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Broughton Audio Super Thread

Did I say the Linden was supposed to emulate a tube stage or a speaker?

My original post was just asking for thoughts on three different preamp pedals. Same with P15 vs. PF-20T; yeah, of course they’re different— I was simply stating a preference for one tube preamp over the other.

You could use a little work on your reading comprehension, tbh.

Have a nice day, too.
 
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Did I say the Linden was supposed to emulate a tube stage or a speaker?

My original post was just asking for thoughts on three different preamp pedals. Same with P15 vs. PF-20T; yeah, of course they’re different— I was simply stating a preference for one tube preamp over the other.

You could use a little work on your reading comprehension, tbh.

The comment about simulating tube stage and speaker was pointed at the Fliptop, comparing it against the Linden. I was able to comprehend that statement by reading it in relation to your original question. Perhaps you need a little work on how to make polite conversation with strangers.

The Beta sounds great but it’s really more of an overdrive. IMO and IME it’s not really flexible enough to be considered a preamp pedal. The Beta Dlx might be. I haven’t used the Linden or Fliptop.
 
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Forget reading comprehension...what y'all need is an SSDI. Lucky for you, they are in stock

So I've had the SSDI for a few days now. Was doing some recording with it yesterday and I was quite impressed. Trying not to fall prey to the new gear honeymoon first impression but it sound really, REALLY good. Like, REALLY good. I thought the Fliptop sounded great running into it, which prior to the SSDI, I was kind of on the fence about the FT. I am quite impressed with the SSDI so far.
 
The other day I was experimenting w some smaller boards and went for a more direct uncolored sound and bypassed the SSDI...my gorgeous tone was gone. The SSDI is tubey goodness. It is the sound in my head.

I get it that everyone has their own opinions and sound is subjective, but those who think the SSDI is not the warm gravy all over your tone...they are just wrong.
 
So I've had the SSDI for a few days now. Was doing some recording with it yesterday and I was quite impressed. Trying not to fall prey to the new gear honeymoon first impression but it sound really, REALLY good. Like, REALLY good. I thought the Fliptop sounded great running into it, which prior to the SSDI, I was kind of on the fence about the FT. I am quite impressed with the SSDI so far.
Trick is, don't expect any distortion, although it is possible, imo not the pleasant kind, think harmonic distortion, wall of bass kinda thing, I typically run it up to that point, back off a hair, be amazed. Generally from left to right, B=5.5, M=9.5-10, T=4.5, V=5-6 (scale 1-10) is what I like, set it and forget it. I know the hassle of a Fender stack, I use it more for a straight tube DI to end all DIs. I have fun just constant switching what goes in front, it really adds a lot to everything. (and yeah, the FT sounds like a fliptop through a 810 with that thing lol)
 
Trick is, don't expect any distortion, although it is possible, imo not the pleasant kind, think harmonic distortion, wall of bass kinda thing, I typically run it up to that point, back off a hair, be amazed. Generally from left to right, B=5.5, M=9.5-10, T=4.5, V=5-6 (scale 1-10) is what I like, set it and forget it. I know the hassle of a Fender stack, I use it more for a straight tube DI to end all DIs. I have fun just constant switching what goes in front, it really adds a lot to everything. (and yeah, the FT sounds like a fliptop through a 810 with that thing lol)

I intend to use it pretty much as you describe.... Not for heavy lifting when it comes to grit or EQ, just as an amazing tube DI. Granted, still very new to the SSDI but the setting you describe are pretty close to where I landed so far... Using the clock hands as the scale: Bass, noon. Mid, 3. Treb, 1. Vol, 12-2 depending.... A little different setting on the treble but I tend to roll-off treble on my bass so... Really impressed so far. It sounded so good. We'll see if the other folks I write and play music with notice a difference when I send them this track.
 
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The comment about simulating tube stage and speaker was pointed at the Fliptop, comparing it against the Linden. I was able to comprehend that statement by reading it in relation to your original question. Perhaps you need a little work on how to make polite conversation with strangers.

The Beta sounds great but it’s really more of an overdrive. IMO and IME it’s not really flexible enough to be considered a preamp pedal. The Beta Dlx might be. I haven’t used the Linden or Fliptop.

I have both the Linden and the Fliptop. I haven't been able to use the Fliptop live yet, but some home A/B'ing with the Linden has me convinced that the Fliptop is a little more versatile. The cab control works really well - whether is actually simulates a cab or is a tone control is up for debate, but at the end of the day it doesn't really matter because it's effective.

Important note... one of the things I like so much about the Fliptop (and the Monocomp) is that the controls make sense. We spend a lot of time here in TB talking about "the best" this tone, and "the best" that tone, but I think sometimes we miss the point. I think part of "the best" discussions need to include how intelligent the control set is. I like the Fliptop better than the Linden, partly because I think it has a tone that I like a little better, but mostly because it is easy to dial in a sound I like.

Same with the Monocomp... is it the best compressor ever? No idea. But it has a really good sound, and is SO easy to use. To me, that's what makes a keeper pedal. Back to Fliptop vs. Linden - The Linden has a good useable sound, but the controls are a little hard to dial in. I'll be honest, when I had real Ampeg amps (almost sounds like amp amps) I always had a little trouble with the switch/tone control combo. So maybe the Linden is a better, more realistic tribute to the true Ampeg vibe because I have the same issue with the Linden - I can't always quite get what I want. A summary here - I like the Fliptop better then the Linden. The Linden may have more tonal possibilities, but I have more trouble dialing it in. The Linden does have some edge that the Fliptop does not. If I could only keep one, it would be the Fliptop. But I don't dislike the Linden.

Wow... this is turning into a long post. At this point I'll admit that I'm really just trying to avoid shovelling snow, so I'm in here shovelling other stuff. Do I have a point? Two, I think. First, "the best" tone is very much in the ear of the beholder. Tone is a personal thing and best defined by the end user with regards to musical needs and preference. Second, a good tone control set is every bit as important as a good sound, and I believe a big reason why Josh's pedals work so well - at least for me (except for the Apex - NOBODY understands how that thing works).

Third, buy when in stock.

Short version for @Somnambulance: whatever
 
I have both the Linden and the Fliptop. I haven't been able to use the Fliptop live yet, but some home A/B'ing with the Linden has me convinced that the Fliptop is a little more versatile. The cab control works really well - whether is actually simulates a cab or is a tone control is up for debate, but at the end of the day it doesn't really matter because it's effective.

Important note... one of the things I like so much about the Fliptop (and the Monocomp) is that the controls make sense. We spend a lot of time here in TB talking about "the best" this tone, and "the best" that tone, but I think sometimes we miss the point. I think part of "the best" discussions need to include how intelligent the control set is. I like the Fliptop better than the Linden, partly because I think it has a tone that I like a little better, but mostly because it is easy to dial in a sound I like.

Same with the Monocomp... is it the best compressor ever? No idea. But it has a really good sound, and is SO easy to use. To me, that's what makes a keeper pedal. Back to Fliptop vs. Linden - The Linden has a good useable sound, but the controls are a little hard to dial in. I'll be honest, when I had real Ampeg amps (almost sounds like amp amps) I always had a little trouble with the switch/tone control combo. So maybe the Linden is a better, more realistic tribute to the true Ampeg vibe because I have the same issue with the Linden - I can't always quite get what I want. A summary here - I like the Fliptop better then the Linden. The Linden may have more tonal possibilities, but I have more trouble dialing it in. The Linden does have some edge that the Fliptop does not. If I could only keep one, it would be the Fliptop. But I don't dislike the Linden.

Wow... this is turning into a long post. At this point I'll admit that I'm really just trying to avoid shovelling snow, so I'm in here shovelling other stuff. Do I have a point? Two, I think. First, "the best" tone is very much in the ear of the beholder. Tone is a personal thing and best defined by the end user with regards to musical needs and preference. Second, a good tone control set is every bit as important as a good sound, and I believe a big reason why Josh's pedals work so well - at least for me (except for the Apex - NOBODY understands how that thing works).

Third, buy when in stock.

Short version for @Somnambulance: whatever

HAHAHA -- Not that anyone cares nor should they... But I'm a big fan of simplicity, predictability, and a range of useable tones as well. Too many knobs, switches, selectors, dials and you've lost me. Completely understand other folks are the opposite and want control of every parameter and that's super, that's just not me. I like effects/amps/basses where it's difficult to get a bad sound out of the setting, and not the opposite..
 
I get it that everyone has their own opinions and sound is subjective, but those who think the SSDI is not the warm gravy all over your tone...they are just wrong.

And now I'm killing myself laughing because all I can think of is a bunch of hooligans in a field facing off against against each other Braveheart style armed with their P-15s and SSDIs. Or a "Tates great/Less filling" commercial. So many memes...
 
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HAHAHA -- Not that anyone cares nor should they... But I'm a big fan of simplicity, predictability, and a range of useable tones as well. Too many knobs, switches, selectors, dials and you've lost me. Completely understand other folks are the opposite and want control of every parameter and that's super, that's just not me. I like effects/amps/basses where it's difficult to get a bad sound out of the setting, and not the opposite..

And sometimes, all those controls don't quite work together effectively. Which kind of makes the Ictineo a miracle, because that thing is loaded with controls, but it all seems to work... go figure.
 
I prefer the apex to the monocomp. So :spit:

Much love for the Apex. It did take awhile to figure out but once I did it’s perfect. Has just the features you want and despite how it seems like nothing happens when you twiddle the knobs it definitely does.
You really need to play with it a full volume to identify the effects of the adjustments. The side chain HPF is key to its operation which often times must be calibrated with any other filters with your input signal or it will become redundant and confusing. Set the gain last.
 
I remember @NKBassman trying to explain to me how the side chain worked. He is a patient soul...
We’re not going through this again. :p Well ok, but just briefly:

The sidechain only affects what the compression circuit sees, it does not affect the output signal. So you are applying HPF, cutting lows, from what the compressor sees, which allows it to apply compression at the actual peaks more effectively. However the HPF is not applied on the signal at the output, so your overall tone is unchanged, just compressed.