Overdrive Transmissions - The Top 5 Advantages

Prior to the 1980s, a lot of calm cars and ablaze trucks had transmissions with a 1:1 arrangement in top gear, which agency that the car's driveshaft will about-face the aforementioned acceleration as the engine. This 1:1 arrangement served us able-bodied for fifty years or more. As oil prices rose and the country as a accomplished became more anxious about the bulk of air abuse advancing from our vehicles, automakers began to attending appear overdrive transmissions as allotment of the solution.
With an overdrive transmission, the top accent is beneath than a 1:1 ratio, which agency that the driveshaft will about-face at a faster acceleration than the engine. For example, if you accept a car after overdrive and a 1:1 top accent ratio, a 3.08 arbor ratio, and a 26" alpine tire, your engine acceleration at 70 MPH is about 2750 RPM. The archetypal overdrive in a calm car is about a 0.70:1 ratio, which agency that in top accent the driveshaft will about-face 42.9% faster than engine acceleration (1 disconnected by 0.70 = 1.429). In the aforementioned car with an overdrive manual and a 0.70:1 top accent ratio, engine acceleration at 70 MPH is bargain to 1925 RPM! That is 825 beneath RPM, a abridgement of about one-third.
This abridgement in engine acceleration has several advantages:
1.) Lower ammunition burning - on the highway, your engine will use almost one-third beneath fuel.
2.) Lower emissions - on the highway, your engine will afford almost one-third beneath pollution.
3.) Best engine activity - all added things getting equal, your engine apparently has a activity that consists of a assertive amount of revolutions. You are traveling the aforementioned ambit as before, but application beneath of those revolutions to get there.
4.) Best accent activity - your baptize pump, alternator, ability council pump, A/C compressor, and billow pump (if equipped) are all axis at a lower RPM and should endure longer.
5) Beneath berth babble - an engine axis at a lower RPM will be quieter, authoritative the cruise beneath stressful. It is easier to accept a conversation, and you can in fact apprehend the radio!
There are a few accessory trade-offs, though. The engine will accept beneath ability for casual and traveling up hills if the manual is in top gear, so downshifting will be all-important at times. A lot of overdrive transmissions are hardly added than their non-overdrive counterparts, too, but this aberration is negligible in a lot of cases.
All in all, overdrive transmissions accept been one of the better improvements to be fabricated to calm cars in the endure thirty years. They accept fabricated a beyond aberration in artery ammunition abridgement than ammunition bang and computerized engine controls. There are a amount of companies such as Keisler Engineering that accept fabricated a acceptable business out of accouterment overdrives to retrofit into archetypal musclecars and artery rods! Given the advantages of overdrive transmissions, my better catechism is why the automakers didn't action them sooner!

Digitech Multi Effect Pedals: A Guitarists Review of the Digitech RP Guitar Effect Pedal Series

I suppose I could give you all the usual talk about the professional sound and user friendly interface that the manufactures love to ramble about in their "reviews", but I know you can get that from them. What I can tell you about is how these pedals sound to me, and how easy (or hard) they are to use, and how well they are constructed, from a guitarists viewpoint.

The RP series starts with the RP55, and continues to the RP355 with more or less the same layout and functionality throughout, with the addition of integral foot controllers on the RP255 and RP355. Where things really start to get interesting, especially for someone who plays live, is with the RP500 and RP1000.

Construction
The RP500 and RP1000 are basically built like a tank. Believe me when I tell you, this helps when your playing live. Nothing like a broken switch when your about to launch into your favourite solo. I've also noticed that all the connection points at the rear of the unit are very robust (XLR, guitar input/output/USB/CD). This is probably because they are mounted into a steel casing, which helps resist movement, and cracking. I've had this happen with a few pedals. The best part however, is the footswitches. They are, again, made of steel. Pretty hard to wreck with your size 12 cowboy boots, no matter how hard you stomp. The only weak point I could see would be the rotating knobs used for effect tweaking. They are made of plastic, and located near the footswitches, so potential for breakage there.

Features
The RP500 and RP1000 are basically the same unit, with a few key features. They both have a row of effects footswitches for controlling compressor, distortion, chorus/fx, delay, and reverb. These effects can all be modified on the unit itself using the knobs, or by using the X-Edit software that comes bundled with the units. Many classic, and modern sounds can be replicated with this setup including distortions like the Ibanez TS-9, TS-808 Tube Screamer, Arbiter Fuzz Face, Big Muff, Boss DS-1 and more. This can be found in quite a few multi effects pedals, but some cool additions are the Digitech Whammy if your'e into Jack White, or Tom Morello, or the Univibe and Octavia if your'e into Jimi Hendrix or Doyle Bramhall II.

They also both come with a 20 second looper. If you have never used a looper before, its more fun than a barrel of drunk monkeys. This feature is actually what persuaded me to buy the RP500 as I was looking at buying a dedicated looper (Line 6 JM4), but realized I would get much more bang for the buck with this unit. I also tried the JM4 in a guitar shop and thought the sound was very poor.

If you have 2 amps, or even better a PA with a couple of powered monitors, you can run a stereo signal (via XLR or 1/4" outputs) and create some amazing sounds. I do this with my Fender Twin Reverb tube amp, and a cheap practice amp, and WOW! Try some effects like the Tremolo Panner, or the Rotary Speaker and you get some very interesting panning sounds across the speakers. I can only imagine what two great amps would sound like.

Ease of use
To rearrange my title here, its easy to use! I think it took me a grand total of 10 minutes from opening the box to start getting good sounds out of this unit, and to begin tweaking the presets. The presets are actually not bad. I say this because I normally don't expect any presets to be worth keeping, but in this case, I have kept them all. They make a good starting point if you are creating new sounds. Being as there is room for 100 factory presets and 100 user presets, there is no need to delete anything. The X-Edit software is also fairly user friendly. The tweakability of the effects is greater with the software than it is on the unit itself, so if you are really into this, then you will want to get the unit hooked up to your computer.

Amp/Cabinet Bypass
Speaking of amps, what turns most people off buying these types of effects pedals is how they sound through an amp. I have to admit that I have tried some multi effect pedals through my tube amp and they sounded very bad (so do some single pedals). This probably had a lot to do with the fact that you could not turn off the amp modeling, which was designed to be heard through reference speakers, or headphones, and not colored by the amplifier circuitry. One of the biggest advantages of the RP500 and 1000 is the amp/cabinet bypass switch. This simple little switch (at least the switch looks simple!), allows you to apply the effects of the unit directly to the tone of the amp/cabinet you are using (in my case a Fender Twin Reverb). You really notice the difference when you hit the switch on a tube amp, and the sound becomes much warmer and organic. When you activate the internal amps and cabinets by pressing the switch again, through headphones, or computer speakers the sound is fantastic, with quite realistic sounds. I'm not really into this feature of the pedal (amp modelling), but I'm sure some would have hours of fun with it.

RP500/RP1000 differences
Well, the first difference is price. The RP500 normally comes in at around $300 while the RP1000 costs approx. $500. This price difference is due mainly to the second row of switches on the RP1000 that allow you to control external stompboxes. This was added with the pedal freak in mind who wants the advantages of the new breed of multi effect pedal, but just can't part with their old pedals that they have built their sound around. The side benefit of this is that it will allow you to experiment with new hybrid sounds, combining your old pedals, and the new library of effects, tones and amps that comes built into the RP1000 (160 to be exact).

With a combination of solid construction, ease of use and great sound, the RP500 and RP1000 would make a worthy addition to any guitarists arsenal of pedals. After awhile, I bet you will find its the only pedal you need.

Continue your search for these great multi effect pedals and more at [http://multieffectpedal.com] A great resource for all guitarists who are looking for their own sound.

Description of the Different Types of Effect Pedals

Electric guitarist seldom just use the amp along and play, they make use of different types of effects to make good music. Some effects that i will talk about include distortion, chorus, phase shifter, pitch shifter, digital delay, wah-wah pedal, reverb and tremolo. A good multi effects pedal brand is ZOOM.

Distortion
This effect makes the sound driven too hard for the amp. Most guitarist will make use of this effect because it creates a musical pleasing way. Distortion can be anything from fuzzy to a screaming chain-saw fuzz used by bands who play metal.

Chorus
This effect makes the overall sound sound fatter, which sounds like the sound of many guitarist playing all at one time.

Phrase Shifter
This effect allows you to play in harmony alone through splitting the signal into two paths. It is really useful when practicing a song alone as it allows you to play in harmony.

Digital delay
This device produces a repetition of the sound, just like echoes. It also created rhythmically timed repeats of the notes you play. One famous band that uses this is Guns N' Roses.

Wah-wah pedal
This effect plays with the frequency. You can control the sound by raising and lowering the pedal. The world famous dragonforce makes use of this pedal to make all sorts of weird sounds.

Reverb
This effect reproduces the natural echo sound produced. It is sometimes included in amps. While the ones include in amps are not bad, having reverb as a separate will give you more variety and control.

Tremolo
Similar to reverb, it is included in many amps. Tremolo is the rapid wavering of the volume that makes your guitar sound as if you are playing it through a slowly moving electric fan.

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Line 6 Multi Effect Pedals: Multi FX From The Original Amp Modelers

It all started at Line 6 with the bean-shaped "pod", but they have seen explosive growth into virtually every category of guitar sounds including effects, loopers, amps, guitars and other electronic interfaces which make our world as a guitarists a lot more fun!
One of their greatest products (I think) is their versatile and advanced range of multi effect pedals. Still using the "POD" name, the new line of effects pedals includes the Floor Pod Plus, and the Pod HD300, HD400 and HD500. These guitar multi effects are designed primarily for stage use, but also work great in a home setting with their computer and mp3/CD connections which will allow you to tweak and play in the apartment without getting a visit from the cops.
With a simple interface, and easily tweakable settings, the Floor Pod Plus is basically a re-designed floor version of the Pod 2.0. The Floor Pod Plus has 32 amp models, 16 modulation effects, 16 classic cab models, 6 types of delay and 2 types of reverb. This is more than enough for most cover band guitarists, and certainly enough for a bedroom player looking for some great new sounds.
The Pod HD effects are the latest and greatest of the Line 6 Multi Effects. The three HD models are obviously siblings by their look and design, and as you go through the chain from the HD300 to the 500, the features start to ramp up. They all contain 16 HD amp models. If they used the name HD to make you think of HD TV quality, they were pretty close, as the sounds of these models are quite amazing. As the pioneers of amp modelling, Line 6 basically took 16 of the greatest amps from manufacturers like Fender, Marshall, Dr.Z, Mesa Boogie, etc.. and digitally re-created them.
The remaining differences include the number of effects (HD300 has 80, while the 400 and 500 have 100 effects), number of preset locations available and number of simultaneous effects available. In addition the HD500 comes equipped with a 48 second looper, while the HD300 and 400 have a 24 second looper. This looping feature, to me, is an essential element if you are considering buying a multi effect pedal as most units available now have them.

Guitar Furnishings Pedal Types: From A Beginner's Point Of View

A guitar furnishings pedal is a accessory that you angle up in amid the electric guitar and the amplifier. Its purpose is to add a switchable complete aftereffect to your playing. It is apparently account accepting the analogue out of the way first: although there are pedals that ambit assiduously and backwards, like a wah-wah pedal or a aggregate pedal, a lot of furnishings pedals are just on/off accessories - they accept a simple foot-switch to either appoint or bypass the effect. The use of pedals can be absolutely subtle, abnormally in the way they are accumulated to aftermath amaranthine varieties of sounds.
The aboriginal and a lot of accessible affectionate of pedal is alleged an overdrive or baloney pedal. This is the complete of rock, and a lot of amplifiers already accept this complete congenital in. However, sometimes the amp's own baloney is not all that great, abnormally for cheaper amps, and some actual ancient amplifiers do not alter at all unless you about-face them up to ear-Effects Pedals volumes. Hence the purpose of the pedal. Overdrive and baloney are about altered amounts of the above affair - the above is basically lighter and beneath astringent than the latter.
Another accepted electric guitar furnishings pedal is the reverb or adjournment pedal. These can add either a bendable ambiance or a harder answer to your sound, either authoritative it complete like you are arena in a ample anteroom or accouterment spacey, out of this apple answer repeats. This is a actual accepted best for authoritative a complete assume added able and produced.
There are so abounding added kinds of guitar furnishings pedal, like the above wah-wah pedal, which produces voice-like sounds if you move the foot-rocker, phasers, flangers and univibes for swirly, hippy or sci-fi sounds, and more. A accepted best for beginners is a multi-effects box, which is a agenda assemblage that contains appropriate approximations of all the accepted effects, giving you a acceptable abstraction of what anniversary sounds like and area you would use it.
But of course, acquirements about guitar pedal furnishings it´s not the alone affair you will charge to apprentice about guitars, music theory, accord are actual important too. Acquirements about piano chords ability be accessible as it´s usually easier to apprentice accord with the piano rather than with the guitar.
It is aswell important to apprentice about altered abilities that you will accept to do by yourself, abilities like alive how to change electric and acoustic guitar strings is a have to for every guitar student.

Guitar Multi Effect Pedals: Finding Your Sound With One Pedal

Like they always say, you get what you pay for. Except in this case, you get more.

Just saying "multi effect pedal" a few years ago would have got you thrown out of most bands, but oh, how times have changed. My first guitar multi effects pedal was the Zoom 505. Honestly, it was a piece of hissing, digital crap, but it made me realize the potential that lay there within its cheap, semi-transparent blue housing. I actually brought it to one of my band practices, and I can tell you, that pedal combined with the roaring power of a cranked, 70's Fender Twin Reverb was painful to say the least, especially for my band mates. So I went back to my "snake pit", home-made pedal board consiting of the usual guitar pedals (distortion, tuner, delay...).

Then, last year I started researching new guitar pedals on the internet, and found a new opinion developing regarding multi effect pedals. Experienced guitarists, with a large collection of expensive, boutique single effects pedals were starting to sing the praises of multi pedals by brands like Digitech, Line 6 and Boss. Either these players had reached an advanced stage of hearing loss, or they really liked these multi effect pedals!

I was particularly surprised with reviews of the new Digitech RP line of pedals (RP500, RP1000). Guitarists were going off about how great the sound was, the quality of the effects, and the ease of use. None of these qualities had previously been associated with a multi effects pedal. These pedals (and others by Line 6 and Boss), have such a wide palette of great sounding effects, that its hard to understand why you would buy single guitar effects any more.

With this thought in mind, I did a little research on single effect pedal prices. I picked 9 of my favourite single effects, that are also produced by most new multi effect pedals, and priced them out. This is what I found:

Dunlop Crybaby 535Q multi wah: $125.44 Visual Sound Volume Pedal: $139.95 Proco Rat Distortion: $67.49 Boss CH1 Super Chorus: $89.00 Boss FRV-1 '63 Fender Reverb: $129.99 Boss DD7 Digital Delay: $169.00 Boss RC-2 Loop station: $189.00 Boss TU-2 Tuner: $99.00 MXR M-102 Compressor: $69.95 Total price: $1077.83

This would give you a pretty impressive pedal board! Especially in size. My old pedal board had half this many effects, and it was a beast to deal with. You would be looking at 11 patch cables, 9 power connections, and the board itself.

I now own the Digitech RP500. It has all of these effects built in, with a total of 125 effects, a looper, all metal construction, and stereo output. But honestly, the best thing of all is its ability to shut off all digital modeling, and simply become a pedal board. This feature, through my old Fender Twin Reverb tube amp sounds awesome. Better than any single pedal, or combination thereof I have ever owned. The only thing that sounds better than my RP500/Twin Reverb combo, is an RP500 through two Twin reverbs in stereo! Huge, lush, shimmering sound. All that, for $300 bucks (the pedal that is).

So if your looking for a single, or multi effect pedal, do your research. Despite their digital sounding names, the latest in multi effect pedals can produce amazing sounds, at a reasonable price. They simply allow you to explore more creative sound ideas.