Any Sadowsky Out Board Preamp Pedal Owners?

[HalfManHalfBass]

Hi guys,

I've tried searching, but I need some really specific answers and rather than bother Roger Sadowsky with a list of questions (because living in Europe it may actually be better for me to NOT buy this pedal directly from his online shop) I thought I'd try the collective genius from my pedal brethen!

1) Does anyone (or has anyone ever tried to) power this pedal with a Voodoo Labs Pedal Power 2? (i.e a normal, boss barrel-type 9 volt centre negative adaptor).

2) When activated, does this pedal produce any background / unwanted hiss - especially with the treble dimed?

3) I keep finding mixed reviews online about the pedal's reliability with regards to the foot switches that stop working frequently and it seems from what I have read that these pedals have to go back to the workshop for replacing switches constantly! Have you ever had any issues where they don’t work or need pressing a few times to function properly?

4) I've also read concerns that the knobs and their shafts feel very cheap and flimsy etc, etc. Does anyone know if these shafts are at least metal and not plastic? I had a plastic one on an MXR pedal snap off before!

5) About the tuner output jack…...does it always have an output signal present - or only when the mute switch is pressed? I would want to connect it to a tuner, but would like to know if the tuner will still receive a signal from my bass even if the mute switch isn’t pressed. This way I can always see if my bass is in tune also while I’m playing - for example when playing fretless - the tuner could then help me with my appalling intonation!

6) Is the output signal from the tuner jack also effected by the bass, treble and volume knobs settings?, or is it always just a clean uneffected signal like that which the input jack receives? I ask this because it could be used to feed another amp or recording device whilst using the main jack output to another amp for monitoring etc.

7) Am I right in assuming that the XLR output IS effected by any bass, treble and volume control settings when connected to a mixing desk etc, -because there is no EQ defeat switch on the pedal (unlike EBS Microbass II for example?)

8) The absolute last question I promise! One review I have found says that when you switch between on and off that there is a noticeable drop out or delay in the output sound….is this true?

Thanks to anyone who can help, this pedal is very expensive in Europe and is to replace my EBS MicroBass II-as I only ever used its one clean channel.

Peace,

Rob.

[slaerts]

1. No haven't
2. No it doesnt, very quiet.
3 never a problem with mine
4 I never had a problem with my shaft
5. From manual... The TUNER OUT will remain active in the mute mode.
6,7. Cant remember.
8. If it was there I never noticed it.
I used mine for about 18 months, loved the tone from it - best tone ever from a pedal and I've pretty much tried them all. Then switched to a EBS Microbass II. The tone from the ebs was not as good but it cut through the mix a lot better.

[HalfManHalfBass]

many thanks slaerts.

anyone else able to help with the other questions please?

[HalfManHalfBass]

....bumping for the morning crowd!

[Fender32]

Hi Rob !

Firstly ....

Originally Posted by slaerts

...
4. I never had a problem with my shaft.

(*guffaw*)


OK, that's better .

Now, here is a selection of passages from the user manual, which might answer at least one of your questions;

ON/OFF SWITCH: This footswitch enables you to engage or bypass the active tone circuit. The green LED lights when the preamp section is “on”. The volume/treble/bass controls do not function in the “off ” mode. All other functions (DI, tuner out, mute) work in the “off ” mode. If you want to switch between on and off with the same bass, use the volume control to adjust the level for the “on” position. The on/off switch has no effect on the battery life. The battery is switched on whenever a cord is plugged into the “in” jack.

MUTE SWITCH: The mute switch will mute the signal of the bass. The MUTE LED lights up when in MUTE mode. The TUNER OUT will remain active in the mute mode. XLR OUT The XLR output enables you to plug directly into a PA or recording console or any other device that accepts an XLR connection. The output is accurate and quiet for recording and all professional applications.

GROUND LIFT: If a hum occurs while using the XLR output, engage the ground lift switch. When the switch is set to the right (under the word, “lift”) the ground is lifted."

And here are the only questions of yours which I can answer from experience:

1. I run mine from a Boss (IIRC) power supply, with no problems (apart from the 'voiding the warranty problem', which I've just created for myself by telling you this in public ).

2. No, surprisingly. At least, no more than would an active circuit on a bass guitar .

8. I'm stating the obvious here, but there is some difference in volume when switching, depending on where the output level is set on the pedal (unless you happen to have balanced it correctly already). Other than that, no, I can't say that I've noticed any particular signal drop-out or 'fading in' of the effect . It's pretty much there once the button's down and gone when it's up!


Hopefully you'll get some better input from the many TB users who gig and record with their Sadowsky preamp pedals, as loads of folks here seem to own them .

[gillento]

6. the tuner jack out is not affected by the tone controls
7. the XLR is!