Lets talk... Talk Boxes...

  • Thread starter Thread starter PhloridaMan
  • Start date Start date
PhloridaMan

PhloridaMan

Active member
I've seen the Dunlop Heil (i know JC uses it on the AIC stuff or at least did when I last saw them), MXR M222, Framptone Talk Box, Rocktron Banshee etc etc... What do you guys use?

I've never owned one and it's an effect I would like to start playing around with. I just think it would add a cool dimension to some of the simple solos that I do from time to time (I am more of a rhythm player) But every post I've read, people always think the one they have is THE BEST. Might be the same here but I thought I would ask and see what some of you think would be the best one to give a shot without wasting money...

Discuss :checkthisout:
 
I believe that the Rocktron is the only one that you don't need a dedicated amp to use it with.
 
The new MXR one is a simple answer as it offers it's own internal amp etc. Works in the chain like any other stomp. You'll still need a mic for it to go through the usual channels of recording - this isn't a "play friendly at home" effect. They're a downright pain in the ass for the most part.

 
I have the Rocktron Banshee. I had the Heil talk box years ago. For my current rig, Axe FX Ultra direct to FOH, I like the flexibility the Banshee gives me. With the dedicated preamp inside, I can run it in front of my axe fx. I'm not much of a fan of the banshee's preamp tone. So on the few patches I've used it, I run it from my Axe FX's FX send into the input. I then leave the Banshee on, and control whether its active/passive in my patch via a expression pedal as thats easier for me while playing/singing at the same time that it is to look down and reach to the far end of my pedalboard and push the button, while not disturbing my expression pedals. lol...

With the Heil, I liked the sound better, I ran it with a Marshall combo I had. Problem with that was two fold. 1) While it has a speaker input/output jack(s) that allow you to have it be placed between your amp and cab, its rated at 8ohms. So if you use anything other than an 8 ohm rated cab, it greats a mismatch. Also, for me to get the volume I liked through the tube of the talkbox, I had to crank the amp, which when I 'bypassed' the diaphram in the Heil, my stage volume was absurd. 2) If you dont have multiple amps, and can't deal with the issues from #1, then you need to provide a separate amp for the Heil. Given some of the guys rigs' here, not a problem, but when I got it as a xmas gift i was forced to use it in the #1 scenario and when I did get to buying another amp 2 years ago, the banshee made more sense from a flexibility standpoint.

I have the Banshee, I dont use it now, if you are interested in it, I'd be willing to part with it more than likely. PM me if your interested and we can work out a price.
 
I've been using the Rocktron Banshee extensively for the last 10-11 years...the first version. It's a great pedal and super easy to use and will give you the classic talk box sound without the potential of harming your amp. Check it out in the video in my sig...
 
I didn't realize it was such a pain in the ass to run a Talk Box... I figured it was just like any other effect pedal... Guess not...
 
Make your own, and put the driver into a wine bag. Much cooler than a box on the floor...

 
it's not so much a pain in the ass, just depends on your rig, ie: what kind of setup you play through. I do agree that the Banshee (version 1, is what I have as well) makes it pretty streamline if you want to run it before your signal chain. I guess you can put it wherever you want in your signal chain as you just 'stomp' it on/off as needed. The preamp is fine in it, and offers a gain/tone knobs to adjust it. I just prefer to use the preamps in my Axe fx to power the sound so thats why I run it through my FX Loop in the unit. I also can control the placement of it, and on some patches have a mix of regular guitar and talkbox or just either of them as needed. For a song like Man In The Box, I use a mix of both so my regular guitar comes through and my talkbox is on as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top