Effects for cleans!

[CommonCourtesy]

So for those who may not know, in the bands I've played in I've had very little clean playing parts or use of the clean channel. In fact, my "clean" sound has been restricted to the specific channel but usually with the crunch switch pushed in for some breakup as I don't like it squeaky clean. Even in the studio I've done very little. However recently there's been a clean part where I'm holding chords out, so I may need to expand on some effects here. What are the usual ones people use for clean parts? Chorus? Phaser? I'm trying those two out in the next rehearsal to add some colour to the chords.

[gwEm]

I use reverb and analogue delay.

In the past I have experimented with chorus and a flanger set for a chorus-like tone. It does sound good, but in the end I decided it was a little bit cliche. Perhaps I needed something more subtle.

[Alex]

A chorus is the classic were to start. I would recommend getting one with several sounds (I swear by the Digitech Hardwire Chorus because of its huge headroom).
From there you could explore other modulation effects as well.

I also love reverb on clean sounds, but in a live context they might not cut/sound as well as in a bedroom/studio setting.

[Dave Sloven]

A lot of people use one of these MXR chorus pedals like I've got for cleans.  It's called a Black Label Chorus (if you get the Zakk Wylde signature version) or the Analog Chorus (blue one if you don't want to look like a dick like me, apparently they are identical and seem to cost the same, LOL).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZpXCyoIeiw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=merGvga39Yo

Some people use a compressor but I really don't like them.

Chorus can sound cliche if too much effect is used.

The other effects you might want to try are a delay or reverb. I don't have reverb in my set-up but I do have an MXR Carbon Copy delay, and you might find one of those useful for your 'dirty' playing as well.

A clean boost like a TC Spark Boost is also recommended by some people.

My MXR EVH Flanger can apparently do a chorus type effect if you set the knobs right but I have had more luck getting phaser type sounds out of it.  I wouldn't recommend a phaser on cleans.

[CommonCourtesy]

Thanks for the replies everyone, tonight I'm trying an EHX Small Stone and a Neo Clone chorus, and then let my ears decide if I like them or not.

I agree that it should be subtle, so like a hint its there and not a throwback to the 'Come As You Are" tone!

There's probably going to be a host of effects in the recording studio but I just wanted to see what I can find to maybe incorporate it into my live rig perhaps.

Delays and reverbs are something I've never experimented with properly, I do have a DD-6 which is good, I used it in an old rock band for solos and stuff.

[Telerocker]

Chorus, reverb, delay, all can give an ambient effect. Subtle use is most of the time a good thing, it doesn't get boring that way. By example I use my old Boss BF2 flanger with no sweep, so it sounds more like a subtle 12-strings effect, a doubler if you like. I use this setting even more than my chorus.

[38thBeatle]

I'd also say Delays and Reverb are the first things I'd go for. I have also used the odd bit of chorus but as others have suggested, it can be a bit old hat unless you are very subtle. I recently acquired a flanger as I am a sucker for the sound of them. Used judiciously they can be great for cleans but it really pays to be minimal because the room does the rest.
Depends upon what you are playing really as delays, however luscious, can get in the way. I said a reverb because if you get something like a tc electronic Hall of Fame, you have a great array of choices for a fairly reasonable price but I am sure that there are other similar units that offer something similar.

[dave_mc]

Yeah, chorus, reverb and delay are the main ones probably. A lot of people use phaser and flanger as well or instead (certainly flangers, or at least some flangers, can be dialled in to sound more or less like a chorus).

the small stone and neo clone are nice. there's that new bad stone coming out soon (maybe already out) which also might be worth considering (I haven't tried it).

[PK]

I'm a big fan of the Hall of Fame reverb and flashback delay from TC.
You can get great dynamic delays with modulation on only the trail and crazy things like that.
It will give you the effect of modulation, but a little less obvious.
And the TonePrint features are just simply the most awesome guitar invention since 1959 (sorry Tim)

[Plenum n Heather]

Compression.

[Alex]

I had the small clone chorus (the "Nirvana" chorus). It sounds very nice, but had a horrible, tone-sucking bypass. I hope they fixed that on the Small stone/Neo clone?

[Elliot]

tremolo - in light mode, much better than a chorus.

[dave_mc]

^^ Yeah the nano version of the small stone and the neo clone are both true bypass.

[seancorker]

Compression.

+1 the first step is a compressor - Keeley 2 knob is brilliant. After that the EX small stone to fatten the sound. I found I don't really need any ambient fx as well.

[Telerocker]

Compression.

+1 the first step is a compressor - Keeley 2 knob is brilliant. After that the EX small stone to fatten the sound. I found I don't really need any ambient fx as well.

A compressor eliminates peaks and enhances if you're picking soft. It's an effect that is very useful if you want/need it, by example for recordings. On stage I don't like a compressor for a lot sounds and playingstyles. I doubt a compressor should be the OP first buy.
I'd rather would start with a boost, chorus/flange (If you like that sounds) and delay.