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New Basss Preamp by TC Electronics - Spectra Drive

I believe I had both switches on amd both lights on, but I'll try again with that, also I have an LGV20, and the volume was up full on my phone.
Remember that the TonePrint isn't loaded because of the sound. The speaker in your phone alters the magnetic field above the pickup, and that's change in the field is what the TonePrint is encoded in.

The sound is simply the result of the movement of the speaker.
 
Remember that the TonePrint isn't loaded because of the sound. The speaker in your phone alters the magnetic field above the pickup, and that's change in the field is what the TonePrint is encoded in.

The sound is simply the result of the movement of the speaker.

Yeah, but still no success, I honestly think there is an issue with how the firmware was loaded or something. I feel its probably an internal issue with the unit because when I had it connected to my computer, the beam to pedal button on the desktop program wasn't even lit up. It seems like the software, be it app or desktop isn't recognizing the hardware.
 
Yeah, but still no success, I honestly think there is an issue with how the firmware was loaded or something. I feel its probably an internal issue with the unit because when I had it connected to my computer, the beam to pedal button on the desktop program wasn't even lit up. It seems like the software, be it app or desktop isn't recognizing the hardware.
It's always possible with new releases.
 
Yeah, but still no success, I honestly think there is an issue with how the firmware was loaded or something. I feel its probably an internal issue with the unit because when I had it connected to my computer, the beam to pedal button on the desktop program wasn't even lit up. It seems like the software, be it app or desktop isn't recognizing the hardware.
You can do a factory reset. It's in the manual.

I'm pretty sure you can't beam anything if the USB input is active. I think ive encountered this with my Corona.
 
I've been using the MXR M80 lately as my taste for the time being is a clean preamp. The distortion for the M80 is mid scoop city. How is the drive on this unit? Can it do mild breakup to balls out distortion? I've always enjoyed the TC products I've owned in the past. Would like to give this one a go.
 
I've been using the MXR M80 lately as my taste for the time being is a clean preamp. The distortion for the M80 is mid scoop city. How is the drive on this unit? Can it do mild breakup to balls out distortion? I've always enjoyed the TC products I've owned in the past. Would like to give this one a go.

Ok, second gig report-pretty much just like the first one. I officially dig the SpectraDrive! I actually turned down a bit more, lol! It just sounded so full and warm! If TCE's amps sound like this, I'm almost sorry I've never tried one.

The Natural Drive TonePrint is pretty sweet, it solved my issue with the default drive sound. It rounded out the bottom end very nicely and brought the drive output up to "unity" with the rest of the gain stage. I'm not a dirt guy, so I probably won't go any further with the drive part, but it fits my light to moderate drive needs pretty well. If I want/need/desire more crunch, I have a B7KU on my board.

This week, I'll be messing with the SpectraComp section. Having said that, the default comp is ridiculously good. The amount of sustain I have is insane. My slap sound is the sound in my head. I'll probably go with two different comp prints. I may leave the "wet" SpectraDrive alone, but I'll change the "dry" SpectraDrive to something like the "CompressLess" print. It's just a cool system...

Again, some of the awesomeness is directly from my new FBass BN5, and true, final judgement will come after I switch back to my Barefaced cabs, but the level of coolness that TCE has achieved with the SpectraDrive is impressive, indeed!

It'll definitely do mild breakup through extreme distortion. Since I'm not a big dirty bass sound guy, this works for me. If you are a bass dirt connoisseur, you may not like it, since it is a digital reproduction. This isn't gonna be a Blueberry, or a Woolly Mammoth, or a TAFM, but it gets the job done and does it well...:thumbsup:
 
I really like the Spectracomp, in fact I prefer it over the Cali 76 I had recently. I had to take the SC off my board to make a bit of space a while ago though, so it will be nice getting it back within the SD. Ive never really needed comp, but I have missed not having it for some reason. It's not just compression, the SC seems to alter my tone in a good, but subtle way.
 
I probably did not understand you right, but I don't think you can load two compression toneprints at the same time into the pedal.
He has two of them so i expect he menas on different boxes.

Mine just arrived. Very impressed with the quality. The knobs have a nice smooth resistance, and the black casing looks cool. I was surprised at how heavy it i feels, but that more to do with being used to the Tech 21 boxes i have, which seem to weight a lot loss.
Can wait till tonight's rehearsal.
 
I just picked up this unit this weekend. Fooled around with it for a bit, (my first preamp/DI) and really liking it for practice. I was going back and forth between this one, the Ampeg SCR-DI, and the Zoom B3n. I figured a preamp/DI would be of more use in the long run since I plan adding a few more pedals down the road, and it seems to be a little more robust. For those that do have it, how does this compare to the Ampeg one? Also, I am assuming that I will be able to set the distortion/drive to be at the same level as the preamp during performance without having to keep dialing it in, in essence like a stompbox.....for now. Am I correct in this assumption? Thanks in advance!
 
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