Cool..
I made a separate topic for that. So we can keep the CAPO topic on topic.
Feel free to join: Shift Line Olympic vs Jad Freer Audio Capo
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Jad Freer Audio - CAPO multiple preamp
- Thread starter AngelCrusher
- Start date
I made a separate topic for that. So we can keep the CAPO topic on topic.
Feel free to join: Shift Line Olympic vs Jad Freer Audio Capo
Well I've spent quite a bit of time fiddling now and can safely safely say it's lived up to expectations.
The one thing it hasn't quite achieved is knocking the Model FeT off the board. There's still something about the FeT that just makes everything sound better, I think it's down to the way it emulates the Sunn Model T power stage which gives it a really thick, tube like saturation and compression.
If there was one thing I'd change on the Capo (completely subjective and just what would suit me) is really leaning into the tube like tone of the B side and emulating the compression of a cranked valve.
For now the FeT stays although I'm gonna keep testing it at practice without and see if I can bare to go without. It's far too subtle for anyone else to notice in a gig situation, I barely notice myself unless I'm A/B-ing the sound.
The one thing it hasn't quite achieved is knocking the Model FeT off the board. There's still something about the FeT that just makes everything sound better, I think it's down to the way it emulates the Sunn Model T power stage which gives it a really thick, tube like saturation and compression.
If there was one thing I'd change on the Capo (completely subjective and just what would suit me) is really leaning into the tube like tone of the B side and emulating the compression of a cranked valve.
For now the FeT stays although I'm gonna keep testing it at practice without and see if I can bare to go without. It's far too subtle for anyone else to notice in a gig situation, I barely notice myself unless I'm A/B-ing the sound.
Actually scrap that, little more fiddling and i think I've got it pretty close after all. This thing is great 
So I have an ordering question.
4 pedals will go at the end of my chain:
I don't know whether the CAPO or the Khan will have a "better" DI signal. And, the CAPO has a DI output and also a pre and post send/return.
Ordinarily I would put the Cali76 followed by the EQ2 at the very end of the chain. But I have the CAPO for major tone-shaping, and the Khan for magic fairy dust, and both of those have a high-quality DI output. The Khan may have a higher quality signal as it's a dedicated tube DI for about the same price as the CAPO.
So then maybe the Cali76 and EQ2 can both go in the CAPO's fx loop (but which loop?) which outputs into the Khan for final DI with fairy dust.
When the CAPO arrives, I will of course play around and listen for what I like best, but I don't know that I will be able to tell what FOH should get, and I want the DI signal to be as good as possible.
What y'all think?
4 pedals will go at the end of my chain:
- CAPO
- Khan VTDI
- Source Audio EQ2
- Cali76
I don't know whether the CAPO or the Khan will have a "better" DI signal. And, the CAPO has a DI output and also a pre and post send/return.
Ordinarily I would put the Cali76 followed by the EQ2 at the very end of the chain. But I have the CAPO for major tone-shaping, and the Khan for magic fairy dust, and both of those have a high-quality DI output. The Khan may have a higher quality signal as it's a dedicated tube DI for about the same price as the CAPO.
So then maybe the Cali76 and EQ2 can both go in the CAPO's fx loop (but which loop?) which outputs into the Khan for final DI with fairy dust.
When the CAPO arrives, I will of course play around and listen for what I like best, but I don't know that I will be able to tell what FOH should get, and I want the DI signal to be as good as possible.
What y'all think?
I think it mostly requires experimentation tbh.
For example I find with particularly touch sensitive driven sounds having the compression at the end of the chain helps provide more consistent levels while still preserving the dynamics of the driven tones.
If i just want a really consistent level and don't care about how my playing interacts with the drive then I might pop it at the beginning of the chain.
Same goes for the EQ2, I'd try without it first and see what you feel is needed. Perhaps you might want to do some surgical eq after or perhaps push certain frequencies before it hits the Capo preamp.
I think the pre/post loops are really more about preserving signals from the pre/post DI. For example if you wanted reverb after the Capo preamp but also wanted it in the DI signal, the post loop lets you do that etc. If you're planning on using the VTDI to front of house then tbh you probably don't need to worry as much about fx loops. I'll be honest I'd be surprised if you need the extra DI as the Capo really is fantastic.
Dunno if that helps though!
It has a very subtle LPF which gives a slightly more cab like tone, especially useful for driven sounds. I play with some very high gain tones and it sounds fantastic.
ok too bad is doesn't have cab simulation. So you will need an extra cab sim pedal if you want to go straight the FOH without an amp. The distortion/overdrive tones will need a cab or cab simulation, also if you want to record them. So it's not an all in one solution for me. But looks like a very interesting pedal nonetheless.
It has an effects loop just before the post-DI, so you can have whatever cab sim you want with it.
Yes, but I was looking for an all in one solution for live. See my post just above yours. Think they crossed.
I guess the Capo would work really well when going in a poweramp and then to real cab?
Andrea Lo
Commercial User
- Feb 21, 2022
- 198
- 848
- 47
- Disclosures
- Jad Freer Audio, Ibanez Guitars, Aluminati Guitars, Citron Guitars, Dogal Strings, Plick the pick
The LPF included is more than good to go direct without messing with your tone.
I've been doing bits of recording/practicing at home with headphones and DI for rehearsals for monitoring etc along with my rig.
I've completely ditched all my paid Cab IRs as I actually think the LPF is more than sufficient and doesn't overly colour the tone. I find the end result much more usable in a mix personally and scales much better at different levels. I suspect most FOH engineers would prefer the Capo DI with LPF vs a full cab sim where they're potentially having to fight certain frequencies etc that the sim introduces.
I've completely ditched all my paid Cab IRs as I actually think the LPF is more than sufficient and doesn't overly colour the tone. I find the end result much more usable in a mix personally and scales much better at different levels. I suspect most FOH engineers would prefer the Capo DI with LPF vs a full cab sim where they're potentially having to fight certain frequencies etc that the sim introduces.
ok good to know. How about using it with a power amp and real cab?
And how do you set the LPF to get a sort of cab sim like sound and get rid of the annoying frequencies when using a overdriven distorted tones when going direct?
- Oct 29, 2012
- 264
- 683
- Disclosures
- Mesa, Darkglass, EQD, Mantic, Source Audio, Yamaha, Delano, Hamstead Soundworks, Jad Freer Audio
The LPF on the Capo is perfect as a more "open"/transparent cab sim type thing - works very well with the EQ to shape and colour things exactly as you like.
The LPF is just a switch on the side - so either on or off. I have mine on always, and it is just what's needed to help get of rid of the bothersome frequencies in driven/distorted/fuzz tones.
This has been playing well with all the amp/cab setups I have then used mine with.
The LPF is just a switch on the side - so either on or off. I have mine on always, and it is just what's needed to help get of rid of the bothersome frequencies in driven/distorted/fuzz tones.
This has been playing well with all the amp/cab setups I have then used mine with.
I've tried into the return of my class d GK Fusion S and all tube monstrous Marshall VBA400 as well as into the front of both and sound great with either so can imagine you'd have any issues. Loads of volume on tap too.
I really feel like there is a lot of confusion around the LPF, it just removes some usually unwanted upper frequencies that we as bass players aren’t used to hearing, in doing so it tames any nastiness associated with higher gain sounds.
Ive been leaving mine on all the time, I can’t say I notice a huge difference when plugged in my valve amp (which surely is the point) but i do notice little roll off when plugged into a solid state amp which i like.
It’s definitely a set it and forget it control in my book.
Ive been leaving mine on all the time, I can’t say I notice a huge difference when plugged in my valve amp (which surely is the point) but i do notice little roll off when plugged into a solid state amp which i like.
It’s definitely a set it and forget it control in my book.
- Oct 29, 2012
- 264
- 683
- Disclosures
- Mesa, Darkglass, EQD, Mantic, Source Audio, Yamaha, Delano, Hamstead Soundworks, Jad Freer Audio
Bunch of different ways to approach this.
I have a Khan VTDI as well as a capo - The Khan definitely has some vibe/magic that the CAPO doesn't, but then the CAPO is a full featured preamp, and has some saturation options available which can help. I'd imagine both together would be pretty cool! ... I should try that.
I wouldn't worry about the "quality" of any of the DI signals really, as the CAPO and Khan VTDI are both high quality, but with slightly different aims. The Khan passing its magic source to it's thru is a big advantage in this setup though, and opens up some great options.
With that in mind, I would likely start out as follows and tweak from the there.
- Khan in the pre effects loop
- Cali 76 in post effects loop
- Source Audio EQ2 in post effects loop after the Cali 76.
My thinking here is as follows:
- CAPO pre DI is before all of this "master chain processing", and can be a safety in case anything should go wrong.
- Khan VTDI now gives its magic to the signal as it enters the CAPO, acting as the input buffer and general tonal massage before compression/eq. I also now have a nice "clean" EQ with some special source in case FOH may want it.
- Cali76 and Source Audio EQ in post fx loop then gives me ultimate flexibility with EQ options both pre/post compression, as well as leaving a more dynamic signal to hit the various saturation circuits of the CAPO.
I would also explore putting the Khan VTDI at the very end to see how that all stacks/interacts, and consider moving the EQ2 to the front (maybe even before the input of the CAPO) to make use of its noise gate.
