All user reviews for the Aphex 1404 punch factory

Optical circuit compressor made in USA.

- Switch to low active (very useful)

- Integrated DI output with the possibility to turn the effect on or off the output.
Possibility of supply with 48V phantom power console by the XLR connection.

- DB meter LEDs, very helpful too.

- 2 knobs, and roll!

UTILIZATION

What I like with this compressor is the ease of use and the final result really excellent, with only 2 buttons, and it does not need more. So I struggle to consider other low as MXR compressors with 5 or 6 buttons ... The manual I did not read it, but honestly, no need! You turn the volume between 8 and 10, and you slowly turn the "drive" button until the desired punch (for me between 4 and 6). The dB meter is not just a gimmick, it allows me to know the exact level of reduction to adjust the image settings of my studio. In this regard, the Aphex claims as a studio-quality compressor, and you will soon understand why.

SOUND QUALITY

Absolutely brilliant. But BEWARE, as cited in the previous review, keep in mind that this is an optical circuit and the effect is not as marked a VCA compressor or other guitar oriented voluntarily mark the "pump" circuit the image of the country and funk sounds good slap. The purpose thereof is to reproduce studio a transparent and efficient compression. It must pass almost unnoticed but work best balance signal. For that, it is wonderfully good job. Sure, you can hardly notice the effect, but this is precisely why it is done. It balances the signal, smooth excessive peaks and enhances the bass notes too, and must, restitution really great bass, excellent transparency. It adds punch and dynamics to your sound, without fluff and frequencies without being too strong, too. The purpose of a low compression studio quality. The difference may seem small at first listen, but once you turn it off, big empty!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 2 months on bass. I tested quickly on guitar, but it is for the 6 strings I prefer something stronger to clean, and no compression on saturation for already compressed naturally. For this reason it is moving clearly for bass. I had at the time the Boss CS-3 Digitech Bass Squeeze The nothing to do with Ahpex which is very, very, very far ahead. It's simple, it's all the time on, I can not imagine for a second game without this compressor since I first activated. It is upstream of my pedalboard just after the tuner, it is here that proves to be the most effective, as it renders it a perfect signal to the rest of the effects. I also use it for recording directly into the sound card and a signal as well balanced, this is a feast for the rest of the mix. Bassists, if you want the ideal compressor for 4 strings, go ahead and do not waste your time with Boss and company. The price is worth it.

Very good optical compressor fairly easy to adjust (tx compression and volume).

This is not an EHX black finger, he shall restore the grain of the bass.

If the instrument does not ring, it will not come.
DI integrated (very good for recording)

UTILIZATION

Very simple, we rule the tx and the compression volume.

No méoire.

SOUND QUALITY

Used with a 5-string bass, the compressor is very quiet because it does not affect the sound of the bass.

OVERALL OPINION

Sold for some time, I had more useful and I was looking for something stronger in tone.

- What are the effects or types of effects available?
Optical compressor + direct box
- What technology is used? (Analog, numrique, lamp ...)
Analog
- Are they ditables? Via an editor Mac / PC?
Non-What is the connection? (Audio / MIDI)
Audio XLR and Jack
- Is this a rack or rack MODEL?
Not a PDAL

UTILIZATION

- The configuration gnrale Is it easy?
Yes potentiomtres two (volume effect) + a foot switch
- The edition of sounds and effects is it easy?
?
- The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
Yes, but in English

SOUND QUALITY

- Effects are they effective, suitable and adequate ralistes?
Yes
- Which instruments do you use?
Low
- What are those you prfrez, you dtest?

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?
2 months
- What is the particular feature you like best and least?
Its effectiveness and simplicity of use
- Have you tried many other models before acqurir?
Yes prampli the attack HARTKE Bass (no comment!)
- How do you report qualitprix?
Excellent
- With the exprience, you do again this choice? ...
Yes no hsiter

It's an optical compressor (analog) and a direct box (DI) in a "pedal".
Input by Jack. Output jack in and / or XLR.
2 knobs: Drive 1 (the amount of compression) and Volume 1
A switch that allows the pedal of activity on the output jack. So the switch does not affect the XLR output (DI) but only on the output jack. (To disable the effect on the DI is a small switch on the back).
Level body, this pedal does not really feel like a rock-solid but nothing says it more fragile than others.
User manual (and "explanations" on the compression technology implementation) is clear. RAS.
The main Characteristics of this pedal is to provide a compression very, very, very clean and so .... very discreet. So it's definitely not a pedal to get a "bull effect" and produce sounds with harmonics overinflated (and noise!) Dripping from everywhere
The fact that this pedal is also a case of DI is no accident: in the extreme one could say that it is primarily a DI with a good compressor integrated sound. The icing on the cake: you can pedal through the power of the 48v table mix!

UTILIZATION

The setting is very simple: it regulates the amount of desired effect (Drive) and then adjusts the output volume (Volume).
In fact, it is simply the Drive almost to the bottom and adjust the volume based on the use we want to do the pedal. Usually we try to obtain an output volume the same as the effect is enabled. But if you want to use it as a booster (for solo electric guitar for example), then adjusted the volume louder.

In my opinion, it's a good thing the switch does not act on the DI output: it can send a compressed audio to the mixer while maintaining the ability to enable / disable the effect ( + a possible boost in volume) to an amplifier stage. This is what I do with the sound of my guitar electro: send the sound "core" to the table and I can switch to activate or not a second more its medium boosted and that goes to an amp tube.
The swtich ineffective on DI can be awkward for a bass player, for example, which plays directly into the sound system and wanted to use the pedal as an effect used only on certain parts. But we must believe that this pedal has simply not been thought to such use.

SOUND QUALITY

It's very difficult to estimate an effect for which the essential quality lies in its discretion (if it refers to what a good compressor sound). A first use was afraid of not having enough money: we would like the Drive knob does not stop at 10 but 20! We would like to get more sustain and still hear more harmonics, just to have the feeling to have a little under foot.
But this pedal has definitely nothing to do with a compressor pedal "classic" which is screaming electric guitars and humming bass. Here the goal is to meet the initial sound (including the piezo quack, unfortunately) BUT maximizing intelligibility and musicality of the instrument. So really the moment when we play with other musicians that takes the measure of the essential qualities of this pedal: as if by magic, without being stronger and without a sound completely tampered means the instrument exactly as he would always ring! The sound of my folk, for example, is exactly the same as before except with the Aphex I can finally hear me play without being too strong compared to other musicians. Unlike other compression schemes that accentuate the phenomenon of feedback, I Aphex with fewer problems than before hanging loop since I last played almost softer.
In practice, we realize a setting of 8 is quite enough to "pass into the mix" so there is actually no need to worry about the limits of this pedal.
From the subjective point of view, I find this pedal also embellishes the sound of my guitar: the treble seem to be more air, softer, more singing. It is as if APHEX absorbs excess peaks of attack to improve brightness, sustain and eventually my musical instrument.

OVERALL OPINION

I tried some other compressors before choosing the Aphex. I feel that the Aphex is the one that matched exactly what I wanted: a natural compression, effective and efficient for a acoustic electric guitar. The fact that it offers more functions of steering definitely convinced me to make that choice.
It should now be able to compare with other compression solutions that would rather rack compressors sound, style or 160 Dbx Drawmer.
So finally, the Aphex to 170 euros ($ 80 and only the United States Ooch!) Would it not ultimately a good thing knowing that a good compression unit cost over 300 euros?

2 days later:
I just tested this pedal as an insert effect on a mixer with a microphone singing source. I confirm it really is very clean: Can not detect an alteration of the original sound. I also noted that the effect is much more audible on a song on the guitar. Indeed, this pedal is not at all adapted for singing: means fast enough "Pumping" and above, we get the feedback from the highs when you stop sending sound into the microphone. This confirms that the Aphex was actually optimized for string instruments as they do tend to lose brightness when it is played pianissimo.
So it would probably a very good compressor PA rack to reach the same quality of results
So I recommend this pedal for musicians looking to improve intelligibility and musicality of the sound of their instrument included in a sound system!

+ Optical compressor taken DI pedal format (about 12x10x4)
Rugged aluminum, pretty well finished with a thick paint.
viewing window dB compressed.
a true bypass switch and silent
giving a drive the compression ratio
one volume.
two buttons for the DI in back panel (I do not know so I do not metals)
a button "instument active or passive" in back panel that allows you to choose the mode based on pre-amplified microphones or without your guitar.

UTILIZATION

The volume thoroughly to give the width in volume knob on the guitar.
Then guitars and drive according to taste.
simple, effective, no-frills!

SOUND QUALITY

Compression is just natural, transparent, no synthetic here, no breath, it's a compression that meets the sounds of instruments without altering them.
If you're used to classic cuts by condo 'you do not understand ... before turning it off, and immediately she went indispensable.
Used initially with an Ibanez RG-505 I found her already perfect, then I got my Blade Durango Deluxe (microphone preamplifier) ​​and together with the Aphex, they found themselves as kindred spirits!
So uncompromising sound quality, even if sometimes I want a little more sustain.
An undeniable advantage, the sound became much more accurate and as a booster, this compressor can be a cruncher amp even at low levels, it becomes necessary in an apartment and even crucial!
<p class="bbcode-offtopic"> Off topic: <span>this compressor is the only one ever tried that does not kill the sound of EHX Français Muff'n!</span>

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for one month powered by a 9v power supply Ibanez.
easily adjustable, readable, accurate, robust and small as a hair bigger than a Boss and 2 cm less high.
Three major advantages:
- No breath
- Follows the sound of your instrument
- Back up power without the sound

after a week of use I sold my Boss CS-1 and CS-3
€ 100 bought new in black with a merchant who despaired of selling it I would definitely do it again this election, it is now my only compressor and will remain here!

optical compression + DI (see other reviews for this part)
Connection OK, solid pedal

UTILIZATION

A compressor easier to adjust, I've never seen.
the manual we do not care. Is it possible to speak with two editing knobs


SOUND QUALITY

Once the pedal enclanchée (with a bass or a guitar) it does not want to stop it. Tried it with a les paul faded P90, with a Schecter C1 with a deluxe strat. The sound of the instrument is met with more potatoes, more definition. Sometimes I use a booster for "out of the mix," I'll be able to resell because the compressor is quieter and he completed the task better than my booster. Not a pet of breath, even pushing the drive.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 3 repeats and two concerts, each time, everyone is interested by this little orange box. I tried other compressors before, often with problems of breath, feedback ... A € 90 hand, the value for money seems to me excellent. I did not used DI later.

This is simply a compression effect that also can double as a D.I. box. It has 1/4" in and output and a XLR output for the D. I. function. This is an analog pedal. It cannot be edited through a computer, but really there is no need for that. No, it is not rackable.

UTILIZATION

The sound coming out of this little guy is quite good. As for editing, its simple enough with Drive and Volume knobs on the front, passive/active selector and wet/dry switches on the back. Also a ground selector. It also has an LED meter on the front to monitor you level/compression. I have never looked at the manual as it is pretty easy to understand by just looking at it.

SOUND QUALITY

I use this primarily for my Bass but also run my guitar through it from time to time. Yes, the sound is reproduced very well and the compression can be transparent and subtle to crunchy punchy. I notice some color to the sound when you really compress it, but for the most part its transparent. Its a pretty solid unit and I have to say, for what I paid for it, its amazing.

OVERALL OPINION

What I like most about it is the LED. I have never had a stomp box compressor with LED feedback before. It helps a lot when you are on stage and can't get a true representation of your sound due to amp placement and crowd/bar noise. I can't say that I dislike anything about it. I got it for $25 which was a steal. If I had to replace it, I wouldn't feel bad about spending $140 on it. I give it a 10 out of 10 for sound quality. I use an Analogman Bi-Comp for my guitar but I didn't like it as much on the Bass. This is an optical compressor and for some reason I always prefer Optical compression on a Bass. Yes, I would definitely buy this pedal again.