MXR Carbon Copy - Controlling the feedback?

DyerWolf · #1 06-29-2008, 06:58 PM

So I just purchased a Carbon Copy, and one of my favorite things to do is fiddle with the Delay and Regen knobs until it begins to create some serious space noise feedback. However, sometimes when doing this the sound will get so loud that I need to quickly alter the mix knob as well.

If I were to put a Compressor after (or before?) the delay, would this help keep a more consistent volume? My Genz Benz has an internal compressor which seems to help somewhat but occasionally (especially in the high frequencies) the Carbon Copy will get earsplittingly loud. Anyone with anymore experience with the Carbon Copy able to comment?

ehque · #2 06-29-2008, 09:27 PM

Comp after. Its not anything inherent to the Carbon Copy, but delay in general. Slapping a limiter on might be even better.

rakirksey · #3 06-30-2008, 11:05 AM

I have my volume pedal at the end of my chain, so I can control the volume. Sometimes bringing it in and out once it is feeding back is a pretty cool effect.

JanusZarate · #4 06-30-2008, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehque

Comp after. Its not anything inherent to the Carbon Copy, but delay in general.

+1

Feedback does that. It goes nuts.

Without a mechanism to control volume (volume pedal, mix/blend knob, level knob, compressor, etc.), expect madness.

agedhorse · #5 07-01-2008, 09:16 AM

If there is away to alter the regeneration (electronic feedback) try reducing this parameter.

JanusZarate · #6 07-01-2008, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agedhorse

If there is away to alter the regeneration (electronic feedback) try reducing this parameter.

There is, but that's not the problem. He's deliberately creating the feedback with the Regen knob.

The issue is the resulting volume boost, which he's trying to rein in. Decreasing the regeneration will also kill the feedback, which in this particular case is the opposite of what he's trying to do.

ehque · #7 07-02-2008, 08:07 AM

Using the carbon copy in a Barge Concepts VFB-X will allow you to control feedback amount with an expression pedal. It's an expensive pedal for what you're going to do, however.

JanusZarate · #8 07-02-2008, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehque

Using the carbon copy in a Barge Concepts VFB-X will allow you to control feedback amount with an expression pedal. It's an expensive pedal for what you're going to do, however.

But again, AFAIK, that's not actually what he wants... it's the volume boost that's the problem. The thread title's a little misleading.

Perhaps a volume pedal is the ideal solution after all, as it would be more effective than a compressor or limiter for this.

agedhorse · #9 07-02-2008, 09:59 AM

If you want to generate feedback, than a compressor with a steep ratio AFTER the MXR will control (limit) the swells that result but it should also be understood that this will not prevent distrortion from being generated as a result of the MXR device swinging from rail to rail as it's oscillation will be unlimited due to the uncontrolled feedback.

The proper way to control this, but is probably not posible due to internal signal routing of the MXR device, is to install a compressor or limiter on the regeneration signal path only. This will prevent saturation of the output of the MXR device yet still achieve the effect desired.

If the disrortion is ok, then a volume pedal after the effects device may indeed be more useful and user friendly than a compressor.