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3Leaf Audio Club

#282
fivestringgecko said:
I also just realized... What does the "Vintage" switch do? I have my suspicions of course, but no one's asked yet!

5sg.
Click to expand...

It selects between feedforward and feedback compression modes. In feedback (vintage) mode, the detector circuit takes its signal from the output of the compressor. I call it "vintage" because all of the old-school compressors are designed this way.
 
#283
Spencer! said:
It selects between feedforward and feedback compression modes. In feedback (vintage) mode, the detector circuit takes its signal from the output of the compressor. I call it "vintage" because all of the old-school compressors are designed this way.
Click to expand...

I know what a compressor does, but not how it's designed, so at the risk of sounding stupid... I read this as saying that (in Vintage mode) the signal is compressed at the end of the compressor circuit, yes? So in feedforward mode, does it compress the signal as it's coming into the circuit? Are there any benefits/drawbacks to each mode?

5sg.
 
#284
fivestringgecko said:
I know what a compressor does, but not how it's designed, so at the risk of sounding stupid... I read this as saying that (in Vintage mode) the signal is compressed at the end of the compressor circuit, yes? So in feedforward mode, does it compress the signal as it's coming into the circuit? Are there any benefits/drawbacks to each mode?

5sg.
Click to expand...

In feedback mode, the detector circuit (the part that decides how much to compress - NOT in the audio path) looks at the output of the compressor. This means that the signal triggering the compressor is already being compressed.

There aren't really benefits or drawbacks to each mode - they just react differently. Feedforward is more noticeable and "affected" sounding. Vintage mode (feedback) is probably better for general compression use, but feedforward is really punchy and sounds great in certain applications.
 
#285
Spencer! said:
In feedback mode, the detector circuit (the part that decides how much to compress - NOT in the audio path) looks at the output of the compressor. This means that the signal triggering the compressor is already being compressed.

There aren't really benefits or drawbacks to each mode - they just react differently. Feedforward is more noticeable and "affected" sounding. Vintage mode (feedback) is probably better for general compression use, but feedforward is really punchy and sounds great in certain applications.
Click to expand...

Okay, I think I get it now. Thanks for your patience and explanation. :)

5sg.
 
#286
Got #3 of 3 Fromel Protons with standard art... Can't wait to get home and try it out!!!

5sg.

IMAG0962.gif


IMAG0963.gif
 
#289
fivestringgecko said:
Spencer just got the order page up just earlier today, so probably not quite yet. (Unless he was sneaky and got prototypes out? ;)) I know HiFi and I ordered for sure, so hopefully Spencer will have them shipping on Monday.

5sg.
Click to expand...

:hyper:

I'm going out of town from Sunday through Tuesday, so I'm hoping to have something to look forward to in my mailbox when I get home. You better believe I'll have pics and some type of basic review once it arrives. :)
 
#298
Just discovered 3Leaf on a trip up to Seattle and Bass Northwest. Grabbed a GR2 - #028! I don't have a pic of the box with the effect, but I do have this:

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I also have a SoundCloud soundclip:



Ibanez SR506 through the GR2 and later through a Fodera x_Caliper compressor, direct into ProTools. I think I had the mix set about half-and-half - the Mastotron isn't on in this clip - but I will have something later!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
#300
tommyr01 said:
Fromel Proton #14 of 25 arrived today :hyper:

here's pics.....It was nighttime so lighting wasn't perfect, but this baby is gorgeous!......and sounds excellent, can't wait to try it at practice tomorrow. :)
Click to expand...

I got my Fromel Proton (#3) a few days ago as well, and after (finally!) getting a chance to spend some time with it, here's a quickie review.

My understanding is that aside from the pretty case art, it's the same as a regular Proton with the exception of the internal Decay switch. (Is that correct Spencer?)

Like my GRs, the build quality is top notch... tight jacks, smooth turning knobs, solid switches, immaculate internals. Fromel's art for my Proton is also exemplary, and I'd say it's the same or better than the two custom builds he's done for me. Another thing I really dig about Spencer's pedals is that he puts the jacks on the back, which is a great space saver on a pedalboard.

The Proton can get a good range of envelope sounds, despite having only two knobs. I've gotten my favorite super thick, greasy and "not quite opening all the way" filter sound, or I can dial in a great Bootsy-esque quack, which I think is the old school Mutron sound that Spencer was going for with the Proton.

While the Proton does have a great sound, my one sticking point with it is that the decay rate is too slow for my taste/style. The pedal's attack* is just about perfect for my taste, but when playing passages with more/quicker notes, I kept finding that the filter would open at the beginning and then just stay open to the end of whatever line I was playing. Opening up the case and switching to the faster decay time helped, but it's still not quite as quick as I normally like. I've really gotten to like being able to dial in a short decay time with my Groove Regulators (or having something like the Staccato control on my EP2) so I can hear the "quack" on each note. The Proton will take some getting used to.

Will the Proton replace my Regulators? Maybe, maybe not, I'm not sure yet. I still need to get it into a band /live setting and see what it can do. The slower decay rate may not be my ideal, but the smaller 3Leaf has a slightly more vintage vibe that just can't be ignored... It's still a killer little filter that sounds pretty sweet.

I'm looking forward to getting the Proton into a band setting and seeing how it actually stacks up in an A/B against the Regulators! :bassist:

Spencer, another winner! Sorry it took me so long to try one out!

5sg.

*Just in case... Envelope filter "attack" is how fast the filter opens at the beginning of a note and decay is how fast it closes at the end.

IMAG0982.jpg
 

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