The Analog Man Mini Chorus is a compact analog chorus pedal from Analog Man, first released in 2005 alongside the BI-CHORUS1. It is the same circuit as the full-size Analog Man Chorus, built into a smaller, hand-stamped enclosure with a blue textured finish2. The circuit is 100% analog, built around a New Old Stock Japanese-made Panasonic MN3007 bucket brigade chip, the original 1024-stage part Analog Man prefers over the cheaper low-voltage MN32073.
Delicious Audio's reviewers described the result as "a fabulously warm, shimmery chorus with a distinct voice" and called it "a great, simple, small chorus pedal with awesome tone!"2
A warm chorus with a distinct voice
The Mini Chorus is the small-format version of Analog Man's chorus line. The maker describes the full pedal as "the same as our normal chorus, but in a smaller, hand stamped box," and the mini boxes came out in what reviewers called a "really nice blue textured color"2. Like the full-size pedal, it uses double-sided circuit boards with plenty of shielding4.
The sound comes from the chip choice. Analog Man says the pedals are "100% analog, using NOS high voltage MN3007 Panasonic bucket brigade chips for the ultimate" chorus, deliberately avoiding the cheaper low-voltage MN3207 or current Chinese equivalents3. Because the MN3007 runs at higher voltage, it can take a much higher input signal level, which the maker says means more dynamic range2.
Delicious Audio's verdict on the pedal as a whole:
"Mini Chorus is a winner for anyone looking for something a little special in their chorus and can shrug off the wide"2
The review notes that Analog Man offers over 19 different versions of its chorus pedals when all the options are counted2.
Controls and paid options
The standard Mini Chorus keeps things simple. The depth knob allows any setting from no chorus to full-on chorus, and the pedal has true bypass2. On the current full-size chorus, the depth switch has been replaced by a depth knob allowing exact setting of depth4.
The design itself goes back to why Analog Man chose this circuit in the first place: it could have separate Depth and Speed controls, unlike the Boss CE-1's single knob2.
Paid and free options:
| Option | What it does | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Depth toggle switch | Switchable depth setting | $25 at time of ordering ($50 to mod an existing pedal)3 |
| External MIX (blend) knob | Wet/dry mix, about 25% to 75% wet | $2523 |
| Stereo option | True stereo, side jacks only, no battery room | $505 |
| Fixed DEEP or THIN setting | Set at the factory | No extra charge3 |
| Expression pedal jack | Controls chorus speed; needs a 1 meg ohm controller | Jack option; metal Crybaby-type controller $953 |
Analog Man will also set the pedal to a fixed deep setting for free if you opt for the standard package without additional frills2. The LED is standard on the Mini Chorus2.
On the mix control, the maker explains: "With a MIX control, you can tweek it from about 25% to 75% wet, by turning the knob or trim pot"3. The expression option needs a 1 meg ohm controller, so a standard expression pedal will not work; Analog Man can supply a metal Crybaby-type controller for $953.
Circuit and versions
The chorus line started as a clone of the Electro-Harmonix Small Clone. In late 1998, Analog Man came up with a duplicate in a smaller, more rugged box3. By 2006 the maker's own manual said the pedal had moved on: "We started making our chorus pedal as a 'CLONE' but now after many improvements and tuning, it has far surpassed the ori"ginal and EH's reissue in features and sound6.
The Mini Chorus arrived in 2005, announced alongside the BI-CHORUS1. Since then the line has kept evolving:
- 2015: a TOP JACKS option offered for players who prefer jacks on top2
- 2019: the Mini Chorus became available with a stereo option, using side jacks only, with no battery room2
- Current: the full-size pedal is offered in a true STEREO version and a MINI version4
The stereo version is true stereo, and either output can be used in mono, though the top output is the normal one4. Analog Man says the chorus was "the first stereo pedal that was made available with true bypass," with the stereo version using a 3PDT switch and relay34.
Power and connections
Plug the guitar into the right jack (IN) and the amp into the left (OUT)4. Battery and DC adapter jack are both standard on the Mini Chorus2. The battery is disconnected when the input cord is removed or a power cable is inserted4.
The pedal can handle up to 18V, though 15V is optimal4. Current draw is gentle: about 7 milliamps when on for the mono version, about 10 for the stereo version, which the maker says means it "sips your battery very gently"3.
The stereo Mini Chorus option uses side jacks only and leaves no room for a battery, so that version needs the DC adapter jack2.
Questions
Is the Analog Man Mini Chorus true bypass?
Yes. The Mini Chorus has a true bypass on/off switch, so there is no loss of tone when the pedal is off, and it includes an LED indicator. The stereo version uses true bypass stereo switching with a 3PDT switch and relay, and Analog Man says it was the first stereo pedal made available with true bypass.
Does the Analog Man Mini Chorus run on a battery?
Yes, a battery and a DC adapter jack are both standard. The circuit draws only about 7 milliamps when on (about 10 for the stereo version), so a battery lasts a long time. The battery is disconnected when the input cord is removed or a power cable is inserted.
How much does the Analog Man Mini Chorus cost?
The base price was $225 as of March 2022, with a stereo option available for an additional $50. Optional extras such as the depth toggle switch and the wet/dry mix knob each added $25 at the time of ordering.
Can the Analog Man Mini Chorus run in stereo?
Yes, as a paid option. Since 2019 the Mini Chorus has been available with a stereo option, which uses side jacks only and leaves no room for a battery. The stereo version is true stereo, and either output can be used in mono, though the top output is the normal one.
Which BBD chip does the Analog Man Mini Chorus use?
It uses a New Old Stock, Japanese-made Panasonic MN3007 bucket brigade chip. Analog Man chose this high-voltage 1024-stage chip over the cheaper low-voltage MN3207, which the maker says allows a much higher input signal level and more dynamic range.
Does the Analog Man Mini Chorus have a wet/dry mix knob?
Not as standard. An external MIX (blend) knob is a paid option that adds $25 to the price. With the mix control, the wet/dry balance can be set from about 25% to 75% wet, either by turning the knob or an internal trim pot.
Sources (6)
- Analog Man Web Log, Analog Man (analogman.com), 2005
- Pedal Review: Analog Man Mini Chorus, Delicious Audio, 2022-03-23
- Analog Man Chorus Pedals, aNaLoG.MaN (analogman.com), 2026
- chorus.docx, Analog Man, 2024-04
- http:, ToneQuest Report (republished on analogman.com), 2001-11
- Microsoft Word, Analog Man (analogman.com)
