Barber Linden EQ on the way

[Mr. Pickles]

My Linden EQ should be delivered this evening from Pedalgeek.
I'm starting this thread to commit to posting the review, images, and soundclips sometime this weekend. I've found a nice signal chain in a LTD Silver and Tone Press. I'm hopeful that the Linden will complete that chain.

Stay tuned

[TaySte_2000]

That chain should sound amazing I'm presuming the Linden should go last using it as if it was an amp

[Mr. Pickles]

At present, I'm running the LTD into the Tone Press. The studio engineer in me wants to run the EQ into the comp.
What would be the results of using the EQ following the comp?

So, it seems I have two options:

bass> LTD> Tone Press> Linden> other fx> amp

or

bass> LTD> Linden> Tone Press> other fx> amp

[TaySte_2000]

Either way I bet it will sound amazing

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

What would be the results of using the EQ following the comp?

An EQ boosts or cuts signal levels at certain frequency ranges. A compressor reacts to signal levels. Putting the EQ in front of the comp changes the dynamic range it will react to, and potentially (if you have the lows boosted) can result in an over-compressed signal, since the spikes in the lows can keep the comp over its threshold all the time if you're not careful. It can be set up to work very well in that order, but then if you adjust your EQ at all you'll also have to re-adjust the compressor.

OTOH going comp --> EQ, the comp just reacts to your bass and playing "as-is", and you can adjust the EQ all day long with no problem.

If your bass had naturally big spikes in signal level at a given frequency range, e.g. extra-boomy lows, then you could use an EQ to correct that prior to compression if you want a more even, natural sound. And of course if you want a super-squashed dubby slam, you could intentionally boost the lows into the comp.

[Mr. Pickles]

Thanks, Bongo, for the clarification.

On another front, I had read your compressor reviews before purchasing the Tone Press and was aware of the potential for some noise. I haven't noticed any hiss on the sustain yet, but my rig is far from hi-fi. I have found that I get an interesting, yet musical sound using the Tone Press on fretless; I'm assuming this is due to the pedal's unique compression scheme. Sounds like a really slow release time to me. This works really well before reverb as well. Makes for a really neat ambient sound for bedroom practice.

At this point, I'm loving my LTD and Tone Press. I feel like I've finally found my "signature sound"and have met all of my tone goals (as far as outboard goes). If the Linden works out as I hope, most of my amp's functions will be redundant. Same for the active preamps on my basses.

[bongomania]

You know, I need to get another Tone Press and re-review it. That was one of my earliest reviews, and in hindsight I think I didn't quite understand how to set the input gain for best results with that pedal.

[Mr. Pickles]

Well, if I can convince my wife to move to Portland (believe me, I've been trying) you can borrow mine. She says it's a no-go...something about dampness and mold.

[bassman1185]

Originally Posted by bongomania

An EQ boosts or cuts signal levels at certain frequency ranges. A compressor reacts to signal levels. Putting the EQ in front of the comp changes the dynamic range it will react to, and potentially (if you have the lows boosted) can result in an over-compressed signal, since the spikes in the lows can keep the comp over its threshold all the time if you're not careful. It can be set up to work very well in that order, but then if you adjust your EQ at all you'll also have to re-adjust the compressor.

OTOH going comp --> EQ, the comp just reacts to your bass and playing "as-is", and you can adjust the EQ all day long with no problem.

If your bass had naturally big spikes in signal level at a given frequency range, e.g. extra-boomy lows, then you could use an EQ to correct that prior to compression if you want a more even, natural sound. And of course if you want a super-squashed dubby slam, you could intentionally boost the lows into the comp.

This may sound like a noobish question, but is it really a "bad" thing if you are consistantly being compressed? I run my Symetrix 501 so that the RMS side is almost constantly compressing the signal at a rate of around 3-4:1. The peak limiter only kicks in every once in a while, though. I think it adds some presence to the bass in the full mix.

[bongomania]

It's never a "bad thing" if it sounds good to you and works to support whatever mix you're playing in.

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by bongomania

You know, I need to get another Tone Press and re-review it. That was one of my earliest reviews, and in hindsight I think I didn't quite understand how to set the input gain for best results with that pedal.

From spending a bit of time on TGP, it seems like it is a very good compressor, at least for guitar.

[bigtexashonk]

For a few months now I've been using the Tone Press into a Linden and then into a Thunderfunk. The combination is astounding. While the Linden is an excellent replicator of the B15-N eq (running at 24 volts no less), the blendability of the Tone Press gives a huge amount of control. The combination is as transparent as it gets.

Good to see bass people discovering Barber Electronics!

[Mr. Pickles]

Well, as they say, the proof is in the puddin'





Review to follow soon...

[Mr. Pickles]

As a bassist, I was primarily active throughout the 90's. For my first serious recording, the engineer set me up with an old fliptop. I don't remember the mic, but the pre was an Avalon (U5-I think). I was playing a Japanese four string P/J. The sound was lovely: warm and rich, but with signifcant push to poke through the mix. The engineer jumped the channels somehow for some extra drive. I wasn't into gear at the time, so unfortunately, I didn't pay close attention.

Regardless, I knew what I liked about that sound. Flash forward to a few months ago where I came across some initial buzz about the Barber Linden EQ. Details were sketchy, but Bongo managed to track down some legit info (link anyone?). I stumbled across Pedalgeek's website and put my name on the e-mail notification list. Lo and behold-I got said notification! I jumped at the chance and whipped out the plastic. My wife doesn't know about this yet...

Yesterday, Fedex dropped off a little brown box. I didn't get to open it until last night; at that, I only had a chance to check out the finish and play with the knobs (). The box has a nice silver sparkle: a pleasant surprise. You can see that in my photo. There were a few blemishes to be found under close inspection-bumps and bubbles- but nothing serious. The only thing that concerned me was the "play" on the bass knob-it was very loose and the knob wobbled a bit. On reading the manual, I discovered that the bass knob is a push/pull pot, so no worries there.

I pulled off the back for a gut shot and you can see how nice and neat the wiring is. Didn't notice any internal trims. On to functions.

The volume comes after the EQ circuit and has a low impedance unbal. output. Pretty standard there. There's a toggle to select the high freq. controlled by the treble knob and a push/pull pot to select the bass freq.

I called Dave to get the freq. points as they're not stated in the manual. The bass knob controls the freqs. under 100hz. In the down position, it provides boost/cut. Pulling up engages a cut below 50hz, with a gentle slope.

I plugged in and played with this cut, but my amp is a low-powered 12" combo, and I couldn't hear the cut too well. Dave said it's subtle anyway.

The toggle switches the treble freq. between 2k or 4.5k (the upper threshhold of high mids, IMO). This is to replicate the bright/norm mode on the old fliptop. It works nicely. The 4.5 setting gives a nice sheen and the other sounds like the repsonse of a nice 15" running w/o a tweeter. However, there was some hiss which clouded my impressions of the treble control. Not sure if it's the pedal-I'll have to trouble shoot later this weekend.

Then I tweaked the bass control and OH, MOMMA!!! It's exactly what Barber claims: powerful and tight bass! Honestly, I haven't heard anything quite like this from my Bassman 150 before. I had it up to 3 o'clock and the sound was focused and round, without any flabiness or boom. Simply a sweet and eminently useable boosted bass freq.

Next up, I want to use this at rehearsal. No gigs lined up in the near future, but I'll give further impressions after I rock out a bit with the band. I'll also lump my impressions of the Tone Press and Silver LTD in this thread as well.

Stay tuned

[OrionManMatt]

Originally Posted by bigtexashonk

For a few months now I've been using the Tone Press into a Linden and then into a Thunderfunk. The combination is astounding. While the Linden is an excellent replicator of the B15-N eq (running at 24 volts no less), the blendability of the Tone Press gives a huge amount of control. The combination is as transparent as it gets.

Good to see bass people discovering Barber Electronics!

I'm a big, big fan of Barber. I'll have to try out the Tone Press on bass. I haven't usually used my own compression because I typically play places where they use rack-mounted for me. I love their Small Fry pedal. Mmmm.

[Mr. Pickles]

Soundclips on Sunday!
I have a wedding gig today...

[Andy V.]

Nice review.
I'm looking forward to hear the clips and your live report!

[Mr. Pickles]

As promised...

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/defa...&content=music

Here's the link for some clips of the Linden. If the link doesn't work, let me know.

All three samples were played on a 4 string p/j bass.
bass > Linden > DI > soundcard

[OrionManMatt]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

As promised...

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/defa...&content=music

Here's the link for some clips of the Linden. If the link doesn't work, let me know.

All three samples were played on a 4 string p/j bass.
bass > Linden > DI > soundcard

Thanks for taking the time to record these!

[Mr. Pickles]

I hope my sloppy playing and "prosumer" soundcard present the pedal positively. Orion-how did they sound? Can you get a sense of the Linden?