Anyone tried the new XO Qtron+??

[bassbmx]

Sorry if it's been posted already. I've searched and found nothing. I'm really keen to get one but I'd like to hear what you guys think first. So, has anyone tried the new XO Qtron+ yet? Thanks

[Sir Edward V]

I think I saw a thread about someone who bought one...

i intended on it... but the local shop never got them in...

[markjazzbassist]

i'd love to hear as well. it looks like a splendid little box. id just be worried about the quality control, which EHX hasn't been up to par lately.

[jesus_tequila]

Hey there,

I'm pleased to tell you that I received it from the USA for the very low price of 130 € - shipping was free !! I've been messing with it for a couple of days and that's definitely a winner.

I tested it along with the other MuTron III-based envelop filters I own: EHX Q-Tron+ and Maxon AF-9. What can I say? The new Q-Tron+ XO is much more subtle in the sounding and in the playing recquired. You can get many different tones, whereas I felt myself more limited with the Maxon AF-9. I had stopped using the big Q-Tron because of a lack of estate on my pedalboard and also because it sucks a lot of your clean tone.

First, the pedal dimensions are very nice, as I often have to deal with estate on my pedalboard:




Unlike the original Q-Tron + where they were located one on the top of the pedal and one on the left side, the input & output connections are on either sides of the pedal, which allows much more easier wirring.
The case is not as sturdy as other EHX pedal, but it's a nice metal, and the switch seems pretty tough too. The great innovation is the status LED !!!!! Finally, you'll be able to know when you're oozing out funk bubbles !!

Let's get to the main point: I tested the new stompbox with all of my basses [2 Fender Jazz - 2 Fender Precision - 2 Stingrays] and... well this pedal does sound liquid and muddy at the same time. I found out that the Lo Range works better with basses than on the original Q-Tron+. The Hi Range is still very good, even if you can really hear the filter working out when you're lightely hitting the strings. This mode recquires very subtle playing, otherwise it will be nothing but high notes rocked out into space !! By tweaking the Peak and Gain knobs, you can spread the funk in many different ways, even when keeping the other knobs unchanged. I think the key of the pedal resides in the good use of the Peak & Gain controls.

With a Stingray plugged in, things don't get as good as I had expected... I hoped that EHX engineers had replaced some of the componants that were responsible for the "incompability" between Q-Tron's & Stingrays... By incompability, I only mean the sound you get from it, which is very hard to tame. Too much subtle playing and you'll hear nothing, too much powerful strings eating and you'll be thinking an aircraft has landed in your bass amp! This led me to correct the EQ's on both Stingrays [they are 3 EQs], cutting off some high and middle. Then it started to sound decent, and I could make use of any kind of "shades" in my playing... the pedal responded exactly the way I wanted it to.


FOR NOW, I didn't notice any specific volume boost when the effect is engaged, a problem which appeared on the big Q-Trons... maybe I didn't spend enough time to take the pedal to its limits!

Kind of effect-friendly pedal. I tried most of the combinations I regulary use: combining the Q-Tron+ XO with a DOD 250 Overdrive, or a Bass Balls, an old Boss Chorus, or an old DOD Bass Flanger, a delay... This pedal owns !

Dunno about the effect loop, as I don't have the use for it. Still, I tried and plugged my old DOD Bass Grunge in it, and I must admit the sound was freaking good.

Anyway, this pedal is for sure an improved version of the original Q-Tron's [size, LED status, input & output positions, controls and switches much more easily tweakable, look of the pedal, etc...] but still, 2 big problems as I am concerned:

- recquires its own 24V power supply.... why don't they make it a 9V pedal? I'm sure an easy mod is to be done on this...

- still too much sensitive and subtle with Stingrays... but works very good with passive basses!

[JanusZarate]

Thanks for the review! Any sound clips?

Originally Posted by jesus_tequila

- recquires its own 24V power supply.... why don't they make it a 9V pedal? I'm sure an easy mod is to be done on this...

I tried to do something similar with my EHX Bass Micro Synthesizer - don't bet on it.

It's most likely a pedal with a positive ground design, so you could never daisy chain it with other pedals, even if you had something like the Godlyke Power Pump (which can turn 9VDC into 12, 18, or 24VDC).

However, if you used something like the Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2+ or a similar isolated-output supply, you could power it and all of your other pedals just fine.

[Sir Edward V]

Originally Posted by jesus_tequila

- recquires its own 24V power supply.... why don't they make it a 9V pedal? I'm sure an easy mod is to be done on this...

I'm pretty sure it is still 24V for a reason. Most likely it is because they can't get the same sound with just 9V, they would have to redesign the entire pedal, which would probably change the sound. If you just changed the power supply to 9V, the voltage drop would cause clipping problems on a lot of settings.

So in conclusion, I am fairly certain it wouldn't sound quite as amazing with less power.

I like the review though. If my QTron ever dies and I can't fix it, I will pick one of these up. I cant justify the cost for merely inches of saved space.

[The Lurker]

jesus tequila-- nice review! Nice setup, too, that's what I'd like mine to look like in the end....

[johans]

very nice setup indeed

actually the have a few up on eBay for $171 .. free shipped

[Crabby]

When plugged after a Stingray, things don't get as good as I expected... I hoped that EHX engineers had replaced some of the componants that were responsible for the "incompability" between Q-Tron's & Stingrays...


????? I play a Stingray (SR5) exclusively with my Mini Q Tron and it is more then compatible, the two were made for each other! My Mini Q Tron does not respond as well with other basses and the Stingray really allows it to come to life.

The sound is drippy funky goodness and sounds more pleasing then any of my other filters.

[JanusZarate]

The Stingray "issue" is a demonstration of how everyone will find some basses to work better than others with particular pedals. Some people will love the Stingray/Q-Tron combo, and others will hate it.

I don't consider that to be "incompatibility" between the bass and the pedal - I consider that to be "incompatibility" between the player and that bass/pedal combination.

[jesus_tequila]

Yes, you guys are right. A Stingray through a Q-Tron is a specific sound, which might turn out to be what one is / is not looking for. Just a matter of taste.

But the more I play, the more I'm getting pleased by the new Q Tron with my Stingrays.

[Sir Edward V]

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

The Stingray "issue" is a demonstration of how everyone will find some basses to work better than others with particular pedals. Some people will love the Stingray/Q-Tron combo, and others will hate it.

I don't consider that to be "incompatibility" between the bass and the pedal - I consider that to be "incompatibility" between the player and that bass/pedal combination.

I liked your previous avatar better.

[johans]

but this one stands out a little more =)

go on peter

Originally Posted by Sir Edward V

I liked your previous avatar better.

[JanusZarate]

Originally Posted by Sir Edward V

I liked your previous avatar better.

LOL... I had a guy in another thread randomly point out that I changed it. It's an avatar I've used before, you know!

I'm very partial to this one.

Originally Posted by johans

but this one stands out a little more =)

go on peter

[98dvl]

Originally Posted by jesus_tequila

Hey there,

....

I tested it along with the other MuTron III-based envelop filters I own: EHX Q-Tron+ and Maxon AF-9. What can I say? The new Q-Tron+ XO is much more subtle in the sounding and in the playing recquired. You can get many different tones, whereas I felt myself more limited with the Maxon AF-9. I had stopped using the big Q-Tron because of a lack of estate on my pedalboard and also because it sucks a lot of your clean tone.

...

If given the choice between an older Q-tron+ (for $75) or the new XO (for $170), which would you choose? Why? I see a definite advantage to the size of the XO, but is it worth it to you?

Also, what's with the extra knobs on your Bassballs?

On a side note, can you point out the order your pedals are chained in?

Thanks!

P.S. Some sound clips would totally rock!

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by 98dvl

Also, what's with the extra knobs on your Bassballs?

The Bassballs contains two interior trim pots which dial in a variety of different tones. He probably just made them exterior pots, a very cool mod IMO.

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by 98dvl

Also, what's with the extra knobs on your Bassballs?

Originally Posted by bongomania

The Bassballs contains two interior trim pots which dial in a variety of different tones. He probably just made them exterior pots, a very cool mod IMO.

Bongo, how could you respond to a quote so rife with sexual innuendo without at least making one joke?

And speaking of thread derailing and questionable humor, where is Spanky?

[JanusZarate]

Originally Posted by TheBigO

And speaking of thread derailing and questionable humor, where is Spanky?

He's still kicking... and... uh... screaming...

I talked to him briefly a few days ago. I still need to follow up with him.

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by TheBigO

Bongo, how could you respond to a quote so rife with sexual innuendo without at least making one joke?

I guess I'm just not feeling myself lately.

[jesus_tequila]

what's with the extra knobs on your Bassballs?

As bongomania replied, this will give brand new licks to your balls !!

The two knobs control the internal trimpots which influence the high and the low frequencies of the pedal, and you can blend and shade them in any combination you want. That's a very common mod, and it is said to reveal the complete potential of the pedal, as some people have underlined that EHX didn't totally finish the job with this pedal. If you're interested in learning some more about it, and if you read French a little bit, take a look at this page, it's made by the guy who modded my Balls

http://basstyra.free.fr/atelier/page...bassballs.html

Please note that this mod can only be achieved on the now discontinued US version Bass Balls, or the black Russian,e ven things are not so easy as I've heard. he Nano BB case is way to small and recquires a rehousing of the circuit.

If given the choice between an older Q-tron+ (for $75) or the new XO (for $170), which would you choose? Why? I see a definite advantage to the size of the XO, but is it worth it to you?

I assume that the $75 is referring to the average price of a second-hand Q-Tron+. But if I were a bass player in my early years and had the choice between those 2 pedals, and as long as the new Q-Tron+ XO is not available in Europe yet, I think I would go for the regular Q-Tron +... and I also might consider the Micro Q-Tron XO.

You're right, the size and other slight improvements doesn't justify the cost, but considering that the older and newer versions are the same price new [$ 170], I guess that people eager to buy fresh from the factory products would go for the XO version.

On a side note, can you point out the order your pedals are chained in?

Yes, there you go:

BASS -> DOD 250 -> EHX Bass Balls US -> DOD FX 25 -> DOD FX 72 -> EHX Q-Tron + XO -> DOD FX 92-> Digitech Digi Delay -> Boss FT-2 & Roland EV5-> Boss CE-2B -> MXR Phase 90 -> AMP

P.S. Some sound clips would totally rock

I'll try to record some samples, but the quality will be terrifying, I'm warning you !