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Cali76 Compact Bass

#61
I have to keep my Cali76-CB a few inches away from my power supply (Cioks DC5) as well. I’ve experimented moving my Cali76 back and forth, and I could really hear the hum when the pedal would get close to the power supply. I have the two separated enough on my board to not be an issue. I’m a big fan of the Cali76-CB though. It sounds fantastic.
 
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#62
I'm a Cali76-CB fan! Like a couple of you, I'm on my 2nd one, with no plans to get rid of this one. I've had some pretty good comps in the past(the MXR M87, the V1 Empress, both of the Darkglass Comps, the TCE, the Boss BC-1X(still have that one), and the mighty FEA DB-CL), but the Cali76 is just so musical! My amp even has a built-in compressor and I still love my Cali76! Even when I go "off-script" with it and try some weird setting, it's almost always still usable, if not perfect. I could dial up a pretty unusable sound on my FEA DB-CL if I wasn't careful.

I've never experienced any noise from it, and I've had it pretty close to my power supplies at various times, but I was also running an SMPS power supply(Strymon Zuma). I'm currently running the 24v DC method with a PedalSnake and 3 Strymon Ojai R30s. The only AC that's ever near my board is when I need to charge the foot switch for my Bergantino Forte HP, and that's very infrequently.

Not gonna kid anyone, I'm interested in the new Empress V2, and I've thought about giving the Darkglass Hyper Luminal another try, but the Cali76-CB is definitely a legend...:cool::cool:
 
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#63
Mine has just arrived...
Just one question: it is normal that it is always on when I plug in my board?
I sold my Keeley compressor pro to buy it, I hope I don't regret it!
Powered 18v 400mA with Voodoo 4x4
Tonight I will try it well :bassist:

8E2F2976-DE1B-4F6D-962C-FBE764CF4F28.jpeg
 
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#65
derekale said:
Mine has just arrived...
Just one question: it is normal that it is always on when I plug in my board?
I sold my Keeley compressor pro to buy it, I hope I don't regret it!
Powered 18v 400mA with Voodoo 4x4
Tonight I will try it well :bassist:

View attachment 3819045
Click to expand...

yes it’s supposed to do that. The earlier ones powered up ‘off’ but they changed that at some point since many use it always on anyway
 
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#66
^^^ Thanks for the replies.

CyberSnyder said:
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.
Click to expand...

I also had the same impression, very quiet but annoying hiss with In and Out past 1:00 O'clock.
My last 3 compressors were Keekey Bassist, Empress compressor, Keeley compressor pro; my impression so far is that they were quieter.
However, it is very nice, although less clean and adds a little character to my tone...
 
#69
i'm a big fan of origin effects. i had the cali76 large box (non TX), the cali76 CB and the Cali76CD. out of the three, i preferred the large box by far. the second best was the CD, but both the CD and CB added an artificial top end that i personally didn't care for. missing my large box the most, i bought another large box, but this time with the TX and it is the best of the four that i've owned and it's definitely a keeper.

That said, i still dig the FEA DE:CL over the smaller cali's and i also like the hyperluminal over them too. when using a comp with a smaller footprint than the large box cali, i use the the FEA since it's as good as any comp that i've ever owned.
 
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#70
BurningSkies said:
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.
Click to expand...
The Eventide PowerMax/Cioks DC7/8 are all SMPS supplies as well. I’ve had a few pedals over the years that didn’t like being close to standard transformer-based supplies that are quiet with my DC7. Power supplies have come a long way!
 
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#71
IvanBassist said:
It is extremely silent, too. Haven’t heard any noise compared to the previous comp i owned
Click to expand...
Just bought one and there is a big sss-noise. Not when the cable is out. I think it takes the sound of the Stingray Preamp. But with my Markbass compressor (that died) after 2 month, I didn't had that problem. Also when the cable is out, there is a sss-noise when I turn 'the output' to 3o'clock. Don't know what to think or do with this Cali76 bass pedal.
 
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#72
Yeah, I just compared it with my MXR M87, there's slightly more noise with the Cali76 than the M87 at comparable compression and output level settings, but again it's hard to match settings on two compressors like that.
 
#73
Sorry to revive a zombie thread but I have a question about this pedal I haven’t been able to find an answer to. I am changing some things around in my rig, finding different combinations that meet my requirements of a tube pre amp, a variable HPF, light compression, and a good DI. There’s a few options im looking in to but one that has been particularly interesting to me (because it’d be relatively cheap) is purchasing a used SWR electric blue for the tube pre and good DI those amps are known for, also they’re just quality amps and I like the SWR sound. And then I would have this pedal as an always on situation in front of the amp for some light compression live for both electric and upright. My main question is if the HPF in this pedal functions or works like a regular variable HPF (fdeck, broughton, etc.) when it comes to taking out the super low lows that muddy a mix, potentially blow speakers, and cause feedback on uprights. I’m not a pedal guru or electronics wizard so I appreciate any help or anecdotes. Thanks!
 
#74
Smokey P said:
Sorry to revive a zombie thread but I have a question about this pedal I haven’t been able to find an answer to. I am changing some things around in my rig, finding different combinations that meet my requirements of a tube pre amp, a variable HPF, light compression, and a good DI. There’s a few options im looking in to but one that has been particularly interesting to me (because it’d be relatively cheap) is purchasing a used SWR electric blue for the tube pre and good DI those amps are known for, also they’re just quality amps and I like the SWR sound. And then I would have this pedal as an always on situation in front of the amp for some light compression live for both electric and upright. My main question is if the HPF in this pedal functions or works like a regular variable HPF (fdeck, broughton, etc.) when it comes to taking out the super low lows that muddy a mix, potentially blow speakers, and cause feedback on uprights. I’m not a pedal guru or electronics wizard so I appreciate any help or anecdotes. Thanks!
Click to expand...
No its a totally different type of HPF (well at least where it is in the pedal and what it does to the signal). The HPF on most (if not all) bass compressors is only in the sidechain, which is the signal (distinct from the actual signal being compressed and coming out the output of the pedal) that is used to trigger the compressor- so turning up the HPF on the Cali/Empress Bass/Hyper Luminal/etc compressors all sends less bass to the mechanism triggering the compressor and so bassier signals are less likely to constantly cause the compressor to squash as they normally can (there is alot more energy in bass frequencies so on a bass low notes can tend to trigger compression more than higher ones without an HPF in the sidechain). So it doesn't roll off lows in your actual signal chain at all like the types of HPF you are talking about and can actually have the opposite effect depending on your settings (meaning stronger bass peaks than would otherwise make it through without a sidechain HPF)
 
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#75
sunbeast said:
No its a totally different type of HPF (well at least where it is in the pedal and what it does to the signal). The HPF on most (if not all) bass compressors is only in the sidechain, which is the signal (distinct from the actual signal being compressed and coming out the output of the pedal) that is used to trigger the compressor- so turning up the HPF on the Cali/Empress Bass/Hyper Luminal/etc compressors all sends less bass to the mechanism triggering the compressor and so bassier signals are less likely to constantly cause the compressor to squash as they normally can (there is alot more energy in bass frequencies so on a bass low notes can tend to trigger compression more than higher ones without an HPF in the sidechain). So it doesn't roll off lows in your actual signal chain at all like the types of HPF you are talking about and can actually have the opposite effect depending on your settings (meaning stronger bass peaks than would otherwise make it through without a sidechain HPF)
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Awesome! Thank you!
 
#76
Killens84 said:
I have to keep my Cali76-CB a few inches away from my power supply (Cioks DC5) as well. I’ve experimented moving my Cali76 back and forth, and I could really hear the hum when the pedal would get close to the power supply. I have the two separated enough on my board to not be an issue. I’m a big fan of the Cali76-CB though. It sounds fantastic.
Click to expand...
An update to my own post from two years ago… I had sold my Cali76-CB, but recently bought another. I’m now using a Cioks DC7 power supply and there are zero noise issues. So apparently the Cali76 doesn’t like being near transformer power supplies (like my former DC5), but it has no issues with SMPS.
 
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#77
Edwin Belgium said:
Just bought one and there is a big sss-noise. Not when the cable is out. I think it takes the sound of the Stingray Preamp. But with my Markbass compressor (that died) after 2 month, I didn't had that problem. Also when the cable is out, there is a sss-noise when I turn 'the output' to 3o'clock. Don't know what to think or do with this Cali76 bass pedal.
Click to expand...

Hi, sorry to bump this older thread again.

My main bass is a MM Stingray 5 and I'm currently using the Markbass Compressore compressor and was wondering how you found the Cali76-CB compared to the MB (before your MB stopped working)? I bought an Origin Effects Super Vintage Bass Rig last year which has been superb, so am tempted by the Cali76-CB to pair with it. Any insight as to how the CB and MB compare and whether it is worth changing would be much appreciated.
 
#79
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#80
scubaduba said:
Compared to the Cali76 CB or (Empress or Keeley Bassist/Compressor Pro for that matter) the top end is going to feel and sound more subdued.

Beyond that there are many other differences too.

My review might help: https://www.compressorpedalreviews.com/post/markbass-compressore-review
Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply. I have read many of your reviews as it happens, very illuminating, thank you.

So, I might deduce that the MB Compressore might be good for smooth warm tones and the Cali76 CB (and others mentioned) might be capable of yielding a punchier sound. In other words, they both have their place depending on what you're after. Dang! More reasons for more pedals :)
 

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