO2 Rate, LFO2 Depth yes yes yes

Auto Depth yes yes yes

Width yes yes yes

Dimension Mode yes yes yes

MIX

Stereo Spread yes

Global Mix yes

Voices
(Axe-Fx II Owner's Manual) "Whenever the number of voices is set to more than two, the LFO
type will be changed automatically to SINE. If the number of voices is greater than two and the
LFO type is changed to something other than SINE, the number of voices will be reset to two."

(Axe-Fx III) "The Chorus block has up to 8 voices." source (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/

quad-chorus.138718/#post-1645790)

A single chorus voice, i.e. for a Vibrato effect, can be obtained by setting LFO Phase to 0.

Stereo Spread
Values beyond +/-100% increase the apparent image beyond the stereo field.

More information about chorus

The Chorus block is explained in the Owner's Manual
 Chorus in Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chorus_effect)
Premier Guitar: Behind the Bucket Brigade (http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/25035-behind-the-buc
ket-brigade?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Gruhn%20ENL%20-%2003221
7&utm_term=PG%20Weekly)
About waveforms in Chorus (https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/boss-ce1.160631/post-1926114)

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This page was last edited on 26 April 2020, at 09:51.