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mooseherman
Published on 05/26/09 at 11:33
This rackable distortion box is a great simulator of analog distortion. It's all valve, no solid state "impurities". It's basically a distortion box that can be used on anything from guitars, basses, drums and drum loops, pianos, vocals and almost anything else. I've heard that it is possible to get good sounds out of running entire tracks through it. It's maximum output level is +20dBV and it can range from .2 to 99.9% distortion.
UTILIZATION
The setup is pretty easy. There are two channels (stereo) and each channel has an input and two outputs (lo and hi). There are knobs for drive, bias, and output for each channel. There is a switch for determining which distortion type you are looking for. There are also switches for overdrive and bypass, as well as the power switch. All switches are identical on both channels. A little more than I was expecting but easy enough to use.
SOUND QUALITY
This box is too versatile for its own good. The sounds you can get out of it are almost limitless. While you may hate some of the less distorted sounds on an electric guitar, it might work wonders on vocals. There is really something for everybody with this box. Sometimes the amps that you are using just can't do the trick, or you are doing something and it's too clean and polished sounding. This box is perfect for that. I mainly use it on guitars but I've also had great success with vocalists who are looking for a rough, raw sound (punk and hardcore bands). I've also used it on my own recordings for piano, which I greatly enjoyed. Bass can also sound great with this, although I haven't had the opportunity to really do any real work with it. I can't complain about any of the sounds because I feel like there is a time and a place for every sound this box can achieve.
OVERALL OPINION
It came recommended by John McEntire (engineer/drummer for Tortoise/The Sea and Cake), so when I finally got the chance to use it I was pretty excited. It didn't disappoint. I haven't really had too much experience with boxes of this nature, in fact it's the only one I currently own. I like the versatility and warmth that can come out of it. I like the fact that it also can really rip when it's cranked. The price is definitely up there, but worth it if you are recording the kind of music that needs a little (or a lot of) distortion every now and then.
UTILIZATION
The setup is pretty easy. There are two channels (stereo) and each channel has an input and two outputs (lo and hi). There are knobs for drive, bias, and output for each channel. There is a switch for determining which distortion type you are looking for. There are also switches for overdrive and bypass, as well as the power switch. All switches are identical on both channels. A little more than I was expecting but easy enough to use.
SOUND QUALITY
This box is too versatile for its own good. The sounds you can get out of it are almost limitless. While you may hate some of the less distorted sounds on an electric guitar, it might work wonders on vocals. There is really something for everybody with this box. Sometimes the amps that you are using just can't do the trick, or you are doing something and it's too clean and polished sounding. This box is perfect for that. I mainly use it on guitars but I've also had great success with vocalists who are looking for a rough, raw sound (punk and hardcore bands). I've also used it on my own recordings for piano, which I greatly enjoyed. Bass can also sound great with this, although I haven't had the opportunity to really do any real work with it. I can't complain about any of the sounds because I feel like there is a time and a place for every sound this box can achieve.
OVERALL OPINION
It came recommended by John McEntire (engineer/drummer for Tortoise/The Sea and Cake), so when I finally got the chance to use it I was pretty excited. It didn't disappoint. I haven't really had too much experience with boxes of this nature, in fact it's the only one I currently own. I like the versatility and warmth that can come out of it. I like the fact that it also can really rip when it's cranked. The price is definitely up there, but worth it if you are recording the kind of music that needs a little (or a lot of) distortion every now and then.