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API Select TranZformer LLX
- Thread starter Naack
- Start date
Very nice - been waiting for something like this after API came out with the guitar EQ. Its the 2 things i loved about the original API bass tranZformer - the EQ section and the audio transformer - without the huge pedal footprint, compressor or preamp/DI (neither of which were really that flexible to use). The EQ sounded amazing as did the transformer.
I wonder what the use of hte output pad is other then maybe the overdrive mode boosts the level that much and the pad is needed. Looks like the pedal has enough gain and headroom to go directly to a power amp as well. Gonna order this pretty soon!
I wonder what the use of hte output pad is other then maybe the overdrive mode boosts the level that much and the pad is needed. Looks like the pedal has enough gain and headroom to go directly to a power amp as well. Gonna order this pretty soon!
carsonchilders
Carson Childers
Yes the pad is because the OD circuit adds gain only. I use it as a subtle always on drive, so I wish the pad was actually less radical. It hasn't been an issue though and I play passive basses.
carsonchilders
Carson Childers
I purchased this and the CMP compressor.
I really love these pedals. Like others have mentioned, the 100 hz is a little too high but I love the overdrive circuit for something really light and I love the bell/shelf option for the high end.
i use the LLX as the front end of my board and I have a Noble Preamp as the backend. The noble does a lot of the heavy lifting but the API gives nice clean character. The Nobles low frequency is much lower so the 100 hz on the API doesn't matter as much to me.
I plan to do a YouTube review of these.
I really love these pedals. Like others have mentioned, the 100 hz is a little too high but I love the overdrive circuit for something really light and I love the bell/shelf option for the high end.
i use the LLX as the front end of my board and I have a Noble Preamp as the backend. The noble does a lot of the heavy lifting but the API gives nice clean character. The Nobles low frequency is much lower so the 100 hz on the API doesn't matter as much to me.
I plan to do a YouTube review of these.
Got the pedal yesterday from sweetwater, here are my initial impressions:
- just having the pedal active with no EQ still does something nice to the tone thx to the transformer - seems to tighten up the low end.
- EQ is really nice sounding - as others have said 100hz is a little high but the 400hz for mid and 2k for highs are perfect. easy to do a scooped or mid-forward sound, and it sounds good no matter how much you boost or subtract (may not be the sound you want but the sound itself is great).
- the gain knob is additive only - it won't cut the gain if you are trying to compensate for boosting any of the frequency knobs. (to compensate you have to set the -20 db switch on, and raise the gain to the right level).
- if you switch to Overdrive mode but still have gain at 0 the effect is pretty subtle, maybe a hair more grindy but not much. To get any overdrive you have to raise the gain up in overdrive mode (which drives the input op-amp) and then use the -20db switch to bring the levels down. because there is only a -20db switch and not a output level pot you are pretty much stuck to 1 overdrive sound assuming you want the pedal to be volume neutral. It is a decent OD sound, sounds vaguely like the darkglass omicron OD sound (on the alpha/omicron pedal) with about 1/3 gain. I dont think i'd buy this pedal just for the OD sound, but the fact that its there is nice.
- If you use the -20db switch and raise the gain to match it but use "clean boost" settings you don't get any overdrive but its a good sound. tough to tell if there is any difference in this and just a clean setting (gain set to 0, -20db switch not on).
- there is a ton of headroom and a ton of gain - you can most likely drive a power amp with the output of this pedal.
- the pedal is really well made and seems like it would take some abuse. the classic API knobs really look good.
overall i really like the pedal, i think its a keeper. great eq at a 1/3rd of the price of a API 550A (+ lunchbox costs), and the sound of the eq and transformer are top notch. Even if you never use the OD part of this pedal it's 100% worth it.
- just having the pedal active with no EQ still does something nice to the tone thx to the transformer - seems to tighten up the low end.
- EQ is really nice sounding - as others have said 100hz is a little high but the 400hz for mid and 2k for highs are perfect. easy to do a scooped or mid-forward sound, and it sounds good no matter how much you boost or subtract (may not be the sound you want but the sound itself is great).
- the gain knob is additive only - it won't cut the gain if you are trying to compensate for boosting any of the frequency knobs. (to compensate you have to set the -20 db switch on, and raise the gain to the right level).
- if you switch to Overdrive mode but still have gain at 0 the effect is pretty subtle, maybe a hair more grindy but not much. To get any overdrive you have to raise the gain up in overdrive mode (which drives the input op-amp) and then use the -20db switch to bring the levels down. because there is only a -20db switch and not a output level pot you are pretty much stuck to 1 overdrive sound assuming you want the pedal to be volume neutral. It is a decent OD sound, sounds vaguely like the darkglass omicron OD sound (on the alpha/omicron pedal) with about 1/3 gain. I dont think i'd buy this pedal just for the OD sound, but the fact that its there is nice.
- If you use the -20db switch and raise the gain to match it but use "clean boost" settings you don't get any overdrive but its a good sound. tough to tell if there is any difference in this and just a clean setting (gain set to 0, -20db switch not on).
- there is a ton of headroom and a ton of gain - you can most likely drive a power amp with the output of this pedal.
- the pedal is really well made and seems like it would take some abuse. the classic API knobs really look good.
overall i really like the pedal, i think its a keeper. great eq at a 1/3rd of the price of a API 550A (+ lunchbox costs), and the sound of the eq and transformer are top notch. Even if you never use the OD part of this pedal it's 100% worth it.
carsonchilders
Carson Childers
I bought one this week an have used it in several applications (not to mention messing around at home)
Large ensemble rehearsal combo amp
Large ensmble outdoor concert into powered bergantino cab
In-ear church gig
It's officially achieved "where have you been all my life" status.
Large ensemble rehearsal combo amp
Large ensmble outdoor concert into powered bergantino cab
In-ear church gig
It's officially achieved "where have you been all my life" status.
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Thread resurrection... having seen players rave about the OG TranZformer, if I already have a high quality 3 band preamp (Demeter BEQ-PB), would I gain anything with the API special sauce by putting the LLX before a Tube DI which has a Jensen transformer in the circuit?
Seems like the only trade off will be the API "Select" op-amp and slightly different (but similar) EQ points.
Seems like the only trade off will be the API "Select" op-amp and slightly different (but similar) EQ points.
carsonchilders
Carson Childers
Seems redundant to me… I think you may find you get a very similar sound in a (oversized) pedal package. If you miss a tube DI, you could have a board with the Tranzformer at the beginning and a tube DI at the end and leave the rack at home.
That would give you a great edge because you'd be able to control the output level of the LX via the 1/4 out. As opposed to the extremely hot signal out of the XLR.
all this is probably unnecessary because you have quality stuff already. Go for pedals if you want something a little smaller/lighter?
That's what I was figuring. I guess it comes down to if I'm curious enough to spend the money to see if the API sound has a 5% difference from the Demeter sound ha. I could always slip a LBA 2020s after the Demeter BEQ to emulate what the API box is doing sonically (though the transformer wouldn't actively be driving an output).
Thanks for the response!
carsonchilders
Carson Childers
If it helps at all, I had a Demeter HBP1 that I liked, but ultimately I've found that sound a little too sterile for me. There's something about the Tranzformer (especially the LX's EQ) that has the perfect balance of color and control.
@musicmansf - If you can get your hands on one from a place whose return policy allows you to try it out, I think it's worth checking out.
Another way to check out the API tranzformer is to buy the CMP pedal, which is pretty doggone good. Both LLX and CMP are worth every nickel of their street price.
Another way to check out the API tranzformer is to buy the CMP pedal, which is pretty doggone good. Both LLX and CMP are worth every nickel of their street price.
I'm actually thinking the CMP route is the way to go. For this board project, I'd need a compressor and the CMP has both the API chip and transformer. I can slip the Demeter BEQ afterwards for any needed tone shaping.
I'm a big fan of the Lusithand Alma circuit that's the 2:1 clean blend on the Ground & Pound, but sure seems like the CMP gets rave reviews!
carsonchilders
Carson Childers
I like the CMP but it is much different sounding than the one in the LX. The LX has substantially less control but... if memory serves me well, it sounds way better. I think the new pedals are cool but the LX sounded better to me (I never directly compare them to each other). Part of why I think it sounds better could just be in the way the presets makeup gain. Who knows.
I replaced the CMP with the Union Tube and Transistor LAB compressor and have been really happy with that vibe. I did like the CMP a lot more than the Cali76 though.
I predict you'll be very happy with the comp.
I love my CMP. It allows me to Gain up the signal and compress more subtly than the LX. And it works on everything- I use it on dynamic mics, bass, magnetic and piezo pickups, and mixers. It works at the the beginning of the signal chain and at the end of it, too.
I love my CMP. It allows me to Gain up the signal and compress more subtly than the LX. And it works on everything- I use it on dynamic mics, bass, magnetic and piezo pickups, and mixers. It works at the the beginning of the signal chain and at the end of it, too.
Interesting. I have an LLX on the way, and must say that I hadn't really considered the Source Audio as an alternative. I bought a Genzler Magellan Pre/DI for the end of my chain, which might make a more obvious (to me) comparison with the Zio; I really like it, and wouldn't consider replacing it now.
I plan to use the LLX as a boost/EQ at the front end. It has no DI, of course, so that's an immediate difference from the Zio. They do both have side-mounted jacks …
- Feb 16, 2008
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- John K Custom Basses
i have the earlier version of the API Trazformer (my second one), and IMO it's a great eq/compressor (even though it's HUGE). I had an earlier version of it when it first came out without the center bypass and, imo, this one is much better for having it:
my earlier version:
and with a size comparision to a 1590B pedal:
my earlier version:
and with a size comparision to a 1590B pedal:
No, I haven't heard the source audio. But judging by what I'm seeing on paper, they're different enough that it won't be an apples-to-apples comparison. The LLX has 3 band EQ, plus overdrive available; the Source Audio has pre-sets and boost. The LLX has more double the gain available, if you want gain. And one main thing to love about these transformer pedals is the output transformer, which the source audio and most other pedals lack. -correct me if I'm wrong. I just looked at Source website and there's no mention of a transformer component in the Zio.
That said, Source makes good stuff, and if the shoe fits...
