Cali76 Compact Bass

[La Faro]

Really liked this format.

Played the fx
Gave a great description of each function
Loop to demonstrate the functions, and give a consistent input.
Personal opinion.

It should be as simple as this, but so many disappointing demos out there

 

[roberts67]

I have a CB and love it. The build quality on these are pretty fantastic. I turn it on occasionally to even out my playing.

 

[TREYontheBASS]

I really want the Noble DI, but man, that's a lot of money to spend on a direct box. I could get a great bass or another tube amp for that price. Or 10 other pedals.

But it does sound incredible. It's telling that there are no used ones on the market. People hang onto them.

I agree and the same reason why I put off getting one for the longest time. Finally, after having my pedalboard stolen, a used Noble popped up on Craigslist for a steal not long after so I snatched it up.. Had to be fate, and I gotta say, it reallyyy makes a difference. Especially when playing direct gigs. Just has this certain magic to it that evens out everywhere on my fretboard and lets every note I play cleanly pop through the mix. Tough to stomach that bill but I can attest it is worth it!

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

I sold my Cali76 because it would hum (like a single coil pickup) when placed near the power supply. That's the second worst compressor experience in my past.

For the record, the worst one was Keeley Compressor Pro picking up radio signals

 

[IvanBassist]

I sold my Cali76 because it would hum (like a single coil pickup) when placed near the power supply. That's the second worst compressor experience in my past.

For the record, the worst one was Keeley Compressor Pro picking up radio signals

Interesting! I'm gonna give that a try

 

[Wito]

aaand subscribed to the channel! Great stuff, there!

As for the Cali; absolutely love mine. I have not experienced any noise issues, except when I was testing what it could do and cranked the input and ratio knobs. But those were extreme settings that I'm not going to use, anyway. Since I place it first thing in the chain, it's as far away from the power supply as it can be, so I guess I was lucky there, 'cause I had no idea about the closeness-to-power-supply issue

Somehow related topic: The other day I was watching one of Warren Huart videos (the Produce Like a Pro guy), and he mentioned that in every studio that he walks in, the 1176s are always set with the shortest release time, unless the intern has been messing with them . Somehow, it made me feel a bit smug, since that's how I set mine... … … Everyone's ego needs some feeding from time to time, right???

 

[La Faro]

a

The other day I was watching one of Warren Huart videos (the Produce Like a Pro guy)

I hope you were doing marvellously well.

 

[IvanBassist]

aaand subscribed to the channel! Great stuff, there!

As for the Cali; absolutely love mine. I have not experienced any noise issues, except when I was testing what it could do and cranked the input and ratio knobs. But those were extreme settings that I'm not going to use, anyway. Since I place it first thing in the chain, it's as far away from the power supply as it can be, so I guess I was lucky there, 'cause I had no idea about the closeness-to-power-supply issue

Somehow related topic: The other day I was watching one of Warren Huart videos (the Produce Like a Pro guy), and he mentioned that in every studio that he walks in, the 1176s are always set with the shortest release time, unless the intern has been messing with them . Somehow, it made me feel a bit smug, since that's how I set mine... … … Everyone's ego needs some feeding from time to time, right???

Thanks! Much appreciated

I’ve heard that Warm Audio makes a great 1176 rack copy for a lot less than a real 1176

 

[Goatrope]

To the people with noise issues I would recommend not mounting it directly above your pedal power supply. I had a noise issue with mine until I moved it further away.

I sold my Cali76 because it would hum (like a single coil pickup) when placed near the power supply.

Thank you both. Next time I rearrange the board I’m going to experiment with some shielding. On such a small board, and with two power supplies, mounting away from them will be a challenge, so hopefully the shielding will do something. Fun experiment even if it doesn’t work.

 

[Ryan L.]

Weird. Mine sits directly above my power supply (Eventide PowerMax) and is dead silent.

 

[BurningSkies]

Interesting! I'm gonna give that a try

Weird. Mine sits directly above my power supply (Eventide PowerMax) and is dead silent.

I would guess that 'power supply noise' issues are largely pinned to the type of power supply and how it's built and shielded. I've never had noise from my 76CB, and while not directly on top of my supply it ain't far off. But I'm using a TrueTone CS12, which is a SMPS rather than a traditional transformer based unit. So, some supplies may have more or less EMF, etc. radiating from them. I don't think this is particular to the Origin pedal, since we know that other types of pedals sometimes experience these kind of issues too.

 

[inchoate]

I've used both a Voodoo Lab iso 5 and an MXR mini iso-brick in close proximity and I've never had any noise issues to speak of.

 

[Goatrope]

Thank you both. Next time I rearrange the board I’m going to experiment with some shielding. On such a small board, and with two power supplies, mounting away from them will be a challenge, so hopefully the shielding will do something. Fun experiment even if it doesn’t work.

@Rick Brienzo: Aces! I didn’t relocate the comp but instead shielded the top and side of the power supply and the bottom and sides of the comp. It worked! Hum is nearly nil.

Before I could reduce the hum by moving the comp a few inches away. Now it’s in the same spot, but super quiet.

Thank you!

 

[IvanBassist]

@Rick Brienzo: Aces! I didn’t relocate the comp but instead shielded the top and side of the power supply and the bottom and sides of the comp. It worked! Hum is nearly nil.

Before I could reduce the hum by moving the comp a few inches away. Now it’s in the same spot, but super quiet.

Thank you!

Awesome!

 

[Rick Brienzo]

@Rick Brienzo: Aces! I didn’t relocate the comp but instead shielded the top and side of the power supply and the bottom and sides of the comp. It worked! Hum is nearly nil.

Before I could reduce the hum by moving the comp a few inches away. Now it’s in the same spot, but super quiet.

Thank you!

Glad I could help.

 

[600 Ohms]

If you're using a Cali with a Noble for power, especially at 18v, and you're experiencing noise, look at how many digital pedals you're also powering. You may need to grab a GigRig Isolator. Going isolated dropped my noise floor 30dB.

 

[keatz]

I sold my Cali76 because it would hum (like a single coil pickup) when placed near the power supply. That's the second worst compressor experience in my past.

For the record, the worst one was Keeley Compressor Pro picking up radio signals

And what are your favourites?

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

And what are your favourites?

Currently, I'm using my good ole MXR bass compressor. It's transparent, doesn't hum, has VU-meter - good enough for now.

However, I am eyeballing the freshly announced Empress Compressor MKII - that looks promising too.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Had a Cali76, sold it awhile ago, just got my new Cali76 in today. I think it's a keeper. In reference to noise, I think the suggested settings in the manual are a little high on the Input and Output recommendations. It will add some noise with the suggested levels. Use your ears to get something closer to bypass level and it will tame the noise.

Let's see, I went through (and still have) The Bassist, Boss BC-1x. MXR M87, JHS Pulp n Peel, and who knows what else I'll find in my box o'pedals. The Cali76 costs a bit more, but it sounds very musical. Keeper / second time is the charm? Using a Noble and 18V cable.

 

[Rick Brienzo]

I have used, and do own some nice rack compressors. I have never been happy with pedal compressors until I got the CB. Most of the others I have used were good for squishy special effects only. They were difficult to dial in, and they sounded cheap.

The pedal market has a lot of nice offerings now days that are probably great but I got the CB and really don't need to look elsewhere. I am a happy camper. Built like a brick, sounds great, lots of useful settings, and it makes me brownies when I am sad.

I was worried about the combined attack release knob at first but have come to appreciate its simplicity. It's a well thought out design. Just turn it on and crank the knobs around. Done