Clean to Mean Rack Tones 12/27/25

[mentoneman]

Oh, they could easily do it. I am just not sure if they have a design team anymore.

they seem to kick out studio products fairly regularly. and they went from pirated products with knobs that fell off if you looked at them funny to making things that actually sound good.
the first time i heard the new at the time X32 console in person i was blown away. my friend was mixing my son’s band at a live show and sitting with him at the FOH the sound was punchy and clean.

 

[mentoneman]

I'll be "that guy" and say that the reissues they're doing aren't quite the same as the actual units. Gets close, for sure. Could be a case of horseshoes and hand grenades, depending on how much you want to pursue the sounds of the exact units.

i’ll agree to that, and the danger of losing the true impact of what made the original device brilliant i.e.
“i don’t know what all the hype was about—this (reissue) thing isn’t all that”

but even guys who chase the real TSC may not be aware of the differences in sound between the dyno-my-piano/dytronics era units, a unit that is out of spec, etc.

i’m just grateful to have been part of the generation that experienced this technology as it emerged.

 

[Shask]

I'll be "that guy" and say that the reissues they're doing aren't quite the same as the actual units. Gets close, for sure. Could be a case of horseshoes and hand grenades, depending on how much you want to pursue the sounds of the exact units.

Honestly, it is probably the best you can do these days. A lot of the original parts are no longer made, so it is probably impossible to make a 100% 1 for 1 copy.

That being said, I love the 2290p pedal. I think it sounds great. I just hope it doesn't fall apart and I wish they did more software development.

 

[Anje]

Yes, you have to invest in & take the time to get a proper original unit "X" in good condition and any reissue / recreation / continuation / inspired by... of that "X" to really assess what it's all about, and if the new stuff is living up to the old originals "for you".

I have to say in general there a very few "reissue" of anything that really are on par with their original units; especially when we are talking about very particular pieces of electronic gear that were initially designed and built around old obsolete tech & related parts.

 

[Jakem]

What are You all using to split the signal to stereo? Would be cool to have stereo input available for the eclipse. I have a 2290p, Boss Waza Dimension C (both are instrument level) and an old TCE G-Major. The TERC seller did not eventually want to sell it so my idea of splitting the signal to stereo with it got crushed.

 

[Jakem]

What are You all using to split the signal to stereo? Would be cool to have stereo input available for the eclipse. I have a 2290p, Boss Waza Dimension C (both are instrument level) and an old TCE G-Major. The TERC seller did not eventually want to sell it so my idea of splitting the signal to stereo with it got crushed.

Answering myself; maybe I can use the compressor and chorus from the G-Major for now.

 

[Code001]

If you're okay with a 2u chorus, and the gain reduction that happens when it's engaged, that BBD-320 is impressively good for that Dim D kind of effect. It's so stupid cheap...

 

[Jakem]

If you're okay with a 2u chorus, and the gain reduction that happens when it's engaged, that BBD-320 is impressively good for that Dim D kind of effect. It's so stupid cheap...

BBD-320 is sold out from whole Europe.

 

[Shask]

What are You all using to split the signal to stereo? Would be cool to have stereo input available for the eclipse. I have a 2290p, Boss Waza Dimension C (both are instrument level) and an old TCE G-Major. The TERC seller did not eventually want to sell it so my idea of splitting the signal to stereo with it got crushed.

I have used several things. Samson SM-10, MXR 10 band EQ, splitter buffer pedal, Intellifex, etc.....

 

[mentoneman]

If you're okay with a 2u chorus, and the gain reduction that happens when it's engaged, that BBD-320 is impressively good for that Dim D kind of effect. It's so stupid cheap...

that gets back into the question of what chorus sound are you chasing.

on a preamp question,
do you ever use channel 2 on your X88 or CAE preamps.

i don’t think i’ve never heard a great demo of either of those preamps nor the fish producing cool in between tones that highlight channel 2. but if you or @Little B have any clips or links to such unicorns please share!

 

[Code001]

that gets back into the question of what chorus sound are you chasing.

on a preamp question,
do you ever use channel 2 on your X88 or CAE preamps.

i don’t think i’ve never heard a great demo of either of those preamps nor the fish producing cool in between tones that highlight channel 2. but if you or @Little B have any clips or links to such unicorns please share!

Dunno about the X88, but the X88IR absolutely gets great mid gain tones from Ch1 altered and Ch2. CAE also gets great tones from Ch2, but Ch2 is actually fairly high gain on it. Suhr's always tweaking the units, though, so it's gonna depend on the version. He even has a new mod for it that he just developed he's calling Thor.

Michael Nielsen actually spends quite a bit on Ch2 here in this vid:

 

[mentoneman]

I have used several things. Samson SM-10, MXR 10 band EQ, splitter buffer pedal, Intellifex, etc.....

if talking about specifically using a chorus to begin the stereo split for the typical CAE rack chorus chain, you could do a lot worse than an intellifex, but the tsc, ada std-1, or 1210 will always get top billing in that role due to their fabled sounds and analog qualities.

of those the 1210 probably has the best specs and cleanest pristine sound quality. i know the general rack world pines over recreating the TSC landau/huff sound, me included, but if i’m being super critical about the actual unit, the TSC is more along the lines of a beefed up trio of boss ce-2 pedals to me. better headroom and more complex interactions than just stuffing 3 pedals in a box, but sonically, not super high fidelity clear like 1210 nor anything totally mindblowing on its own.

for straight splitting duties, a used rane sm26 or the behringer equivalent are probably the most readily available.