• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Lightning Boy Audio Thread

#241
lightningboy said:
I think I should make a video titled, “How not to use the 2020” because this is apparently a thing. I personally can confirm there is no significant audible difference when the 2020 output is connected directly to the built in instrument input on a consumer-grade recording interface. In my first 2020 video I started by recording direct into my budget interface (Covid lockdown limitations). I couldn’t hear much of a difference. I then tried going into a external DI box first and heard only a marginal difference. However, the difference was obviously there when I connected the 2020 output to a bass amp and recorded the amp with a microphone. In my second video I recorded direct into a tube preamp, which was connected to professional AD converters. The tonal effect was quite apparent there as well. Obviously, there is something going on with the front end of consumer recording interfaces which nulls the harmonic qualities of the 2020. I honestly don’t know enough about digital electronics to say exactly whats going on, but my educated guess is the input impedance of the recording interface is suspect. When used as intended (as an in-between your pedals device, with a bass amp or professional recording preamp in the picture) you should get something comparable to my published results.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. I've still got them both and I'm happy to mic up the old thunder box and and see what happens.

I want to get the most out of these but needless to say, I don't have a pro audio interface and being locked down in a flat (apartment) using my amp hasn't been my first choice.

If I get better results with the 2020s though the amp (which I really hope I do) then I'll do a new video, I just had no idea at the time that would make a difference and thought that direct to the interface would actually pick up more of the difference.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lightningboy
#242
shwashwa said:
Bumping this for the creator of the device
Click to expand...
One of my very good long-time friends uses a Focusrite Scarlett to record his analog synths. He has a 2020 and an RNDI. He has told me he hears a difference with the 2020 recording into his interface through the RNDI and he likes what it does. He said it has a sound that's a different color than the Neve DI. He literally describes sound as colors, so his words probably won't mean much when he say's it sounds orange or green. Artsy fartsy synth heads! I think Mosfed is probably right with his answer to your question. Its just a single audio transformer, so its not going to sound like a Neve product. Neve products also have active electronics in them, which will contribute to the sound/tone more than just a single audio transformer. It's also not a Neve product. Its a Lightning Boy product, it'll sound more Lightning Boy than Neve. Best of luck on your quest!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fab Superlative and DosiYanarchy
#243
lightningboy said:
One of my very good long-time friends uses a Focusrite Scarlett to record his analog synths. He has a 2020 and an RNDI. He has told me he hears a difference with the 2020 recording into his interface through the RNDI and he likes what it does. He said it has a sound that's a different color than the Neve DI. He literally describes sound as colors, so his words probably won't mean much when he say's it sounds orange or green. Artsy fartsy synth heads! I think Mosfed is probably right with his answer to your question. Its just a single audio transformer, so its not going to sound like a Neve product. Neve products also have active electronics in them, which will contribute to the sound/tone more than just a single audio transformer. It's also not a Neve product. Its a Lightning Boy product, it'll sound more Lightning Boy than Neve. Best of luck on your quest!
Click to expand...
Ah, thank you. I'm not necessarily looking for a Neve product, I just looking for the transformer smoothing properties that we associate with neve products. But it sounds like what you're saying that effect is achieved through more than just a transformer alone
 
#244
lightningboy said:
One of my very good long-time friends uses a Focusrite Scarlett to record his analog synths. He has a 2020 and an RNDI. He has told me he hears a difference with the 2020 recording into his interface through the RNDI and he likes what it does. He said it has a sound that's a different color than the Neve DI. He literally describes sound as colors, so his words probably won't mean much when he say's it sounds orange or green. Artsy fartsy synth heads! I think Mosfed is probably right with his answer to your question. Its just a single audio transformer, so its not going to sound like a Neve product. Neve products also have active electronics in them, which will contribute to the sound/tone more than just a single audio transformer. It's also not a Neve product. Its a Lightning Boy product, it'll sound more Lightning Boy than Neve. Best of luck on your quest!
Click to expand...

As Mike has stated in a judicious was and I will put it more bluntly not every test criteria will reveal the essence of the LBA 2020. Some may be using gear that masks the result or is of quality that does not reveal the result or the listener may not have the ability or awareness to discern the result. Not casting aspersions out of school, I looked at my first testing signal chain that resulted in an inconclusive result and I was at fault. Second test was significantly more revealing and promising.

I am interested in exploring different combinations and adding the LBA 2020 to see what contributions it will make, all according to my Sandwich Theory of Tones. Will it be something I always use or something I occasionally use or decide is just not something not for me. There are all kinds of sandwiches, all good but not all are for me, you can say the same thing for hamburgers, [but not hamburders, ever, yuck] burritos & pizza for that matter. We all like what we what we like and there are things we just don't.


Sandwiches.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ibanezer83, Danny C and DosiYanarchy
#245
Just had the opportunity to run my two LBA 2020s and compare to my clean tone... still rewiring my board so haven't had the chance to see it in my desired setup.

I tested with my Fender Jazz, Musicman SUB4 Passive, and Warmoth Fretless w/ humbucker.

I really enjoyed the coloration on each of these, but the effect is definitely the most pronounced on my humbuckers with a bit more oomph behind 'em. The difference between just one between my bass and board and two in sequence, though, was staggering - I'd probably suggest LBA produce a pedal that is just two of these in sequence with maybe an adjustable boost sandwiched between the two, I think that would be a big winner and probably more digestible to a broader audience less willing to tinker and be modular.

I'm very excited to hear what these sound like after I get my Broughton L+HPF (really hoping it fits with no fuss!) and rewire. This is the placement I'm hoping to go with:

QxdBMZV.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Btbp, Matt Dean, lightningboy and 9 others
#246
stambroker said:
Just had the opportunity to run my two LBA 2020s and compare to my clean tone... still rewiring my board so haven't had the chance to see it in my desired setup.

I tested with my Fender Jazz, Musicman SUB4 Passive, and Warmoth Fretless w/ humbucker.

I really enjoyed the coloration on each of these, but the effect is definitely the most pronounced on my humbuckers with a bit more oomph behind 'em. The difference between just one between my bass and board and two in sequence, though, was staggering - I'd probably suggest LBA produce a pedal that is just two of these in sequence with maybe an adjustable boost sandwiched between the two, I think that would be a big winner and probably more digestible to a broader audience less willing to tinker and be modular.

I'm very excited to hear what these sound like after I get my Broughton L+HPF (really hoping it fits with no fuss!) and rewire. This is the placement I'm hoping to go with:

View attachment 3894434
Click to expand...

I dig your board.
 
  • Like
Reactions: stambroker
#249
BunchyMutt said:
Could you elaborate please?
Click to expand...
The studio magic warmth (i'd characterize it as saturation/color) is much more pronounced with two 2020's than just one. It's immediately obvious that the "strength" of the transformer*, at least on bass, for a single 2020 isn't enough in my ears to really pop out, but two on my board has cleaned my sound up considerably and added warmth to the low mids.

*not an audio tech so I apologize for my poor terminology/explanation
 
  • Like
Reactions: sonofshel, Low Down Brown and jebmd
#250
stambroker said:
The studio magic warmth (i'd characterize it as saturation/color) is much more pronounced with two 2020's than just one. It's immediately obvious that the "strength" of the transformer*, at least on bass, for a single 2020 isn't enough in my ears to really pop out, but two on my board has cleaned my sound up considerably and added warmth to the low mids.

*not an audio tech so I apologize for my poor terminology/explanation
Click to expand...
No that’s good, thanks!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Low Down Brown
#251
I put my second 2020 in the effects loop of my ShiftLine Olympic Mk III. It adds some additional dimension to the sound. Before that, it was after my dirt, before my time-based effects. Now it is in the loop with the modulation and time effects after it, which are also in the loop. It was a nice, albeit small, improvement.
 
  • Like
Reactions: friend33 and jebmd
#252
As I had mentioned earlier I had a criteria for my evaluation of the LBA2020 since it is not the usual sort of effect that is readily apparent in sound and performance some might even consider it so subtle that it could even be considered "the King's new clothes" or some new Tone VooDoo. That is why I used the Encyclopedia of Sandwiches as an example that something very simple can make or break a great sandwich or tone or add that extra something to make it even more better as the Cajuns say. Trying to describe a sound quality is difficult trick perhaps impossible like trying to describe a taste or the difference between various shades of white or black.

After my initial round of evaluation while I could hear a little difference on recordings, was not fully convinced that the LBA2020 fit my criteria of "value/function/need" at that point. I had decided to return the LBA2020 and await the LBA transformer coupled passive DI that Mike is working on. I had one of my clients request a re-recording of a song I had demoed because he had changed the bridge, something he does frequently. Using the same bass and recording chain and settings only difference being the LBA2020 and a 6" patch cable. The client called me, which is unusual he usually just sends me files and payment and commented that he preferred my tone on the previous recordings, what changed (expletives deleted). I then took the LBA2020 out of the box recorded the part and sent it out again he called his comment was don't change it again (further expletives deleted). The next day I lined up the tracks and did my own critical listening and sent them to a friend to do the same and he agreed that there is an added sonic value to the LBA2020. The LBA2020 is a permanent part of my recording kit now.

My signal chain 1982 Carvin LB50 Koa with EMG HB active pickups with 'passive' controls > 10' Monster Bass Studio Cable > Southampton Ictineo > TC Electronics Spark Mini > LBA 2020 > dbx ProVocal [tube mic pre - EQ - limiter - room reverb - S/PDIF] > Cakewalk >JBL M-Patch Active-1 > KRK V4 SII or Sony MDR7506
 
  • Like
Reactions: Valveman, TodaysTomSawyer, DosiYanarchy and 6 others
#253
bassbrad said:
After my initial round of evaluation while I could hear a little difference on recordings, was not fully convinced that the LBA2020 fit my criteria of "value/function/need" at that point. I had decided to return the LBA2020 and await the LBA transformer coupled passive DI that Mike is working on. I had one of my clients request a re-recording of a song I had demoed because he had changed the bridge, something he does frequently. Using the same bass and recording chain and settings only difference being the LBA2020 and a 6" patch cable. The client called me, which is unusual he usually just sends me files and payment and commented that he preferred my tone on the previous recordings, what changed (expletives deleted). I then took the LBA2020 out of the box recorded the part and sent it out again he called his comment was don't change it again (further expletives deleted). The next day I lined up the tracks and did my own critical listening and sent them to a friend to do the same and he agreed that there is an added sonic value to the LBA2020. The LBA2020 is a permanent part of my recording kit now.
Click to expand...

Wow, this is quite the testimonial!
 
#256
monkeyfinger said:
I put my second 2020 in the effects loop of my ShiftLine Olympic Mk III. It adds some additional dimension to the sound. Before that, it was after my dirt, before my time-based effects. Now it is in the loop with the modulation and time effects after it, which are also in the loop. It was a nice, albeit small, improvement.
Click to expand...

I've been playing with this set-up for a few days now. It is making a bigger difference than I originally thought. It is especially nice when I roll off the tone on my Fender Roscoe Beck V passive bass. Normally, tone roll-off can get muddy and undefined to me. With the 2020 in the loop, after the first gain stage, the mids, especially the low-mids, maintain a rich and growly tone. It is warm, and fat, with great definition.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Zbysek, TheLopp, jebmd and 1 other person
#259
PeterH said:
What if it was two LBA 2020's in one box with some sort of transistor boost in between/before the two of them...

You could try emailing him about it, he's super cool to talk to.
Click to expand...
The beauty of having multiple 2020’s, is being able to place them at different points in your signal chain. Where they are placed can really make a difference in how they affect your tone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TodaysTomSawyer, sonofshel, PeterH and 3 others
#260
On the basis of what the general consensus seems to be here in this thread, I should order two LBA 2020, right?

I have the following pedals in my signal chain:
DG Hyper Luminal Comp. - Broughton Audio Always-on HPF - Source Audio EQ2 - Aguilar Octamizer - Rodenberg LDP (OD+boost) - Barber Linden EQ - DSM Noisemaker & Humboldt Simplifier Bass Station.

I thought about adding a clean boost pedal to feed the transformer and putting them both before the LDP (since I would like to use the boost of the LDP only when needed (solos etc.).

So where would you place the second LBA 2020 in my signal chain? I will probably take advantage of the two loops offered by the Bass Station to seperate the overdrive signal from the clean signal.

Suggestions anyone?

Thank you!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back