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qtron+ custom volume drop, no spike mod

TOOL460002

TOOL460002

Nov 4, 2004
3,680
9,236
Santa Cruz
#1
i did exactly one search, so sorry if this is redundant...

i love the qtron+. its wet. its awesome. its volume spike and clipping are no so awesome. has anyone done a custom mod to reduce this? i mean, as best i can figure, running a volume reducer after might solve part of this, maybe not. anyway ideas? the qtron+ is cheap, so a custom mod may not put it over the top.
 
#4
+1 for a limiter/compressor. I used to own a QTron (large trapezoid) in the past and loved how wet the filter was. Unfortunately, the volume spikes were an issue. I placed a compressor after it and the problem was solved.

I'm sure you might be able to find a mod for it; but the time and money involved might not be worth it to you, and you might want to think about trying some other filters.

I later sold my QTron and tried out many many different filters, originally because of the large size of the QTron, and finally ended up with one that I am happy with (Barge Concepts Grinder). Sadly, it's not much smaller than the QTron. :p

edit: also, running anything with a volume knob in the loop of your QTron+ will affect the overall volume output. It works just like that on my Grinder. :) I haven't tried it, but you might try just a simple volume knob installed in a box with jacks. ;) (or the EHX Signal Pad)
 
#6
There's one mod I can think of. It's called the replacetheqtronwiththeebsbassiq mod. Worked very well for my micro qtron.

On a serious note, I do have the micro Q-tron and it is very wet and funky. It has the same huge volume spike issue that the other models are known for. Even after giving the trim pot a turn (which did help noticeably) it still was boosting the volume a touch. I've found the EBS bassIq to be just a funky in the Hi-Q mode and it easily solves the size issue. No volume boost either.
 
#7
Joe Gress said:
How does the grinder compare to the Qtron's wetness and quakyness?
Click to expand...
Depending on where the color, attack, decay, depth, blend, and sweep range (controlled by a combination of two controls) it can be freakishly quacky, or mellow. Not quite as wet as the QTron, but also doesn't have as much of a problem with volume spikes.

edit: I'd say the Link Removed are pretty representative of how this filter sounds when played moderately.
 
#9
TOOL460002 said:
i did exactly one search, so sorry if this is redundant...

i love the qtron+. its wet. its awesome. its volume spike and clipping are no so awesome. has anyone done a custom mod to reduce this? i mean, as best i can figure, running a volume reducer after might solve part of this, maybe not. anyway ideas? the qtron+ is cheap, so a custom mod may not put it over the top.
Click to expand...

Hi,

In answer to your question.....

Coincidentally, just finally got round to finishing this mod on my Qtron literally last night!
10k log pot on effect only output to tame or boost volume if required. Also wired led on the switch to indicate effect on/off, with a nice green led!
Like you, love the effect itself, but the issues of volume spike & not knowing when the effect was visibly on/off; were making it virtually impractical to use live.
Previously tried the limiter/compressor afterwards as suggested above, but this (to me) takes away something away from the effect itself.

Some more info on Qtron volume fix here: Invalid Link Removed
Hope this helps...

It's great now IMO, definitely recommend this mod to a Qtron !:)
Will eventually get round to changing the knob for a matching EHX one....

Qtron003.jpg
[/IMG]

Cheers
 
#10
NickD said:
Hi,

In answer to your question.....

Coincidentally, just finally got round to finishing this mod on my Qtron literally last night!
10k log pot on effect only output to tame or boost volume if required. Also wired led on the switch to indicate effect on/off, with a nice green led!
Like you, love the effect itself, but the issues of volume spike & not knowing when the effect was visibly on/off; were making it virtually impractical to use live.
Previously tried the limiter/compressor afterwards as suggested above, but this (to me) takes away something away from the effect itself.

Some more info on Qtron volume fix here: Invalid Link Removed
Hope this helps...

It's great now IMO, definitely recommend this mod to a Qtron !:)
Will eventually get round to changing the knob for a matching EHX one....

Cheers
Click to expand...

wow. thanks. i think that was the answer i was looking for. there are a couple other things im kicking around in my head, but that seems like a darn good fit.
 
#14
selfblessed said:
I would like to add that modding/building pedals is fun.
Click to expand...

hehe... yeah, i recently made friends with a fellow with some electronics skills, so i would have some direction. i can solder cables and the like. i am a pen and ink artist, so i know i have an eye for detail (which may or may not translate). i guess the point is that id like to take this project on as my first attempt, especially since one of the xo models is pretty cheap used.

i also spoke with a custom builder regarding getting a custom pedal with a mid scoop up front into a meatball into a qtron+ (they balance INSANELY well) with a loop that would insert a pedal between them. this will be my first step. a custom looper with those two pedals separate with the insert "loop" might be easier, but i want one, so... yeah, i just want that.
 
#15
TOOL460002 said:
wow. thanks. i think that was the answer i was looking for. there are a couple other things im kicking around in my head, but that seems like a darn good fit.
Click to expand...

No worries.
It is an easy mod, literally resoldering one wire (effect O/P) from the switch onto a pot, then a (new) wire from the middle leg of the pot back on the switch - hope that's understandable(?)
A piece of piss to do, as we sometimes say here in the UK. :)

If you dont want an extra hole in the pedal for the pot, you could use a resistor of the right value to balance the level, but I wanted the option of being able to boost if required. With pot about halfway, level is pretty much equal with dry signal.
 
#17
RCCollins said:
Cool mod - but I'd still rathewr have a limiter than just volume control.

If you use a limiter properly you can end up hearing a lot more of the filter's color
Click to expand...

That's interesting to me. I occaisionally use compressor & (not so much) limiter myself mainly for 'squashing' effect, not all the time as I tend to personally prefer uncompressed tone - like the bass to breathe a bit.
Just wondering what benefit you'd get from limiting the Qtron's spikes as opposed to manually attentuating them with a level control? :eyebrow:
 
#18
NickD said:
That's interesting to me. I occaisionally use compressor & (not so much) limiter myself mainly for 'squashing' effect, not all the time as I tend to personally prefer uncompressed tone - like the bass to breathe a bit.
Just wondering what benefit you'd get from limiting the Qtron's spikes as opposed to manually attentuating them with a level control? :eyebrow:
Click to expand...

well first of all, you get more consistent volume. Lower the output level and not only is the volume spike reduced, but your overall playing volume is reduced too. This is NOT an acceptable compromise for me. To be honest I don't think it's an improvement at all.

When you use a limiter after an envelope filter, the level is smoothed out somewhat without making your quiet playing inaudible, and the reduced volume spike actually makes the detail of the resonant filter more audible, as you are not distracted by an overwhelming volume increase
 
#19
RCCollins said:
well first of all, you get more consistent volume. Lower the output level and not only is the volume spike reduced, but your overall playing volume is reduced too. This is NOT an acceptable compromise for me. To be honest I don't think it's an improvement at all.

When you use a limiter after an envelope filter, the level is smoothed out somewhat without making your quiet playing inaudible, and the reduced volume spike actually makes the detail of the resonant filter more audible, as you are not distracted by an overwhelming volume increase
Click to expand...

You make some interesting points here - now see where you're coming from.
I don't actually bring the level so far down on my Qtron, as you say there is quite an inherent differential between the spike & what's beneath it. I still like it to peak slightly in the mix. It's not as though I'm actually bringing it down so much, more moderately taming it, I guess.

Will try a limiter afterwards again as per method you describe at next rehearsal. Not sure I'm totally convinced at this stage, but will definitely give it a go - very interested.
However, still glad I modded Qtron! :p

Thanks
 

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