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Post by andybutler on Mar 9, 2009 11:15:59 GMT
Currently I'm looking at the Lexicon MXP1, or maybe TC Electronics Fireworx as a post processor for 2 EDPs.
What I really want is to have the option to treat each edp seperately (or as stereo pair as usual).
Those 2 devices have good routing options which would be able to pan the 2 edps as required.
Needs
1) two inputs can be be panned/treated seperately, or together
2) filters and tremolo synced to midi clock
3) Must be ways to "stereoise" both inputs individually, with delays.
4) Output on XLRs
Much prefer
1) 1U rack mount
Likes
1) hmm, reverb can be nice
2) addition unbalanced line out for recording
3) light weight
4) "Nick Robinson" style price.
5) good flanger
6) a delay of 5s for additional loop texture
Any suggestions?
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Post by nick robinson on Mar 13, 2009 22:34:54 GMT
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Post by andybutler on Mar 14, 2009 18:24:37 GMT
Cheers Nick,
how do you rate the sound quality of the Quadra ?
Got some bad reviews on Harmony Central.
Just about to check the manual.
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Post by Stephen Scott on Mar 15, 2009 14:48:19 GMT
Nick's suggestion of the Alesis also made me think of the Digitech Studio Quad V2. It doesn't tick all of your boxes Andy (O/Ps on jacks only), but does have 4 ins and 4 outs which can be routed in a variety of ways, including the ability to treat each EDP independently or as a stereo pair (all internally programmable, so no re-patching needed). The effects quality is generally OK, but not great. Best are the modulation fx (phasers, flangers, choruses). Delays are pretty good too, although only 1.4sec max time, have some really good multitap effects. Good compressors. Reverbs aren't too terrible, although a bit more coloured than I'd like. there are lots of different variations of each effect, and they are highly tweakable. One of the best features is the use of modifiers (each effect has up to 8), which allow dynamic, LFO or Midi CC to control just about any parameter. So, for instance, you can use the amplitude of a guitar signal to modulate the delay time of an echo. Or, some interesting sustained reverb effects are possible by combining input amplitude envelope with reverb and compression. I'm not using mine much at the moment, it's just taking up 1U of rack space, so if you'd like to borrow it for a while Andy, let me know. |
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Post by nick robinson on Mar 15, 2009 22:16:12 GMT
Cheers Nick, how do you rate the sound quality of the Quadra ? I've used it on & off for about 8 years and have no major criticisms at all. |
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Post by andybutler on Mar 16, 2009 10:28:15 GMT
Yep,
and did we mention the price ?
Sadly, tho' It seems not to be able to do what I need,
at least from my understanding of the manual.
I'd like to process both channels from mono to stereo independently onto one stereo bus with XLR output.
i.e. I could trem one channel and not the other, but then wouldn't be able to pan the channels without a mixer.
It seems there's an autopan fx, but not a pan.
Thanks for the suggestion tho', much appreciated.
Maybe someone ought to bid a tenner on it just foir the hell of it.
Meanwhile, the LDers suggest TC Fireworx or Nord Modular G2 Engine, both capable of serious processing to the bank account.
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Post by nick robinson on Mar 17, 2009 22:38:53 GMT
I'd like to process both channels from mono to stereo independently onto one stereo bus with XLR output. the quadra has a 4 mono channels mode, with each input processed separately and sent to one of 4 outputs, but I suspect that's not what you want. |
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Sjaak
Melos Echo Chamber
Posts: 13
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Post by Sjaak on Mar 18, 2009 15:45:34 GMT
Meanwhile, the LDers suggest TC Fireworx or Nord Modular G2 Engine, both capable of serious processing to the bank account. Hi Andy, already made a decision? I have been testing with the Fireworx for a couple of days, and although it's almost 10 year technology, it still sounds very good. Maybe a little pricey. Regarding the Clavia Nord Modular G2: it works in a similar way as Bidule, it's offers many many synth, midi and FX processors you patch with virtual cables. But you need a PC or Mac client to program it and be aware that the G2 is out of production since a couple of months. Tip: I remember there is good Lexicon Vortex patch for the G2, and since you are a Vortex fan...  |
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Post by andybutler on Mar 18, 2009 19:35:09 GMT
Hi Andy, already made a decision? I have been testing with the Fireworx for a couple of days, and although it's almost 10 year technology, it still sounds very good. Maybe a little pricey. Yep, it looks a nice unit. Per say's there's a latency issue with the fx loop, so I figure there must be half that latency just running through it. ...and I'm much less latency tolerant than Per. If it was possible to effectively put the vortex/edp setup in the fx loop of the Fireworx then that would be ultra tempting ;-) Regarding the Clavia Nord Modular G2, you need a PC or Mac client to program . Tip: I remember there is good Lexicon Vortex patch for the G2, Bet that was Claude Voit. I'm pretty certain no-one programmed a full blown Vortex Morph yet, but the G2 looks capable. With it's low level o/p on jacks it's not within my specs, but it does look incredibly versatile. ..but basically both these are somewhat overkill for what I want, of course that has it's own attractions, but really the idea was to replace my behriger rack mixer with something that would mix 2 into 2 XLR balanced outputs, with options on a bit of filtering and slicing, and a bit of stereoizing with delays. So I dunnow, probably the MXP1, but even that's a little bit more spend than I hoped. |
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Post by andybutler on Mar 19, 2009 13:42:21 GMT
the Digitech Studio Quad V2. It doesn't tick all of your boxes Andy (O/Ps on jacks only), but does have 4 ins and 4 outs which can be routed in a variety of ways, including the ability to treat each EDP independently or as a stereo pair (all internally programmable, so no re-patching needed). thanks for the very kind offer Stephen. Sorry for not replying earlier, but you can imagine how excited I got when Nick mentioned gear "for a tenner". From the manual, I can't see a way to take 2 mono signals and "convert" them both to stereo. Worse than that, I really need to go from straight thru stereo to this dual sterioized monos without a drop out in sound. In the "under £500 " bracket that seems to just leave the Lex MPX1, and the seemingly unavailable Lex MPX G2. XLR outs are really handy, for either going straight to the JBLs, or being able to tell a sound engineer at a gig that you have your own DI box. |
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Post by nick robinson on Mar 20, 2009 10:54:29 GMT
From the manual, I can't see a way to take 2 mono signals and "convert" them both to stereo. Bit left field, but why not just use two identical units? The zoom 1201s go for around 20 quid and have an amazing range. Doubled up units allus look real cool in a rack  |
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Sjaak
Melos Echo Chamber
Posts: 13
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Post by Sjaak on Mar 20, 2009 14:07:19 GMT
..but basically both these are somewhat overkill for what I want, of course that has it's own attractions, but really the idea was to replace my behriger rack mixer with something that would mix 2 into 2 XLR balanced outputs, with options on a bit of filtering and slicing, and a bit of stereoizing with delays. Until recently I had a DBX 215 EQ and DBX 166XL compressor in my rack. Both have balanced 2 x 6.3mm jacks and 2x XLR outputs. I plugged the jacks into my stage monitor and the XLR into stage block for the FOH PA. Never used a DI, works well |
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Post by andybutler on Mar 21, 2009 9:31:20 GMT
From the manual, I can't see a way to take 2 mono signals and "convert" them both to stereo. Bit left field, but why not just use two identical units? The zoom 1201s go for around 20 quid and have an amazing range. Doubled up units allus look real cool in a rack hmm, just realised my original idea doesn't work, because my live playing would be going through the EDP and get the post process. (might still be workable....not sure) So I have to keep the mixer (Behringer ultralink mixer/splitter) in the setup. I like the 1201, it's got nice autofilters and 3s stereo delay (i think), but no midi and the reverbs are rank. but I like the 2 devices idea, wouldn't have to be the same device. It seems that only the higher end gear offers panning, as opposed to autopanning, and that's was a big part of what I was after, but looks like I'll be panning with the mixer. For now, it's back to the drawing board to work out what routings are possible with the Ultralink, but as the ultralink provides the XLR out, that no longer becomes a requirement for the processor. |
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Post by andybutler on Mar 21, 2009 9:35:52 GMT
Until recently I had a DBX 215 EQ and DBX 166XL compressor in my rack. Both have balanced 2 x 6.3mm jacks and 2x XLR outputs. I plugged the jacks into my stage monitor and the XLR into stage block for the FOH PA. Never used a DI, works well works well if you tell the sound engineer that you have your own DI, reduces their anxiety, and they never have to know it's actually a differnt device with compatible output. |
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Post by Stephen Scott on Mar 21, 2009 13:58:43 GMT
After a disastrous boating trip (boat capsized, Me and Mrs S fell in, got wet and muddy, broke boat getting it out of water, then had to drive home, inside of car ruined, etc) tried to cheer myself up by messing around with the Digitech Quad V2.
Andy, it is possible to route things the way you need, so you can have (1) EDPs straight through uneffected, each can be panned anywhere you like in the stereo field, (2) Each EDP can be effected separately (max. 2 effects each at any one time). The effect from each EDP can be panned anywhere in the stereo field, or 'proper' stereo (ie stereo reverb, ping-pong delay, stereo flanger), or (3) The stereo pair of EDPs can be effected as a single stereo input (max 4 FX at any one time, and each EDP dry OP can be positioned where you like in the stereo field).
The flangers, choruses, phasers, trems are nice.
BUT (like I said before);
1. The max. delay time is only 1.4 secs,
2. There is no filter as such (however, the phaser can be made to sound a bit filtery. Also, you can use the LFOs to sweep any number of frequency bands of the parametric EQ to have a similar effect),
3. The reverbs are not the best in the world (but some aren't bad),
4. No XLR outs (but does have balanced TRS 1/4" jack OPs).
5. Unlikley to nab one for a Nick Robinson price.
Anyway, I have programmed a few examples, so you can borrow it, or pop round and try it out.
S
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