NPD DSM Noisemaker OmniCabSim

[Vlad5]

I'd buy an OCS-lite.

I too have a sweet pre-amp and a JDI which, paired with the OCS, makes me very happy.
And I could always use more PB space.

 

[J Posega]

The inclusion of a headphone out and aux in on the next version has me interested.

Would you consider building a standalone stereo bass headphone amp?

 

[Fuzzbass]

I finally got to use the OmniCabSim with my gig rig. Well, half my gig rig: just one Bergantino CN210. And it was at a basement rehearsal, not a gig. Still, it was a decent test: the basement is carpeted with good acoustics.

Again, here's the background: even though I play five string my favorite cab ever is the sealed/tweeterless Bergantino NV610, which is a smaller, lighter, and better (IMO) version of the classic Ampeg 8x10. It has "tight" low end, meaning a roll-off that's possibly similar to the OCS set to largest cab size. The problem with the NV610 is that it's big and heavy and I'm getting old, so I also own a pair of lightweight Berg CN210 neo cabs as my vertical/modular 4x10. The CN210s are super easy to move, loud, and I like the tone OK, but they are ported/tweetered cabs with extended highs and lows, and (same as nearly all other bass cabs) they don't have the mid punch of the NV610.

I knew that the CNs would be a very different animal than the NV, and got what I expected. My goal with the OCS was not to magically turn CN into NV -- that's impossible. Even so, I wanted to "vintage up" the CN210: tighten the lows, soften the highs. I've tried using amp EQ and tweeter attenuator, but haven't been satisfied with the result.

Enter the OCS. Long story short: I'm really happy, and it wasn't difficult to achieve the result I wanted. Instead of rolling the CN210 tweeter way back, I left it flat and used the High Response on the OCS to give the CN210 a vintage top-end -- fact is, a nice range of voicings were possible. Tailoring the low end was a little trickier, because Gain, Cab Size, and Resonance need to be balanced. Even so, I love the versatility these controls provide: so much greater precision than using EQ, or even parametric EQ (IMO you'd have to use parametric EQ plus variable HPF to get there). I wound up setting Cab Size less than full, and boosting Resonance a bit. This eliminated rumble when playing down low on the B, but maintained solid low end over the entire fretboard.

As noted I got a nice musical top end, with no harshness from the tweeter. I actually like trebly bass tones, but I often use overdrive which does not play well with tweeters. I did not bring any OD pedals last night, but I'm sure the OCS will work extremely well with them.

Oh, I almost forgot: the Punch and Mid Response knobs were less important to me, but definitely nice to have. I think I wound up with Punch at 10 o'clock and Mid Response at 4 o'clock.

Gig tests are yet to come (I especially look forward to those with my "stoopid loud rock band"), but I believe the OCS will work wonderfully.

Note: I see no reason to use the OCS with my NV610, but I'm using my neo cabs more frequently these days so I'm really happy to have the OCS in my toolbox to focus their response.

 

[kurotenshi]

Let me take advantage of the knowledge in this particular thread.
I have recently come to enjoy my cabs even more than before and used them to come up with some nice tones. I would love to emulate that same tone to my DI. Lets say I was using the OCS to do that. I was thinking how would I do that and thought the best ideia would be to send the OCS signal to the amp and start tuning the pedal to the limit of where I would not hear the diference between the pedal on or off. The reasoning here is that if the OCS is cutting what the cab is already cutting then you will no hear it.
Am I making sense?

 

[Fuzzbass]

Let me take advantage of the knowledge in this particular thread.
I have recently come to enjoy my cabs even more than before and used them to come up with some nice tones. I would love to emulate that same tone to my DI. Lets say I was using the OCS to do that. I was thinking how would I do that and thought the best ideia would be to send the OCS signal to the amp and start tuning the pedal to the limit of where I would not hear the diference between the pedal on or off. The reasoning here is that if the OCS is cutting what the cab is already cutting then you will no hear it.
Am I making sense?

Ha. Props to you for thinking outside the box (so to speak), but your expectations seem to be a little high. The OmniCamSim is versatile, but it's not Omnipotent. Meaning, it's not designed to clone the tone of any amplifier rig (or speaker), it's merely intended to simulate some basic parameters of a vintage speaker cabinet. If your favorite cabinet happens to be vintage-style (as is my beloved Bergantino NV610) then the OCS might get you into the ballpark, but don't expect an exact copy.

As for your specific idea: the problem I see is that the OCS could possibly produce frequencies (high highs or low lows) that your favorite cab can't reproduce, so if you run it through your cab you won't be able to tell when it's coloring outside the lines. Overall you'd be much better off running the OCS through high quality headphones or reference speakers, and then comparing that to your cab.

 

[Dsmnoisemaker]

I have done that with my guitar amp with great success, specially getting the high end response and the bottom end very, very close..i was using the fx loop though, so the preamp coloration was already there

 

[kurotenshi]

A very close ballpark would probably be enough but you are absolutely right @Fuzzbass, I did not consider boosts being generated by the OCS outside the cab's range. In any case, with the high and low cut approximated like @Dsmnoisemaker suggested I think I would be close enough to start and then finish the job with good monitors.

I use a TC BC210 and BC212 in vertical stack, JsUK

 

[MADChuudoku]

i would be very interested in a 'lite' version of this pedal, is it too early to say which features it would/wouldnt have?

 

[Dsmnoisemaker]

Well, the lite version will take a while. Production for the deluxe version has not even started yet, and probably will take 2 months, then, I'm launching the NAFTA (Not Another F=÷ing Tubescreamer Again) drive, and then, if i make enough cash flow, i will make the lite version.

The lite version will be just the cabsim part, no DI, No headphone amp..just the 6 controls in a smaller box..

I would love to launch all at once, but i bearly got enough to build the deluxe version..no profit here

 

[karla684]

Well, the lite version will take a while. Production for the deluxe version has not even started yet, and probably will take 2 months, then, I'm launching the NAFTA (Not Another F=÷ing Tubescreamer Again) drive, and then, if i make enough cash flow, i will make the lite version.

The lite version will be just the cabsim part, no DI, No headphone amp..just the 6 controls in a smaller box..

I would love to launch all at once, but i bearly got enough to build the deluxe version..no profit here

I'll be happy to "support" by buying a deluxe version! ;-) Looking forward to it!

Cheers,
Kalle

 

[kurotenshi]

@Dsmnoisemaker why don't you make a pre-sale so that people can pay you in advance and then you would have cashflow to get the parts for the Delux. Since money is an issue here, instead of a pre-sale discount you could do something like the buyers name engraved on the pedal or some other "bonus" feature for those who are willing to help you.

 

[karla684]

@Dsmnoisemaker why don't you make a pre-sale so that people can pay you in advance and then you would have cashflow to get the parts for the Delux. Since money is an issue here, instead of a pre-sale discount you could do something like the buyers name engraved on the pedal or some other "bonus" feature for those who are willing to help you.

Good idea! But I'd prefer the pedal without my name on it

Cheers,
Kalle

 

[Dsmnoisemaker]

@Dsmnoisemaker why don't you make a pre-sale so that people can pay you in advance and then you would have cashflow to get the parts for the Delux. Since money is an issue here, instead of a pre-sale discount you could do something like the buyers name engraved on the pedal or some other "bonus" feature for those who are willing to help you.

Yes, I'm considering using the kickstart platform..

 

[Fuzzbass]

Bummed to say that the room I played last Saturday had a tiny stage and I did not use any pedals. So the OCS gig report will have to wait a few weeks. Would have been much sooner than that, but I had two cancellations this month.

So, next step will be to experiment with OCS-plus-overdrive at home and rehearsal.

 

[Dsmnoisemaker]

hi guys!
I´m thinking about making a pre sale for the Deluxe OCS. I´m finishing the details with the PCB assembly guys and the enclosures..
i´m a bit short of cash to order the 100 units i want to make this time, so i´d just need to pre sell 4 or 5 units to wrap it up and go ahead.

by the way i present you the Deluxe OCS design:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


I´m stepping up build quality by having the enclosure powder coated in black, cnc machined, and use white and gold silkscreen printing for graphics for a cleaner, neater look.

The panel is more intuitive now, more descriptive.

The controls and funtions are the same, just adjusted the high response to a slightly higher range.

Also, it features a very powerful headphone amp output and aux input.

The XLR DI Out now is completely separated from the normal output, and amplified by a NE5532 opamp, which is specifically designed for low impedance inputs with very low noise.

Also, improved the design for better noise performance overall..

I will be selling these for U$259 + shipping

For pre sells, the price will be U$219 + shipping and the units will be signed and personally dedicated on the bottom lid.

please let me know if there´s interest so i go and setup a pre sale page on the site..

ps: i´m very thankful for all of you guys at talkbass forum, you have been a tremendous support!

 

[karla684]

hi guys!
I´m thinking about making a pre sale for the Deluxe OCS. I´m finishing the details with the PCB assembly guys and the enclosures..
i´m a bit short of cash to order the 100 units i want to make this time, so i´d just need to pre sell 4 or 5 units to wrap it up and go ahead.

by the way i present you the Deluxe OCS design:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


I´m stepping up build quality by having the enclosure powder coated in black, cnc machined, and use white and gold silkscreen printing for graphics for a cleaner, neater look.

The panel is more intuitive now, more descriptive.

The controls and funtions are the same, just adjusted the high response to a slightly higher range.

Also, it features a very powerful headphone amp output and aux input.

The XLR DI Out now is completely separated from the normal output, and amplified by a NE5532 opamp, which is specifically designed for low impedance inputs with very low noise.

Also, improved the design for better noise performance overall..

I will be selling these for U$259 + shipping

For pre sells, the price will be U$219 + shipping and the units will be signed and personally dedicated on the bottom lid.

please let me know if there´s interest so i go and setup a pre sale page on the site..

ps: i´m very thankful for all of you guys at talkbass forum, you have been a tremendous support!

Amazing! Just amazing! Hat's off to you Daniel. I am definately in for one. Where do I pay

Do you have an approximate estimate to when they will be ready? Before summer? I am in no rush, just wondering.

Cheers,
Kalle

 

[karla684]

By the way, stereo Aux in and headphone out isn't possible, or would it be...? ;-)

 

[Dsmnoisemaker]

By the way, stereo Aux in and headphone out isn't possible, or would it be...? ;-)

I really, really tried to make it stereo..i tried transistor based amps, too much distortion and low volume..tried CMOS as amplifiers, too low and low headroom..tried specialized miniature headphone amps..not enough power and they work only at 5V so goodbye headroom.. I needed a punchy, powerful amp that could be used as a monitor when playing live, loud enough to hear yourself over the heavy handed drummer and the deaf guitar player with his marshall on 11.. so i used a very powerful lm386 amp, BOOM!.. but high power means high current.. and high current means high noise and signal leaking, oscilations..1 channel was more than enough for volume without interfering with the rest of the circuit, in stereo, there was too much current and complexity to avoid noise and oscilations, and it was TOO loud (0.5w per channel)..

The cases of use i though for the headphone are quiet practicing at night, live monitoring, and record monitoring..having the backing track or the mix into the aux input...not really for high end audiophile music listening..there´s not much one can do with 9V power without going into class D and very complex circuits..

 

[J Posega]

I really, really tried to make it stereo..i tried transistor based amps, too much distortion and low volume..tried CMOS as amplifiers, too low and low headroom..tried specialized miniature headphone amps..not enough power and they work only at 5V so goodbye headroom.. I needed a punchy, powerful amp that could be used as a monitor when playing live, loud enough to hear yourself over the heavy handed drummer and the deaf guitar player with his marshall on 11.. so i used a very powerful lm386 amp, BOOM!.. but high power means high current.. and high current means high noise and signal leaking, oscilations..1 channel was more than enough for volume without interfering with the rest of the circuit, in stereo, there was too much current and complexity to avoid noise and oscilations, and it was TOO loud (0.5w per channel)..

The cases of use i though for the headphone are quiet practicing at night, live monitoring, and record monitoring..having the backing track or the mix into the aux input...not really for high end audiophile music listening..there´s not much one can do with 9V power without going into class D and very complex circuits..

Maybe you can design a separate, great headphone amp that would have an input for the OCS, and a stereo input for whatever source you're using (phone, CD, etc.)

I wish I knew I had a real use for one of these because I'd gladly buy into the presale. Sadly, I barely gig.

 

[karla684]

I really, really tried to make it stereo..i tried transistor based amps, too much distortion and low volume..tried CMOS as amplifiers, too low and low headroom..tried specialized miniature headphone amps..not enough power and they work only at 5V so goodbye headroom.. I needed a punchy, powerful amp that could be used as a monitor when playing live, loud enough to hear yourself over the heavy handed drummer and the deaf guitar player with his marshall on 11.. so i used a very powerful lm386 amp, BOOM!.. but high power means high current.. and high current means high noise and signal leaking, oscilations..1 channel was more than enough for volume without interfering with the rest of the circuit, in stereo, there was too much current and complexity to avoid noise and oscilations, and it was TOO loud (0.5w per channel)..

The cases of use i though for the headphone are quiet practicing at night, live monitoring, and record monitoring..having the backing track or the mix into the aux input...not really for high end audiophile music listening..there´s not much one can do with 9V power without going into class D and very complex circuits..

I figured there was a good reason. But I had to ask.
I have thought of the headphone out as being mainly for practicing. But when you mention monitoring as well... it gives me plenty of new ideas

I'm of course still interested, for sure! Do you want me to PM you, send you a mail or anything else to get on the list?!

Cheers,
Kalle