The Sushi Box FX Secret Society

[bassbrad]

What does the “tone stack” mean?

Sushi Box uses the passive Fender TMB circuit to adjust the treble, kids and bass. Passive means cut only, nominal flat is 2-10-2. This musical tone circuit is from the Fender Showman amp that was copied by Alembic for the F2B preamp.

 

[Sushi Box FX]

Sushi Box uses the passive Fender TMB circuit to adjust the treble, kids and bass. Passive means cut only, nominal flat is 2-10-2.

I use a couple on different things:

• Fender/Marshall/Vox TMB - Underground Accelerator, JC Emerald, Dreamcatcher
• Hiwatt TMB - Dr. Wattson, Elementary, Detective
• "James" TB - Slampegg Bee Pre, Lab Rat, Black Eye II
• Active 4-band - Venus X

And on that note, I decided Venus X has enough going on that it deserves a simple user's manual as a reference. I already shipped the ones that were ordered, so for those that already ordered one I'll email it to you when it's done, and I'll also post a PDF of it on the product page for reference.

 

[4Mal]

Have we had a review of Venus X yet ?

 

[CoachEvan]

I use a couple on different things:

• Fender/Marshall/Vox TMB - Underground Accelerator, JC Emerald, Dreamcatcher
• Hiwatt TMB - Dr. Wattson, Elementary, Detective
• "James" TB - Slampegg Bee Pre, Lab Rat, Black Eye II
• Active 4-band - Venus X

And on that note, I decided Venus X has enough going on that it deserves a simple user's manual as a reference. I already shipped the ones that were ordered, so for those that already ordered one I'll email it to you when it's done, and I'll also post a PDF of it on the product page for reference.

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For your Fender tone stacks (Dreamcatcher), is flat 2-10-2 or 0-10-0?

 

[jbybj]

For your Fender tone stacks (Dreamcatcher), is flat 2-10-2 or 0-10-0?

It depends on one’s caffeine, cocaine, alcohol consumption.

 

[Sushi Box FX]

Have we had a review of Venus X yet ?

Not a formal one, but people are promising me videos. On a more local (if "local" means anything on the internet) note, @FronTowardEnemy has my personal Venus X and will be trying it out and passing along some comments. I understand $500 is a solid chunk of change for something you can't go down to the local store and try out first, and I've had a number of people explicitly say they're very interested but hesitant to pull the trigger until they hear more reviews/demos/videos first. I get it, and I'm working on it.

For your Fender tone stacks (Dreamcatcher), is flat 2-10-2 or 0-10-0?

Flat is 0-10-0 on the Fender stacks I use. Personally I favor more of a scoop, 5-10-5 is my go-to, but taste is subjective.

 

[Hasty]

And the underlying method applied to these adjustments. Not all Treble, Mids, Bass, are equal.

Truth.

I figure someone will eventually do the deep dive into the whole filter/eq/tonestack discussion but he didn’t ask that so I opted for brevity.

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

Not a formal one, but people are promising me videos. On a more local (if "local" means anything on the internet) note, @FronTowardEnemy has my personal Venus X and will be trying it out and passing along some comments. I understand $500 is a solid chunk of change for something you can't go down to the local store and try out first, and I've had a number of people explicitly say they're very interested but hesitant to pull the trigger until they hear more reviews/demos/videos first. I get it, and I'm working on it.


Flat is 0-10-0 on the Fender stacks I use. Personally I favor more of a scoop, 5-10-5 is my go-to, but taste is subjective.

I can say so far the Venus X is going to my next church gig. Being able to toggle between the clean and boost work great for worship songs. It also has a tight more modern sound to it to me. And the build quality that @Sushi Box FX puts in place is great. A very beautifully well made pice of gear.

On another note, I had a chance to gig the Grand Slampegg with my tribute band today. All I can say is that when this pedal goes into production I will purchase one.
It is very tight and punchy with a tube compression that is very even. Sounded great through my IEM’s too.

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

So I setup the Venus X at the end of my board and dialed in two useful tones off of each channel. I will be using this setup for a church gig next Sunday. Should work perfectly.

I am only running through the Becos, TC Impulse (personal tastes), and Broughton HPF at minimal setting, everything else is bypassed.

 

[Sushi Box FX]

So I setup the Venus X at the end of my board and dialed in two useful tones off of each channel. I will be using this setup for a church gig next Sunday. Should work perfectly.

I am only running through the Becos, TC Impulse (personal tastes), and Broughton HPF at minimal setting, everything else is bypassed.
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Have you played with the cabsim on the Venus X at all? I know it isn't something everyone will use, but as always I like knowing what people think.

On an unrelated note I finished up the Finally builds and I have 5 in-stock and ready to go.

 

[4Mal]

Grand Slammpegg ?

 

[Sushi Box FX]

Grand Slammpegg ?

That's the Slampegg Bee Pre with a 6SL7 tube (used in the original B-15N) instead of a 12AX7.

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

Have you played with the cabsim on the Venus X at all? I know it isn't something everyone will use, but as always I like knowing what people think.

On an unrelated note I finished up the Finally builds and I have 5 in-stock and ready to go.

Yes I have. The cab sim is not my particular flavor and I wasn’t able to get a tone I was happy with while using it. I was only going DI out, but I noticed that even while bypassed the cab sim was still present. Cab sims are tricky, it’s a very personal preference.

I am using the TC Impulse with a Celestion/Bergantino 210x112 cab sim paired with the Venus X and it sounds fantastic. I am getting a very clear and present bass tone out of it. Perfect for an IEM mix.

And as always, my go to bass for the past 5 months has been a Fender AV 58 P bass, just for reference.

 

[Sushi Box FX]

Yes I have. The cab sim is not my particular flavor and I wasn’t able to get a tone I was happy with while using it. I was only going DI out, but I noticed that even while bypassed the cab sim was still present. Cab sims are tricky, it’s a very personal preference.

I am using the TC Impulse with a Celestion/Bergantino 210x112 cab sim paired with the Venus X and it sounds fantastic. I am getting a very clear and present bass tone out of it. Perfect for an IEM mix.

And as always, my go to bass for the past 5 months has been a Fender AV 58 P bass, just for reference.

Duly noted, it is a 4x10 cabsim which I know isn't everyone's cup of tea. And yes, the IR stays on through the D.I. output even when the preamp is bypassed. It was the only way I could think of to have the 1/4" output be preamp only with no cabsim but still allow the XLR output the option to be a passive D.I. I made sure to note that on the user's manual, which is currently linked on the Venus X product page.

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[voodooproducer]

Does the UA provide mild overdrive? Or is it squeaky clean at all settings?

 

[Sushi Box FX]

Does the UA provide mild overdrive? Or is it squeaky clean at all settings?

With a 12AX7 installed it can get into mild overdrive territory. With a lower gain tube installed like a 12AU7 it can run squeaky clean.

 

[lomo]

Does the UA provide mild overdrive? Or is it squeaky clean at all settings?

IME the UA can run very clean (but warm) even with a stock 12ax7 tube as long as the bass output/volume is controlled. It provides the full range from very clean/warm all the way through rather heavy OD with a 12ax7. If you sub a tube with lower gain like a 12at7 or au7, it shifts the whole range "to the left" (from completely clean to only mild OD). It's a remarkably versatile pedal.

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

Duly noted, it is a 4x10 cabsim which I know isn't everyone's cup of tea. And yes, the IR stays on through the D.I. output even when the preamp is bypassed. It was the only way I could think of to have the 1/4" output be preamp only with no cabsim but still allow the XLR output the option to be a passive D.I. I made sure to note that on the user's manual, which is currently linked on the Venus X product page.

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Right on. I failed to mention that the Venus X sounds great to my ears without any IR’s loaded at all.

 

[voodooproducer]

Do I put the UA after or before my diamond comp?

 

[bassbrad]

Do I put the UA after or before my diamond comp?

Either way will work as long as you keep gain staging in mind, it depends on which sound or feel you prefer. Most will prefer the Diamond comp first.