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Modding Effectrode PC-2A

Ben Clarke

Ben Clarke

Jan 6, 2005
1,578
1,076
Buffalo, NY
#1
I’ve been finding it necessary to use an Xotic X-Blender with my PC-2A to really be happy with it.

I’d really like my fly/backline rig to just be the Effectrode and my Noble on a nano board, too.

I was considering switching to a different comp that has a blend control on it, but…

I have a friend who is a really capable tech and I’ve asked him to see if he can add a mix knob to it.

It’ll void the warranty. That’s fine.

There’s no schematic out there that I know of, but he’s going to trace the circuit and go from there.

I thought I’d see if anyone has any info or experience about this sort of thing that would be helpful.

thoughts? Prayers?
 
#2
Hey Ben, I would suggest speaking to the lovely folks at Effectrode - they may have a tip for your tech.

Am interested as to why you are needing the blend? Could it be you’re potentially hitting the pedal too hard with a hot signal or are you after a parallel compression result?
 
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#3
They are lovely, but they seem to keep things close to the vest.

I had dropped it right after I got it - it landed just so and broke the tube. He wanted me to ship it back to the UK, and was very discouraging about me having my guy simply replace the tube. I get that stance, but I have no reason to think they would want to help me mod their product after that interaction. I don't blame them, and maybe I'm making an errant assumption...

I have the knee all the way soft and the attack as slow as it will go, and that helped handle bass better. I'm hitting it with a P bass with a normal output pickup, and it was unusable for what I'm after without adjusting those internal pots. Now that I have, it's usable, but what I want is parallel compression. The only reason for a blend is to create parallel compression.

Thanks for the suggestion!
 
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#4
Sorry to hear of the tube issue. I can understand Effectrode’s stance on repairs and mods, though it is always annoying to have to ship stuff around the world when you have the means to potentially repair it locally.

I am only a recent owner of the PC-2A coming from having the LA-1A for ages, and had read about the threshold being too low for some folks. I was surprised when I found that about 11 o’clock was the point I preferred to set the peak at, below this the attenuation was mild to negligible. I am running it at the end of my chain after a HX Stomp with a Ibanez SR5005 or Fender V P Deluxe so I imagine levels would be similar.

It’s interesting that you have this running with the Noble. The P Bass through those two must transport you right to some rich 60’s goodness. I was very pleasantly surprised how saturated the PC-2A was compared the the LA-1A, as that was precisely what I was seeking. Perhaps the Noble and this is too much of a good thing?
 
#5
I was totally happy with how they dealt with me. No complaints at all.

Those two pieces together are exactly like you're imagining. And I think you're not wrong in describing them together as too much of a good thing. I'm not pushing the Noble but it's got some juice no matter what. I just need some bite back into the transients so I can push the Effectrode the way I want for color.

We'll see... he's got it now.
 
#7
Before modding the Effectrode try the Union Lab in front of the Noble. I suspect you will be pleased with the organic feel of the optical circuit but with a bit of a different envelope that will suit being in front of the Noble a bit better. Yes, the LA-1A is a better pairing than the PC-2A but yes, not as pedalboard friendly though I would make it work.

I love tube preamps and compressors that leverage tube designs but the Noble is one of those devices that I much prefer something like an optical or FET based compressor in front of. The classic combo is Origin Cali76 CB in front of the Noble. That opens up something real special.
 
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#8
scubaduba said:
Before modding the Effectrode try the Union Lab in front of the Noble. I suspect you will be pleased with the organic feel of the optical circuit but with a bit of a different envelope that will suit being in front of the Noble a bit better. Yes, the LA-1A is a better pairing than the PC-2A but yes, not as pedalboard friendly though I would make it work.

I love tube preamps and compressors that leverage tube designs but the Noble is one of those devices that I much prefer something like an optical or FET based compressor in front of. The classic combo is Origin Cali76 CB in front of the Noble. That opens up something real special.
Click to expand...
That’s some great info about what you like paired with it. The Union stuff looks really interesting but I’m not looking for even less flexibility. Jack mentioned that the Cali 76 was insanely popular when I was discussing the 12V option to power the Effectrode. I just don’t tend to prefer 1176 types. Even when I’m producing I don’t usually reach for it.

Thing is, I’m very satisfied with how the PC-2A and Noble work with the Xotic blender. I can get close enough to SVT or B15 dynamic response out of backline rigs and into the PA with it.

If I can chuck a few bucks at it to eliminate the third box and keep what I’ve found sonically, that’s plan A.
 
#9
scubaduba said:
Before modding the Effectrode try the Union Lab in front of the Noble. I suspect you will be pleased with the organic feel of the optical circuit but with a bit of a different envelope that will suit being in front of the Noble a bit better. Yes, the LA-1A is a better pairing than the PC-2A but yes, not as pedalboard friendly though I would make it work.

I love tube preamps and compressors that leverage tube designs but the Noble is one of those devices that I much prefer something like an optical or FET based compressor in front of. The classic combo is Origin Cali76 CB in front of the Noble. That opens up something real special.
Click to expand...

It is a good pairing, like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
 
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#10
Here’s the update. Not shocked.

he saw the surface mount, tightly packed board, and didn’t want to risk damaging it.

the good news is I can stop thinking about it and pursue a more viable strategy.

one of the following will make more sense:

- different comp with a mix knob.
- go to the wider Nano board or similar to fit the Xotic blender (but not crazy about that due to power supply limitations with the Noble and Effectrode)
- take the Noble out of the picture and use a more pedestrian, smaller DI, and add a power supply.

I think I can do without a tube comp with the Noble in the circuit, considering the practical trade offs involved.
 
#11
Thanks for the update Ben. Yes, surface mount is another level.

This week I made the leap over to a Quad Cortex, and am pretty impressed with the way it is able to capture the subtle additional harmonics the tubes give you. Its early days yet, and I am still in the honeymoon period, but I have a feeling my board will be getting smaller.
 
#12
Oh wow. Yeah that looks pretty great.
I’m heavily invested in great sounding plugins in my studio, and I love the handfuls of B15 and SVTs that my UAD interface will do.

I’m playing around and exploring coming back to a direct electrical connection. I’ve done the wireless thing for a long time - the Line6 I had sounded and worked great. And I have a newish Sennheiser that works even better and sounds pretty impeccable.

but for some reason I want to spend some time playing this way right now.

that very simple chain with only two transducers involved.

the kinetic energy converted to electrical with a magnet, run through analog processors and amps, then converted back to kinetic and acoustic energy with a magnet. The acoustic energy adds to it too, and there’s just a feel to it that I will make an effort for in some situations.
It’s an amazing time to have so many really great choices as a musician.
 
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#14
Ben Clarke said:
Oh wow. Yeah that looks pretty great.
I’m heavily invested in great sounding plugins in my studio, and I love the handfuls of B15 and SVTs that my UAD interface will do.

I’m playing around and exploring coming back to a direct electrical connection. I’ve done the wireless thing for a long time - the Line6 I had sounded and worked great. And I have a newish Sennheiser that works even better and sounds pretty impeccable.

but for some reason I want to spend some time playing this way right now.

that very simple chain with only two transducers involved.

the kinetic energy converted to electrical with a magnet, run through analog processors and amps, then converted back to kinetic and acoustic energy with a magnet. The acoustic energy adds to it too, and there’s just a feel to it that I will make an effort for in some situations.
It’s an amazing time to have so many really great choices as a musician.
Click to expand...
Hi Ben - where did you land with this? I have a Noble and am comparing the Effectrode LA1A and PC2A with it right now.
 
#16

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#18
scubaduba said:
Before modding the Effectrode try the Union Lab in front of the Noble. I suspect you will be pleased with the organic feel of the optical circuit but with a bit of a different envelope that will suit being in front of the Noble a bit better. Yes, the LA-1A is a better pairing than the PC-2A but yes, not as pedalboard friendly though I would make it work.

I love tube preamps and compressors that leverage tube designs but the Noble is one of those devices that I much prefer something like an optical or FET based compressor in front of. The classic combo is Origin Cali76 CB in front of the Noble. That opens up something real special.
Click to expand...
I finally got a chance to try a Lab in front of a Noble. It is a lovely tone. I think I could be completely satisfied with just those two pedals for my clean sound.
 
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#20
TaylorJ said:
"I think I can do without a tube comp with the Noble in the circuit, considering the practical trade offs involved."

So it looks like you stuck with the Noble for your tube fix? Board looks great, probably wouldn't change a thing!
Click to expand...
Indeed! The Noble is the most expensive thing I own that doesn't have wheels, and it seems like a waste not to use it whenever possible. The pic shows a move to stereo outs, so the Noble is first in line rather than last. I feel compelled to mention that I have some cables on the way to clean it up a bit. (I'm really happy with the Pinstripe piece. I'm seeing ads for a Radial copy the past couple weeks, but this thing is built much better.)

I ended up really needing more control over the attack and release to be happy. The Omnicomp has completely satisfied my wants and needs. My bias really wanted me to love the Effectrode in every way, but it was just not the right fit for what I'm doing with a bass these days.
 
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