I had mine updated a while back and it was definitely worth it, the added flexibility is really great when using with different sources.
I love this DI and yes Mike was a joy to deal with.
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Lightning Boy Audio Thread
- Thread starter HoochfromP
- Start date
I love this DI and yes Mike was a joy to deal with.
It’s a pretty cool DI, but mine has gone microphonic again since the update. Not a huge deal, mind.
I don’t think the 1/4’s are buffered, as there is a little signal drop if using them alongside the XLR.
I don’t think the 1/4’s are buffered, as there is a little signal drop if using them alongside the XLR.
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Run my BBA into an LBA 2020 all the time. SBM into 2020s is nice so I bet also into the Fe.
Did you ever settle on an order? I have 2 23fe I took off for a while bc things seemed to get a bit too squishy but I’m thinking of putting at least one back on
I had one of the original 2020 transformers when they first came out and I always regretting selling it. I just picked up a couple of 23Fe+ and I really like what they’re doing on this board. Happy to be back in the club.
Question about the original LBA 2020: are they all practically the same, or can differences in effect be expected?
Asking because I own two used, each from a different source, and find each imparts a slightly different tonal character. Not as drastic as comparing a 2020 with a 2020S, for instance, but one 2020 rolls off highs differently than the other.
Asking because I own two used, each from a different source, and find each imparts a slightly different tonal character. Not as drastic as comparing a 2020 with a 2020S, for instance, but one 2020 rolls off highs differently than the other.
I posted a 23FE and 2020S for sale in the classifieds (obviously affiliated). If you are looking for one at a discounted price, hit me up!
I have a LBA DIvision, which is pretty great DI+ tone shaper. After trying that and a few other LBA devices, I am on board. I dig the stuff.
Out of curiosity i bought an Fe23 about a year ago. I find it very useful on the far side of any digital device, like my ZOIA. It brings it back to analog. And as you all have observed, colors up nicely when driven, imparting some Transformer compression!
Question-
Has anyone noticed the Fe23+ gets fuzzier when hot? I noticed this on a job this weekend. Tone got fuzzier as the night went on (In-ears).
If your wondering, this is the setup:
Preamp (summit 2ba) insert effects loop [send] -ZOIA - EQ pedal - FE23 - [return]
this worked great
Out of curiosity i bought an Fe23 about a year ago. I find it very useful on the far side of any digital device, like my ZOIA. It brings it back to analog. And as you all have observed, colors up nicely when driven, imparting some Transformer compression!
Question-
Has anyone noticed the Fe23+ gets fuzzier when hot? I noticed this on a job this weekend. Tone got fuzzier as the night went on (In-ears).
If your wondering, this is the setup:
Preamp (summit 2ba) insert effects loop [send] -ZOIA - EQ pedal - FE23 - [return]
this worked great
To my ears, yes it does get little gritier. That's exactly why I'm using mine in the FX loop of my Genz Benz Streamliner 600. It has independent gain and channel volume, so I can really slam it with a hot signal to get that transformer saturation and really thicken up the tone.
I have some of the different versions and they all develop a bit of "character" when hit with a hot signal. As @Low Down Brown mentions it really has a sound in an amp FX loop.
To clarify, I feel like the fe23 got fuzzier over time, as in hot temperature. I'm wondering if anyone has noticed it from 5' to 85' playing time. I've heard this on amps' onboard DI output- the output signal gets stronger when the amp temp rises over time.
I do hear it when driven by voltage. But I'm curious about temperature. I assume -speculate- the transformer heats over time with steady current.
I do hear it when driven by voltage. But I'm curious about temperature. I assume -speculate- the transformer heats over time with steady current.
... Maybe it was from all those hot licks i was playing
Slow here lately. I wanted to mention the recent Mag-Boost 26FX transformer and discuss it's sound and advantages.
I don't have one yet, but the description sounds like Mike is continuing to evolve his transformer devices in response to us customers. I haven't talked with him about the 26FX. Perhaps some of you have.
I don't have one yet, but the description sounds like Mike is continuing to evolve his transformer devices in response to us customers. I haven't talked with him about the 26FX. Perhaps some of you have.
Mag-Boost transformer
The Mag-Boost is a musical instrument transformer invented by Lightning Boy Audio. It is a passive device, which offers small amounts of distortion, EQ, volume boost, compression, and more.
lightningboyaudio.com
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Use my LBAs just about daily. Love 'em.
The new one looks nice!
The new one looks nice!
I had some correspondence with Mike about this while it was was in pre-production phase (I was one of those looking for a classic fuzz solution). I was waiting for his email to alert me to their availability, which never arrived, so thanks for the heads upSlow here lately. I wanted to mention the recent Mag-Boost 26FX transformer and discuss it's sound and advantages.
I don't have one yet, but the description sounds like Mike is continuing to evolve his transformer devices in response to us customers. I haven't talked with him about the 26FX. Perhaps some of you have.
Mag-Boost transformer
The Mag-Boost is a musical instrument transformer invented by Lightning Boy Audio. It is a passive device, which offers small amounts of distortion, EQ, volume boost, compression, and more.lightningboyaudio.com
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Hey Growler, you're welcome. Are you going to pick up a 26FX, now that they're out?I had some correspondence with Mike about this while it was was in pre-production phase (I was one of those looking for a classic fuzz solution). I was waiting for his email to alert me to their availability, which never arrived, so thanks for the heads up
Hmm
: Do we LBA fans call these Mag-Boost, or 26FX? Maybe we should ask Mike if he has a preference. My bet is he goes for Mag-Boost!I see these are on a little bit of a sale on the LBA website. $188 gets you in. Higher than the 2020s and 23Fe+, but a bit more stuff inside. I'm looking forward to the early adopters' reports here.
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At this moment, there are three 23Fe+ left at LBA, on sale for $120:
Lightning Boy 23Fe+ iron-core audio transformer pedal for electric bass and guitar
A very colorful audio transformer with natural compression characteristics for your electric guitar or bass. The 23Fe+ is a passive device, so no power adapter is needed. Multiples can be daisy chained for increased color and compression.
lightningboyaudio.com
I thought it sounded amazing in the demo vid, but he was also using three of them. I'd like to see a demo of just one.
As someone with two 23Fe's at the beginning of my chain, I think the Mag-Boost would work well in front of them. I found the most pleasant coloration from the 23Fe's with a high impedance input signal from passive pickups (to my ears this brought the color more than a boosted signal). The Mag-Boost would raise the signal impedance even higher, and boost the low frequencies (which are distorted more by transformer saturation). Also, the 23Fe's cut the low end some so the Mag-Boost would counteract that.
Yes, I think so, but I may need to wait a couple of weeks. Right this minute, I’m not hankering over a vintage fuzz tone/feel, but that could change by this afternoonHey Growler, you're welcome. Are you going to pick up a 26FX, now that they're out?
Hmm
I see these are on a little bit of a sale on the LBA website. $188 gets you in. Higher than the 2020s and 23Fe+, but a bit more stuff inside. I'm looking forward to the early adopters' reports here.
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