The Analog Man Clone Chorus is a chorus pedal built as a functional duplicate of the Electro-Harmonix Small Clone, the compact analog chorus that Analog Man decided "someone must make... again." The company brought out its own version in 1998, in a smaller and more rugged box than the original1. Electro-Harmonix still lists the Small Clone in its current range as an analog chorus2.
The headline change is the control layout: the Small Clone's Depth switch is replaced by a Depth knob, which Analog Man's manual says allows an exact setting of depth rather than the original's stepped choices1. The pedal uses original 1024-stage BBD (bucket brigade) chips, which Analog Man specifies for high fidelity, and it is described as producing the lush, bright, shimmering tones of the pedal it duplicates1.
Controls and construction
The manual describes the pedal as a strong, high quality steel box that opens with only two short 6-32 screws, built on double-sided circuit boards with plenty of shielding1. The guitar plugs into the jack on the right (IN) and the amp connects on the left (OUT)1.
Power
The Clone Chorus runs from a regulated 9V DC adapter, not AC, of the Boss PSA style with center negative polarity. The power jack takes a barrel-type adapter with negative center, and Analog Man suggests trying 12V for more headroom1. The manual also covers battery use: the battery is disconnected when the input cord is removed or when a power cable is inserted1.
The manual specifies a regulated 9V DC adapter, explicitly not AC, in the Boss PSA style with center negative polarity1.
The stereo version
Analog Man also offers the Clone Chorus in a true stereo version, which the manual describes as being "for the ultimate chorus sounds with two amps"1. That version has true bypass stereo switching with a 3PDT switch and a relay, and includes a pulsing LED1.
A few points matter if you are running one of the stereo units:
- Either output can be used in mono, but the top output jack is the standard one; the bottom jack gives a slightly different sound1.
- If you mix both outputs of the stereo chorus into mono, the effect is lost. Analog Man notes this is the same with most stereo choruses, naming the Boss CE-2, the Ibanez CS-9 and the Arion SCH-11.
Where it came from
The Clone Chorus exists because the Small Clone, Electro-Harmonix's compact analog chorus2, was not being made when Analog Man took up the idea. In 1998 the company "came up with a functional duplicate, in a smaller, more rugged box," assembled in Connecticut1. Analog Man's chorus line has since grown to include the Analog Man Chorus, the Mini Chorus, the Standard Chorus and the BI-CHORUS, alongside related Electro-Harmonix designs such as the Stereo Clone Theory.
What players report
Analog Man's site documents one player, a church worship leader, who used the Clone Chorus leading worship, with a Sparkle Drive in front of it and an analog delay after it3.
Questions
What is the Analog Man Clone Chorus based on?
It is a functional duplicate of the Electro-Harmonix Small Clone, the compact analog chorus pedal. Analog Man decided the Small Clone had to be made again and brought out its own version in 1998, in a smaller and more rugged box. The Clone Chorus keeps the original's lush, bright, shimmering tones but replaces the Small Clone's Depth switch with a Depth knob for exact settings.
Is the Analog Man Clone Chorus true bypass?
Yes. The standard version has a true bypass on/off switch with an LED indicator, and Analog Man states there is no loss of tone when the pedal is off. The true stereo version goes further, using a 3PDT switch and a relay for true bypass stereo operation, and it includes a pulsing LED.
Can the Analog Man Clone Chorus run on a battery?
The manual describes battery operation with a safeguard: the battery is disconnected when the input cord is removed or when a power cable is inserted. The pedal also has a power jack for a 9V adapter of the barrel type with negative center, Boss PSA style, and Analog Man suggests trying 12V for more headroom.
Where is the Analog Man Clone Chorus made?
Analog Man assembles the Clone Chorus in Connecticut, according to the pedal's manual. The company builds the pedal in a strong, high quality steel box that opens with just two short 6-32 screws, and uses double-sided circuit boards with plenty of shielding.
Does the Analog Man Clone Chorus come in a stereo version?
Yes. Analog Man offers the pedal in a true stereo version, described as being for the ultimate chorus sounds with two amps. Either output can be used in mono, with the top jack as the standard output and the bottom one giving a slightly different sound. Mixing both outputs into mono loses the effect, as with most stereo choruses.
Sources (3)
- Microsoft Word, aNaLoG.MaN, 2006
- Small Clone, Electro-Harmonix (www.ehx.com)
- Analog Man Chorus Customer Reviews FEB-, Analog Man (analogman.com), 2015
