Eventide Experts, New Eclipse or used 3000/3500?

[Chrome Dinette]

I have come to the conclusion that I am going to end up with one of these. I am looking for the most flexibility and tweakability, moreso than a lot of presets.

I am mainly interested in these for pitch shifting and modulated delays, though once I get inside one, I may get other ideas.

I occasionally see the "broadcast" version of the 3000 on ebay. Is there anything about those that makes them unsuitable for general guitar/audio use?

[Eagle1]

used H3000
Just sounds better to me.

[LouRossi]

I'd find a used H3000-D/SE. My friend has been using one for 10 yrs with little problem but always had issues the later Orville model crashing. Great sounds and lot a players used that model in the past I believe.. ie. Fripp, G. Leonard, Vai ??(has his presets).

[Chrome Dinette]

Thanks for the input. I was leaning in the direction of a used 3000. It's cheaper, too.

[Man with Gas]

If you are playing live an Eclipse is the better choice.

You don't experience any sound dropout when changing presets when using your "typical" serial effects loops (most amps). The Eclipse has all the functions of the H3000s Custom scales etc etc (real important)

H3000s are good for home and studio work. If you are running a parallel loop you can get away with them live but still not ideal. Program changes can take up to 2 - 3 seconds to load. A long time for dead air in a live situation.

If you have a serial loop (most amps do) you will NEED one of the following in order to be happy playing live with one: - http://www.suhrguitars.com/tonetools.aspx#minimix
John's mini mixer is GREAT and does exactly as advertised.

IF you can I would seriously look to get a H8000. You will NEVER be gassing for ANYTHING after this. There are NO audio dropouts when using the tweak racks presets and you can have 6 different effects in parallel at 96KHZ!!

If you get a H8000 drop me a line as I may have some special custom presets you may be interested in.

[Chrome Dinette]

For now, an H8000 is a bit out of reach, in terms of price. An old H3000 is about right.

If I use this live, it will actually be run into a mixer and then a powered pa cab+sub. I will probably feed it from the iso out of my Axess buffer, probably with a home made tube preamp in between if necessary.

I don't currently have an amp with an effects loop, but that Suhr piece seems very handy.

[Pa'ani]

+1 Eventide H-3000 units they are great unit IMO...

[steinwand]

H3000 ftw

[geetarman]

+1 The H3000 sounds better than the Eclipse IMO too.

[aeonlux]

I am looking for the most flexibility and tweakability, moreso than a lot of presets.

I am mainly interested in these for pitch shifting and modulated delays, though once I get inside one, I may get other ideas.

Based on your criteria given here, I would choose the Eclipse. With its greatly expanded DSP power, algorithms, and I/O capability, it will deliver the flexibility and tweakability you are seeking. You can program the heck out of that box.

Also, the pitch-shift algorithms have certainly evolved since the days of the H3K series in terms of tone and tracking.

The H3K was a magic box for its time, and can still deliver the goods today - but not on the level of the Eclipse.

I've used them all - H3K, DSP4K, DSP7K, Eclipse, Orville, and H8K - and for the power and price, nothing beats the Eclipse. A used DSP7K is a bit more money, but is a winner too, especially because you get many more effect types and the ability to roll your own from scratch (if you're that type of effects junkie).

I may be biased, as I use a H8000FW myself. I love the modern Eventides - Eclipse included.


cheers,
Ian

[Chrome Dinette]

Oops, somehow I missed the last post here.

Anyway, I have a used H3500 DFX Sampling on the way. Now I just have to get a manual.