These are the same words I used to describe the Sisma. A bass buddy of mine stopped by and immediately noticed the full, authoritative voicing. This is the second time this has happened.
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Jad Freer Sisma Mega Thread.
- Thread starter gtirard
- Start date
These are the same words I used to describe the Sisma. A bass buddy of mine stopped by and immediately noticed the full, authoritative voicing. This is the second time this has happened.
What do you call an authoritative voicing ? Like a baked in tone or more like, when the bass come in you know it is there ?
- Apr 3, 2003
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I think part of it is that it doesn't have any obvious gaps in the upper lows through the lower to middle mids, so notes just sound very "complete." I do think there is possibly a bit more harmonic content (more even-order harmonics, maybe?) than with most bass heads. I definitely look forward to measuring this.
To be clear, there are definitely other heads which I think of as being "authoritative" but also "clear and balanced." Bergantino Forte HP and Mesa WD-800, among others, share some of these qualities. I personally don't really think it has much to do specifically with what class amplifier is used, but what I do think is that taken as a whole, Jad Freer has done a great job with the Sisma head!
I think part of it is that it doesn't have any obvious gaps in the upper lows through the lower to middle mids, so notes just sound very "complete." I do think there is possibly a bit more harmonic content (more even-order harmonics, maybe?) than with most bass heads. I definitely look forward to measuring this.
To be clear, there are definitely other heads which I think of as being "authoritative" but also "clear and balanced." Bergantino Forte HP and Mesa WD-800, among others, share some of these qualities. I personally don't really think it has much to do specifically with what class amplifier is used, but what I do think is that taken as a whole, Jad Freer has done a great job with the Sisma head!
It's going to be super interesting to read your review, especially if you measure the performances and share your independant and experienced analysis. I can't wait to read your review…
Would love to see both the Sisma and WD-800 lab test results... particularly output power, dynamic power, THD, etc....
You and me both. Please drop a note here when you have.
I loved my Walkabout, but like many others, found it to be underpowered. I would have bought the WD800 immediately but had gotten the TH700 a week or two before the WD was launched.
The TH700 mid-control is powerful but I sometimes wish there were two mid-controls, so the Sisma caught my eye. I can't wait to try one out!
The TH700 mid-control is powerful but I sometimes wish there were two mid-controls, so the Sisma caught my eye. I can't wait to try one out!
Breaking news! Sisma User Manual is now available
- Apr 3, 2003
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- 19,952
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
So, no bench testing yet, but I have spent some time playing the Sisma 110/210 rig with both of my bands in a practice setting.
First up was the "acoustic" band, and I play upright and acoustic bass guitar in this one, so we don't carry a ton of volume, but feedback is often an issue with this band. I am happy to say that the Jad Freer rig did prove to be nicely resistant to feedback with this band. According to JF, the ports on the Venere cabs were specifically calculated to minimize feedback, and it seems they may have gotten that quite right!
Moving on to my rock/alternative band, which plays much louder, the Jad Freer rig had zero difficulties keeping up, volume-wise, and sounded great. I had lots more gain on tap, and it was very full and very clear. The Venere line is their "hi-fi" line of cabs, and it's aimed at being very accurate and balanced, with little to no built-in voicing. That sounded perfect for my acoustic band, but I was a little concerned that it would be too polite for my rock band. This turned out to be no concern at all. Man, it sounded great!
I still need to get this rig on stage at a proper gig, but so far, this seems like a "do it all" rig, at least for my needs.
First up was the "acoustic" band, and I play upright and acoustic bass guitar in this one, so we don't carry a ton of volume, but feedback is often an issue with this band. I am happy to say that the Jad Freer rig did prove to be nicely resistant to feedback with this band. According to JF, the ports on the Venere cabs were specifically calculated to minimize feedback, and it seems they may have gotten that quite right!
Moving on to my rock/alternative band, which plays much louder, the Jad Freer rig had zero difficulties keeping up, volume-wise, and sounded great. I had lots more gain on tap, and it was very full and very clear. The Venere line is their "hi-fi" line of cabs, and it's aimed at being very accurate and balanced, with little to no built-in voicing. That sounded perfect for my acoustic band, but I was a little concerned that it would be too polite for my rock band. This turned out to be no concern at all. Man, it sounded great!
I still need to get this rig on stage at a proper gig, but so far, this seems like a "do it all" rig, at least for my needs.
That's fantastic. It's been working for me in many different musical scenarios also. I've been using it with different Mesa Subway cabs that I have and they always sound great.
Great to read this!So, no bench testing yet, but I have spent some time playing the Sisma 110/210 rig with both of my bands in a practice setting.
First up was the "acoustic" band, and I play upright and acoustic bass guitar in this one, so we don't carry a ton of volume, but feedback is often an issue with this band. I am happy to say that the Jad Freer rig did prove to be nicely resistant to feedback with this band. According to JF, the ports on the Venere cabs were specifically calculated to minimize feedback, and it seems they may have gotten that quite right!
Moving on to my rock/alternative band, which plays much louder, the Jad Freer rig had zero difficulties keeping up, volume-wise, and sounded great. I had lots more gain on tap, and it was very full and very clear. The Venere line is their "hi-fi" line of cabs, and it's aimed at being very accurate and balanced, with little to no built-in voicing. That sounded perfect for my acoustic band, but I was a little concerned that it would be too polite for my rock band. This turned out to be no concern at all. Man, it sounded great!
I still need to get this rig on stage at a proper gig, but so far, this seems like a "do it all" rig, at least for my needs.
Does this mean you are going to get rid of everything else you have?
- Apr 3, 2003
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Does this mean you are going to get rid of everything else you have?
Don't be ridiculous!
I mean... I should, but no.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,516
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- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
I had my first gig with the Sisma and Venere cabs last night, and the rig performed beautifully. This was with my acoustic band, and I play both upright and acoustic bass guitar. We did have some feedback issues onstage, but they were related to our violin player and our acoustic guitar player. The sound tech loved the Sisma's DI, and to the best of my knowledge, the bass never had any feedback issues in the mains (unlike the other instruments). I did have a few times in the evening when I did get feedback through the rig, but that was when the guitar was cranked in the mains/monitors, and I had to turn up a decent bit. I had plenty of volume - and the most I have played with in this band - with almost no feedback issues. I was very impressed. I am also impressed at how well this rig conveyed the unique tone of each instrument. The cabs are very much on the "uncolored, balanced-response" side, and everything really sounded great.
I did also use my Phil Jones Earbox, which I have definitely needed in the past when my rig could not get loud enough (without feedback) for me to hear everything clearly, but it was definitely overkill at this gig.
I did also use my Phil Jones Earbox, which I have definitely needed in the past when my rig could not get loud enough (without feedback) for me to hear everything clearly, but it was definitely overkill at this gig.
I have a PJB Earbox lying around. How did you feed that with the Sisma and the two cabs?
- Apr 3, 2003
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Speakon out of amp to 110, Speakon from 110 to 210, Speakon out of amp to Earbox.
That's was I was thinking and thanks for confirming tombowlus. Been lovin the Sisma and thanks again for your review, much appreciated.
