Rocktron Banshee 2 Talkbox

It's a talk box amplified (5W), which is a conventional pedal cable between the guitar and the amp (much more convenient than the original model that plugs between the receiver and HP).
1 input, output amplifier, a speaker output, an effects loop (send return)
3 knobs (gain, volume, tone) of the classic on that side.
An activation switch footswitch
A switch that can mutate or not the output when the effect is activated, a switch to select the placement of the loop in the chain

100% analog transistor
9V power supply.

I forgot: a kind of "pipe", of course ...

UTILIZATION

Manuel very clear, but not really necessary (except for the switches and routing loop
3 knobs, not really need more ...

SOUND QUALITY

The effect works perfectly, setting gan provides a slight crunch to the sound of saturated fairly advanced (for the size of the HP and power, its difficult to get a really clear, that is, to the effect and the modulation obtained with the mouth, clear sound n'exstera ever with a talk box.

So much for the purely technical aspect ... but its true depends largely on the use of the pipe and devotre mouth, one suspects ... If we listened to Aerosmith and Peter Frampton, we come easily to ring the beast. But beware, it takes a minimum of installation. To train, I used a microphone stand and microphone not plugged in, just to get used to "eat" the tub and modulate the sound. The Talk Box is strong enough to hear that your well what you do, then, repeating or concert, just set the sound system correctly. VRA challenge for me was to position the tube correctly.

I would add that the mute switch is very convenient, on some tracks, it is interesting to keep her dry the guitar in addition to the talk box.

I would add that it supports very well the effects, for my part, I put it at the end of string (see my profile for effects)

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for over a year on qques pieces (including the Frampton, the GnR ..) and repeated in concert. On aileurs in concert, guaranteed!!

I never tried to talk box before, I do not regret. I recommend highly.

If you read this opinion is that you may be interested in buying a talk box.

First of all, what's a talk box: simply put it is an effect that allows you to "talk" your guitar.

How does it work? Quite simply, in fact: the "sound" (amplified electrical signal) of your guitar is sent to a speaker contained in an enclosed, the "sound" (sound pressure) out of the HP can then "escape" of the enclosure by an opening connected to a tube. You place the tube in your mouth, or nearby. This then serves as a sounding board: one can simulate a band-pass effect, such as a wah, or to "speak" the guitar, what are ultimately our mouths and throats when we are talking (sound vibrations emitted by the vocal cords at the glottis resonant in the oral cavity and pharynx, but hey we will not do a course in physiology ...)! This "sound" modified by the resonance is then recovered by a vocal mic, plugged into a mixer, an amplifier, a stereo, in short, what you want ...

In the field of talk box, little choice is offered! There are currently four models:
- Dunlop Heil Talk Box: 190 euros
- Rocktron Banshee: 190 euros
- Rocktron Banshee 2: 240 euros
- Danelectro Talk Box: 100 euros

Simply
- The Dunlop connects between the receiver and the HP is actually a HP in a closed chamber. She is able to withstand 100 watts input, finally, in theory ...
- Rocktron plugs into the chain of effects, such as a pedal is a HP + enclosure, but equipped in addition to a built-in 5 watt amp
- The plugs as a Danelectro pedal with integrated amplifier and microphone built his recovery!

For Rocktron, the pedal is very solid, very seriously designed and high quality workmanship. No complaints, very pro pedal.
Side connections and possibilities, it is very complete: guitar input, output amp or HP external input / output effects loop, 3 controls Gain, Tone and Output level, two switch when using the loop and the bypass of the amp when the effect is activated. The Banshee is a simple no effects loop.

UTILIZATION

This is usually at this level it gets harder ...
- For Dunlop it is essential to an amplifier, a HP, a microphone with his foot and something to get the sound of the Talk Box: amp, sound system, ...
- For Rocktron requires the microphone and his foot, and something to get the sound ...
- For the Danelectro is simple: do nothing more, it is used as a single pedal!

In short use is quite laborious and it takes a lot of additional hardware, the difficulty is mainly to "recover" the sound of the Talk Box: sono additional other amp, console, ... not to mention fixing the tube to the mic stand!

Use of hand because the grip (well ... in the mouth) is quite fast and have fun. The mastery of the effect will take a bit more training anyway ...
The output level increases the pressure from the tube (logic). Unless you push the volume up, no sensation of pain or unpleasant, it's even more fun.
In this regard the Dunlop connected output amplifier, can quickly toothache with a strong pressure to cash! In addition, the HP still supports integrated high power hard and distorts the sound. In short, if Kerry King used it, it would have no teeth!

Then I put 2 / 10 because it is still very complicated to install and use!

SOUND QUALITY

Once plugged in cons, we do not regret the effort.
The sound is fantastic and easily scalable: a Wah-Wah very effective, clear and easy to modulate, the Wah discreet to the most dramatic.
Talk Box Effect: the guitar speaks simply.

Additional opportunities are very useful: the gain, tone, effects loop, using the talk box and the signal "dry" to the receiver simultaneously, ...
This Rocktron Banshee 2 is the most comprehensive and most interesting ... by far.

The Dunlop and a Banshee will allow you to use the sound signal Talk Box or "dry", but not both simultaneously. The result is less subtle and offers fewer opportunities. Dunlop The receives the signal fully enriched by the effects and amp downstream. The banshee still allows a bypass of the amp main and side effects: more versatile to use.

I do not know the Dunlop Danelectro. According to the notice posted, the Dunlop is very successful but the Danelectro pretty grim. Try ...

OVERALL OPINION

In total I put still 9 / 10.
Installation is labor intensive and use a little complicated, but what a result!
The possibilities are numerous with the Banshee and very interesting effects loop, use talk box + dry signal simultaneously, gain control and tone ...

The Danelectro is certainly much simpler to use, but the result is bad. Too bad ...
The Dunlop plugs amp output: beware of teeth!
The Banshee is a much less complete than the second version and does not include using the dry signal and the talk box simultaneously.

If you are tempted, make an effort (okay a big effort) and adopt the Banshee 2 well worth its price anyway and that is really dessu lot.

Good level characteristics, no need to add, the notice just above describe very well together. I have not tried the effects loop, but it does attempt to test me with a whammy ...

UTILIZATION

It's true he really need a microphone, a mic stand, a sound system, and a mouth to use it properly.
Then you must learn to "speak" without expelling air, since the air (and sound) of the tube already arrived. But it's very funny the first few minutes of testing.

Setting up a bit more complicated than a standard pedal, but a priori, much simpler than the original Dunlop talkbox.

I do not know the history of the design of the talkbox, but I think they did not put that tube in his mouth that day! <img class="smiley" src="/images/audiofanzine/interface/smileys/icon_lol.gif" alt="" />

SOUND QUALITY

Wow! The sound is immediately impressive, and reminds all the standard talkbox! A real pleasure ...

OVERALL OPINION

Ok it is expensive, even very expensive, not easy to implement, you do not use it without any doubts the pieces, but the sound is truly unique. I do not regret my purchase.

It remains for me to convince other group members to play a few songs or I can use! <img class="smiley" src="/images/audiofanzine/interface/smileys/icon_lol.gif" alt="" />