Dumbelator test clip

[Bob-I]

This clip is kinda fragmented, but there's a method to my madness.

I breadboarded a Dumbleator to see what effect it has on the overall tone. For these clips I'm running into an Alesis Microverb set on Large room #5. I then recorded using my Les Paul with Duncan's and the Peavey HRM transplant.

I recorded some chords and lick using each PU, starting in the middle position, then bridge then neck. I repeated with the Dumbleator.

For A/B comparison I copied and pasted first a short clip with no Dumbleator, then with the Dumbleator, change PU switch same thing.

0:00 to 0:04 middle position, no Dumbleator
to 0:10 same position w/Dumbleator
to 0:21 bridge PU no Dumbleator
to 0:37 bridge PU w/Dumbleator
to 0:54 neck PU no Dumbleator
to end neck w/Dumbleator

Speakers are 2x12 Celection G12H80's. Mike is an old SM-57 miking the top speaker off axis halfway between center and edge. Amp setting are

Gain 1 - 5
T M and B - 5
Gain 2 - 7
Presence - 3

Boost off, mid boost off, bright off.


I'll hold my comments until other folks leave theirs.

http://www.patmedia.net/bob-ingram/Dumbleator_test.mp3

[Tdale]

Not sure...

I think it sounds brighter with the Dumbleator. Also a bit more defined. More muddy withouth the Dumbleator

Not sure which sound I like better though....probably with the Dumbleator....maybe.....

Tommy

[BobW]

Bob, I like the clarity and tone of the dumbleator switched on. Seems brighter. I do have a dumb question though, since am not all that familiar w/dumbleator, where is it located in the amp signal? I assume it's between CL2 and OD1, as in the hybrid A preamp I/O chain? Sorry for the dumb question am just not that hip to the dumbleator.

[Bob-I]

Bob, I like the clarity and tone of the dumbleator switched on. Seems brighter. I do have a dumb question though, since am not all that familiar w/dumbleator, where is it located in the amp signal? I assume it's between CL2 and OD1, as in the hybrid A preamp I/O chain? Sorry for the dumb question am just not that hip to the dumbleator.

It's just before the PI.

[dogears]

The bridge pup nolator is way brighter than the :37 clip with it. Also, the phase changes and that does effect the tone. Hard to draw conclusions from these clips as you may need to change settings between clips to optimize each.

[Icetech]

Thats weird you guys hear it brighter with the ulator on it... to me that muddies it right up, but its a cool option.. i kinda like your amp without it though:) its almost like the ulator seems to be holding sound back... like sticking a filter in or something..

[dogears]

That's what I said..

Thats weird you guys hear it brighter with the ulator on it... to me that muddies it right up, but its a cool option.. i kinda like your amp without it though:) its almost like the ulator seems to be holding sound back... like sticking a filter in or something..

[Normster]

Listening through my computer speakers, the difference is pretty subtle. (Maybe more dramatic live?) Either way, that amp sounds great!

[Bob-I]

Responses.....

Dogears.... I'm not a big believer that the absolute phase makes much difference in a solo situation. In a band situation where guitarists are playing close together, both physically and harmonically, there's a bigger difference. Yes it's way brighter, in fact enough that I might increase Ck by a factor of 2, and maybe even up the coupling cap from .1 to .2 or even .5,

Icetech... In my little room the Dlator adds brightness, but I believe what you're hearing is related to your second comment about it "holding back" the amp. I sense that too, even more so with the 12AX7 I tried first. Right now I have a JAN Phillips 12AT7 which still has plenty of gain. I'm running both knobs at 50% and it's about unity.

TDale.. yes it's more defined and almost seems cleaner through the OD if that makes since. I agree it's different but I'm not sure it's better.

BobW ... The clarity seems better, but I'm not sure that's all good. Time will tell.


My feelings.....

When you can't hear at all on the clip is the reverb sound. With the Dlator it's FAR better. This little reverb is only fair, I just won a Midiverb III on ebay, $75. I'm hoping that this will tell me more of the story.

The amp feels more open and brighter, but again, I'm not sure this is better. I like the way it takes the mud out of the neck PU but it also seems to lose some of the bottom end. I like the neck PU for bluesy slide playing for that Derrick Trucks type tone but this seems to lose some of the warmth. Like Scott said, a few minor tweaks might do the trick, there's a bass know and I know how to use it

[Luthierwnc]

My sense is that the D-lator does the most for the clean side. It seems to open it up, let it breathe -- at least in the ones I have done. I played around with the settings and liked both the send and return on about 3 which is slightly more than parity in terms of volume. I may try a lower mu tube for comparison's sake and get more choices through the sweep. It is especially nice that it doesn't seem to compound the OD to unuseable levels.

I hadn't considered Dogears' phase observation but I haven't played it live yet either. One of the Dumbleators is in a Reverb-o-loop stand-alone and the other is an extra tube in the current, low-power build. I do agree that the bright switches aren't much help. The D-lator is basically an extension of the amp rather than an effect. I leave it on all the time. If anyone is running a rack or pedal board, I'd like to hear your take on settings and switching.

As far as enclosures go, there is a stainless steel paper towel dispenser in the can that would be perfect. I wonder if they'll miss it? sh

[Bob-I]

As far as enclosures go, there is a stainless steel paper towel dispenser in the can that would be perfect. I wonder if they'll miss it? sh

Damn, can you bail me out of jail, I got caught.


I just bought a 1U rack chassis for $30 on ebay, that should do the job just fine when a torid xformer.

[BobW]

BobW ....... but I'm not sure that's all good. Time will tell.

Never said that, was only stating I liked the dumbleator switched IN, it added more clarity, IMO.

[skyboltone]

Bob: I notice that you used a different LNFB network on your layout than in the only scheme I've seen. The scheme uses 10M resistors. There may be other changes, I haven't looked that close yet. Is this change from experience? Does the switch change things enough to leave it switchable?

Next, if this is built stand alone, what would the box look like? Does it sit on top of the amp? I've got a 240-0-240 40ma transformer with filament taps that would work real well here.

Dan