Just got me a Steel Leather. Didn't really know what to expect but it's great! I wouldn't want to use it all the time but for metal it's awesome! It really gives you that Steve Harris click! Ra-ta-ta-ta, ra-ta-ta-ta!
It's been described as the opposite of a compressor. As my compressor is always on I was worried that one would cancel the other out. But I found the Steel Leather sounded better with it. It tamed the effect a bit (which I guess it would). I suppose it'd work as long as they're not set the same if you see what I mean...
I have one. Though I don't have a compressor. Maybe that is why it is useless for me at this time.
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Squier Club- #49 EHX Club #69 - Spector Club Member #22
"If you have definitive proof that I'm wrong (I'm wrong a lot) please tell me."
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: North Kent.UK
i love this pedal - i can get harris-in-a-can, pick esque click, or just a touch extra top end when i dig in.
i really think this pedal is sooooooo underrated!
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Lefty Union member #50/Cliff Burton Fan club member #28/Effects Addict Club member #9/EHX PT2 #7 /CPWBB #69/I has Cream Pie #6/ MXR #11/Boss Rocks #20
While a compressor does "undo" some of what the Steel Leather does, the SL only acts on a certain frequency range. So in effect running the two of them together is more of a dynamic EQ, dynamically turning down the level of the frequencies outside the SL's range of effect. At least that's how I think it would go.
This pedal will help me "cut" through better in the mix by focusing on certain high frequencies and "expanding" them?
Would it make finger style sound closer to playing with a pick? I couldn't tell because the guy in the video on EHX's site was just slapping the entire time.
Serious, thanks for the tip.
Might check it out if I have the chance.
Btw: Steve Harris, or his sound engineer, uses a touch of compression on his sound. (Heard that on this forum, sooo... )
Maybe that's what you stumbled upon.
It would be nice if a manufacturer made a pedal named "Steve's Fingers".
I'd buy it.
hey, i've got my Second steel leather (sold my first coz i hated it), to the naysayers - it works best in a band situation, altho I havent actually tried it in the band yet (it'll only run of its own 9v power supply, not a daisy chain, and my guitard always needs my 9v power supply coz he's too cheap to get his own).
It SHOULD be called 'Steve Harris's Fingers' - god forbid mr. Harris should try one of these, with Roundwound strings (Steve's a flatwound player)
I actually run mine into my VTbass (usually i run everything after it) to sort of up the dynamic response of the VT. Also my only niggle is that I pretty much have to set the Response almost as low as it'll go otherwise it becomes a bit overpowering - and this is with Volume a 9 o'clock. And I use a BBE optostomp at the end of my chain for a little compression.
If you need to cut through a heavy mix, this is for you, but it can sound pretty horrible on its own.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by behndy
"big and awkwardly powered". sounds like ALL EHX gear. or my junk.
cant say ive seen much about the steel leather- nor read about it. where in your signal chain do you put it and what does it sound good/interesting/weird with?
i ask because i use an eq pedal first for what sound like similar reasons. if i could make my thumb nail sound like a pick- that could be quite useful- get more articulation from very fast/soft techniques.
EHX Steel Leather = Instant Steve Harris! 
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