- Thread starter theosd
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thunder
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a what? whats that and what does it do?
theosd
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- Sep 25, 2007
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It's compression.
Pasted from the manufacturer's site:
THE BLACK FINGER IS THE ONLY OPTOISOLATOR PHOTOCELL, DUAL VACUUM TUBE COMPRESSOR PEDAL ON THE MARKET! SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
It means that the Black Finger uses the same professional-grade techniques that the most revered, vintage and mega-thousand dollar, high-end studio compressors use, except that it's in the form of an affordable, compact foot pedal! Two different light sources (LED and lamp) provide distinctly different readings and offer uniquely varied compressions. One tube handles the compression stage while the other manages the gain stage. And unlike other "tube" hyped products on the market, which use 9 to 50 volts, the Black Finger's design allows a full 300 volts of swing to be utilized. This makes it a true tube compressor in every sense.
Whether used as part of an effects loop or with direct guitar, bass or voice, the Black Finger will give music the type of treatment that simply cannot be achieved via plug-in emulation or with any other analog or digital product that doesn't cost thousands of dollars.
The Black Finger breathes life and warmth into any musical instrument or recording and makes it sound magical. It's further proof the Electro-Harmonix is changing the way players think about their pedals.
Pasted from the manufacturer's site:
THE BLACK FINGER IS THE ONLY OPTOISOLATOR PHOTOCELL, DUAL VACUUM TUBE COMPRESSOR PEDAL ON THE MARKET! SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
It means that the Black Finger uses the same professional-grade techniques that the most revered, vintage and mega-thousand dollar, high-end studio compressors use, except that it's in the form of an affordable, compact foot pedal! Two different light sources (LED and lamp) provide distinctly different readings and offer uniquely varied compressions. One tube handles the compression stage while the other manages the gain stage. And unlike other "tube" hyped products on the market, which use 9 to 50 volts, the Black Finger's design allows a full 300 volts of swing to be utilized. This makes it a true tube compressor in every sense.
Whether used as part of an effects loop or with direct guitar, bass or voice, the Black Finger will give music the type of treatment that simply cannot be achieved via plug-in emulation or with any other analog or digital product that doesn't cost thousands of dollars.
The Black Finger breathes life and warmth into any musical instrument or recording and makes it sound magical. It's further proof the Electro-Harmonix is changing the way players think about their pedals.
mynan
Well-known member
kirkm24
Well-known member
I had one and it was very noisy. I returned it the same day I bought it.
Hellboy
Well-known member
Try to find one of these instead:
Retrospec Squeeze box
Retrospec Squeeze box 2
Retrospec is no longer around unfortunately but I hope that this compressor will be produced again one day. I have one and I love it. More or less a LA-2 in a pedal. I´ve e-mailed Sliding Delta but no reply so I guess that it´s a old website and that they don´t sell Retrospec now adays since, to my knollage, Retrospec is not around no more.
//Jan
theosd
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- Sep 25, 2007
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- 124
Used this at rehearsal today. Wow. Now that I have it, I consider it to be essential & integral to my set up; it just sounds so damn good! Not noisy at all, very natural and valvey, which I really dig. Still need to spend some time with it, it's really very versatile. It compliments the stingray 5 in every way, evening out the tone. Basically, you could set this pedal any way and it will improve your sound.
I've read and been a little worried by electro harmonix's pedals reliability, but it seems solid enough to withstand regular abuse and I like the styling too, despite its large size. Can't wait to use it for recording in Jan, you'll all be able to hear that when it's done. I wanna hook it up to our band's vocals and guitar too, cos I imagine it'd be jolly good for all these areas, being so transparent and yet full of character. There seems to be some confusion between this and the older version (which isn't tube driven) in online reviews, but this really is the nuts; best pedal I've ever bought or tried. 10/10 for the first day.
My advice: Try one, if you can't then buy one if you're after a compressor; this thing represents very high value in my opinion.
I've read and been a little worried by electro harmonix's pedals reliability, but it seems solid enough to withstand regular abuse and I like the styling too, despite its large size. Can't wait to use it for recording in Jan, you'll all be able to hear that when it's done. I wanna hook it up to our band's vocals and guitar too, cos I imagine it'd be jolly good for all these areas, being so transparent and yet full of character. There seems to be some confusion between this and the older version (which isn't tube driven) in online reviews, but this really is the nuts; best pedal I've ever bought or tried. 10/10 for the first day.
My advice: Try one, if you can't then buy one if you're after a compressor; this thing represents very high value in my opinion.
oli@bass
Well-known member
Black Finger = Tube optical compressor
White Finger = FET optical compressor
Pleased to read a report about it... I was also thinking of adding one of these
theosd
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- Sep 25, 2007
- Messages
- 124
Do it - I can see no reason that it'd be a step in any direction other than forwards!
oli@bass
Well-known member
Well, at the moment I tend towards the Aphex 1404 Punch Factory, which has had some good reviews (also here), is very simple to operate, is a lot smaller and less expensive, and comes from a company which is known for their unobtrusive and clean studio compressors (or am I mistaken here?)...
Don't get me wrong, I love Electro Harmonix stuff, just got a Q-Tron XO recently, and I think they constantly improve on usability and build quality, but EHX is mainly an effect company known for making very unique effects that have a huge impact on sound. I have a hard time to belive they can do a compressor that works transparent. But with your recommendation, I'll definitel check it out when I see one in a store nearby!!
However, I've been using a DBX 160x in the effects loop of an SWR Grand Prix preamp for over ten years until recently. During the last couple of rehearsals, I replaced the SWR with a SansAmp RBI and removed the DBX completely. I didn't miss it... so I actually start to wonder whether I really need to add a compressor again... maybe I wait until I really miss it...
Don't get me wrong, I love Electro Harmonix stuff, just got a Q-Tron XO recently, and I think they constantly improve on usability and build quality, but EHX is mainly an effect company known for making very unique effects that have a huge impact on sound. I have a hard time to belive they can do a compressor that works transparent. But with your recommendation, I'll definitel check it out when I see one in a store nearby!!
However, I've been using a DBX 160x in the effects loop of an SWR Grand Prix preamp for over ten years until recently. During the last couple of rehearsals, I replaced the SWR with a SansAmp RBI and removed the DBX completely. I didn't miss it... so I actually start to wonder whether I really need to add a compressor again... maybe I wait until I really miss it...
