The Sushi Box FX Secret Society

[Sushi Box FX]

Is the same true for the 1/4" out now the the Np 1/4 is buffered - or is there still a slight difference between the 1/4 out on the Np vs. No?

I think the difference there is that the XLR and 1/4" both have their own dedicated tube, whereas on the Neptunium they share one. I'm not going to pretend to know what role the new buffer plays, but I assume there's still some difference there, particularly if both are cranked.

It's not so much that the XLR and 1/4" have their own dedicated tube, it's more like the signal branches off after the first tube. One side goes through a D.I. transformer to the XLR output, the other side goes through a tube output buffer and on to the 1/4" output. So the first tube and thus the tonestack and HPF is for both outputs, but the second tube is only used by the 1/4" output.

There is still going to be some difference between Neptunium and Noble/Nobelium on the 1/4" output, because the current version of Neptunium uses a high-voltage FET buffer instead of a tube buffer for the 1/4" output, as I obviously can't fit another tube in there. The high-voltage FET is the best option I've found for solid-state buffering, and a buffer is the least noticeable place to stick a solid-state component in a tube circuit, but if a high-voltage FET sounded exactly the same as a tube, I would make a lot more solid-state pedals.

 

[aguacateojos]

Continuing my attempts at putting pedals in all sorts of places, this morning I'm using my SLO MkIIIs for headphones practice and put the Neptunium in the effects loop. Sounds killer.

 

[Parzival]

Decided to go ahead and order a Neptunium. Also have one of the new Aguilar mid booster pedals coming. I think that may be a potent preamp combo for my passive basses.

 

[tidbits]

Decided to go ahead and order a Neptunium. Also have one of the new Aguilar mid booster pedals coming. I think that may be a potent preamp combo for my passive basses.

This is a combo I've been thinking about cooking up for a new compact board. Basically thinking Compressor -> Mid Boost -> Drive -> Neptunium.

 

[Sushi Box FX]

On that note, there are currently 6 Neptuniums left in stock. I have parts on order to build 137 more, but they're probably at least a couple weeks out.

 

[wolffire99]

There is still going to be some difference between Neptunium and Noble/Nobelium on the 1/4" output, because the current version of Neptunium uses a high-voltage FET buffer instead of a tube buffer for the 1/4" output

So on the current neptunium with 1/4” buffer, will there be any tonal difference between that and the xlr out?

 

[Sushi Box FX]

So on the current neptunium with 1/4” buffer, will there be any tonal difference between that and the xlr out?

Maybe a little bit, the transformer used for the D.I. adds some mild coloration. They should be pretty close though.

 

[chiphaleonbass]

This is a combo I've been thinking about cooking up for a new compact board. Basically thinking Compressor -> Mid Boost -> Drive -> Neptunium.

That’s been roughly my board the past year or so, Tuner, EQ, Compression Drive/Boost Neptunium. Don’t need much else

 

[s_wood]

I'm a huge fan of the Elementary and Detective, both of which are based on the HiWatt DR-103 preamp. The HiWatt tone stack is an unusual one, and it's impossible to get it completely flat... so ditto with the Elementary and Detective. But following Senior Sushi's guidance, I used a white noise generator and Audacity's Plot Spectrum Tool I found that flattest settings that I could.

First is with bass/mid/treble at 11-5-9 (using clock face terminology). 5 means mids fully clockwise...dimed...turned all the way up. Pretty flat until 1K, with a roughly 2 db boost above that.

.View attachment 7161227

Next is 12-5-9. You can see that boosting the bass just a bit has the effect of scooping the mids by roughly 2 2b because the highs remain boosted.

View attachment 7161244

Last is 12-5-8. Highs are slightly reduced.
View attachment 7161256

Some takeaways... 1. The mids will be scooped unless the mid control is at 5. 2. The treble control is very powerful. - anything over 8 boosts the treble. 3. I have too much time on my hands.

Further fiddling finds flatter (see what I did there?)
Here's 11-5-7 There is still a peak above 1K, but it's reduced in amplitude to less than 2 db, which means it's barely audible.

 

[trigger_happy]

Arrived today! Did a quick recording.

In the Vultures Playthrough, it's just the Neptunium. And what's next goes, Neptunium 12 bass and low cut, Neptunium+Fliptop, Neptunium + Fliptop +DCX. They play nicely together! I use the Fliptop to give a nice warm saturation on the cleans of the Neptunium. DCX as gain stage usually set in low to mid gain

 

[havnjero]

Maybe a little bit, the transformer used for the D.I. adds some mild coloration. They should be pretty close though.

did you ever consider taking a feed from post trafo to TS (or TRS) out? that way it could have the same coloration, with a little FET boost.
(or even a small amp module to drive a high efficiency practice speaker).

 

[Sushi Box FX]

did you ever consider taking a feed from post trafo to TS (or TRS) out? that way it could have the same coloration, with a little FET boost.
(or even a small amp module to drive a high efficiency practice speaker).

Nope. The Transformer is there for impedance matching and balancing, I never intended it just for coloration, and the output of the preamp isn't sufficient enough to drive a speaker, just wasn't designed that way.

 

[Evan J]

Just got my sushi box pedal… loving it so far. Really digging the variable HPF.

Never had a tube on my board before… anything I need to know? Should I make sure it’s off overnight?

 

[Rev_Slinky]

View attachment 7162378
Just got my sushi box pedal… loving it so far. Really digging the variable HPF.

Never had a tube on my board before… anything I need to know? Should I make sure it’s off overnight?

I don't know a ton about tubes, but I know they have a lifespan, so I'd say it's probably best to turn it off once you're done for the session. Mine are plugged into a power strip that I switch off after I'm done playing.

Have fun with your new pedal!

 

[Evan J]

I don't know a ton about tubes, but I know they have a lifespan, so I'd say it's probably best to turn it off once you're done for the session. Mine are plugged into a power strip that I switch off after I'm done playing.

Have fun with your new pedal!

Ok yeah this is what a figured. Thanks!

 

[Kevin Hide Bass]

Day 3 of Np being stuck in UK customs, hoped its debut at the gig on Saturday would be safe, but appears very unlikely now

Why don't things just work the way they used to?

 

[smatanovic]

Question for @Sushi Box FX Re the Finally products, is the unagi output transformer only on the DI circuit, and not the 1/4” out? Both outputs? It’s not clear to me from the current description (I have a v2, if it makes a difference).

 

[trigger_happy]

Sharing my bass-ic mini board project build. Neptunium is built like a tank. Love this thing!

Just got the Broughton Subsonic today and surprised with the insane tracking, simpler controls and a refined version of my fave Oc-2. Neptunium at the end polishes it and makes it sound more fuller!

Mounted on a Pedaltrain PB-3 riser. Hooked with EBS Gold flat patch cables. Powered by a Onespot PSU and all pedals are daisy chained without any issues.

 

[havnjero]

Nope. The Transformer is there for impedance matching and balancing, I never intended it just for coloration, and the output of the preamp isn't sufficient enough to drive a speaker, just wasn't designed that way.

ah but with a fet buffer/boost a post trafo split could drive a line out. and in the nobelium the second tube could have gone to the trafo and then split out to the buffered 1/4” TS/TRS out. for the “more” effect > transformer.

OR with there being a small amp module like the one i put in my GS there could be a switchable 30w output, post transformer.
i personally never go into an amp for stage volume, only quiet practice.

i felt like i needed to clarify my previous post.

 

[Tassieviking]

ah but with a fet buffer/boost a post trafo split could drive a line out. and in the nobelium the second tube could have gone to the trafo and then split out to the buffered 1/4” TS/TRS out. for the “more” effect > transformer.

OR with there being a small amp module like the one i put in my GS there could be a switchable 30w output, post transformer.
i personally never go into an amp for stage volume, only quiet practice.

i felt like i needed to clarify my previous post.

I would love to see a picture of how you put that amp module int the GS, is it one of those tiny AP3016D amp modules ?
I like the idea of turning a pedal into a complete practice amp with the flick of a switch, 30 watts can be fairly loud with the right speaker.
I guess you run it at 12 volts for more output from the amp module.

EDIT: I might put one of those amp modules into my Nobelium tomorrow (today, it's 2 am now) and have fun with it.
Would it be simpler to use an OpAmp from the balanced side of the Tx to drive the amp module to keep that Tx colouration to the signal ?
Jfets are ok but the modern low noise OpAmps made for audio are extremely good.