EHX Knockout vs Steel Leather

Inconnu · #1 07-16-2011, 06:42 AM

Hi!

I'm thinking about maybe getting a pedal that would bring out some more attack in my sound when I'm using humbucker equiped basses. Both the knockout and Steel leather pedals are said to bring out the attack. Anybody tried both? What do you think? Which is more convincing?

rob_thebassman · #2 07-16-2011, 06:57 AM

I don't like the sound of the steel leather

bigchiefbc · #3 07-16-2011, 08:38 AM

Different pedals. The Knockout is just a 2-band eq. Some people swear by it, but that's really all it is. The steel leather is quite different, it's an expander. An expander is the opposite of a compressor, the harder you play, the more it boosts your signal. The steel leather only boosts your high mids, so it can give you a biting, pick-like tone.

tocs100 · #4 09-18-2011, 12:24 AM

So who has some steel leather (no, not Steel Dragon) clips?

Mattbass97 · #5 09-18-2011, 03:53 AM

STEEL LEATHER IS HORRIBLE!! it's the worst pedal I've ever bought, it wrecks your effects loop by giving off high pitch noises and when u play it is so uneven it's unreal, it doesnt even have that good a sound it just sounds like someone is bashing really high pitch tuning forks off a sheet of metal, I LOVE EHX but this pedal was a let down thank god I got a refund

4StringsEnough · #6 09-18-2011, 10:23 AM

The Steel Leather is actually a great pedal but it's not for everyone. I love mine for giving some pick attack when playing fingerstyle. Knockout is also good in a completely different way to the Steel Leather.

**DosiYanarchy** · #7 09-18-2011, 11:57 AM

As echoed before, they are both very different pedals.

The steel leather is fantastic, as long as you understand how to set it properly. The Steel leather has to be used in a band context to really appreciate how it works

Collider · #8 09-18-2011, 01:04 PM

The EHX website has some Steel Leather clips along with the pedal listing.

Just got one. Playing it solo through the amp is pretty underwhelming but I've yet to try it with the full band.

How do you set it properly?

ryansalmond · #9 09-18-2011, 02:15 PM

I have owned both. I would recommend the steel leather over the knockout. The knockout boosts more of the raspy ultra highs, the steel leather boosts more of the clanky frequencies in the middle of the treble zone. It's better at cutting through.

I forget what the knobs are labelled on the steel leather, but I remember what they do: to set it, put the threshold at such a setting that when you play soft the threshold is not tripped, so that the pedal only boosts when you pluck hard. That touch sensitivity is the whole point to this pedal- if you want treble boost all the time do so on your amp or onboard eq. The other knob controls how much the treble frequencies are boosted when you pluck hard enough to hit the threshold. I could be wrong, but I'm going to disagree with BigChiefBC here and say that the amount of treble boost is the same no matter how much you pass the threshold by. Pretty sure, I could be wrong. But I think whenever you hit the threshold it's boosted by the fixed amount set by the second knob.

RCCollins · #10 09-18-2011, 02:24 PM

Steel leather is an underappreciated product IMO, and there's nothing similar on the market that I'm aware of. Not only does it help a lot to cut through a dense mix, it really helps get the most out of a nice overdrive (or better yet, an all-tube amp), and it can be effective in conjunction with envelope effects, too.

Mattbass97 · #11 09-18-2011, 02:30 PM

Fair enough to all those steel leather likers!! I never used mine in band context because I just got rid of it before I even had the chance. Maybe that's why I give it lots of grief lol

tocs100 · #12 09-18-2011, 02:39 PM

Steel Leather - Demo by Chris Maute - Attack Expander for Bass Guitar - YouTube

I think that's the official EHX vid, and it sounds damn cool imho! It can get that CLANK that's really all I like about the Tech 21 VT Bass, and it's a $66 vs. $$169 difference.

rob_thebassman · #13 09-18-2011, 02:49 PM

the official EHX demp video is completely useless because of the sound quality not explaining how to properly use it

mattsdad · #14 09-22-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

Steel leather is an underappreciated product IMO, and there's nothing similar on the market that I'm aware of. Not only does it help a lot to cut through a dense mix, it really helps get the most out of a nice overdrive (or better yet, an all-tube amp), and it can be effective in conjunction with envelope effects, too.

+1
I LOVE my Steel Leather! Believe it or not when I set it right with a Bad Monkey I got the Geddy Lee tone from Moving Pictures!!

G.Bisson · #15 09-23-2011, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattbass97

STEEL LEATHER IS HORRIBLE!! it's the worst pedal I've ever bought

+1
the Steel Leather ranks high on my list of "Worst pedal purchases ever". Not even worth reselling, I gutted it and salvaged the pots, switch, and enclosure for other projects.

I tried using it for three purposes:
1. To make finger style sound more like playing with a pick. FAIL

2. To make slap style sound more upfront and aggressive without readjusting the whole EQ on my amp. FAIL

3. To add back in mids lost from an already mid scooped BDDI. Unsatisfactory.

The Steel Leather would have to have an adjustable mid frequency and 'Q' to be useful. I do NOT recommend this pedal. More power to you guys that find it useful.

G.Bisson · #16 09-23-2011, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inconnu

I'm thinking about maybe getting a pedal that would bring out some more attack in my sound when I'm using humbucker equiped basses.

To bring out more attack I would recommend an OD or preamp with a 'Presence' knob.

4StringsEnough · #17 09-24-2011, 02:03 AM

Another Steel Leather fan here. :-)

It's not for everyone, is best used in moderation and needs to be understood.

Dash Rantic · #18 09-24-2011, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G.Bisson

+1
the Steel Leather ranks high on my list of "Worst pedal purchases ever". Not even worth reselling, I gutted it and salvaged the pots, switch, and enclosure for other projects.

I tried using it for three purposes:
1. To make finger style sound more like playing with a pick. FAIL

2. To make slap style sound more upfront and aggressive without readjusting the whole EQ on my amp. FAIL

3. To add back in mids lost from an already mid scooped BDDI. Unsatisfactory.

The Steel Leather would have to have an adjustable mid frequency and 'Q' to be useful. I do NOT recommend this pedal. More power to you guys that find it useful.

Unfortunately, the Steel Leather's purpose is none of those. I don't think there is any way to make it sound good "solo", it is really meant to be used in a mix with other instruments. Having trouble cutting through for whatever reason? (overbearing guitarist, bad soundman, etc) One click on my Steel Leather, and there I am in the mix again

I don't use it much, but it is an absolute godsend the times it is needed. Count me in as a big fan!

--

[edit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4StringsEnough

It's not for everyone, is best used in moderation and needs to be understood.

THIS. I don't think EHX made it very clear what the true purpose of the effect is when they released it, leading to a lot of the confusion and undue hate on the pedal.
[/edit]

tocs100 · #19 09-24-2011, 06:33 PM

I'm wondering if the main complaint is chattering/stuttering around the threshold?--a common prob for expanders. Anyone try a compressor before the effect? Also, shoot me a pm if you want to sell one for cheap...

G.Bisson · #20 09-24-2011, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dash Rantic

Unfortunately, the Steel Leather's purpose is none of those. I don't think there is any way to make it sound good "solo". it is really meant to be used in a mix with other instruments. Having trouble cutting through for whatever reason? (overbearing guitarist, bad soundman, etc) One click on my Steel Leather, and there I am in the mix again

I was using the steel leather for the very purpose of trying to stay present in the mix with two overbearing drop-tuned distorted guitars. Playing with a pick helps greatly, but my pick speed can't keep with the guitarist during some parts, but playing fingerstyle I can keep up. So I tried using the steel leather to emulate attack of a pick and still be heard. Just didn't work out.

The usefulness of the steel leather may depend of your amp EQ setup and the character of your pickups. I tried it on soapbar humbuckers and split Pbass humbuckers with poor results. I imagine single coils midrange would better compliment the midrange focus of the steel leather. Would have been more useful with an adjustable center frequency.
It's not for everybody. Based on my experience I wouldn't recommend it for the OP's similarly described application.