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API TranZformer Bass Preamp

#41
i have a cali76 (and i love it) but i want this API even more. back in the 80's my band recorded a 4 song demo for Chrysalis Records at Shangra-la studio in Trancas, CA and we used their vintage API console into 24 track Ampex machines. It yielded some of the best bass tones i've ever had so i've always loved API gear. the studio was previously Elvis's beach house and during the breaks i sat on a couch in the living room with Mick Fleetwood watching Get Smart and Green Acres on their little 'house' TV.
 
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#49
just got my API Tranzformer LX from sweetwater today. it sounds awesome, but i think that mine has an issue with the compressor output level, since when i click the comp in, the overall output drops about 3db and the demos online don't exhibit that problem. waiting to hear back from API if it's supposed to be that way but i'm sure that it isn't.

first impressions:
it's HUGE and HEAVY
it's NOT true bypass
built to a very high standard
without comp or eq it sounds awesome
the EQ in it sounds awesome
the comp sounds great but i so far, i think i like the cali76 a little more.
 
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#50
funkaholic said:
What is the DI out of the Cali76 like? Is it useable as a standalone unit?
Click to expand...
The compact ones don't have a DI out. At least not the Cali76 compact bass. I was surprised that the older ones have a line out / DI out but cinch, not XLR. They are no longer made.
Love my transformerless Cali76. I like the features of the compact more than I miss the transformer of the bigger older ones. Compared with my Warm Audio 1176 clone I expected that I miss the transformer more...
 
#51
johnk_10 said:
just got my API Tranzformer LX from sweetwater today. it sounds awesome, but i think that mine has an issue with the compressor output level, since when i click the comp in, the overall output drops about 3db and the demos online don't exhibit that problem. waiting to hear back from API if it's supposed to be that way but i'm sure that it isn't.

first impressions:
it's HUGE and HEAVY
it's NOT true bypass
built to a very high standard
without comp or eq it sounds awesome
the EQ in it sounds awesome
the comp sounds great but i so far, i think i like the cali76 a little more.
Click to expand...

thanks for the quick review! Can you tell us what the compressor settings do? Is it a 6 position switch, or a pot that goes from 1 to 6 and does it control threshold or some other (maybe a combination of) parameter? Is there any kind of gr metering (color change of the compression LED for example)?

When you are able to spend more time with it, would also love to hear what you think of the DI output - given that's what it is named for I'm wondering if it is a good DI or perhaps a great one? Also, is the transformer in the 1/4" output path or only the DI?

I've checked the API website and could not find a user manual or much of any tech info, thus my very basic questions...
 
#52
cavemanbass said:
thanks for the quick review! Can you tell us what the compressor settings do? Is it a 6 position switch, or a pot that goes from 1 to 6 and does it control threshold or some other (maybe a combination of) parameter? Is there any kind of gr metering (color change of the compression LED for example)?

When you are able to spend more time with it, would also love to hear what you think of the DI output - given that's what it is named for I'm wondering if it is a good DI or perhaps a great one? Also, is the transformer in the 1/4" output path or only the DI?

I've checked the API website and could not find a user manual or much of any tech info, thus my very basic questions...
Click to expand...

From the specs page:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Compressor:Ratio (fixed): Varies from 2:1 to 20:1 depending on compressor control setting.

Attack (fixed): Less than 5ms

Release (fixed): 100ms average (frequency-dependent for natural envelope tracking)

Compressor Control (6 Switchable settings): 1 = subtle compression, 6 = maximum compression. Turning clockwise Increases gain reduction (lower threshold) while simultaneously raising output level to match.

I didn't realize that the original API525 comp only had two ratio settings of 2:1 and 20:1.

prod_525_1_m.jpg


-Frank
 
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#53
boomertech said:
From the specs page:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Compressor:Ratio (fixed): Varies from 2:1 to 20:1 depending on compressor control setting.

Attack (fixed): Less than 5ms

Release (fixed): 100ms average (frequency-dependent for natural envelope tracking)

Compressor Control (6 Switchable settings): 1 = subtle compression, 6 = maximum compression. Turning clockwise Increases gain reduction (lower threshold) while simultaneously raising output level to match.

I didn't realize that the original API525 comp only had two ratio settings of 2:1 and 20:1.

prod_525_1_m.jpg


-Frank
Click to expand...

Thanks Frank! Don't know how I missed this, really appreciate the link. Interesting that it's a line level xlr not DI.
 
#54
cavemanbass said:
Thanks Frank! Don't know how I missed this, really appreciate the link. Interesting that it's a line level xlr not DI.
Click to expand...

The specs give you a little more info, but if this pedal only has two ratios of 2:1 and 20:1, at what switch position of the compressor control do those ratios change from one to the other? Hopefully one of the owners will chime in with info from the manual.

-Frank
 
#57
This type of product is usually outside my price range, but... I'm finding myself strangely attracted to this one and am thinking of why I need one. For example, I am going to doing some recording with two different bands this year and this could be an awesome recording tool.
 
#58
it's definitely an awesome recording tool. when you consider that API 525 comps go for $1100 without a power supply (they use the 500 series rack PS system).
after playing thru mine for about an hour today, i gotta say that i find it to absolutely be worth the money. the amp stages and eq are phenomenal sounding and IMO, the comp is as good as it gets. even thought the compressor doesn't have a ton of controls, by adjusting the input gain, and setting which of the 6 compression levels that suits your particular bass and playing style, it's super fast and easy to dial in compression that works perfectly from barely there to a ton of squash.
 
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#59
i just got off the phone with a tech at API. since the manual is pretty vague i had a few questions for him so here's some more info on it.

as i said before, it's not a true bypass pedal. when both the eq and comp is off, it's still running thru the amp circuit and the output transformer in it.
the comp ratios are not at 'set' ratios. they are dependent on which of the 6 comp modes you're in and what level you have the input gain set at. he said that the lowest ratio at setting 1 could be considered 2:1 but the threshold, ratio, attack & release are continuously changing depending on where the gain and modes 1-6 are set at. at setting 6 it is basically set at infinity. they did that to make it easier to get any amount of compression with the least controls.

after talking with the tech, he said that he'd recommend to the marketing dept about updating and making a more in depth manual with more info in it to reflect my questions.

i'm in love with this pedal, and if you're into vintage API consoles like i am, it doesn't get any better than this in a pedal format.
 
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#60
johnk_10 said:
i just got off the phone with a tech at API. since the manual is pretty vague i had a few questions for him so here's some more info on it.

as i said before, it's not a true bypass pedal. when both the eq and comp is off, it's still running thru the amp circuit and the output transformer in it.
the comp ratios are not at 'set' ratios. they are dependent on which of the 6 comp modes you're in and what level you have the input gain set at. he said that the lowest ratio at setting 1 could be considered 2:1 but the threshold, ratio, attack & release are continuously changing depending on where the gain and modes 1-6 are set at. at setting 6 it is basically set at infinity. they did that to make it easier to get any amount of compression with the least controls.

after talking with the tech, he said that he'd recommend to the marketing dept about updating and making a more in depth manual with more info in it to reflect my questions.

i'm in love with this pedal, and if you're into vintage API consoles like i am, it doesn't get any better than this in a pedal format.
Click to expand...
Cool!! Thanks for the info!! Can't wait to give mine a true test drive!
 

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