Chorus effect

Chorus effect

In music, a chorus effect (sometimes chorusing or chorused effect) occurs when individual sounds with roughly the same timbre and nearly (but never exactly) the same pitch converge and are perceived as one. While similar sounds coming from multiple sources can occur naturally (as in the case of a choir or string orchestra), it can also be simulated using an electronic effects unit or signal processing device.

Methods

When the effect is produced successfully, none of the constituent sounds is perceived as being out of tune. It is characteristic of sounds with a rich, shimmering quality that would be absent if the sound came from a single source. The effect is more apparent when listening to sounds that sustain for longer periods of time.

The chorus effect is especially easy to hear when listening to a choir or string ensemble. A choir has multiple people singing each part (soprano, tenor, etc.). A string ensemble has multiple violinists and possibly multiples of other stringed instruments. When individual singers or violins play the same part, the chorus effect can be heard. Some instruments produce the effect all on their own. Examples include:

  • Piano - Each hammer strikes multiple strings tuned to nearly the same pitch (for all notes except the bass notes). The chorus effect is so intrinsic to the timbre of a piano that it is difficult to recognize.
  • 12 string guitar - Six pairs of strings tuned in octaves and unisons create a chorus effect.
  • Synthesizer. The effect is achieved by assigning multiple, slightly detuned oscillators to a voice. This is referred to as "Unison" by some manufacturers.
  • Mandolin - 4 pairs of identically tuned strings, as opposed to octaves and unisons on the 12-string guitar.

Electronic effect

SmallClone chorus unit

The chorus effect can be simulated by signal processing equipment. The signal processor may be software running on a computer, a ROM-encoded effect in a digital effect processor, or an analog effect processor. If the processor is hardware-based, it may be packaged as a foot pedal, a rack-mount module, a table-top device, or built in to an instrument amplifier (often an acoustic guitar amplifier or an electric guitar amplifier). Some keyboard instruments have an electronic chorus effect built in, such as some electronic pianos and some Hammond organs.

Regardless of the technology or form factor, the processor achieves the effect by taking an audio signal and mixing it with one or more delayed, pitch-modulated copies of itself. The pitch of the added voices is typically modulated by an LFO, which makes the overall effect similar to that of a flanger, except with longer delays and without feedback.

Stereo chorus effect processors produce the same effect, but it is varied between the left and right channels by offsetting the delay or phase of the LFO. The effect is thereby enhanced because sounds are produced from multiple locations in the stereo field. Used on instruments like "clean" (undistorted) electric guitar and keyboards, it can yield very dreamy or ambient sounds. Commercial chorus effect devices often include controls that enable them to be used to also produce delay, reverberation, or other related effects that use similar hardware, rather than exclusively as chorus effects.



External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Chorus effect — Para el álbum de Erasure, véase Chorus. Chorus effect (inglés: coro) es el nombre que recibe un efecto de sonido usado en la interpretación o composición musical. El Chorus resulta de mezclar una señal con vibrato con la señal sin procesar. El… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Chorus — may refer to: Plays Greek chorus Musical Choir, a vocal ensemble Chorus effect, the perception of similar sounds from multiple sources as a single, richer sound; signal processors design to simulate the effect Refrain or chorus of a song, pre… …   Wikipedia

  • Chorus — Para el efecto sonoro, véase Chorus effect. Chorus Álbum de Erasure Publicación 14 de octubre de 1991 Género(s) Synthpop Duración 41:29 …   Wikipedia Español

  • Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus Guitar Amplifier — Roland JC 120 Jazz Chorus Amplifier is a guitar amplifier first produced in 1975. The amp is renowned for its crystal clear sound, lush chorus effect, and high quality tone and effects sounds. Many bands use it, especially indie, rock, jazz and… …   Wikipedia

  • Delay (audio effect) — Various kind of delay effect units Delay is an audio effect which records an input signal to an audio storage medium, and then plays it back after a period of time.[1] The delayed signal may either be played back multiple times, or played back… …   Wikipedia

  • Timeline of recordings with a flanging effect — Flanging is a time based audio effect that occurs when two identical signals are mixed together, but with one signal time delayed by a small and gradually changing amount, usually smaller than 20 ms (milliseconds). This produces a swept comb… …   Wikipedia

  • Leeds Festival Chorus — The Leeds Festival Chorus is an amateur chorus in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, with 170 singing members in soprano, alto, tenor and bass sections. Presenting classical choral music in Yorkshire and elsewhere in Britain, including at the BBC… …   Wikipedia

  • Sound effect — For the album by The Jam, see Sound Affects. Sound effects or audio effects are artificially created or enhanced sounds, or sound processes used to emphasize artistic or other content of films, television shows, live performance, animation, video …   Wikipedia

  • Guitar effects — are electronic devices that modify the tone, pitch, or sound of an electric guitar, or condition or reroute the signal in some fashion. Effects can be housed in small effects pedals ( stomp boxes ), guitar amplifiers, guitar amplifier simulation… …   Wikipedia

  • Effects unit — A pedalboard allows a performer to create a ready to use chain of multiple pedals. Signal chain order: tuner, compressor, octave generator, wah wah pedal, overdrive, distortion, fuzz, EQ and tremolo. Effects units are …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”