The Sisma has a great low end. It also has a defeatable HPF and nicely voiced Deep switch.
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Jad Freer Sisma Mega Thread.
- Thread starter gtirard
- Start date
That bass sounds beautiful is that something new from Fender or it's an old bass?
What bass? You are hearing more of the effects return than the actual bass IMO.
I played my first real gig with the Sisma last night, with a classic rock cover band, using my Audiokinesis 212 cabinet.
I have to admit, the overall sound was at first a shock to my ears, as I have always used a very focused sound. The Sisma is wide and pillowy in the lows, which I have shied away from in the past. I found it stays very articulate and has great fundamental and pitch definition. The band loved the sound as it fills lots of space in the right way. By the end of the night I was sold. It feels like a big fat amp. That’s a good thing.
I have to admit, the overall sound was at first a shock to my ears, as I have always used a very focused sound. The Sisma is wide and pillowy in the lows, which I have shied away from in the past. I found it stays very articulate and has great fundamental and pitch definition. The band loved the sound as it fills lots of space in the right way. By the end of the night I was sold. It feels like a big fat amp. That’s a good thing.
You can hear bass without effects just through Capo, please spare us your thoughts. I asked really legit question, no need for this.
Andrea Lo
Commercial User
- Feb 21, 2022
- 196
- 843
- 47
- Disclosures
- Jad Freer Audio, Ibanez Guitars, Aluminati Guitars, Citron Guitars, Dogal Strings, Plick the pick
It's a 2017 Fender American Professional slightly modded with lollipop gotoh tuners and a Fralin pickup. It belongs to Nik of the Jad Freer team.
Sorry, I missed that 1 minute section at the top.
It sounds very similar to both my 1972 and 1973 P basses.
I like it too!
I had it on trial for a couple weeks. Here's a brief of my thoughts and impressions:
I am pleased to report this is the best sounding amp I've ever heard. I spent most of my time listening to the power amp, bypassing the preamp. I plugged a line-in (various preamps and basses) to the aux input or effects return on 5 different amps to compare. I didn't compare any vintage amplifiers. I compared only to heads that were manufactured in the last 10 years or less.
I'm most pleased to hear the class G power amp side. I've never heard of class G, nor seen or heard a product that uses it, until now. The class G is clearly superior, both in efficiency and sound. I set it up to compare side by side with four different Class D heads (three 800W heads, and one 300W). It's obviously a clearer and more pure sound coming from this amp. I'll never need more than half the power available, but it sounds more efficient than the 800W class D amps I used in comparison.
I learned a lot in this process.
Then I compared preamps, and was also happy.
I think the preamp is a creative and refreshing set of knobs that works well together, creating a very musical image, useful for any application- not just bass. The preamp is as good or better than anything else I've used, and I've tried a LOT of stuff over the years.
Most heads and preamp pedals are using a variation of the same thing, 3-5 EQ knobs, with or without some kind of semi parametric or mid-shift control. The Sisma pre amp gives a 'next generation' offering of controls that offer an artistic interface and experience, and shows a lot of thought and expertise in design. I find the baxandall hi/lo knobs more intuitive and more musical. The semi-parametric mid adjusters do the traditional EQ points well, and will solve specific frequency problems that arise from instrument or rooms.
I'll buy one eventually. There's nothing out there as good as this. I'd be happy enough with just the power amp which is also for sale as the CODA.
critiques:
My fantasy request for Jad Freer Audio: small solid state version with half the power and half the size. with switching jacks on the FX loops
I had it on trial for a couple weeks. Here's a brief of my thoughts and impressions:
I am pleased to report this is the best sounding amp I've ever heard. I spent most of my time listening to the power amp, bypassing the preamp. I plugged a line-in (various preamps and basses) to the aux input or effects return on 5 different amps to compare. I didn't compare any vintage amplifiers. I compared only to heads that were manufactured in the last 10 years or less.
I'm most pleased to hear the class G power amp side. I've never heard of class G, nor seen or heard a product that uses it, until now. The class G is clearly superior, both in efficiency and sound. I set it up to compare side by side with four different Class D heads (three 800W heads, and one 300W). It's obviously a clearer and more pure sound coming from this amp. I'll never need more than half the power available, but it sounds more efficient than the 800W class D amps I used in comparison.
I learned a lot in this process.
First of all, I learned that I have 3 800W heads that are using identical-sounding class D power amps. So do I really need 3 of them? NO.
So when I selected amps before, I was picking the sound of the preamp more than the power amp.
And with the variety of preamp pedals EQ's, DI's, compressors, etc. I own, the last thing I need is another preamp.
So when I selected amps before, I was picking the sound of the preamp more than the power amp.
And with the variety of preamp pedals EQ's, DI's, compressors, etc. I own, the last thing I need is another preamp.
Then I compared preamps, and was also happy.
I think the preamp is a creative and refreshing set of knobs that works well together, creating a very musical image, useful for any application- not just bass. The preamp is as good or better than anything else I've used, and I've tried a LOT of stuff over the years.
Most heads and preamp pedals are using a variation of the same thing, 3-5 EQ knobs, with or without some kind of semi parametric or mid-shift control. The Sisma pre amp gives a 'next generation' offering of controls that offer an artistic interface and experience, and shows a lot of thought and expertise in design. I find the baxandall hi/lo knobs more intuitive and more musical. The semi-parametric mid adjusters do the traditional EQ points well, and will solve specific frequency problems that arise from instrument or rooms.
I'll buy one eventually. There's nothing out there as good as this. I'd be happy enough with just the power amp which is also for sale as the CODA.
critiques:
- I've heard of large power switch breaking off because it's long and unprotected.
- I requested this design alteration to the FX loop- Is it possible to wire the effects loop with switching jacks?
- This to allow the send and return to double as preamp-out and line-in without breaking the signal, making it easier to the amp to double.
- For example: FX return = input for my upright bass line in, while playing electric through the input on the Sisma preamp side.
My fantasy request for Jad Freer Audio: small solid state version with half the power and half the size. with switching jacks on the FX loops
IIRC, Gallien-Krueger made quite a few Class G amps (700RB, 1001RB, etc.).
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,978
- 5
- 220,741
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
To clarify, class G is NOT more efficient than class D, it is LESS efficient.
A typical class D amp will average about 90-95% efficient and a typical class G amp will average about 60-70% efficient.
A typical class D amp will average about 90-95% efficient and a typical class G amp will average about 60-70% efficient.
I would also love a "Picollo Sisma", 200W or 300w, smaller and lighter!
I would prefer if it could keep the tube preamp, EQ could be slighly simplified (only one semi-parametric mid?).
The equivalent of what the Ampeg Venture V3 is to the V7 (or the Mesa D350 vs D800)
Not sure what "switching jacks on the FX loops" means...
Last edited:
Maybe. But from what they say the Sisma push way more than any Class D out there
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,978
- 5
- 220,741
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Opinion versus measurements and math. Let’s not confuse the two.
Yes but if the Sisma is more "efficient" than class D here it maybe just consume more power but it is not impossible to push more air and sound better than other amp
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,978
- 5
- 220,741
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Efficiency is defined as power out versus power in, the class D topology is always more efficient (by a wide margin) than class AB, G or H.
“Sound better” is not a fact, it’s an opinion since it can’t be measured.
Yeah absolutely
I was saying, the Class G can push more air and be louder than a Class D, it will just consume more power
Thank you for the clarification. I'm afraid my word choice Can be misleading.
In my case I was using the word efficient to describe a character of sound. It was a confusing choice of words, thanks horse for the clarification.
In my case I was using the word efficient to describe a character of sound. It was a confusing choice of words, thanks horse for the clarification.
Better to view it as a subjective impression, methinks... some people think the Sisma sounds better, louder, more "efficient", than class D amps they've tried. No need to get into a debate about technical details or semantics. Those are qualitative, not quantitative, impressions.
Andrea Lo
Commercial User
- Feb 21, 2022
- 196
- 843
- 47
- Disclosures
- Jad Freer Audio, Ibanez Guitars, Aluminati Guitars, Citron Guitars, Dogal Strings, Plick the pick
You are right. And when getting technical its better to compare real units. There are great and less great examples of every type of circuit. I'm wondering what heads was @SeayBass testing the Sisma to.
