Kleinulator owners

[Gitarrmongot]

Hi, just got my Kleinulator from Ceriatone. Anyone out there who's got one? What settings are you using? There seems to be some odd 'grasp' sound in mine and the effect loop is coming and going, could be a cable problem I will
check the signal chain tomorrow.

[bluesfendermanblues]

Does your model have serial/parallel option and if so, which one do you use?

[Gitarrmongot]

This one is serial. Maybe Mr. Kleinman himself could explain the different knobs? There where no manuals at all included.

[telechuck]

I don't think Klein will mind if I post. This is what he sent me and it made all the difference in the world on my rig.
.... Be sure your preamp out is connected to the Klein-ulator "INPUT" and the poweramp in is connected to the Klein-ulator "OUTPUT". Now connect the Klein-ulator's "SEND" into your effect's input. Connect "RETURN" to your effect's output.

To start, just connect your amplifier's preamp out (or FX Send, whatever you prefer to call it) to the Klein-ulator's "INPUT". Then connect your amplifier's poweramp in (or FX Return, again, whatever you prefer to call it) to the Klein-ulator's "OUTPUT". Do not connect anything to the Klein-ulator's FX loop (aka - "SEND" and "RETURN"). The Klein-ulator is wired so that it can function even without anything plugged into the "SEND" and "RETURN" jacks. This way, we will just focus on the Klein-ulator itself.

The way the unit works is as following:
- "SEND" is the volume sent from your amp to the effects in the Klein-ulator's loop. Up all the way is unity gain. To prevent the effects (or "RECOVERY" stage) from overloading, try setting it around 3:00. If you run your Master volume high (above 1:00) on your amp, you may need to turn "SEND" down lower. I like my MV at about 10:00-11:00 on my 50W non-HRM, and around 3:00 on "SEND" works great.

- "RETURN" is the volume coming back from your effects into the Klein-ulator. Unless your effects are REALLY hot, I recommend turning this all the way up (about 5:00). This will help retain more highs in your signal too, due to the decreased frequency roll off with the simulated Miller capacitance. This is just like the Dumble-ator. I think Jack liked this control lower because he was trying to lose a lot of highs in his amp.

- "RECOVERY" is a gain stage that is used to make up any lost volume from turning down the volume at "SEND" or "RETURN". It "recovers" volume, hence the name. You can also turn this control up to overdrive your amp's PI for a nice harmonic grit. With the previous settings, I use mine with the "RECOVERY" at about 1:30-2:00.

At this point, you should have similar volume levels as without the Klein-ulator. There should be no change in clean headroom. If you're getting more overdrive, turn the "RECOVERY" down, as you're probably overdriving the PI.

Regarding the highs, you should notice a subtle smoothing of the treble, which is 100% intentional. I built a tube clone of the Dumble-ator to have a benchmark to compare the unit to. The Dumble-ator colored the sound in a very pleasing way, and I designed my Klein-ulator to do the same.

[kleinm]

Hey, the behavior of that unit doesn't sound quite right. You might want to check your cables. To be honest, I'm not sure what sort of testing Nik is doing before he sends each unit out.

I'll PM you with a manual I just wrote for the Klein-ulator. Nik's going to be including these, or linking it on his site.

[dogears]

I'd like to add that the best settings I found for the send is an audio taper at 11 to 12 oclock. Not at 3.... That sounds bad to me.

I find that if you do, you need to run the return really low. Then the tone thins out.

[kleinm]

I'd like to add that the best settings I found for the send is an audio taper at 11 to 12 oclock. Not at 3.... That sounds bad to me.

I find that if you do, you need to run the return really low. Then the tone thins out.

Different design, dude!

While I agree with you on the Dumble-ator, you haven't tried a Klein-ulator (yet) to see how the settings perform best slightly higher (comparatively to the Dumble-ator) across the board.

To mimic my favorite settings on the Dumble-ator, the Send = 2:00-3:00, Return = max, Recovery = 2:00-3:00.

[Gitarrmongot]

Thanks everyone for a very detailed explanation. I have not had time to buy new cables today, but I'm pretty sure it's a cable

[Steven_nl]

Question:

I have the impression that the send has some influence on the sound. When you turn it past 3 o'clock there seems to be some added harmonics. Is it me? or could that be the case?

(I have ordered another Kleinulator to build into a 19 inch version). Easier to go to gigs if I stick it into my rack.

[kleinm]

Entirely possible. If you're not overloading your effects, you may be pushing the recovery stage into slight clipping, especially if you run your amp's MV quite high.

[Steven_nl]

Everything on 4 (Just like Larry C LOL). The G-Sharp doesn't overload. Level stays in green.

[dogears]

Whoops! In the tube loop, the return gain is probably greater so the settings are different. Me bad. I'd love to still try one btw....

I'd like to add that the best settings I found for the send is an audio taper at 11 to 12 oclock. Not at 3.... That sounds bad to me.

I find that if you do, you need to run the return really low. Then the tone thins out.

Different design, dude!

While I agree with you on the Dumble-ator, you haven't tried a Klein-ulator (yet) to see how the settings perform best slightly higher (comparatively to the Dumble-ator) across the board.

To mimic my favorite settings on the Dumble-ator, the Send = 2:00-3:00, Return = max, Recovery = 2:00-3:00.

[kleinm]

LOL! No prob.

That'd be awesome. I'll holler at you this week sometime.

Whoops! In the tube loop, the return gain is probably greater so the settings are different. Me bad. I'd love to still try one btw....

I'd like to add that the best settings I found for the send is an audio taper at 11 to 12 oclock. Not at 3.... That sounds bad to me.

I find that if you do, you need to run the return really low. Then the tone thins out.

Different design, dude!

While I agree with you on the Dumble-ator, you haven't tried a Klein-ulator (yet) to see how the settings perform best slightly higher (comparatively to the Dumble-ator) across the board.

To mimic my favorite settings on the Dumble-ator, the Send = 2:00-3:00, Return = max, Recovery = 2:00-3:00.

[Gitarrmongot]

Thanks for the manual Kleinm! Just read it, very informative. Couldn't wait for the local guitarshop to open, instead I started up my soldering iron and putted together some cables by myself. No problem now, it works perfectly.


I'm using it on a D'lite ODS kit which I putted together this spring. Wonderful amp, can't wait for next gig (on saturday) for really digging into the Kleinulator. Now I could use the fx loop!

[jakeddy]

Why wasn't the series /parrallel switch used on the production model?

Is this mod worth while?