For a long time I've been wondering what effect, if any, the IC has on a simple overdrive pedal like the Tube Screamer. I decided to wire an IC socket into my TS clone so that I could easily swap them in and out. I recorded a loop into my Boss RC-2 so that I could keep everything but the IC swaps consistent. I tested out 7 different IC's, and I think that list includes mostly all of the IC's that are usually deployed in basic guitar effects.
What do you think, can you hear a difference?
Signal Chain = Stratocaster --> Cable --> Boss RC2 --> Cable --> TS Clone --> Cable --> 66 Deluxe Reverb --> SM57 --> FMR Audio RNP --> Digital Performer.
There was no signal processing at all.
OPA2227P
JRC4558D
LM1458
NE5532
RC4558P
RC4559P
TL072CP
Testing Different IC's in a Tube Screamer by afrogoose