What are the main differences between digital and analog effects?
Do they have different circuitry? Sounds? Features?
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I wouldn't accept an answer until someone who knows can discuss how analog effects and/or circuitry work. Nothing below here answers it.– Jason P SallingerApr 29, 2016 at 16:47
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4 Answers
"Digital" means that the signal from your guitar is first run through an A/D (analog to digital) converter to translate it into a digital signal (meaning a series of 1's and 0's). The effect then performs computations on that digital signal, altering it somehow. In this regard, it's no different from a computer---in fact, a digital effect is just a computer with the specific task of processing audio signals. Then the altered signal is run back through a D/A converter before being output.
"Analog" means the signal is processed as-is, with little-to-no translation before or after (sometimes it's run though a buffer amp, sometimes not).
So yes, they have very different circuitry. That doesn't mean one is better and the other worse, though. As with all things musical, only your ears can decide which you prefer.
answered Jan 14, 2011 at 19:19
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It's simple to surmise what digital means. But you say little of how analog circuits work. Do you know? Apr 29, 2016 at 16:45
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@JasonPSallinger I do, but as this is a forum on music practice and theory and not electrical engineering, I feel a detailed explanation of analog circuitry is out of scope. What is it you'd like to know? Apr 30, 2016 at 11:42
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You explain the mechanism of a digital circuit. Please do the same for an analog circuit. Or remove the explanation for the digital circuit. After all, the OP asked about differences in circuitry. Nowhere on this page does anyone explain how analog circuitry works. Therefore, none of these answers satisfy the question. May 1, 2016 at 0:38
In short, an "analog" effect is an electrical circuit that does something with the signal that comes from the guitar due to the nature of its components.
A "digital" effect is powered by a microprocessor (pretty much like the one you have on your computer) that uses instructions (like a computer program) to modify the signal.
The main consequences of this is that a digital effect unit can be programmed to produce any sound, considering it's fast enough to do the calculations before a noticeable latency is perceived.
On the other hand, and for kinda obvious reasons, analog effects tend to sound more "natural" and are considered to have - generally - a higher quality. Some higher-level digital effect units do a very good job of "impersonating" famous analog effects (like distortion and delay), for example.
With a digital effects unit (sometimes called multi-effects rig), you also have the advantage of having many many sounds available in a single equipment.
In addition, some effects (like the Harmonizer - which adds a harmony note to your playing based on a chosen scale) are basically inviable by analog means, and thus digital effects can go some places analog ones don't.
answered Jan 14, 2011 at 19:24
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Other features typically inviable on analog circuitry include tap tempos for bucket brigade echo effects. Several companies have built hybrids of digital and analog components in an attempt to bridge the gap however.– JduvJan 14, 2011 at 19:34
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4With regard to analog effects having "higher quality", taking the example of delay, digital is far better suited to creating that effect. Analog delays used a continuous loop of tape which was constantly being erased and re-recorded on, so you had to replace the tape regularly as it would degrade, and you would of course get some audible hiss from the tape. Generally I'd argue that if people perceive digital effects as sounding less natural, it's got more to do with psychology and their expectations. People rarely do a proper blind trial of these things to test if it's true!– AnonymousJan 14, 2011 at 23:50
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Analog delays can refer to tape delays, or solid-state bucket-brigade chips. Analog Delay– AnonymousJan 15, 2011 at 5:11
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I think that digital effects (the cheap ones I buy, anyway ;) do sound less natural, but sometimes that's exactly what I want.– AnonymousMar 25, 2011 at 12:18
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This answer is completely inadequate. You had a lot to say about digital circuits, but it seems you don't know anything about analog circuits. Apr 29, 2016 at 16:43
There are great sounding analog effects and poor sounding ones.
There are great sounding digital effects and poor sounding ones.
One is not better than the other per se.
Analog effects are said to sound "warmer" than digital, but this can be explained, at least in part, due to the more limited high frequency response of analog effects.
Digital effects, while having a more broad frequency response, do not necessarily sound better. Many digital products have an "iciness" that sounds fake or unnatural.
Digital is used more and more as the cost of the circuits comes down. Most multieffects are digital.
As far as delays, there have been several types of analog circuits. While the most commonly known is the "tape delay" mentioned above, there are also "oil can" delays, "disk delays", and other electro-mechanical devices. There are also non-mechanical devices such as the Boss DM2 and DM3. While analog delays do not precisely replicate the original sound (like a digital can do), many musicians like the sound better. In fact, if you yell into a canyon and get an echoed response, it doesn't sound exactly like your original yell either, does it?
All answers here forgot about one quite important thing.
Power consumption. The analog effect takes from 10mA to 50mA on the other hand digital ones take from 50mA and highter (most TC Electronic requires above 100mA, Joyo Delay is 70mA). This kills battery quite fast (if you are John5) or requires stronger power supplies.
answered Apr 29, 2016 at 11:59
