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API TranZformer Bass Preamp

#61
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...

That's great that you had someone explain the comp settings and parameters.

-Frank
 
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#62
johnk_10 said:
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.
Click to expand...

This is not helping me control my GAS... I'm thinking that this would be an awesome pedal to use with my funk rock band, as the only pedal I use in that band is my comp and some EQ.
 
#63
Matt Dean said:
This is not helping me control my GAS... I'm thinking that this would be an awesome pedal to use with my funk rock band, as the only pedal I use in that band is my comp and some EQ.
Click to expand...
well, it's definitely a 'big league' pedal. so there's that. ;)
 
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#64
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...

John, thanks so much for sharing this info with us! Have you tried the xlr output yet, I'm wondering if there is any issue with having it at line level when most consoles would be expecting -20db level for a DI. Also, do you know if the 1/4" output is also running through the transformer (like the Cali 76 does)?
 
#65
i haven't tried the XLR output yet, but it is set at a fixed level. here's the spec for it:

"1/4" Hi-Z unbalanced output w/ variable level control
XLR Male balanced line output, fixed level
Balanced line output level is +6dB higher than Hi-Z output with Level control fully clockwise".

i would think that a console for live use would just pad the input since it's running a high output.

and yes, both outputs go thru the output tranformer.
 
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#66
johnk_10 said:
i haven't tried the XLR output yet, but it is set at a fixed level. here's the spec for it:

"1/4" Hi-Z unbalanced output w/ variable level control
XLR Male balanced line output, fixed level
Balanced line output level is +6dB higher than Hi-Z output with Level control fully clockwise".

i would think that a console for live use would just pad the input since it's running a high output.

and yes, both outputs go thru the output tranformer.
Click to expand...
Thanks again for all the information sharing!
 
#67
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...
John, was API tech support able to resolve the issue with volume drop when engaging the comp?
 
#68
they said that the volume drop is just the nature of the beast and it's within spec'd calibration. when you're in setting #3 it's at unity, and at 4, 5 & 6 it's actually boosted a little.
i'd prefer it to be at unity at position #1 (lowest amount of comp) and i'm going to ask them tomorrow if i sent it to them if they can adjust it to be that way.
or if they'd tell me how to open it up and if there's an internal trimpot to adjust it, i'd judt adjust it myself and save on the shipping.
 
#69
johnk_10 said:
they said that the volume drop is just the nature of the beast and it's within spec'd calibration. when you're in setting #3 it's at unity, and at 4, 5 & 6 it's actually boosted a little.
i'd prefer it to be at unity at position #1 (lowest amount of comp) and i'm going to ask them tomorrow if i sent it to them if they can adjust it to be that way.
or if they'd tell me how to open it up and if there's an internal trimpot to adjust it, i'd judt adjust it myself and save on the shipping.
Click to expand...

Can't you get to unity with the gain control in pos 1?

-Frank
 
#71
johnk_10 said:
it'll go way past unity using the output level control in pos 1. the gain control will add even more volume, but also more compression.
lately i've been running it the the gain all the way down so it has the most subtle compression
Click to expand...

I am missing something here.... if you can adjust the output level in pos 1 to unity, then why would you need to make internal changes?

-Frank
 
#76
It's cetanly one huge and expensive piece of gear, looks pretty nice though I suppose.

Sadly the only demo I could find they didn't really explore the tonal possibilities and both the bass players in it played with flat wound strings :rollno:

Would be nice to get an idea of if it would be capable of producing some tones that would appeal and be useful to me.

Anyway, I am pretty happy with my current amp, so I can find a lot of other stuff I'd rather have and would be more useful to me for the price of what this costs.
 
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#77
johnk_10 said:
both the level and gain controls affect the level.

the level is the master output and affects everything whether the comp or eq is activated, as does the input gain.
Click to expand...
I imagine you'd have a similar issue with level matching, if you have extreme EQ settings and are trying to use the EQ as an effect to kick on / off in the middle of a song. I'm thinking this pedal is something that I would set up as an always on device, with EQ and comp either in or out and levels set accordingly. Doesn't seem to be designed to allow you to bring in EQ / comp on the fly even though they are implemented as foot switches.
 
#78
Just got mine last night! For anyone who is thinking of picking one up, I got it for $399 shipped / no tax from an eBay reseller, sealed in the original box.

First impressions: for a pedal that uses an external power supply, it is surprisingly heavy. Haven't opened it up yet, but I'm guessing that with a name like "tranzformer" there must be a rather large one of those inside... The sound is really good, though I need to use it on some recordings to really compare to other gear for reference.

One thing I will never understand about builders of bass compressors that use a fixed attack, is why they set the attack to be so fast. Is that how producers like their compressors to sound? I don't know of any bass players that prefer such fast clamping down. So, while the compressor sounds awesome it does not let much of the instrument attack through. I would gladly give up the EQ feature on this pedal to get adjustable attack, a gain reduction meter, and switchable ratio. Next up would be make-up gain separate from output volume, so that I could have unity gain between compressed and non-compressed sound.

I suspect these are not selling very well, which is unfortunate because I like the trend of high-end manufacturers building pedals at relatively accessible pricing (such as the Grace Felix). With the right feature set I think the Tranzformer would be totally killer. As it is, having a great preamp and transformer DI might be worth the cost of admission, though I'll need to do some experimenting before I decide... If anyone here is into pedal mods and can figure out how to put in a three-way attack control (say 5msec / 25msec / 50 msec) I would be first in line...
 
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