Revelation Tube Pre with Fractal-FX III

Jeff Valentine · From: Colorado Springs, USA

Hello,

I’ve been trying to use my Revelation Tube Preamp with my Fractal-FX III and keep having distortion issues. My volume pedal is a Telonics FP-100A, and my speaker is a TC Furlong closed back speakers that I’m fairly sure aren’t built anymore. I’m following Brad Sarno’s connection recommendations from the Rev manual, but am getting distortion on the delay effects, as well as in the louder volumes regardless how I change the gain structure. The Rev has a Master volume as well as the Gain control, and the Fractal has an output control as well. Even the speaker has a small level control on the back…. The Fractal is set to +4 instead of -10 on the output, which actually seems to be less of a problem then -10. It really seems to be related to how far I engage the VP regardless of the actual output volume. Thoughts?

Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

Thoughts...

+4dB is the correct I/O setting for your effects unit with the Rev Pre, so that's not the problem

You don't clarify if you are looping the VP via the designed I/O or are running the VP between the guitar and the Pre, or if your TC Furlongs are powered, or if there is any input gain control on your power amp, all important to know when chasing distortion. It's all about gain stages inside the preamp and from device to device, and there are adjustments to be made to get things right.

I tend to pick notes with my VP about 1/3 to 1/2 of the way up, very rarely much higher. This yields tone and sustain and keeps the single-coil hum down. I usually "Y" the outputs of the Rev Pre into the power amp input (effects return) of a combo amp, although I also have a stereo power amp that can drive passive speakers in stereo.

The settings in this photo are from yesterday, my Zum into the Rev Pre using the pickup isolating vari-Z before looping the signal through the VP, and feeding the Pre's "Y"d outputs into the effects return of my stock TT12. The PCM 60 input level is set right in the middle, and just fires the yellow lights when I pick with positivity, i.e. my "nominal" level.

Jeff Valentine · From: Colorado Springs, USA

Thanks for your thoughts. I use the routing options suggested by Brad Sarno. (Guitar-Rev input-pedal input-Rev return, then the FX send from the Rev to the Left input of the Fractal. After that the Left output of the Fractal goes back to the Rev FX return and then the output to the powered TC speaker.

Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

Great, so the easy way to do this is

1) set the effects unit's input knob straight up

2) adjust the Rev Sensitivity so that the effects inputs lights are just below max at your comfortable VP position. This sets the first stage of the pre to a more-or-less standard line level for what follows.

3) bring up your Master to the desired volume with the VP in your starting place. If it's still distorting back off the Sensitivity and bring up the Master to compensate. Likewise if it's NOT distorting you can increase the Sensitivity a bit while backing off the Master.

4) bring up your Effects Return to the desired mix. If it is cranked and still inadequate turn up the effects unit input.
Bear in mind that changing the Sensitivity changes the effects unit input, so there's the dance.

5) if still no joy PM me and we will get it sorted.

Jeff Valentine · From: Colorado Springs, USA

Dave,

I’ll follow those directions and will report back. There’s no input knob on the Fractal, but it’s in the Setup I/O menu on the unit. I’m fairly sure its default is straight up, or noon. Thanks!

-Jeff

mtulbert · From: Plano, Texas 75023

Sent you a pm
_________________
Mark T

Infinity D-10 Justice SD-10 Judge Revelation Octal Preamp, Fractal AXE III, Fender FRFR 12

Jeff Valentine · From: Colorado Springs, USA

Thanks to Dave and Mark for helping me track down the issue! I think I’ve gotten the gain structure sorted out, and the rig sounds great!

Thanks again, Jeff

Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

Excellent!

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