Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
FEA fan club!
- Thread starter bongomania
- Start date
Thanks guys!
Only the upper frequency range of the pedal was extended from the original 17KHz to 21KHz, everything else stays the same. Some people really look at specifications, so I decided to make the DB-CL cover at least the same standard frequency bandwidth as the other compressor models. The Opti-FET and DE-CL span the standard 20-20KHz range and the DB-CL now has a range of 10-21KHz.
I did A-B listening tests between the previous version and this one with music that has a lot of high frequencies and I cant hear a difference between them. There is very little signal energy up that high from bass and guitars, because most pickups have a resonant peek somewhere between 2KHz and 8KHz and fall off steeply from there.
IMO the extended bandwidth wasnt a necessary change, but the numbers feel better now.
-Frank
Only the upper frequency range of the pedal was extended from the original 17KHz to 21KHz, everything else stays the same. Some people really look at specifications, so I decided to make the DB-CL cover at least the same standard frequency bandwidth as the other compressor models. The Opti-FET and DE-CL span the standard 20-20KHz range and the DB-CL now has a range of 10-21KHz.
I did A-B listening tests between the previous version and this one with music that has a lot of high frequencies and I cant hear a difference between them. There is very little signal energy up that high from bass and guitars, because most pickups have a resonant peek somewhere between 2KHz and 8KHz and fall off steeply from there.
IMO the extended bandwidth wasnt a necessary change, but the numbers feel better now.
-Frank
You can still hear 20kHz? I spent too many afternoons in the company of cymbals and no earplugs.
No, I cant hear 20KHz. The last hearing test I had was 4 years ago and I was surprised on how good my hearing was. It was one of those tests where they put you in a sound proof booth, with headphones and a thumb switch to let the computer know that you hear the tone. They tested for frequency and power sensitivity (phons). I was surprised that I scored above average for a guy in his mid 40s. I was even more surprised that I could even hear some of the tones above 16KHz at the higher power levels the lower powered HF tones were buried below my heartbeat and breathing.
Since hearing is both frequency and level then maybe if I was hit with 110dB of 20KHz I might be able to hear it. But then again, all that might happen is my reading glasses would explode on my face.
-Frank
The lists are still very long… there are some that go back a year.
Last year I started cycling through mini batches of pedals hoping that I could catch up, but it wasn’t working out so well. So, I took some time this summer to change the production process to improve efficiency. This pushed back all of the production schedules further, but it will help shorten cycle times with future batches. There is still a lot more I need to change with the build process, but I have found that making too many changes at once has caused me way more problems, grief, expense and extra work than expected. Thus, I am making smaller changes and adjusting where necessary.
The first of two batches of DB-CL’s should be ready in 1-2 weeks. Then the second DB-CL batch will be started. These two DB-CL batches should cover about 60-70% of that list. Then there will be four batches of Opti-FET’s, because that is the longest list. After the Opti-FET batches are complete then there will be two batches of DE-CL’s.
I have suspended the production on all of the other pedals until these three compressors models are rolling along smoothly. With the additional help I will be getting this winter, I hope to be running parallel batches by the summer of next year.
Thanks for all of your support!
-Frank
Thanks Frank to let us know all these!
I am on the waiting list for the DE-CL and my long wait just started last week.
I really like how the DE-CL looks.
Thanks Frank to let us know all these!
I am on the waiting list for the DE-CL and my long wait just started last week.
Thanks! The Opti-FET and DE-CL will have a new look similar to the DB-CL above. Part of the process to speed things up is to have ready-to-mount faceplates manufactured. The DB-CL uses a brushed aluminum faceplate with silk-screened graphics as seen in the pictures above.
The Opti-FET and DE-CL will have lasered etched stainless steel faceplates with a black color fill that is manufactured by a different company. I just received the Opti-FET faceplates last week and they look fantastic.
-Frank
Thanks! The Opti-FET and DE-CL will have a new look similar to the DB-CL above. Part of the process to speed things up is to have ready-to-mount faceplates manufactured. The DB-CL uses a brushed aluminum faceplate with silk-screened graphics as seen in the pictures above.
The Opti-FET and DE-CL will have lasered etched stainless steel faceplates with a black color fill that is manufactured by a different company. I just received the Opti-FET faceplates last week and they look fantastic.
-Frank
Sounds great Frank! can't wait till see those new look
stainless steel with black awesome! Hope the housing will be the same finish as in your avatar!
Sounds great Frank! can't wait till see those new look
The DE-CL will keep its silver vein finish.
When I dropped off the Opti-FET enclosures at the new powder coaters, they showed me samples of some interesting finishes. They specialize in architectural fabrication, so they have several powders that look like stone. One that really got my attention is granite, but there was sandstone, brick and other finishes like that. I may have to try one of these stone finishes on some future pedal. I think a rock pedal that looks like actual rock would be pretty cool.
-Frank
I have a Growler, very cool pedal ! Was there a change made to the pedal at some point during production ? If so , what was it and how would I determine which pedal I have ? Thanks
(BTW Im also the proud owner of an Opti-Fet and an SMX comp, great stuff !! )
(BTW Im also the proud owner of an Opti-Fet and an SMX comp, great stuff !! )
I unfortunately don't own any FEA Labs pedals but I must say that all your pedals just *ooze* quality, Frank.
You had a chance today to own one, babe. ...Well for about 6 minutes in the Classifieds section, but I had to close that opportunity. Sorry.
Thank you! That's very kind of you.
Why didn't you have it shipped directly to you?
-Frank
My first FEA arrived yesterday (a DE-CL). In terms of build quality, I think this and the RMI Basswitch are the best I've seen among floor units. Really first class. As for sound it's quite remarkable. Dead quiet, very transparent, flexible and a tone tweaker's delight. It sounds fantastic with my Zon and the limiter doubling with the compressor is completely epic on the Taylor. Haven't tried it with the G&L yet (and that bass has a massive bottom end), but I don't foresee an issue. I normally use the Analog Man for the G&L anyway so it wouldn't be a deal breaker anyway.
Great stuff! ...Even if it IS built in Syracuse.
Great stuff! ...Even if it IS built in Syracuse.
Thank you! That's very kind of you.
Why didn't you have it shipped directly to you?
-Frank
Probably the cost of international mail and import tax added up to making the smuggling option attractive.
