MOTM

OK, I got one of these ART Levelars as a possible cop-out to not building my
own DIY tube wave-squashing distortion module.  I thought, well, if I
overdrive the thing, maybe it might be just the ticket.  In that respect, I
am not impressed.

So, here is a review, of some of the aspects I evaluated.  They in no way
dispute the usefulness thaty others have found for this device.  However,
they do confirm it is NOT what I was looking for.

The good news:

This thing interfaces with MOTM 10 volt p-p signals wonderfully.  The
compression works with 10 volt input and 10 volt volt output without
noticeable distortion.  In fact, I pushed the input voltage up to 25 volts
p-p trying to overdrive the input of the Levelar.  No such luck.  Amazing.

As a compressor / limiter, it seems to do a reasonable job.  However, the
controls leave a lot to be desired it you are looking for much "fast"
action.  But for more slow gentle compression, it seems fine.  And, the
input range for compression is VERY wide from -40 to +10 dB.

The bad news:

This is not in my opinion a really good device for that classic overdriven
sound.  The only way I could get any serious distortion of the wave was to
turn the output control on the Levelar all the way up.  Then the distrotion
of the waves had two significant problems for those desiring a tube
distortion sound:

1.  The wave clipping was just that - clipping.  No gentle bending like one
would expect when hitting the non linear ends of a tubes characteristic
curve.  It was much more harsh.  Looking at it on the scope it resembled
hitting the rail on an op or something.  Quite abrupt.

2.  DC offset.  For some reason, there is significant DC offset (almost a
volt) internal to the Levelar.  Therfore, when one does start getting
distortion from clipping, it is only on the positive going 1/2 of the cycle.
Even with 10 volt input, I could only get distortion on one side.  Now, with
the 25 volt input, I got lots of distortion (but again, from the output
stage, not from being overdriven by the input.

This review is not intended to dispute any of the fine thing others have
said about this unit.  For $79 it offers a wide range of compression options
including balanced ins and outs.  However, for gentle tube distortion, it is
the wrong tool IMHO.

So, there will still be a stooge designed tube distortion DIY circuit.  It
is about 4th thing on my list-of-stuff I want to mess with.  I am planning
to try to adhear to the MOTM format with all of the high voltage parts of
the circuit enclosed to keep it safe.  I am planning the power supply to be
a AC style wall wart.

Larry Hendry
(I am old enough to have studied tubes in school.  Trouble is I forgot most
of it.)

In a message dated 00-12-13 21:39:48 EST, you write:

<< So, there will still be a stooge designed tube distortion DIY circuit >>


larry,
have you looked at the metasonix hellfire modulator?  granted, a whole lot 
more than $79 but it may do the things you are interested and a whole lot 
more.  certainly the designer seems to know his way around tube circuitry.
best,
dave
p.s. - i know what you mean about tubes.....lord knows i built my share of 
tube gizmo`s back when i was a ham operator in the late 60's but i haven`t 
touched one in years and have forgotten most of what i knew then........ :^(

----- Original Message ----- 

From: <davevosh@...>
larry,
have you looked at the metasonix hellfire modulator? 
granted, a whole lot more than $79
----
No, I have not.  
----
but it may do the things you are interested and a whole
lot more. 
----
OK, I'll have to go check out the web site.
---
certainly the designer seems to know his way around 
tube circuitry.
---
Yes, Eric seem to be the synth tube guy for certain.  I would
never consider his tube synth, but for processing, everyone
should have a tube.  :)
---
p.s. - i know what you mean about tubes.....lord knows i built
my share of tube gizmo`s back when i was a ham operator in 
the late 60's but i haven`t touched one in years and have forgotten
most of what i knew then........ :^(
---
Well, it was the early 70s for me, but still too long ago to remember.
And, most of my tube experience back then was television (yuck!)
I just purchased a new tube design book.  So, time to do some reading.
:)

Later,
Larry

In a message dated 00-12-14 04:38:02 EST, you write:

<<  So, time to do some reading.
 :) >>



larry,
good luck with your reading and whatever might come out of it.
best,
dave v.

Thanks for the review Larry! Unfortunately (like you) I am looking for a good 
distortion device -- specifically for guitar. I guess I'm still looking. I 
should note that my Serge Wavemultipliers are great for synths, but don't 
sound much different (or any more interesting) from certain types of fuzz 
when used with guitar. So maybe a good distortion for guitar won't make a 
good wavemangler for a synth. Of course, some people have told me they think 
the Wavemultipliers are really just fuzzbox circuits -- hmmm, maybe a VC fuzz 
module...

JB

In a message dated 12/13/2000 6:40:41 PM, jlarryh@... writes:

>This review is not intended to dispute any of the fine thing others have
>said about this unit.  For $79 it offers a wide range of compression options
>including balanced ins and outs.  However, for gentle tube distortion,
>it is
>the wrong tool IMHO.
>
>So, there will still be a stooge designed tube distortion DIY circuit.
> It
>is about 4th thing on my list-of-stuff I want to mess with.  I am planning
>to try to adhear to the MOTM format with all of the high voltage parts
>of
>the circuit enclosed to keep it safe.  I am planning the power supply to
>be
>a AC style wall wart.