Lightning Boy Audio Thread

[bassbrad]

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!

I found that the LBA2020 wants to be pushed pretty hard to really get the most results. For me that meant as close to the output as possible as I keep my signal close to unity until the very last stages to keep my signal dynamic, clean and quiet.
Rather than make any changes to my setup I added a TC Spark mini for clean boost into the LBA2020 for the magic, I still may add a second or the TI Box instead.
https://lightningboyaudio.com/tibox.html

 

[scubaduba]

I have one of these on the way to test. Seems like an interesting concept and I can't wait to hear how it sounds compared to my RNDI.

"The TI Box is a passive DI Box with a higher output volume and more sonic coloration than a conventional passive DI."

 

[Kendescending]

I have one of these on the way to test. Seems like an interesting concept and I can't wait to hear how it sounds compared to my RNDI.

"The TI Box is a passive DI Box with a higher output volume and more sonic coloration than a conventional passive DI."
View attachment 3958873

I ordered a TI Box as well. I should have it on Thursday.

 

[bassbrad]

Has anyone else noticed that the LBA2020 gets warm with use? It seems to like a few minutes to warm up and the sound improves after a few minutes of running signal through it. Am I crazy? @lightningboy ?

I have stripped down my signal path to my bass - 10 foot cable- Ictineo on Sub - Spark Mini - LBA2020 - Dietz Passive DI (Seventies era Jensen transformer) - ProTools interface and it is delovely!! When/if I get some loose $$ the TI is on my list.

 

[Kendescending]

I received my TI box today and did a few quick and dirty demos with a bass player friend. It does have more output than a standard DI, and does color the sound with more lows and mids. We both liked it better than a standard DI box. It got us thinking that the 2020 Box with higher output transformer like this would be amazing...
I'll try to do a better test when I have time and report back, but I think Scubaduba will do a much better test than I'm capable of.

 

[scubaduba]

I think the new Lighting Boy TI Box is pretty interesting.

The audio sample here is played with a Sadowsky Jazz (pickups centered) with tone control 50% and EQ dials all the way counterclockwise (off). Sample is played into looper so the exact same clip is repeated. Please use quality earphones.



Clip 1: Sadowsky into passive Rapco DBBLOX. This is a small, cheap passive DI box.
Clip 2: Sadowsky into Lightning Boy TI Box (passive box) with phase switch in out position
Clip 3: Sadowsky into Lighting Boy TI Box (passive box) with phase switch pressed in
Clip 5: Sadowsky into active RNDI powered by 48 volt phantom power

What do you think?

Remember, the DBBLOX and Lighting Boy TI Box are totally passive and require no power.

 

[sonofshel]

I’m sold on it...clip 3 sounds great to me

 

[WilbursaurusRex]

To me, the lightning boy in clip 3 has the most heft. The RNDI sounds more even / "produced" if you will, but I dont know that I prefer that sound

 

[scubaduba]

@SteveC The Lightning Boy TI Box might be what you are looking for to go after your LA-1A. It is $169 and definitely adds some weight to the tone. No power requirement either.

 

[sears]

instrument -> LBA2020 -> clean DI like Countryman, JDI

vs

instrument -> TI box

?

 

[scubaduba]

Instrument -> LBA2020 -> TI Box for the win!

 

[tedsalt]

LBA 2020 available in TB Classifieds

 

[HoochfromP]

Just received this one from Mike, with a little tweak on features. The hi-cut switch is now a hi-boost / cut. It's a killer mod IMO. Gain range is shorter but far more usable for my taste, breakup's quality is superb, you get noticeable extra-highs which make the lpf switch interesting too. The Nuvision is already a great pedal, but now this thing's dope ! Instant spot on the pedalboard, would definitely recommend this mod to those who got one.

 

[dwagner]

Happy owner of a 2020, love it. Using it between my HX Stomp and Tone Hammer. I think the transformer after the HX is really cool.

Just ordered a TI Box.
Order placed at 11:41 am, shipped at 12:14pm.
Expected delivery date: Monday. This guy is good!

 

[sonofshel]

View attachment 3975650 View attachment 3975651

Just received this one from Mike, with a little tweak on features. The hi-cut switch is now a hi-boost / cut. It's a killer mod IMO. Gain range is shorter but far more usable for my taste, breakup's quality is superb, you get noticeable extra-highs which make the lpf switch interesting too. The Nuvision is already a great pedal, but now this thing's dope ! Instant spot on the pedalboard, would definitely recommend this mod to those who got one.

Man, I really miss having this pedal...is this the one that I sold you? I’m thinking you already had one and bought mine because you liked yours so much...it’s been awhile now. Soon as I get the extra funds, I’m buying 2 2020s and a TI...no other purchases planned before that can happen.
Congrats on such a cool mod!

 

[HoochfromP]

Yes it's this one ! I was instantly sold with Mike's mod. It widens its range imo, i found many new sweet spots. I guess in the OG Nuvision, breakup was there a little too soon for my taste, and i was pretty much stuck with a hpf'd bass boost and treble almost dimed. Which was a cool way to get a nice hefty and beefy tone btw.

To get this high boost, Mike explained to me i had to be ok with a gain range decrease, about 50% of it. Never went past noon with the gain knob, so the mod was done, and it's a great one ! Gain range is perfect imo, i get quite easily a touch of breakup and the high boost is great to make it shining.

I also got sweet tones with bass knob before noon. There's no mod on this one, but i guess the gain being lower i feel i don't have to (gently) boost lows to get presence and heft. Don't know if it makes any sense ! Fact is my former setting seems being too bassy now. It's almost like a new pedal, except these mids and tube's heft you get with OG Nuvision, which make it quite unique imo, are still there. Just dig it !

 

[extreme]

Yeah, I use my Nuvision pretty much all the time...on a set break right now...reggae gig...P-bass into Nuvision into a 15" cab...so good!

 

[Low Down Brown]

Yes it's this one ! I was instantly sold with Mike's mod. It widens its range imo, i found many new sweet spots. I guess in the OG Nuvision, breakup was there a little too soon for my taste, and i was pretty much stuck with a hpf'd bass boost and treble almost dimed. Which was a cool way to get a nice hefty and beefy tone btw.

To get this high boost, Mike explained to me i had to be ok with a gain range decrease, about 50% of it. Never went past noon with the gain knob, so the mod was done, and it's a great one ! Gain range is perfect imo, i get quite easily a touch of breakup and the high boost is great to make it shining.

I also got sweet tones with bass knob before noon. There's no mod on this one, but i guess the gain being lower i feel i don't have to (gently) boost lows to get presence and heft. Don't know if it makes any sense ! Fact is my former setting seems being too bassy now. It's almost like a new pedal, except these mids and tube's heft you get with OG Nuvision, which make it quite unique imo, are still there. Just dig it !

You really got me wanting to check out this mod. How much did he charge and what was the turnaround time?

 

[PeterH]

Damn I miss my Nuvision now.

 

[sonofshel]

Let’s just hope that one day @lightningboy gets back into pedal production...he’s pretty darn good at it. I had the NuVision and almost bought his very last compressor that he had in stock but funds got tight around here. I’m looking forward to getting his latest offerings soon as I can...stupid C-19 has made this a terrible year for making $ as a full time musician but I’m glad Mike has found a way to keep in the game.