Tc spectradrive

#2
Well I just got mine two days ago and lovin all the various compressor settings you can get with the Toneprint function. Have settled on the Captain East one for now and using the Ida Nielsen Fuzz Off but need to experiment more with the Drive options. How you getting on with yours?
 
#3
I got mine last year and really like it, Leave Captain East on all the time for a small amount of multiband compression far better than anything I can do myself BUT this was at one time supposed to link to their toneprint editor via a software upgrade, and they decided not to do it not really sure why they gave up. Understand that I probably would only ruin the compression since I find the captain east perfect for my needs. the overdrive is so-so and if you add it you have to adjust the levels. The preamp I think is good as well as headphone amp. On the whole I think it is a great tool even tho I am sure there are better individual accessories.
Have fun playing.
 
#5
Used it yesterday for the first time in a band setting, but i really need to understand the over drive levels. Switched it on mid way through a song just to see how it would sit in the song and a sonic boom came out of the poor Fender Rumble.
 
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#7
I got my spectra drive after pimping my Squire pj affinity. I changed the p pickups to humbuckers in series/parallel. The tone was quite different i decided to get preamp to hot the signal up for the p’s The spectradrive was really efficient in that regards but I haven’t used a sansamp etc.

I also changed the j and it’s much hotter / nicer tone.

I’m happier with the tone in general now but the preamp in itself is great. I’ve also got a ronin bass eq and I thought the results would be similar but the spectradrive is much better. Cleaner I think.
I haven’t played around to much with the TonePrints but I’m happy with Compression Less but I’ll try Captain East again
I be forgotten the drive I have but it’s pretty mild. Just a little grit

Not sure about the tone prints. My feeling is that individual pedals sound better but I love the convience and Ability to dramatic change effect and tone. What do you think?
 
#9
Can someone answer this for me? I have an SD on the way. There’s an editor for the drive like there is for the comp right? Can I make my own drive tone print???

I’m pretty excited for this one. Haven’t experimented with preamps in a long while so I’m stoked to try some new EQ and options in a new preamp.
 
#10
Mark Ambler said:
I have a Spectradrive and want to use a drive toneprint that adds a bit of ‘warmth’, like a clean Fender Bassman, any suggestions on which toneprint? TIA
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I’d probably try the Nathan East one. That one seems well balanced. Luckily the tone print app is easy as hell to use so you can just keep beaming into your pickups till you find the one you dig the most. I’m sure there’s one in the app that you’ll like.
 
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#12
gregmon79 said:
I’d probably try the Nathan East one. That one seems well balanced. Luckily the tone print app is easy as hell to use so you can just keep beaming into your pickups till you find the one you dig the most. I’m sure there’s one in the app that you’ll like.
Click to expand...

Thanks, But it’s a tone print for ‘Drive’ I’m asking about, not the compressor. I’m happy with the default compressor but I’m after a warm valve drive sound with as little distortion as possible. For now I will use the clean boost toneprint but look elsewhere for a clean valve sound. A poor mans REDDI would be perfect, if it exists.
 
#13
I know this is an older thread but I just received a used SD off eBay and just started to play with it. I noticed that when the pedal's off (bypass off) the volume drops significantly both through the earphones and through any of my amps. Is this normal or there's something wrong with this unit? I'm using it with a passive jazz style bass loaded with Seymour Duncan Apollo pickups. None of my other pedals have this issue. Any guidance would be appreciated.
 
#14
Paco Leon said:
I know this is an older thread but I just received a used SD off eBay and just started to play with it. I noticed that when the pedal's off (bypass off) the volume drops significantly both through the earphones and through any of my amps. Is this normal or there's something wrong with this unit? I'm using it with a passive jazz style bass loaded with Seymour Duncan Apollo pickups. None of my other pedals have this issue. Any guidance would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

I have the Spectradrive and it's capable of boosting the signal, a lot!
Your bypassed volume should be the same as if you were plugging straight into the amp, or mixer, etc.
The gain (input volume) and the level (master volume) are interactive when the using the tubedrive control.
Find the Drive setting you like with the Gain and Drive controls, then use the Level to match your bypassed sound, (if that's what you want). A very good pedal, once you are familiar with it.
Not selling mine!
 
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#15
Thank you for your input. I have several other pedals and this is the first one that doesn't allow me to maintain unity gain. I tried all possible settings and also watched several YouTube videos/reviews. Must be something wrong with this particular unit.
 
#16
Paco Leon said:
Thank you for your input. I have several other pedals and this is the first one that doesn't allow me to maintain unity gain. I tried all possible settings and also watched several YouTube videos/reviews. Must be something wrong with this particular unit.
Click to expand...

If all controls are at 12 o'clock, just turn the level down or up so the volume matches the bypassed sound.
The Level control (top right corner) at its lowest setting, should turn the sound off.
 
#18
Paco Leon said:
Thanks again. I tried that but the bypassed sound is really low, to the point that it's barely audible. I compared it to both my cheap Eleca Bass expander and my Ampeg SCR-DI and neither has this issue.
Click to expand...

Well, something is very wrong as the Bass should be a similar volume bypassed as with all controls at 12 o'clock, tube drive off and compressor off.

You must have got a dud.
 
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#19
Jut to second what's been said. I've never had an issue with the volume dropping. getting the level right when the tubedrive is on takes a little working out but other than that been very happy with my Spectradrive
 
#20
Just to add to this old thread....can I use this as an effective practice amp with headphones? Currently, I am using an Eden WT405 with headphones and a computer. I am using no cabs, now.

I am really interested in this pedal but if it won't work to replace my Eden I'll pass. I really want to put the Eden back in storage.
 
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