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The Sushi Box FX Secret Society

....the 1 thing about that teaser pic of Venus Z that makes me go "hmmmmmm" is the absence of a gain knob......

I'm guessing, but it's likely a scaled down version of the Venus X (no boost channel so only one tube is required, cab sim replaced with the HPF from the Nobelium and a smaller enclosure).
 
I'm guessing, but it's likely a scaled down version of the Venus X (no boost channel so only one tube is required, cab sim replaced with the HPF from the Nobelium and a smaller enclosure).
Pretty good guess there my dude.

SECRET SOCIETY EXCLUSIVE INFO

Venus Z is the clean channel of Venus X. It's a punchy, modern, all-clean tube preamp based on the sounds of Gallien Kruger but with some tube goodness. The boost channel was removed, the cabsim was replaced by a switchable HPF, the high voltage was raised from 235V to 350V, and the LBA transformer in the D.I. was replaced by an Unagi transformer. An independent volume control was added for the XLR output like on the Finally v2, and there are also independent attenuation trimmers inside the pedal to adjust the max output of the 1/4" and the XLR outputs.

I kept the dry pass-through 1/4" output, and I added a toggle switch to bypass the preamp on the XLR output. This was in response to the occasional questions I get about Finally to the effect of "if the tube goes bad in the middle of a gig, is there any way to still use the D.I.?" Obviously I hope this will never happen, but if it does you can flip the switch and the pedal turns into a passive D.I. box with the Unagi transformer, and the XLR volume control becomes a variable pad for the output.

The pedal is smaller now, the same size as Black Eye II or JC Emerald, 4.7 in x 3.7 in x 1.34 in (119 mm x 94 mm x 34 mm). The price is also significantly lower at $350.

I've had a busy couple weeks for a variety of sushi and non-sushi reasons (I'm literally running on one hour of sleep right now), but I hope to get some audio for you all soon. I currently have 12 of these units finished and waiting for the release on Monday.
 
Totally unrelated question, but this goes back to the "3D" kind of effect that certain tube preamps tend to have on sound, specifically mentioned talking about the Nobelium and MORE:

Does the Noble/Nobelium use a parallel gainstage as with the MORE? Nathan mentioned using a parallel gainstage for the Grand Slampegg because it was similar to the MORE, and I was wondering if the parallel gainstage was maybe the reason for the extra "depth" to the sound. Does the Noble/Nobelium do this? Do other Sushi pedals use a parallel gainstage? Would this affect the sound in a way that adds more "presence" to the sound, etc etc? I'm wondering that, if this is true, maybe this is the "secret" behind things like the Monique, etc.
 
Totally unrelated question, but this goes back to the "3D" kind of effect that certain tube preamps tend to have on sound, specifically mentioned talking about the Nobelium and MORE:

Does the Noble/Nobelium use a parallel gainstage as with the MORE? Nathan mentioned using a parallel gainstage for the Grand Slampegg because it was similar to the MORE, and I was wondering if the parallel gainstage was maybe the reason for the extra "depth" to the sound. Does the Noble/Nobelium do this? Do other Sushi pedals use a parallel gainstage? Would this affect the sound in a way that adds more "presence" to the sound, etc etc? I'm wondering that, if this is true, maybe this is the "secret" behind things like the Monique, etc.
Noble/Nobelium does not have any parallel gainstages. The reason it runs clean is because it only uses low gain tubes (12AU7). More is the only currently available Sushi Box pedal that uses parallel gainstages, and Deep Dish is the only past one that did.

I've had a request for a DIY project of the Monique, and I've said if anyone sees a good deal on a used one to let me know, but currently I don't know anything about the Jule preamps.
 
Noble/Nobelium does not have any parallel gainstages. The reason it runs clean is because it only uses low gain tubes (12AU7). More is the only currently available Sushi Box pedal that uses parallel gainstages, and Deep Dish is the only past one that did.

I've had a request for a DIY project of the Monique, and I've said if anyone sees a good deal on a used one to let me know, but currently I don't know anything about the Jule preamps.

Jule is a "guy like you", with current product available, new and used. It is "Cadillac" stuff. https://www.talkbass.com/threads/jule-amps-monique-part-5

I'm pretty sure releasing a kit that competes with his excellent product a a lesser price might win you a few sales, but lose some fans and future sales.

I thought you backed off the Meatsmoke clone because it was not your design, even though originals were unavailable, or was that someone/something else?
 
Jule is a "guy like you", with current product available, new and used. It is "Cadillac" stuff. https://www.talkbass.com/threads/jule-amps-monique-part-5

I'm pretty sure releasing a kit that competes with his excellent product a a lesser price might win you a few sales, but lose some fans and future sales.

I thought you backed off the Meatsmoke clone because it was not your design, even though originals were unavailable, or was that someone/something else?
Sushi Box no longer does products based on other designs, that is correct. I offer DIY projects to hobbyist builders that include designs that are not mine.

EDIT: I would also like to add that while cloning circuits is legal, "ruffling feathers" is not and never has been my thing, and I will always respect the wishes of anyone that requests that I not offer their products as a DIY project.
 
Last edited:
Sushi Box no longer does products based on other designs, that is correct. I offer DIY projects to hobbyist builders that include designs that are not mine.

EDIT: I would also like to add that while cloning circuits is legal, "ruffling feathers" is not and never has been my thing, and I will always respect the wishes of anyone that requests that I not offer their products as a DIY project.

Still a fan!
 
Pretty good guess there my dude.

SECRET SOCIETY EXCLUSIVE INFO

Venus Z is the clean channel of Venus X. It's a punchy, modern, all-clean tube preamp based on the sounds of Gallien Kruger but with some tube goodness. The boost channel was removed, the cabsim was replaced by a switchable HPF, the high voltage was raised from 235V to 350V, and the LBA transformer in the D.I. was replaced by an Unagi transformer. An independent volume control was added for the XLR output like on the Finally v2, and there are also independent attenuation trimmers inside the pedal to adjust the max output of the 1/4" and the XLR outputs.

I kept the dry pass-through 1/4" output, and I added a toggle switch to bypass the preamp on the XLR output. This was in response to the occasional questions I get about Finally to the effect of "if the tube goes bad in the middle of a gig, is there any way to still use the D.I.?" Obviously I hope this will never happen, but if it does you can flip the switch and the pedal turns into a passive D.I. box with the Unagi transformer, and the XLR volume control becomes a variable pad for the output.

The pedal is smaller now, the same size as Black Eye II or JC Emerald, 4.7 in x 3.7 in x 1.34 in (119 mm x 94 mm x 34 mm). The price is also significantly lower at $350.

I've had a busy couple weeks for a variety of sushi and non-sushi reasons (I'm literally running on one hour of sleep right now), but I hope to get some audio for you all soon. I currently have 12 of these units finished and waiting for the release on Monday.
Ah this is exciting, I like the clean sound of the Venus X from what I've heard of it but it's more pedal than I need, this could be just the thing!
 
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