Thermionic Rooster ??

[Daedalus77]

I'm not sure it's actually out yet, but has anyone tried the Rooster? Surely some of you Mercenary folks have one in the shop to demo, at least?

I'm curious how the mic pre compares with the Earlybird's.

Also, I'm considering the Pendulum MDP and wondered how the new Rooster compares to that venerable unit. (I'm guessing it's a lot more "colored.")

Anyone have some thoughts?

Thanks, as always, fellow slutz.

[rrraaalllfff]

Thermionic Culture - Rooster

[corruptmary]

it's out! I have to say the pre all by itself is not as good as the earlybird. Less headroom and less low mid thickness. But it does come with an eq that more than compensates for it, and the attitude knob adds just that! I absolutely love this machine!

[JOliver]

I agree the low headroom is the only negative aspect of this unit. other than that I can dial in pretty much any sound I want between the attitude knob and the eq.

[espen askelad]

Are there line ins on the back of the unit? More preamps are never a bad thing to have around, but more interested in having it hooked in the patchbay for EQ and overdrive at mix time...

regarding the headroom.. how low are you talking?

[TRW]

When you guys say low headroom, do you mean it audibly overloads at low gain settings or on typical sources?

I'm sure the EQ and attitude sound cool, but I'm really interested in how it stands up as a pre. Do you think its limited? Thermionic/Unity said it would be pristine clean as well.

Anyone tried it as a bass DI or synth DI yet?

-T

[JOliver]

yes it can do pristine clean as well... I enjoy it with the feedback "attitude" turned about halfway up on most things (usually set to pentode).
It is not that it has no headroom... it just doesnt have as much as you would think. I dont find it to be a problem though if you are used to having a lot to work with it might be aggravating as I find it doesnt take much for that red led to start blinking.

[TRW]

Thanks J.

Glad it sounds cool. Its on my list to check out for this coming year.

Is the red clip light coming on and indicating something that is audible?

As long as it doesn't get gritty and the thing stays clean, I couldn't care which meter says what - so essentially, does the audio path have low headroom or is the calibration of the metering off with what it sound like?

Cheers T

[JOliver]

what im saying is yes it clips very easily meaning the unit has low headroom. The meter is correct and you will hear it as soon as you hit the red which is easy to do.. it is worth the compromise for what you get in this box in my opinion. I use it to reamp everything lately. even got a pretty nice vocal sound running my pacifica into an mc77 and then into this baby with the feedback cranked for a rock song. I cant see anyone being dissapointed with this... I wouldnt buy it as my first pre though if you have others it is an amazing addition

[TRW]

Awesome, thanks again, will demo one asap.

I'm after it for larger than life vocals but specifically as an instrument and synth DI or for running software instruments into the line input and gaining some cool eq and little bit of what the culture vulture offers.

Clean I can get elsewhere if needed.
-T

[r.staettler]

a rooster is on its way to me... will post experiences soon

[gundam]

I've posted this on the other thread floating around but would you mind reporting on how suitable the rooster might be as a tone shaper on the master fader?

Thanks