MOTM

In a message dated 3/23/2000 7:34:58 PM, revtor@... writes:

>Has anyone built Paias 
>hotspring reverb?  Any comments on any nice sounding spring reverbs out
>there?  Ive also heard that a spring reverb shouldn't be solidly mounted
>but 
>suspended so the feedback stays undercontrol.  This makes sense, has anyone
>played with this, ala old fender amps?  

Yes! I have two (for stereo) of the old Hot Springs kits behind a 1U rack 
panel. Because of the wacky phase reversal stuff going on, there actually is 
a fair amount of high end info present at the output (compared to say the 
2600 or most spring reverbs -- so this may not be what you're looking for if 
you want a classic guitar style reverb sound). I like the sound of them 
(bought them over 10 years ago when digital was not really an affordable 
option) but they might be kind of expensive comparatively at this time. I 
also like that cheesy old effect of physically hitting the case that holds 
the cans for that train wreck kind of sound.

I've never had problems with reverbs going into feedback in either guitar 
amps or the Hot Springs -- and believe me, I've tried! There was an 
interesting thread on the diy list some months back about electronic feedback 
(and the resultant chaotic effects) with certain modules. I believe it was 
Grant Richter who mentioned getting some wild sounds by plugging a reverb 
output back into its input (??!!!!!!) I haven't tried this, and I'd be very 
careful if I was to do some experiments like this. I think the idea of 
physically isolating the can from the amp cabinet or mixing desks has more to 
do with the physical transmission of vibrations (from the usual bumping and 
grinding that can happen on a stage or in a studio).

>Oh yeah   
>I hate to start this debate here but whould the (analog modular) sound
>be any 
>better through a tube amp as opposed to ...  un tube (transistor) amp?
>later

I won't enter into the tube/transistor debate (which do you like more) but 
the was also a thread (same diy list) about playing synths through musical 
instrument amplifiers and home stereo equipment. Since amplifiers (guitar 
specifically) are often known for particular "sounds," this could be another 
area of timbre experimentation -- especially if one were interested in 
getting particular guitar lead type sounds from a synth. Me? I just use an 
old (80s) receiver with all the loudness and tone as flat as I can get it, 
through some of those cheap Tannoy mini monitors -- which sound quite good 
for their size.

JB