That Pedal Show – Synth Sounds For Electric Guitar: Roland, EHX, Hologram & Digitech

Life too short for long YouTube videos? Please see the ‘Interesting bits and go-to sections’ information below.

In this episode we have a preliminary taste of the main food groups when it comes to guitar synthesis. From the simple Digitech Synth Wah to the mighty Roland GR-55 and GK MIDI pickup, guitar synthesis offers you a colossal range of options and sounds beyond your ‘normal’ amps and pedals. Huge, crushing distorted synth lead lines, whammy-type bends, sample and hold, crazy church organ madness through to a full-on jazz trio? It’s all here and a whole world more besides. Let’s synthesise, baby…

Pedals in this episode…

• TheGigRig Three2One

• Digitech Synth Wah
Discontinued - sorry! Try the Digitech Dirty Robot…

• Electro-Harmonix Superego Synth Engine

• Electro-Harmonix Synth 9

• Hologram Infinite Jets Resynthesizer

• Electro-Harmonix Hog 2

• Roland GR-55

• Deep Trip BOG Fuzz

• MXR M300 Reverb

Amps in this episde:
• Wampler Bravado & 1 x 12 cabinet with Celestion G12M-65 Creamback
• 1961 Vox AC30 with 2 x 12-inch Celestion Alnico Blue speakers

Interesting bits and go-to sections…
• Intro & background: 00:00
• A Jimmy Page story that involves a Roland GR-707: 1:48
• Three types of synth ‘pedal’? 3:10
• What is synthesis anyway? 3:58
• Digitech Synth Wah: 5:55 (sounds at 7:45)
• Today’s amps: 6:08
• Collings 360LT: 6:35
• Yep, this is a totally different frequency response: 10:19
• Electro-Harmonix Synth 9 sounds and discussion: 13:26
• Electro-Harmonix Superego sounds and discussion: 18:30
• Hologram Infinite Jets Resynthesizer: 22:00
• Electro-Harmonix Hog 2: 29:40
• Roland GR-55: 39:45
• What is a MIDI pickup anyway? 40:50
• Da, dah, da-da. dah, dadadada, dah-dah da, da-ow: 45:30
• Gray Guitars Admiral: 46:54

Guitars in this episode

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[jamessuba]

The difficult issue for synth pedals, is that guitarist only think guitar. A synth is a whole different instrument. And it seems that in order to make this pedal work well, one has to get out of the mindset of being a guitarist and explore a whole new landscape of sounds and color. If all one wants is another color to the guitar riffs, then play around with the various overdrives and modulation pedals. If one choses to enter the realm of synthesizers, then begin thinking globally with the landscape and environment of the music.

[GitShiddy]

So when Dan's in a rut he buys an entire synth setup?
And here I am switching to open tunings like a sucker!

[cas_designs]

I haven't gone thru all the comments, so I don't know this has already been said, but: as a bassist and lover of synth tones, the sickness you guys were feeling about the harsh highs are because you both were favoring the bridge pickups. Most synth pedal makers will suggest you use the neck pickup because they track better. The bridge pickup sends too much attack transients to the synths, whereas the neck pickup will send more balanced level of throughout the entire frequency spectrum. I'd also have suggested you guys play with trying the fuzz after the synth pedals, because the synth engines track better with clean signals. There's obviously no right order, but with the ease of order switching on the G2, I'd have liked to hear both ways on a few of your examples. Still a lot of fun to watch. Keep it up.

[daveEmartin]

I’m a synth/keyboard player in my band Black Whales and have recently purchased a few synth pedals. I was getting really board with keyboards and felt stuck creatively. It’s really opened up so many doors with my guitar playing. Also, the singer in my band wanted to play more keys and I wanted to play more guitar but not sound like I’m playing guitar. This pedals have solved so many issues. Just AWESOME!

[dodgecukc]

This video is worth it for the Rush alone! Great video. Thanks

[patrickcarroll]

You guys have become the gold standard in proper analysis of great tone. Thanks for not wasting my time.

[joshgeiger]

Hey guys, huge fan of the show, I was just wondering if you'd ever consider doing a special on Moogerfooger pedals?

[timwoodruff]

12:54 The riff that Mick plays right here sounds awesome with the synth.

[gabrieldast]

so the korg miku pedal is technically a synth pedal maybe that's a good reason for having a part two

[wulfbak]

One of the things I love about my AxeFX II is the built-in synth module. So many possibilities, especially in conjunction with an expression pedal.

[chrisbenson]

I know this is unrelated to this video however I had to tell the show. My King of Tone arrived today!!! 18 month wait but worth it. I got it because of you guys and Kenny Wayne Shepherd has one. I will watch this video later I must play now. Love your show!!!

[konnektlive]

Here they are! :) I was waiting for such video about synth pedals! Great! And thanks as usual!

[FACEGRINDproductions]

That fuzz with the Hog 2 made my heart melt, in a good way!

[neuk]

4 minutes in and we've already got Monkephant... oh this is going to be a corker.

[danielbertola]

45:52 When Dan shows Mick the "dow" chords I crack up. I've watched it over a dozen times. He goes "Noo." 😂😂😂😂😂

[justingarcia]

A tip from my bassist when dealing with giant synth frequencies live or in a dense mix, a compressor after the synth will work wonders

[loudguy]

Played a Foreigner and Blondie song in the last band and a EH Pitch Fork came in handy for the keyboard parts. We were just a 4 piece band and only I played lead. No one thought it could work until they heard it. Used sparingly and timely, synth pedals are great!

[limpeacock]

Thanks guys for a trip down Memory Lane.
I still have my Roland GR-1. It is great for some sounds especially strings, sitar, and banjo. A lot of the sounds have never been used in a practical situation, but it is a fun tool and you never know when the keyboards are gonna crap out! Thanks for the reminder!

[tonisiret]

It's time to bring these pedals back out of the cupboard!

[pedebk]

I don't know what's better; Mick's funny comments, or Dan's disappointed disapproval of them. :D Thanks for a great show, guys! <3