Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: pierreyves on August 08, 2011, 06:23:07 AM

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: pierreyves on August 08, 2011, 06:23:07 AM

Hi everybody, I just bought this unit and I'm very curious to know how it's sound.
Mark King use a serie II wich not sound as a serie II standard. Possible he used the SF-2 ? Somebody know ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93VqyeUz8Z8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93VqyeUz8Z8)
Thanks for your help.

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: terryc on August 08, 2011, 07:48:08 AM

Mark King used old Yamaha E1010 analogue chorus/delay rack units to get that 'round type sound', also everything on the bass was turned up full(max filters, CVQ etc) and he uses 90 gauge strings which are very light.
His amps at the time were Trace Elliot valve pre amps with 12 band graphic although he did move over to Ashdown later on(same engineer who worked at TE)Cabs were usually 4 x 10's or 2 x 12's with HF horns.
Why do I know all this???...I was a great fan of his playing many years ago..still am I suppose.

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: pierreyves on August 10, 2011, 05:42:59 PM

Thanks Terry, anyone else could have some sounds sample of the F1-X and how use it ? I know I can use as preamp but nothing else. Mica will send me the manual as soon as she can but now, I don't know how use it, just try and listen...

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: jazzyvee on August 11, 2011, 11:39:34 AM

Hi Pierre I have sent you an email with the  pdf of the F1-x manual.
 
Jazzyvee

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: pierreyves on August 11, 2011, 11:45:55 AM

Jazzy, my Jazzy......the title is SF-2 sounds sample...

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: jazzyvee on August 11, 2011, 01:10:46 PM

aaah.
 
 
Jazzyvee

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: pauldo on August 11, 2011, 04:15:33 PM

Harry had a post somewhere that had links to SF-2 versus non SF-2 recordings. . . .

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: pierreyves on August 12, 2011, 12:35:09 AM

is this one ?
http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/72161.html (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=1266)
I cannot ear a big difference because im listening on my laptop. Thanks for you help.

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: jacko on August 12, 2011, 07:07:01 AM

As much as I've always like Mark King's playing (and I've seen level 42 several times - I really am a fan), his slap solos have always sounded the same to me regardless of what bass or amps he's used.
(then again, most slapping sounds the same to me regardless of the player - Marcus miller excepted!)
 
Graeme

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: hieronymous on August 12, 2011, 09:51:59 PM

Pierre-Yves, the one you link is one, here is another: http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/85772.html?1284337856 (http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/85772.html?1284337856 target=_blank)
 
There are samples of the bass before and after SF-2 application. In low-pass mode it can bring out some really deep bass, and high-pass mode can add sparkle or even just highs that you thought were missing. I've also used it in band-pass mode to bring out some mids when using flatwounds.
 
I usually run in mono, which actually allows you to mix together 3 signals - the original + both filters, which I think is what I did, though I might have just been running the original track with one of the filters in low-pass to bring out the low end. And don't forget, the final mix can be heard at soundcloud: initial android avarice (http://soundcloud.com/hieronymous-seven/initial-android-avarice target=_blank) (I thought it was the final mix but I just played it for the drummer and he wants me to add some reverb to the snare...)

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: pierreyves on August 13, 2011, 01:41:46 AM

ok it's difficult to find some difference on a lap top. I listen more relief with SF-2, it depend how you play too. I will try my SF-2 in one week, after my vacation. Thanks a lot for your help

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: pierreyves on August 18, 2011, 02:46:25 PM

I try this unit tonight.... difficult to use, difficult to understand... just to use without manual... what may I would use ?  
What difference between HI-BAND-LOW ? Between hi and low I can understand but band ??
How use filter gain, direct gain ? If I put filter gain to 0 it's mean I don't have filter effect ?

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: hydrargyrum on August 18, 2011, 02:58:22 PM

Band refers to band pass, as opposed to hi pass or low pass.  These are all different varieties of filters.  Band allows a range of middle frequencies to be heard, while eliminating frequencies above or below that range.  You are correct, direct gain is the unaltered signal, and it can be blended with the filtered sound, or completely eliminated so that only the filtered sound is heard depending on the levels you set.

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: pierreyves on August 18, 2011, 04:39:32 PM

Woww... Thanks to you all, specially Harry & Kevin !
I hope it will help me next week I will use it.

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: pierreyves on August 23, 2011, 03:23:17 PM

another question: I read on the faq that SF-2 need from 10 to 17 Voltage. What may I put exactly ?
I can buy one alimentation who give 12 or 18, 12 would be work fine ?

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: pierreyves on August 24, 2011, 01:09:26 AM

Hallo ? other question please: what alimentation rackable as T-Rex fuel tank may I use... I cant find in Europe with positive center contact of the connector !!!! All are center negative ....
Thanks for your help

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: adriaan on August 24, 2011, 10:04:09 AM

Alecto NA 312 has a polarity switch, but it's no longer available, and the current models no longer have a polarity switch.
 
You'll have to find a good old-fashioned electronics shop! (They do survive.)

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: pierreyves on August 24, 2011, 10:22:14 AM

Thanks Adriaan, but I'm speaking about rackable powersupply as the Fuel Tank by T-REX wich can supply more than 5 units.
 
http://t-rex-effects.com/Default.aspx?ID=2&ProductID=PROD249&VariantID= (http://t-rex-effects.com/Default.aspx?ID=2&ProductID=PROD249&VariantID=)
 
Why Alembic decided this curious kind of choice ?

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: keith_h on August 24, 2011, 10:31:56 AM

The positive center connector makes perfect sense. By having the negative connector on the outside you eliminate the possibility of a short circuit in the event the connector accidentally touches the case (i.e. ground). Here in the States you can buy plug adapters at Radio Shack that will match the power supply connector type and polarity to the equipment.  
 
Keith

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: adriaan on August 24, 2011, 10:35:02 AM

I thought you were joking about the dinosaur - but that model is clearly designed specifically for T-Rex stompboxes, not as a universal power supply.

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: pierreyves on August 24, 2011, 10:57:49 AM

no no T-REX is for all kind of pedal, not only T-REX products.
I was speaking about these:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/search_dir.html?xsid=ded3132388ffdd9d528788bf54c8d510&sw=alimentation+&x=8&y=7 (http://www.thomann.de/gb/search_dir.html?xsid=ded3132388ffdd9d528788bf54c8d510&sw=alimentation+&x=8&y=7)
 
In fact, I could not find what I need, I must resolve me to get the powersupply original system.
I can find a lot of powersupply on this website, include positive center !
 
If somebody know a sort of T-REX or Vodoo system with positive center, please write here.

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: pierreyves on August 24, 2011, 02:26:40 PM

here is a complete page about powersupply...
http://stinkfoot.se/archives/808 (http://stinkfoot.se/archives/808)
but I have a lot of difficulties to find what I need...

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: adriaan on August 24, 2011, 11:11:36 PM

The Thomann page lists several models that offer switchable polarity or switchable polarization (they must be using an on-line translator) like the G Lab PB-1 (http://www.thomann.de/gb/g_lab_pb1_power_supply.htm target=_blank) that has 8 outputs, 2 of which can be switched.

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: pierreyves on August 24, 2011, 11:17:13 PM

Yes Adriaan, but they are only 9V... and the SF-2 require more... I will write to Thomann; I think it will be easier.

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: pierreyves on August 24, 2011, 11:33:37 PM

I found this:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/t_rex_dc_polarity_invers.htm (http://www.thomann.de/gb/t_rex_dc_polarity_invers.htm)
it could be a good solution !!
What is the ideal voltage for SF-2 ? What for Mamp ?

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: hieronymous on December 02, 2011, 12:59:19 PM

Instead of starting a new thread, I thought I would post this here - I used my SF-2 on a recording. During a rehearsal I recorded my bass direct into a Tascam recorder, taking the signal from my tuner. The entire performance was also recorded in multi-track. So at the end, I took an audio send out of the board and recorded the performance with my Tascam. The mix was being tweaked as it was recorded, so you can hear it change through the track. Also, the cable wasn't in very good shape, so there's some noise that is what inspired me to switch back and forth from the full band to the solo bass.
 
As far as the SF-2, at the beginning I just added in some deep bass frequencies because the direct recording of my bass was pre-EQ on the DI. At about 1:00 minute you can hear where I used the high-pass filter because the two bass tracks were a little out of phase so the bass freqs were getting cancelled. Then you can hear me sweep the frequency down, then back up when the band comes back in.
 
Here's the track: Filter Valley (http://soundcloud.com/hieronymous-seven/filter-valley target=_blank)
 
I almost forgot to give the other info on gear: it's my 1976 Rickenbacker 4001 through a 3Leaf GR2 envelope filter and Fulltone Bass Drive distortion.

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: edwin on December 02, 2011, 07:46:00 PM

Dude, you are a maniac!

Title: SF-2 sounds example
Post by: hieronymous on December 03, 2011, 02:58:41 PM

Must have been the graphite pick pushed me over the edge! ;)