Jad Freer Audio - CAPO multiple preamp

[MrDinsdale]

Can someone please explain to me what the post/pre fx loop means? I searched a bit but would like to know in connection to the capo.

The Capo has two DI outputs, one for a dry signal straight from the bass, the second with all the preamp and effects applied. This can be handy when recording or playing live for various reasons.

To achieve this, any effects you want between the pre DI signal and the Capos preamp have to be placed in the pre FX loop. Any effects you want between the Capos preamp and post DI need to go in the post FX loop.

 

[Omri]

The Capo has two DI outputs, one for a dry signal straight from the bass, the second with all the preamp and effects applied. This can be handy when recording or playing live for various reasons.

To achieve this, any effects you want between the pre DI signal and the Capos preamp have to be placed in the pre FX loop. Any effects you want between the Capos preamp and post DI need to go in the post FX loop.

thanks!

right know I mostly use the capo and the la-1a compressor, so if I want to use the compressor last in my chain but still use the preamp di out I can use post loop?

 

[MrDinsdale]

thanks!

right know I mostly use the capo and the la-1a compressor, so if I want to use the compressor last in my chain but still use the preamp di out I can use post loop?

Yeah exactly, it's a little like this if it helps:

 

[Omri]

Thank you!

they really did think about everything

 

[AngelCrusher]

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.

A cab sim is essentially a low pass filter. The only difference is you can use cab sims with IRs in them but honestly distortion and overdrive sound great out of the Jad Freer because it's LPF acts like a cabinet would.

 

[mostvaliant]

So I'm becoming more and more interested in this pedal.

I do have a question though

currently have two preamps, one as a clean preamp and a second as a dirty/synth preamp. If I was consolidating would I be able to have a clean and a dirty preamp with just this one pedal?

current set up:
Goodwood Audio Bass Box -> empress Bass compressor -> Empress Para EQ -> Bass Box

this goes out to my clean preamp -> Origin Super Vintage

then the input of the clean channel sends directly to the fx channel

Bass Box -> Octavbre -> C4 -> MBD-2 -> bass box

this loops back to a Darkglass ADAM as the dirt/synth preamp.

would I be able to accomplish something similar with the capo being the only preamp?

sorry if that was confusing. Let me know if I need to clarify anything! ideally, I'd just like to work on having less that does more if that makes sense.

 

[Ögon]

A cab sim is essentially a low pass filter. The only difference is you can use cab sims with IRs in them but honestly distortion and overdrive sound great out of the Jad Freer because it's LPF acts like a cabinet would.

Does anyone know if there is any video on youtube that demonstrates the LPF on and off?

 

[Omri]

Does anyone know if there is any video on youtube that demonstrates the LPF on and off?

If you'll go back to page 4 there is a video I posted and a recording that @Andrea Lo uploaded

 

[AngelCrusher]

So I'm becoming more and more interested in this pedal.

I do have a question though

currently have two preamps, one as a clean preamp and a second as a dirty/synth preamp. If I was consolidating would I be able to have a clean and a dirty preamp with just this one pedal?

current set up:
Goodwood Audio Bass Box -> empress Bass compressor -> Empress Para EQ -> Bass Box

this goes out to my clean preamp -> Origin Super Vintage

then the input of the clean channel sends directly to the fx channel

Bass Box -> Octavbre -> C4 -> MBD-2 -> bass box

this loops back to a Darkglass ADAM as the dirt/synth preamp.

would I be able to accomplish something similar with the capo being the only preamp?

sorry if that was confusing. Let me know if I need to clarify anything! ideally, I'd just like to work on having less that does more if that makes sense.

It's a bit confusing but I use capo as my light od and clean tone. I have a big muff in line for heavy fuzz. I keep my setup pretty simple though (tuner, comp, oct, fuzz into capo) so that may not help.

 

[smeet]

I understand what a pre and post loop is, but the difference seems to only matter if you are getting dirt from the Capo. If the Capo is mostly clean, post vs pre should be a minimal difference. Is that correct?

And actually, is there ever a real difference between using the pre loop and just putting the same pedals before the Capo?

 

[Andrea Lo]

If the Capo is mostly clean, post vs pre should be a minimal difference. Is that correct?

And actually, is there ever a real difference between using the pre loop and just putting the same pedals before the Capo?

It depends on what effects you are patching but EQ, not only saturation, is something that affects how other effects work, like compression or other gain pedals, for example.

Then, input or pre loop are the same if you are getting into the capo but what is present at input will be into the first DI while what you put in the pre loop will go into the preamp.

Its all there for different routing options.

 

[MrDinsdale]

I guess its just there for you to use however suits you.

The pre DI is super handy for recording so you can always have that raw signal for re-amping etc so for that it makes a lot of sense to keep it as dry as possible.

If you say wanted a clean signal for FoH without and drive or modulation etc then you could still run a compressor up front etc but keep any effects you wanted off the clean pre di in the loop.

Just another super useful tool unlocking a lot of different applications.

 

[MrDinsdale]

I wasn't super clear on the parallel out and line out options on the pre/post loops.

Does that mean that when you just use the send of one of the loops it acts as a split output without interrupting the usual signal path through the capo?

I guess technically if you used the return on the pre loop you could essentially bypass the pre loop/DI altogether too? That way you could use it to DI two completely separate signals. There are probably some really clever applications/routing hacks you could do, especially using the A side post loop link switch.

 

[Smurf-o-Deth]

I only just received my Capo this weekend, so there is still plenty for me to do and discover, but I would like to point out how great it sounds with Stingray-like basses. Pretty much everything sounds great with a P, but a lot of stuff clashes with a 'Ray. The Capo, however, sounds awesome with 'em.

 

[Ögon]

If you'll go back to page 4 there is a video I posted and a recording that @Andrea Lo uploaded

Thanks, i dont understand why some suggest its a cabsim. It only removes some tiny high bits which makes the gainy stuff sound better and you will only hear if you listen with really good speakers/in-ears and pay close attention to the sound.

A cabsim is a full spectrum equalizer, it changes the overall character of the sound, not just the super high bits. Besides that, it is possible to use this pedal for making your sound sit good in a FOH/live mix by removing some highs, mids and adding some lows. (what most sound engineers do to make the bass fit well in a live/room/final mix)

But if you do so, you should only send it over XLR or else you probably would have to compensate the changes by tweaking/boosting frequencies that you have cut in your signalchain/preamp on your amp EQ. (also, amp eq depends on the room) Or maybe split your signal at the end of your pedal board: amp line, FOH / DI line. It would require to have 2 preamps if you want to affect your amp signal in someway as well.

Anyways, just a share of thoughts i had this week, because i am on this "looking to improve my FOH sound journey".. Not sure which pedals yet, a lot of options everywhere. ( Welcome analysis paralysis )

Seems like a really cool pedal to me, a lot of cool sounds.

 

[MrDinsdale]

Thanks, i dont understand why some suggest its a cabsim. It only removes some tiny high bits which makes the gainy stuff sound better and you will only hear if you listen with really good speakers/in-ears and pay close attention to the sound.

A cabsim is a full spectrum equalizer, it changes the overall character of the sound, not just the super high bits. Besides that, it is possible to use this pedal for making your sound sit good in a FOH/live mix by removing some highs, mids and adding some lows. (what most sound engineers do to make the bass fit well in a live/room/final mix)

But if you do so, you should only send it over XLR or else you probably would have to compensate the changes by tweaking/boosting frequencies that you have cut in your signalchain/preamp on your amp EQ. (also, amp eq depends on the room) Or maybe split your signal at the end of your pedal board: amp line, FOH / DI line. It would require to have 2 preamps if you want to affect your amp signal in someway as well.

Anyways, just a share of thoughts i had this week, because i am on this "looking to improve my FOH sound journey".. Not sure which pedals yet, a lot of options everywhere. ( Welcome analysis paralysis )

Seems like a really cool pedal to me, a lot of cool sounds.

Jad Freer only refer to it as an LPF.

I guess the reason people refer to it as a cabsim is that it mimics the attenuation of higher frequencies that happens when pushed through a cab. Its just an easy way to describe it and I'm not sure it's technically incorrect.

As a counter point, a cabsim that mimics a specific cabinet with a more complex eq profile might be detrimental for FOH. I've used cabsims and IRs in the past and always found stuff that might work fine on headphones but as soon as you crank the volume it turns to a muddy mess.

I've been using the LPF and the difference when playing through an amp/cab was only noticeable when i had the tweeter engaged. I see the simplicity of the LPF as a pretty big advantage, more complexity doesn't necessarily mean better results.

 

[Ögon]

As a counter point, a cabsim that mimics a specific cabinet with a more complex eq profile might be detrimental for FOH.

Agreed, you need to have a good ear for sound and mixing in general, knowing what will sound good in a mix etc before you add a cabsim. (sounding good solo'd doesnt mean good in a mix)

I've been using the LPF and the difference when playing through an amp/cab was only noticeable when i had the tweeter engaged.

Most bass-amp/cab speakers have a frequency top limit between 5khz - 8khz.

Interesting side note: If i remember correctly, a lot of FOH engineers use a high cut for bass somewhere at 1000 - 3000 hz, to get rid of finger noise and make it sit well in a mix. (above 1000-3000hz is for additional cymbals/hi-hats, keys, acoustic guitar, vocals clarity in a mix)

I see the simplicity of the LPF as a pretty big advantage, more complexity doesn't necessarily mean better results.

Agreed. I love set and forget solutions because of that exact reason. Sometimes we get lost by all the options we have (happened to me multiple times) and unconsciously lose focus on what really matters: Playing well, timing, listening to the other instruments etc. boldly said: good sounding bass + crappy playing = affects other bandmembers and listeners in a bad way. Opposite is also truth: crappy bass sound + tight playing = everybody loves you. (of course i exaggerating a little bit to make a point)

All good things to keep in mind when deciding about wanting to upgrade your sound.

 

[MrDinsdale]

Agreed, you need to have a good ear for sound and mixing in general, knowing what will sound good in a mix etc before you add a cabsim. (sounding good solo'd doesnt mean good in a mix)


Most bass-amp/cab speakers have a frequency top limit between 5khz - 8khz.

Interesting side note: If i remember correctly, a lot of FOH engineers use a high cut for bass somewhere at 1000 - 3000 hz, to get rid of finger noise and make it sit well in a mix. (above 1000-3000hz is the territory for keys, acoustic guitar, vocals in a mix)


Agreed. I love set and forget solutions because of that exact reason. Sometimes we get lost by all the options we have (happened to me multiple times) and unconsciously lose focus on what really matters: Playing well, timing, listening to the other instruments etc. boldy said: if ya sound is good, but playing is crappy, it will affect other band members and the listeners.

I think at the end of the day cab sims and IRs etc are always going to be polarising.

For me this is the perfect approach, its simple, adaptable and sounds great in all contexts. If you have a preamp that sounds this good then why through on a cabsim that is going to completely change your carefully crafted tone.

 

[AngelCrusher]

Thanks, i dont understand why some suggest its a cabsim. It only removes some tiny high bits which makes the gainy stuff sound better and you will only hear if you listen with really good speakers/in-ears and pay close attention to the sound.

A cabsim is a full spectrum equalizer, it changes the overall character of the sound, not just the super high bits. Besides that, it is possible to use this pedal for making your sound sit good in a FOH/live mix by removing some highs, mids and adding some lows. (what most sound engineers do to make the bass fit well in a live/room/final mix)

But if you do so, you should only send it over XLR or else you probably would have to compensate the changes by tweaking/boosting frequencies that you have cut in your signalchain/preamp on your amp EQ. (also, amp eq depends on the room) Or maybe split your signal at the end of your pedal board: amp line, FOH / DI line. It would require to have 2 preamps if you want to affect your amp signal in someway as well.

Anyways, just a share of thoughts i had this week, because i am on this "looking to improve my FOH sound journey".. Not sure which pedals yet, a lot of options everywhere. ( Welcome analysis paralysis )

Seems like a really cool pedal to me, a lot of cool sounds.

No one has suggested it is a cabsim. I literally explained the difference, and also said the main point of a cabsim is to control the top end which removes fizz in distorted tones while using IR to replicate the sound of specific micd cabs.

You don't have to have the IR to get a good distortion sound direct into a console. Instead you can use a properly tuned low pass and it will accomplish the same thing. This is what a cabinet does. The capo works beautifully for this.

 

[Andrea Lo]

I think at the end of the day cab sims and IRs etc are always going to be polarising.

For me this is the perfect approach, its simple, adaptable and sounds great in all contexts. If you have a preamp that sounds this good then why through on a cabsim that is going to completely change your carefully crafted tone.

Rob Mullarkey did last world tour with Jacob Collier out of Capo DI into FOH, no amp. Its good for him since it does not mess with his tone.