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Sonic Farm/MAS Bass Amp project.

#123
Mike Arnopol said:
Just to clarify--this is very close to the final look. There will be numbers, frequencies, a few reference numbers for Q ( 2 octave, one octave, .07 octave) and a few more things like the three HPF frequencies, etc
tantra10.jpg
Click to expand...

If you're soliciting graphic design/UI/UX notes, happy to oblige. :D

- While most companies don't do it, I prefer a larger (or different shape) master volume. To me, in a gig situation, that usually is a knob I need to identify and touch on-the-fly so I like to be able to quickly spot it. I do like that you've sequestered gain and master from the eq section though.

- as you noted, the red lines should be more obvious (I'd go almost to the width of the small knob) as that identifies the relationship. Also good that you've got Qs on the top, Fs on the bottoms - that is consistent. The L shape will take some user training though as that isn't a typical interface element.

For a pretty busy front panel, it is laid out pretty well. There is a lot going on though...
 
#124
I hear ya. I had a bunch of time in on the prototype---which had all of the same knobs.I agree. The knobs that I'll be reaching for during a song would be Master, Bass, and Treble. I find that the Master control is delineated enough from the others to be an intuitive grab. The bass and treble controls are too, I think.
 
#125
Looking great Mike, this is going to be really outstanding, based on having heard the pre and power sections at different times. I have to say, I like having the T/P option on the 2di4, but i almost never use triode mode anymore, and if the switch can't reasonably be made silent, then leaving it off might be the best route. It's not like the thing is hurting for options! Can't wait to see these start coming together!!
 
#129
Kirk Bryant said:
It sure has been quiet here for quite awhile. What's new in the Tantra development release department?
Do we have any in the wild with beta testers that might comment on actual real life use? Have changes been made to the amp, layout, etc. do you guys have any idea of a general release; year, month, date?
Click to expand...

Thanks for asking

Things are going really well. I should have the first production unit in my hands within a week or two. There have been some improvements to the overdrive circuit. Boris and Zoran like it so much that they're coming out with a new mic pre that features it. It's not just a distortion circuit---it can give a very hifi mild tube saturation if you'd like---all the way to Jack Casady Versatone to full on fuzz.

Actually, if I approve the first production model we're ready for production. We'll be unveiling it at the Summer Namm show in Nashville. And doing a get together the day afterward so guys can really try it.

We should be ready to ship by the end of summer. Maybe sooner.
 
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#133
MarkA said:
I think that you'd have to PM Mike about that. I don't *think* builders can talk about that here, but I could be wrong. I don't know if it's been discussed on the Big E forum, but perhaps they're able to talk about that there.
Click to expand...

AFAIK anyone except the builder is free to disclose here, happens all the time.
 
#135
Passinwind said:
AFAIK anyone except the builder is free to disclose here, happens all the time.
Click to expand...
Now that you mention it, you're right. Price is discussed in the other threads all the time.

McFarlin said:
Posted on the MAS facebook page on March 3: "between $2200 and $2300"
Click to expand...
Thanks -- I knew I'd seen it somewhere. Not being on FB (thought about it, but haven't succumbed yet), I only rarely think to look there.
 
#136
tantra11.jpg


Ok---I think that I am within the CUP here. I'm allowed to ask questions about a project in development. Which this is.

Here's an image of the final front panel. My question---
What I've seen in bass amps and commercial eq's like my Symetrix parametric is that the "Q" or the essential width of the frequencies being eq'd is a clockwise pot and the labeling is in octaves or percentage of octaves. Like the Symentrix--fully clockwise is 2 octaves (wide general shaping) fully counterclockwise is .05 octaves---essentially one note---for a narrow notch. And maybe a few extra markings like 1 octave, etc.

What top studio gear uses is a reverse pot where the notch is fully clockwise and the 2 octaves is fully counterclockwise. That's how Zoran and Boris did it. Which, to be honest, is fine by me. My question is---in top studio gear, the width of the frequencies to be eq'd is shown by actual "Q". Same exact thing, just different ways of expressing it. The "1" marking in terms of "Q" is about 1 octave for reference.

Do you think that we should leave it as "Q" markings or change it to---let's say--- (as percentages of octaves) 2, 1.5 , 1 , .5, and .05---or something like that?

I don't think that there are enough switches and knobs. Should we add more? (an attempt at humor)
 
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#140
I could get used to it either way. I'm used to studio gear, but some other users may not be. This thing is going to have so many other "studio like" features on it anyway, it probably doesn't matter. I've seen "Q" knobs go either way even on different pieces in recording studios. Anything with that many knobs and switches, just like a lot of studio gear, will have a slight learning curve to it. I love the flexibility, and anyone that is serious about shaping their tone should not complain about taking the time to learn how to use it. Then again this is TB, so thats what some of these guys live for. Good of you to ask though.

The more I think about it, for a bass amp, I agree with Rufus
 
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