Ibanez Jemini - Steve Vai Signature Distortion

(Originally written by Vincent.ponsignon/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
The Gemini provides two distortions. The first one reminds me of a TS9 and the other one a DS1 but you can't use both effects simultaneously. You have to use either one or the other. It's not a big deal because the enhanced DS1-like pedal is perfect with the clean channel, and even better with the lead channel of your amp which allows you to get a heavy distortion sound.

UTILIZATION

The pedal is very easy to use: in, out with a save button plus bright to set the light intensity around the controls. Each pedal has the following controls: drive, tone and level. A short and very clear user's manual is provided with the pedal. It includes Steve's favorite settings and his list of gear.

SOUND QUALITY

Both effects sound great for heavy metal. You'd better buy another pedal for nu metal. I play an 7-string Ibanez Universe with a Marshall TSL 100 amp head and I set the gain to 8 in the crunch channel. I like both effects of this pedal. They provide the warm sound of a TS9 and DS1, but the latter sounds a bit harder than the first one.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for two days. I knew exactly what I was looking for and this time I wasn't disappointed. And to top it off it isn't too expensive. You get two effects for the price of one pedal. 10/10 regarding the value for money. I tried out a lot of other models before buying it. I was looking for something that sounded like a boosted DS1 with a Tube Screamer or a Distortion a MXR Distortion III instead of the DS1. I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again, in spite of the multiple products on the market.

It is a tube screamer with more distortion. Two pedals in one, 3 buttons plus a stompswitch for each effect (tone, gain, level).
It's pretty well thought out and is a Vai signature anyway! Done for the stage, buttons / knobs have very bright contours, as it is well known that when the effect is enabled.
Well, after this, it breaks no brick level features is the analog transistor.
Ah, I forgot: the colorful design is still the effect!

UTILIZATION

Config ultra simple, detailed above. It is plug and play, and that's good for me!
Manuel? You mean the page pub where Steve Vai describes its settings on the pedal? That's all there, and there is no real need for manual!
On this point, well we can not do better, so ... 10/10!

SOUND QUALITY

The tube screamer is almost perfect for the use I have, although I think it makes the sound a little too bloated, it lacks some treble once past it, but I think it's adjustment due to my amp (a Mesa / Boogie DC-5) which is not very sharp at the start.
We must know: it is a Vai signature, and he has a guitar that has a very pronounced acute, not me.
But that does not bother me.
In any case, for solo boost, so nearly perfect.

The tube screamer direct its clear the amp, so good. It does not break bricks, it can make the stuffing on the occasion for a little crunch, but ... It's not great!

Distortion ... I do not know what to say, but I wonder how Steve Vai happens to sound like that out of this pedal in the video demonstration ...
I tried everything: live or in several amps in the box directly to the mixer.
It really is the m ** of.
It sounds like a fuzz went wrong: no sustain, too much gain, a bee in his agony, treble horrible, really horrible ... Berk.
In fact, it's a bit like the tube screamer on the clear sound of the amp but much less pleasant.
Well ... Balance therefore very mixed. The note speaks for itself.

OVERALL OPINION

Ben now, it's been almost two years since I use it, and I'm happy as a boost. That's it.
I had not tried other models of tube screamer before, I had not even tried this pedal before, needless to say I was very disappointed ...
However, the super paint "color mixing" of the pedal is great. I love, it's class on the pedalboard.
But if you do not care to have a distortion, if you just want a boost for solos, and if you like green, you know what to do ... Especially since the pedal in question is less expensive than the Jemini.
If I keep it in fact it only for its looks!
So, choose either to look for either a Maxon or Ibanez OD-808.

The Jemini, two distortions put side by side, one is like a TS9 and the other has a ds1 to know that you can activate both pedals at the same temps.C is itself the one or the other self. which is fine, the distortion type ds1 and better filled his office largely on clean channel with a preference for the channel of a high saturated or JCM 800, for example, allowing to have more saturated sounds.

UTILIZATION

The configuration could not be simpler, in and out with bright and a save button that adjusts the light intensity around the knobs. settings on each pedal tone and drive it level.La pedal comes with a small manual with the settings very clear favorite Steve and gear he uses.

SOUND QUALITY

Both effects are daunting in a book Heavy Metal. for the bare metal may need to be thinking about something else. I use an Ibanez Universe 7-string in a head Marshall Tsl 100 with a channel gain Crunch 8. I like the 2 effects pedal. warm sound of tube screamer and ds1 with a small difference between the two, the DS1 is a little harder than the first from the left.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 2 days. I knew exactly what I wanted to buy and for once I was not disappointed. In addition it is not very expensive. 2 for the price of one 150 euros.le value for money is 10/10. I tried many models before buying it in the spirit of a ds1 boosted with a tube screamer or a MXR Distortion III from home instead of ds1. I would definitely do it again this election despite what is being proposed on the market.