From djacques@csulb.edu Wed Jan 01 11:25:40 2003
Subject:Speakeasy Stereo Classic Howler Review

Last night I was able to try my new Speakeasy Stereo rack mount with the
Howler/Classic switch at our big New Years Eve gig. As some of you know,
I originally purchased the classic pedal and a week later decided to run
my rig through twin Mackie SRM 450's to improve the Leslie imaging. So I
decided to upgrade to the stereo rack mount Speakeasy. I said "What the
Hell is another $200 when you have a $350,000 mortgage?" and decided to
go all the way with the switchable Howler/Classic config. (I am also
single and did not have to worry about the dreaded "wife-fallout"). I
also decided to purchase this option due to the fact that I play in
three bands, a seven piece classic rock band, a blues band, and a small
jazz/blues quartet. The difference in the tonality of the preamp serves
these styles, so I decided to go with it.

In any case, last night's keyboard sounds were amazing. I will not go
into the usual raves about this unit as they are becoming redundant
(good for Steve and the rest of the gang at Speakeasy), but I will speak
to how this particular unit enhances the sound of the stereo rig. I set
up my twin Mackies on chairs behind me split about ten feet apart. This
band plays at particularly high volume and my single Mackie was always
sufficient to overcome my guitar player's Marshall and the horn players,
but the extra cabinet now adds an unmistakable presence due to it's
obvious increase in mass and the new stereo imaging. I found this to be
even more pronounced a week ago when I played with my blues band at
Martini Blues.

Since I was playing mostly rock last night, I ran the Speakeasy in the
Howler mode. Either mode produces the exceptional tube warmth and
presence, but the Howler adds the grit and distortion at lower levels so
I don't have to push the preamp and volume as hard. The one improvement
I noticed above all was the incredible power of the sound during my
solos. The horn players were smiling during my solos (which is a
compliment as they are very fine musicians). Like most I like to build
my solos usually starting with 888000000 with third percussion on a
middle octave and building up with pitch and intensity. When I would hit
a high A or C the roof flew off! No, it was not that typical shrill
clone high C, but a genuine Hammond Console High C!

Before the gig I tuned my CX3 against one of my B3's at home, and after
tweaking the CX3 found the two almost indistinguishable! In fact, I
added a great deal of crosstalk and key click to the CX3 so it could
truly emulate the sound of my 1960 cherrywood B3 with twin 145's.

Anyway, back to the gig. I was so blown away by the presence of that
sound. It really brought a whole new dimension to the sound and the
band. I also play a lot of Hammond pads in songs such as "Maggie May",
"When a Man Loves a Woman", "You Look Wonderful Tonight", etc. I am
always tweaking the drawbars during these songs to add texture to the
pads (sorry Electro users) so I will be alternating between 608600000,
808400000, and 008000000, etc... The Speakeasy makes all these
registrations prominent and adds character. I used to suffer through
008000000 before the Speakeasy, but now it sings like it should during
"Maggie May" and others....

The preamp also added an incredible amount of presence to my JV5050,
which I use for acoustic and electric pianos, strings, mellotron, etc. I
could hear all the nuances of the hammers hitting the piano strings
along with the tube warmth adding presence and warmth to the orchestral
strings and Moog samples.

I also discovered that the new upgrade that Steve has performed on my
unit solved the noise problem in the preamp. It does not buzz anywhere
though the volume range. Last night I was running the preamp between
9:00 and 12:00 and experienced no buzzing at all. I suggest that you
take him up on his offer and upgrade your units.

Finally, you should know that if you do decide to spend the extra $200
and get the Howler/Classic switch, you MUST turn your volume down all
the way before making the switch. Otherwise a very loud pop occurs that
could damage your speakers. This was no problem for me as I only switch
it before the gig depending on which band I am performing with. The
Howler still has plenty of clean room to work with for non-distorted
pads and solos.

Some feel that the Speakeasy products are priced a bit high. But I feel
for most people, the pedal unit priced at $350 is a very good value
indeed. When you look at the workmanship and consider the limited
market, this is not an unreasonable price to ask. Yes, the stereo units
do get up in cost, but again, how many people run their clone rigs in
stereo anyway? And for the few who do, then adding a $650 preamp to
his/her already expensive rig is just part of the price you pay for that
increased presence. Adding the $200 for the Howler/Classic switch may
not be necessary for most people, and to tell you the truth, it's a
price for convenience for me. But I can see how many would like to run
one side of their stereo rig clean and one side with the Howler. That is
just not a necessity for me.

My hats off to Steve and the gang at Speakeasy. Another great product
indeed. Steve even called me up just to rap about what he and his
company does for the musician. We talked for 45 minutes about our rigs
and influences. It is obvious that he listens and would like to improve
his products. His offer to upgrade the units to improve the noise issue
is wonderful example of good customer relations. Steve, along with John
Fisher of Motion Sound, are great examples of the American business
model where the consumer comes first. Good luck to the both of them!

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