Looks awesome!
.... what are the frequency centers? if those aren't too secret....
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The Sushi Box FX Secret Society
- Thread starter kranahan
- Start date
Looks awesome!
.... what are the frequency centers? if those aren't too secret....
The eq is active (a 1st for an S-Box) ....and an FX loop looks like it could go......maybe right between the snooker table and hot tub (JK, couldn't resist).
Not really sure where an FX loop would fit in, so not likely. The tonestack is a "creation" that became something unique as it was tweaked over time and became something different from anything I've ever done. As mentioned this is the first time I've ever used an active EQ in a preamp, as it can be tricky getting active EQs to play nicely with tubes, so that took some work.
I need to update my math with the revisions I made to this board on the bench, but based on my math the expected price will be $500.
Nope, not too secret. Frequency centers are 60Hz, 250Hz, 1kHz, and 7kHz respectively.
It takes a really nice guy to answer on rather trivial topics like danger from fiddling with pedals's internals or on further use cases — when you are really about to make such a huge business announcement, obviously...
I agree that the completion of the Venus X is a big announcement. It is a momentous occasion, in fact.
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,636
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
IMO, if it had a ground lift for the DI switch here, it would make it easier to access (a small slide switch mounted on the side or even a mini toggle):
Congratulations to @Sushi Box FX and @TonyP- for your creation and pending release of the Venus X and Godspeed as you journey and show at NAMM.
I do agree with @johnk_10 that a ground lift is essential, cannot count the number of times that remedied issues with PA systems, especially on most 'consumer' boards that to not have a ground lift. @TonyP- might have missed encountering as he usually is in pro situations.
I do agree with @johnk_10 that a ground lift is essential, cannot count the number of times that remedied issues with PA systems, especially on most 'consumer' boards that to not have a ground lift. @TonyP- might have missed encountering as he usually is in pro situations.
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Nope, they'll be available when they're available. I will of course make every effort to ensure that they are kept in stock for everyone that wants one.
This batch of 5 that I have on hand were intended to be the very last stage before I gear up for full production, there are a couple tweaks that need to be made before I can re-order everything and get them ready to go.
I agree, that's one of the spots I'm toying with. I understand ground lift can be an important feature to have available externally for those that play at different places and aren't plugged into the same system every night, and it's not a set-and-forget control. I'm hoping to be able to find an external spot for a ground lift switch that is accessible and convenient without detracting from the aesthetics of the pedal, and that is something I want resolved before I order the final production version of the circuit boards.
So based on timing, I'm anticipating having Venus X ready for ordering sometime in mid- to late May. There are minor changes to the board that need to be made, and I need to sort a ground lift switch, neither of which are huge issues. But a bigger concern is that almost immediately after getting back from NAMM I will be going on travel for my day job, so I won't have much workshop time right away.
@Sushi Box FX One might hope that enough pre-orders for the Venus X may help you fund a jump to having it manufactured in economically feasible quantities. OTOH having one hand assembled by the master is worth the premium price, we see that with so many other devices these days. This One wonders..
Is the boost channel based on Space Heater?
A question about ground lifts. Why wouldn't you just leave it lifted all the time? What's the harm? In my experience, sometimes lifting the ground fixes the issue, and the rest of the time it makes no difference if it's lifted or not, so why not just leave it lifted?
Having no ground can cause noise too. One ground is great. Two grounds is far too many.
Right, but if it's lifted at the DI, it's still grounded through the amp. Of course, I've never played ampless (except in the studio). So, now, I'm thinking that's where grounding through the board may be your only option. Am I on the right track?
Not really, but also kind of? I wasn't thinking "I'm going to base this on the Space Heater" while I was designing it, but it does have some similarities.
As mentioned having no ground reference can sometimes be noisy, I've seen this firsthand with Finally.
I looked into it, but even at large (100+) quantities fabrication houses apparently charge more for their labor than I do, and it increases the final cost significantly. I had originally looked into doing that for the "stock" pedals that I keep on hand, but it would have affected the price way more than I was comfortable with.
I still try to order in bulk to save here and there where possible, so I do math on every order. If I remember right the sweet spot for these was right around 30 units, so that's what I had planned for when I came up with the $500 price. If I order more than that I can get the per-unit price down, but at that point I hit the US Customs threshold and have to pay import duties, and I would have to order hundreds at a time to offset the extra fee. Of course at that point the circuit board fabrication house stops treating it as a "small order" and they start to tack on fees, and it just keeps going. So 30 units at a time is going to be the sweet spot.
I know $500 is a big pricetag for a pedal, especially for me, and I don't take that lightly. I feel like I've done everything I can in the design process and I will continue to do everything I can in the production and support process to make sure that Venus X is worth every penny.
It is hard to break that cost/benefit threshold in manufacturing and I do respect your consideration as well as the hand built factor that makes all @Sushi Box FX so special and well worth your more than reasonable prices.
$500 is a hefty price tag in a vacuum, but given the particulars involved in the Venus X, I commented to myself that, "$500 sounds about right."
I have developed quite a bit of faith in the sushi box brand and I think we're all getting ready to be offered $500 worth of thoughtfully designed preamp pedal.
Ground or earth is not the real issue, the hum when connecting to a PA system is due to a polarity difference between signals. see the attached for a better detailed answer.
Forum
Yes, if your only ground is through the DI, you don’t want your ground lift on.
