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Double Bass New from Acoustic Image at NAMM

#21
Ric Vice said:
+1
I've tried the Series II and III Heads and with my bass, I couldn't get the EQ to emphasize the frequency ranges I like to work with. With the new preamp voicing, you will be able to cut and boost the upper and lower midrange. That's a crucial part of the DB tonal spectrum. I like the idea of separate power amps in the cabinet, and the detachable pre amp. This new design could be a winner. I noticed that they have also moved the Phantom up to 48 volts, that's another plus.

Ric
Click to expand...

It looks like it has illuminated pushbuttons, which I consider very desirable. And I'm happy to see no effects-loop jacks crowding the front panel. The ability to mount on a mic stand is appealing to me.

Like you, I'm very curious about the EQ; as much as I like my Focus 2R SIII, I have to use outboard EQ (Fishman 2-band) to get a sound I like. Does anyone know if there's a way to switch between channels, or combine channels?
 
#22
longfinger said:
By the look of the manuals, 38v is for S2 and perhaps older. but "47v" is listed for S3 and higher.

Though the PDF for the S3 amps show different specs than what is written on my amp itself. So there may be typos.

I always thought that to have something labelled as being able to give "phantom power" to mics and other devices meant it was always 48v. Are there mics and other devices out there thriving on 38v phantom power?
Click to expand...

The Phantom Power offered on the Headway EDB-1 is 18 volts. So it varies from one device to another. Some are as low as 12 volts. .

Ric
 
#23
longfinger said:
In some ways the "notch filter" on the now older series of AI amps act as a 4th EQ (low mid) that was cut only.

About the new product, what surprises me is that this control panel connects to the Amp/speaker via ethernet cable. Odd no? Anyways, it's great as one can run very long cable lengths, and maybe even have some option of wifi control later on. But it does open up the possibility that the front panel is only compatible with the AI amp/speaker combo. Ditto if the amp/speaker only has an RJ45 input. Some photos of the back sides of both the panel and floor box would be nice.
Click to expand...

The front end also has a 1/4" send, if you use it with another rig. And the balanced DI, of course.
 
#24
longfinger said:
In some ways the "notch filter" on the now older series of AI amps act as a 4th EQ (low mid) that was cut only.

About the new product, what surprises me is that this control panel connects to the Amp/speaker via ethernet cable. Odd no? Anyways, it's great as one can run very long cable lengths, and maybe even have some option of wifi control later on. But it does open up the possibility that the front panel is only compatible with the AI amp/speaker combo. Ditto if the amp/speaker only has an RJ45 input. Some photos of the back sides of both the panel and floor box would be nice.
Click to expand...

I don't think that the presence of an RJ45 indicates WiFi possibilities,
 
#25
Phil Smith said:
I don't think that the presence of an RJ45 indicates WiFi possibilities,
Click to expand...
This.

The only reason he used that interconnect is because (as he specifically told us) it's easy and cheap to find long cables at pretty much any electronics store anywhere, so if you ever lost the original, it'd be no problem to replace it on the road. It's not actually running the Ethernet protocol... it's not a "network" connection of any kind... it's simply using the same type of cable/connectors, is all.
 
#29
Mark Gollihur said:
He's getting there. They're doing a photo shoot with the prototype and we should be getting our hands on it very shortly, production models coming soon.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the update. I'm hoping that with those independent low mid and high mid controls you'll be able to get separate EQ voicings that will compliment both Double Bass and Five String Electric.

Ric
 
#31
neddyrow said:
Got an email back from someone at AI today and they are thinking as early as the end of May they will be available.
Click to expand...

Great, hopefully they will be able to meet that target release date. With a variable High Pass Filter, true 48 volt Phantom Power, separate low and high midrange controls, DI, phase reverse and two full EQ channels. This pre amp is something a lot of players have needed for a long time. In addition AI's commitment to customer service is the best in the buisness.

Ric
 

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#33
PierBea said:
Anyone have any news on the Flex?... Just becoming curious...
:-)...
Click to expand...

PierBea,
I'm currently attending the ISB convention in Rochester NY, and I visited the Acoustic Image Booth. Rick Jones was there, and we had a very nice chat. They are working very hard to get the both the Flex Preamp and Flex Combo into final production. It should be available sometime in June. The one thing I did discover is that they also have a new amp head, with the Flex Preamp, married to a power amplifier similar to the current Clarus+. I didn't have my iPad camera with me, so just picture the Clarius+ with a new Flex front end.


Ric
 
#34
Ric Vice said:
PierBea,
I'm currently attending the ISB convention in Rochester NY, and I visited the Acoustic Image Booth. Rick Jones was there, and we had a very nice chat. They are working very hard to get the both the Flex Preamp and Flex Combo into final production. It should be available sometime in June. The one thing I did discover is that they also have a new amp head, with the Flex Preamp, married to a power amplifier similar to the current Clarus+. I didn't have my iPad camera with me, so just picture the Clarius+ with a new Flex front end.
Ric
Click to expand...

Thanks, Ric.
I guess I'll be keeping an eye on their website towards the end of the month, then.
Curious about pricing, as well, but I imagine they did not "reveal" anything "official" on that...
Ciao.
Pier
 
#36
pauliebass said:
Sub'd. I need to hear more about this!!!
Click to expand...

Paulie Bass,

I talked with Rick Jones at the ISB convention in Rochester where he had the Flex on display. It's a very impressive little unit. Unfortunately, I had to return to St. Louis the day before they were going to demo the unit. At that time Rick said that they have all the parts and that's as far as he was going. The pre amp has all the features that I would want for Doubling. The Flex powered cabinet has three digital power amplifiers that are each assigned to one of it's three speakers, so it's tri amped. It also has a variable low cut filter with a range of 30 to 150 Hz and a -6DB switchable output reduction that uses a active crossover network.

Ric
 
#38
pauliebass said:
I'm interested in plopping this in front of my TH500 or putting it into the return jack... If that's possible. I do a lot of duo gigs with my wife on cello that this seems killer for!
Click to expand...

Pauliebass,
One thing Rick Jones said is that the unit is "dead quiet" it has a signal to noise ration of 110 DB. at the DI out. It also has a switchable limiter on the the rear of the unit. There are some additional features that can set
by jumpers inside the pre amp. They include a speaker emulation filter, and a -6 DB gain on the input.

Ric
 
#39
Ric Vice said:
Paulie Bass,

I talked with Rick Jones at the ISB convention in Rochester where he had the Flex on display. It's a very impressive little unit. Unfortunately, I had to return to St. Louis the day before they were going to demo the unit. At that time Rick said that they have all the parts and that's as far as he was going. The pre amp has all the features that I would want for Doubling. The Flex powered cabinet has three digital power amplifiers that are each assigned to one of it's three speakers, so it's tri amped. It also has a variable low cut filter with a range of 30 to 150 Hz and a -6DB switchable output reduction that uses a active crossover network.

Ric
Click to expand...

Thanks for the update, Ric. I wish they'd post specs online or provide a downloadable operator's manual; the suspense is killing me! :help::D
 

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