OpAmp Mythbuster Video

[sleejay80]

OpAmp Mythbuster Video by Visual Sound USA.

Pretty interesting, check it out!
Especially for all you cork sniffers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpTv2jAree8

[rreiser]

I agree with the premise of the video. I do hear a subtle difference when I change chips. I prefer the Burr Brown chips. I have a pedal that I didn't like very much and changing the chip improved it enough for me to actually like the pedal. It wasn't drastic but just enough to put on the plus side for me.

[nibus]

Very cool video, thanks for the link.

[tjmicsak]

These should all be done with headphones. You don't hear half the difference when masked by room acoustics. I also don't know why the first sample had more low end if they are trying to do a direct side by side, unless the chips do actually have subtle differences in frequency response. If that is the case and the clipping is done post op amp, then there would be a slightly different break up as the higher signal spikes that clip would be at slightly different frequencies.

[bobcs71]

I don't entirely agree. The video only lets you hear two very similar (4558) chips. I'm not a pedal modifier but I had a friend talk me into trying different chips in a Tim pedal. On some I couldn't tell a difference but others (example JRC4558D & LM1458) were quite a bit different.

[schenkadere]

The one thing I like about these VS shootouts is that it really does show that it's all more smoke and mirrors than anything else.

[sutherland]

Just finished watching all 5 of the pedal shootouts as well as the OP amp mythbuster.

I was surprised by the reaction of the Keeley and the stock MXR. Compression is quite tricky, to say the least, I think I spend more time worried about added noise versus overall performance.

The ODs and Distortion, I really, really do not buy any stock into. Both are extremely touch sensitive, and although sounds of all can be found in each other...the touch of the guitarist wasn't as consistent (nor should it be...he's not a robot).

The chorus, didn't surpise me at all...Bob has always made a good chorus unit.

All good stuff! I remember talking to Bob a long time ago about the H2o, the guy still hasn't changed...down to earth, honest, up front, stands behind his product...a true class act!

[Seegs]

had a similar result when trying chips in my Timmy...subtle changes at best...went back to the stock chip...

his other comparisons are dubious at best...I don't think he is comparing apples to apples...eg. I would dial in the sound on my amp to accomodate different pedals...

he lost me when he did his true bypass to pure tone bypass comparison when he said...I use a 25' cable to the amp and it's the best cable I know of...a George L...if I'm not mistaken he distributes them or at least they share a booth when he exhibits at the Frankfurt Music Fair...a touch of conflict of interest and not totally unbiased (just like his shootouts) methinks...

Chow,
Seegs

[itkindaworks]

Interesting video.

[Jim Moulton]

I get mixed reactions when I listen to Bob's videos, He is a slick dude, Last year I did a pedal shoot out for the country website I write for, Bob told me that his Rt 66 sounded better than a Keeley, I said send me one to review, Keeley is sending one, Bob told me that he did not have any in stock. I did think his compressor sounded worse, he uses that LMI chip, I have tried his comp too and just did not like it, he has the only boutique pedal, made in China. I will say, his chorus pedals sound great
Jim

[sleejay80]

OP here,

Well I wouldn't agree with EVERYTHING he and his videos say,
especially since I've tried the LM1458 on my Timmy, and liked it ALOT more than the stock.

It's more of a player's thing, the feel to it, more than what the listners actually hear.

Either way, that "70s chips are out of stock" myths were interesting enough, werent they?

[Marble]

such sonic detail in those youtube clips!

how do you guys expect to get an accurate impression of what 2 chips sound like with such lossy audio quality?

[foll]

I just want a BoR more after I watched the whole series......

[stinkfoot]

One thing to remember about all these videos is that they are, first and foremost, a sales pitch. And just like any other infomercial, they are set up to give the product being sold the maximum advantage.

/Andreas

[dosmun]

Good to see someone finally do a shootout with many different listeners in the room. Whether the sound quality on the video is great or not you still have to give the listeners some credit for there opinions.

I tried swapping a bunch of chips in a TIM and TS years ago and my results were the same. Any change in sound was subtle at best and nobody would be able to tell in any live situation.