It'd be nice if you post a photo
I will post a picture when I receive the new custom knobs for them.
-Frank
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- Thread starter bongomania
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I will post a picture when I receive the new custom knobs for them.
-Frank
You and many others
one would think that selecting a control knob would be fairly easy. I have been looking for a nice solid aluminum knob for several years now. All of the off the shelf knobs that I liked all cost over $5 a piece and a few actually cost over $10. With the number of controls on some of our pedals, that would be an insane investment. I finally found a company that would make a custom knob for a fair price. I think everyone will like this new knob better and it should be much easier to see your settings from a standing position.
Custom colors have also been suggested. Custom colors would be nice for each pedal, but to keep the price reasonable I need to buy in large quantities of a single style. The solid aluminum knob seems to go well with the aluminum face plate theme. I think my attraction for aluminum controls comes from the cool stereo silver face designs of the 70s.
I dont think that the Growler will be revisited until sometime next year. I have several circuit ideas for a new version of that pedal that all need to be tested, but I have a few other products that I need to complete first.
-Frank
I'm on the list for both, pre-December, only problem is that now the new compressor/limiter has me intrigued - LOL. Can you elaborate on where the new model falls between the Dual-Band and the Optifet and what niche you are trying to fill with it compared to those two?
It looks to me like the new comp/limiter is the best of both worlds - you get the "sonic improvement" compression of the OptiFET along with a hard limiter to deal with signal spikes. One thing that I depend on my compressor for is to deal with envelope filters that can get a little out of control. That ideally (at least to my ear) wants a high ratio with a threshold near 0db. The problem is that I don't like to squash my regular signal that much, and in fact I tend to run the OptiFET at around -5 to -10db threshold with fairly low ratio - just enough to tighten peaks a bit. The Comp/Limiter seems to be a "have you cake and eat it too". I like...
Elaborate? OK, you asked for it.
The Dual-Band Compressors are designed to be very transparent, stealth, sterile (in the good sense). Both models of the FEA DBCs divide the frequency band into three bands a low-band, high-band and very high band. The low and high bands are variable via x-over, but the very high-band is a fixed frequency. The reason that it is call a dual-band compressor is that the low and high bands are the only two that have compression, the very high-band passes unaffected. With this arrangement the DBCs do not have the ability to give a good compression as an effect (dips and swells) response. The high-band compressor can be deactivated with the second footswitch so that only the low-band gets compression for those who just want to tame the bottom end. Multi-band compression is a great tool for all of the guys/gals that hate compression, because their playing dynamics appear to be preserved.
The Opti-FET is a single/full band compressor with a selectable three band EQ in the side-chain. The EQ basically allows for frequency band threshold modifications. This EQ will allow you to change the character of the compression for different instruments or playing styles. Being that it is a full-band compressor you can get some levels of compression as an effect sounds from it. The warmth circuit in the Opti-FET was designed to match the original 100% discrete class-A FET tone. The original circuit has a subtle warm tone and this new circuit allows you to select between two degrees of the original tone and a clean tone.
The new Dual-Engine Comp/Limiter is designed as a full-band multi purpose compressor. The limiter is engaged with the second foot switch for parallel dynamics control along with the compressor. The comp and limiter have independent side-chain engines controlling a single optical gain-cell. The two engines have different designs that have been optimized for their function. The comp engine is similar to the Opti-FET circuit, but differs in that the DE-CL has no EQ and the release response is automatic.
You could use the DE-CL limiter like how nostatic described above with the compressor at a lower threshold and the limiter at a higher threshold to kill the spikes. Another way to use the limiter is as a sustainer with a lower threshold than the compressor and kick it in and out as needed. I used optical switching for the compressor and limiter gain controls so that there is no switching noise/pop when the limiter footswitch is pressed you can use it mid song without hearing it. The other feature of the DE-CL is the warmth control (this is not the same warmth circuit of the Opti-FET). The DE-CL warmth control modifies the output amplifier to go from a static clean/linear function to a fairly heavy dynamic function that resembles the performance and harmonic structure of starved-plate tube circuits.
-Frank
Frank, thanks for taking the time to elaborate on the differences between these pedals. Very helpful. I'm still loving the heck out of my Dual Band and, as you described, I don't look to it for compression 'as an effect', just on all the time and doing what it does so well.
I've been thinking lately that it'd be nice to have another compressor to kick in when I want to achieve a more overt level of compression - you've now officially whetted my appetite for the DE-CL.
But I'm out of room on the pedalboard - AARRGGHH! I guess I'm going to have to start a 2nd pedalboard...
I've been thinking lately that it'd be nice to have another compressor to kick in when I want to achieve a more overt level of compression - you've now officially whetted my appetite for the DE-CL.
But I'm out of room on the pedalboard - AARRGGHH! I guess I'm going to have to start a 2nd pedalboard...
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I had to make a difficult decision and have placed my Growler up for sale (see classifieds section). Since I got the Dual Band Distortion, it has become my always on pedal and my chances to use the Growler at the same time have greatly diminished.
Funny, I was just reading some positive comments about the FEA Dual Band Distortion over on the GearSlutz forum. I might have to check this one out too...
One doesn't have to use it for distortion. Frank has given you so many knobs to control the two frequencies that it is part EQ, part overdrive, part octave, part distortion.
Today's experiments with my board asked one simple question: What if I put the Barber Launch Pad in the place of the Growler and run my parallel chain that way?
I did and liked the resulting sound. The stacking of the DBD and Growler sounds great, but I don't play any gospel for which it might sound good. It gets very throaty, without distorting.
Today's experiments with my board asked one simple question: What if I put the Barber Launch Pad in the place of the Growler and run my parallel chain that way?
I did and liked the resulting sound. The stacking of the DBD and Growler sounds great, but I don't play any gospel for which it might sound good. It gets very throaty, without distorting.
Chad, I'm curious: do you find that the DBD can come close to doing what an octave pedal does?
My experience with true octave pedals is limited. For me, I would find no use with octave down. I normally play in first and second position, which is already as low as I want a sound. For the octave up, it seems very clean and can be distinctively heard.
If you are looking for multiple octaves, the DBD isn't your pedal. But, if you are just looking for +1 octave and dirt, and want to save space, it would fit the bill.
If you are looking for multiple octaves, the DBD isn't your pedal. But, if you are just looking for +1 octave and dirt, and want to save space, it would fit the bill.
Its great to hear that your Dual-Band Comp is serving you well. Thanks! I havent tried to stack the Dual-Band Comp with another compressor. If you do it, please let me know the results.
-Frank
It'd be nice if you post a photo
The knobs finally arrived!
I took a quick pic for you. -Frank
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I've been an endorser of FEA Labs for almost a year now and really enjoy using their products. Been using the Dual Band Distortion on my rig as of late.
I have the Growler and the 2 Channel Mixer as well. Hat's off to Frank and Glen at FEA Labs for great customer service as well as their versatile and interesting product line! Looking forward to the new models as well as the new knobs!!!
-Mark
I have the Growler and the 2 Channel Mixer as well. Hat's off to Frank and Glen at FEA Labs for great customer service as well as their versatile and interesting product line! Looking forward to the new models as well as the new knobs!!!
-Mark
Sweet. Those new knobs look good and definitely seem easier to read. That finish on the DE-CL is pretty kickass too.
Side question for you Frank: Is there anything you'd suggest to prevent accidental bumping of settings?
I spend a good amount of time tweaking my DBD, but some knobs turn kinda easy.
I've tried taping a strip over them, but then I can't see the LED.
Was thinking of the "washer" mod (where you remove the knobs and insert a little rubber washer making them harder to turn), but I'm afraid I won't be able to see the labels anymore.
Anyway, thanks in advance if you have any input.
Side question for you Frank: Is there anything you'd suggest to prevent accidental bumping of settings?
I spend a good amount of time tweaking my DBD, but some knobs turn kinda easy.
I've tried taping a strip over them, but then I can't see the LED.
Was thinking of the "washer" mod (where you remove the knobs and insert a little rubber washer making them harder to turn), but I'm afraid I won't be able to see the labels anymore.
Anyway, thanks in advance if you have any input.
