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OVNIFX Smoothie Compressor
- Thread starter boomertech
- Start date
Whew. One of those two other smoothies is mine. Thanks Bongo. Can't wait to use it this weekend.
bongomania
Commercial User
We're going to be working on the threshold control. Some users have told me they feel the existing threshold switch doesn't do a lot for them, and I intend to fix that.Nice! Any other new changes you can tell us about?
After that batch, later this year, we will be changing over to an optical circuit instead of OTA.
I would have lost that bet... I thought if you were to make another comp that it would be a FET design. Kinda like a mini 1176.
-Frank
bongomania
Commercial User
Well, as much as I like that idea, I want to stick with the "Smoothie" flavor of gooeyness, and the smaller FET units I've use just don't have that. Much easier to get there with simple opto designs. But we have a nice long timetable ahead, so we're not locked in to anything.
If you do ever make a FET comp, I will have to borrow one of your demo units.
-Frank
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I do agree that batteries have merit as backup. But I have an easy fix:
... a leftover from a DIY kit I built into a smaller than intended closure. This little cable is a standard part of my gig bag inventory.
On another note: I have been an eager reader of the ovnilab-tests, and I have learnt a lot. (Thanks!) But until I recently got a used Markbass amp, I kinda never got much utility from a compressors. I guess my previous amps had either soft clipping circuits or built in compressors that didn't necessarily sound well, but sorta killed the purpose of a good compressor. Well... that turned, and for the first time my very cheap compressor pedal actually did some good. But I also discovered some limits to it, so now I am hunting for a new comp, and the smoothie is absolutely a candidate.... but it's kinda pricey and by the time it reaches my shore its a lot pricier. I'll start saving, though.
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I do agree that batteries have merit as backup. But I have an easy fix:
View attachment 578752
... a leftover from a DIY kit I built into a smaller than intended closure. This little cable is a standard part of my gig bag inventory.
On another note: I have been an eager reader of the ovnilab-tests, and I have learnt a lot. (Thanks!) But until I recently got a used Markbass amp, I kinda never got much utility from a compressors. I guess my previous amps had either soft clipping circuits or built in compressors that didn't necessarily sound well, but sorta killed the purpose of a good compressor. Well... that turned, and for the first time my very cheap compressor pedal actually did some good. But I also discovered some limits to it, so now I am hunting for a new comp, and the smoothie is absolutely a candidate.... but it's kinda pricey and by the time it reaches my shore its a lot pricier. I'll start saving, though.
Got to make me one of those... great quick fix! I suppose you could wire a few batteries in parallel to provide more current capabilities where your pedal/device was thirsty and demanded more than one 9 volt could supply.
I do agree that batteries have merit as backup. But I have an easy fix:
View attachment 578752
... a leftover from a DIY kit I built into a smaller than intended closure. This little cable is a standard part of my gig bag inventory.
On another note: I have been an eager reader of the ovnilab-tests, and I have learnt a lot. (Thanks!) But until I recently got a used Markbass amp, I kinda never got much utility from a compressors. I guess my previous amps had either soft clipping circuits or built in compressors that didn't necessarily sound well, but sorta killed the purpose of a good compressor. Well... that turned, and for the first time my very cheap compressor pedal actually did some good. But I also discovered some limits to it, so now I am hunting for a new comp, and the smoothie is absolutely a candidate.... but it's kinda pricey and by the time it reaches my shore its a lot pricier. I'll start saving, though.
The Godlyke power-all kit comes with one of those, FYI.
With center negative? The one that comes with the Voodoo Labs is opposite.
I'm sure it is because it also comes with a reversal one to make any one of them center positive for the rare case you'd want that. I found a cheap 18V wall wart that was center positive so I used that to switch back hehe
Well, I might be in the minority on this, but I'd be reluctant to buy a pedal that couldn't run on a battery. I don't use a pedalboard; I just put the compressor between my bass and the input on my amp. I'm a one-pedal kinda guy.
My Smoothie arrived yesterday and I just gave it a tryout. I am still trying to find the right settings for a Kala U-Bass, which is the instrument I bought it for. It's replacing an ART Levelar which is a fine unit but a bit of a hassle to use live. This, along with a clean boost after and a FDeck pre before, will be my pedalboard for the fake plugged-in upright sound.
Overall it sounds good, and I quickly learned to use the pedal's tone control rather than the tone on my bass (which boosts lows). I set my U-Bass tone flat, and then I get much more useful behaviour out of the sustain control, and rolling down the tone still gives me a very nice low end through the amp. I love the clean level as well to keep some of my finger attack intact even with lots of compression.
Overall it sounds good, and I quickly learned to use the pedal's tone control rather than the tone on my bass (which boosts lows). I set my U-Bass tone flat, and then I get much more useful behaviour out of the sustain control, and rolling down the tone still gives me a very nice low end through the amp. I love the clean level as well to keep some of my finger attack intact even with lots of compression.
bongomania
Commercial User
Sort of. There are others to consider such as the FXEng Mirage, Moen Unicomp, Mad Professor, Dedalo, OWA 1960, Budda Chakra, VFE White Horse, and I'm sure a few that I'm forgetting at the moment. But I do think the Smoothie can be dialed for a similar sound and effect as the Diamond.
