Joemeek ThreeQ - Alas, sending it back

[John N]

Well I can't say I wasn't warned. A few people said that the comp was hard to dial in - and a few said it was a great box for the money. I guess I fell for the hype and hope of a cool colorful box for short money - and that cool green faceplate. I ordered one from B&H Photo, NYC and after spending several hours listening to it on voice, bass DI and snare I've come to the conclusion that the compressor is almost useless for me. The pre and EQ are actually pretty good though, but I don't need the box if the comp is useless.

First off the metering is completely misleading, so forget about using your eyes to check how much GR you're doing. You can hear the comp crushing things way before the GR meters register anything; and the Attack and Release knobs don't seem to really relate to the time domain settings in a way that I'm used to. By the time the -2db meter lights on the comp things are pretty crushed. This is a box that the Comprssion/Threshold knob is too sensitive - its very hard to dial in anything but heavy squashing. With bass or vocals there was a lot of popping and pumping. I couldn't get anything on bass that I would consider using with the comp. Almost sounded like an envelope filter or something. I play with my fingers with a medium attack but the comp just messed with the attack too much and I couldn't seem to dial it back. A/B'd it with my 501 on bass and there was no comparison.

So to those of you who tried to warn me - I hear you now! I'm actually glad I bought new from someone with a return policy!

JN

[craigmorris74]

I really like this pre for an uncolored choice-it's not one of the colored older models. I've got a SCA rack with an N72, A12, and J99, and qaud rack of Baby Animals, and a few very nice tube pres, and Meek, while lacking the character of the other, doesn't immediately ruin your sound like one of the low-end ART boxes or the older M-audio interface pres I've used.

I agree the compressor is really problematic. However, I replaced the stock IC's in the compressor section with the TI equivalent, and and that problem largely went away. The comp section really let me down a couple times before letting the odd loud spike through, but now it's much smoother.
Craig

[John N]

Originally Posted by craigmorris74

I really like this pre for an uncolored choice-it's not one of the colored older models. I've got a SCA rack with an N72, A12, and J99, and qaud rack of Baby Animals, and a few very nice tube pres, and Meek, while lacking the character of the other, doesn't immediately ruin your sound like one of the low-end ART boxes or the older M-audio interface pres I've used.

I agree the compressor is really problematic. However, I replaced the stock IC's in the compressor section with the TI equivalent, and and that problem largely went away. The comp section really let me down a couple times before letting the odd loud spike through, but now it's much smoother.
Craig

I would agree that the Pre itself is very usable, and the EQ is a nice touch for some judicious use, but I can't dial the comp in on anything but possibly drums. I'll give it another shot but I don't think I want to get into modding it.
Just seems to be very ham fisted compression that completely squelches attack or causes explosively popping attack.

[Illmo]

I too returned my 3Q. The compressor pumped way to much for me, and I couldn't find any useful application for it. I also found it to be thin and off colored.Some people swear by Joemeek but it just wasnt for me. After all,who needs a channel strip that isn't fully functional?

[chessparov]

I also have one and may be selling it soon.

But...

The mic pre and EQ ARE quite nice IMHO.

I've only tried the compressor (moderately)on vocals, and it sounded fine in that application. IIRC it's set at about a 5:1 ratio.

My motivation is that my lesser pre's, M-Audio Duo (same as DMP2),
and Bellari MP105 (cool for modding) are fine for home practice recording. I think the 3Q pre's are superior though FWIW.

You may want to contact the manufacturer at their support website or call them before selling it, they're very helpful.

Chris

[MelodyMan]

Funny. I have the older "British Channel" VC6q and i can't imagine it leaving my rack ever. Awesome compressor and ditto preamp. EQ is nice too. But i guess you are talking about the newer ones.

[ivansc]

yeah the Ted Fletcher originals are what it`s all about.
My elderly MQ3 just gets up in the morning, scratches it`s ass and gets on with the job.

I haven`t tried any of the TFL stuff yet though.....

[hakim]

I don't know. It seems like everyone is forgetting that the optical comp of the Joe Meek line is meant to be a non-linear compressor.

This means it will always be compressing. Since it's release I've hear so many complaints about this box, mostly people saying "I can't dial anything usable" or "It catches too quickly".

Well, that is exactly what it is supposed to do as a non-linear compressor it is supposed to always be compressing. This is the way Joe Meek himself designed the original.

It's actually a compressor that should be used to mangle sounds until they sound different. Not used as a clean pre or a color pre of modern recording... but more like a beautiful audio monster.

[Heartfelt]

The only thing I enjoyed doing with mine was using them in live settings. In the studio, they seemed dull and thin.

Mine keep breaking, too.They sit in a drawer. I might pull them out if they decide to behave.

[jdier]

Originally Posted by MelodyMan

Funny. I have the older "British Channel" VC6q ...awesome compressor and ditto preamp. .

I have owned the VC1q, the little desktop meek, and the TFPro P3. I always loved the comps on all of those. Sorry this one is not working for you.

[tatem333]

I've been looking at this unit for my live vocal rig, any opinions?

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Gearslutz.com App

[Mertmo]

I have the TwinQ. The comp is only useful to me in the following sense: set it so it is *barely* compressing, or maybe even not at all. Use the makeup gain for it's juicy sound, and to drive the EQ section. In other words I like how the unit sounds with the compressor circuit engaged but the compressor itself is pretty useless to me...

Cool unit all around tho...

[Gnu]

The compressor is beautiful at the front of a guitar chain (I assume that's why they started making pedals). You get used to the response just like any other non-linear compressor and in spite of the insufficient GR metering. I don't use the comp on mics too often (other than the aforementioned barely-on juiciness), but the EQ is lovely and musical on just about everything you'd use a 3-band for. It's clean and not lacking in the gain department, and it's been a fun utility box to have.

Originally Posted by tatem333

I've been looking at this unit for my live vocal rig, any opinions?

I wouldn't come near it for live vocals if you expect to use the compressor at all unless you're feeding it into a limiter.

[tonneaj]

Sorry to bring this back from the dead, but I just had to reiterate the OP's sentiment. I sent my ThreeQ back as well...

[RebornOnline]

Originally Posted by ivansc

yeah the Ted Fletcher originals are what it`s all about.

This seems to be the key, salient point. You need to get the Ted Fletcher ones. The later ones (made be PMI) just don't seem to cut it by comparison. Which is a shame when you realise it's the same people who make Toft, Tonelux and Trident.

This is just what I have read of course, never used a new one.

I love my Fletcher VC3 (v2) Pro Channel. The pre is nice and clean with most mics, the comp is easy to dial in and out )although there's only a fast/slow button for attack). Not convinced the enhancer is a great idea, so I've stopped using it now.

Great little channel.

Negatives : It's little underpowered for my RE20, so I've got a Fethead on order

[Mertmo]

Ended up trading my TwinQ straight across for a mint condition Rode NTK.

Very happy with that trade.

TwinQ sounded alright, but I was spending way too much time dialing in a
sound. Too many places to manage gain structure. If it were something super
high end and slutty, that would be worth it. But for a piece like that...

Buh bye. Don't have time to jack with that during tracking, and the unit
didn't inspire me at all when used as a mix processor.

Another small gripe: Silent operation, even with the preamp gain cranked, BUT:
only with the Transformer Iron switch disengaged. Engage the Iron switch,
and suddenly... not so silent. Not a big deal for most mics, but when using
my SM7b for example, it was problematic on some quiet sources.

Like my NTK a lot more than I liked the TwinQ...
I'm becoming a freak about build quality.
Now that I have Great River, A Designs etc... hell, even the Rode
is built like a tank. Can't go backwards now, kind of a bummer actually.
For my budget that is.

[Sirmikeywest]

It's alright. Not great, but decent for the price. Dark-sounding. Good for kick drum and bass guitar cabs. Did try to use it with an acoustic guitar, but had to go with my Bellari MP110 instead. The MP110 kicks ass and has tons of gain! Found one on Ebay awhile back for $50 including shipping. They're out there. I have a nu-metal band coming in to record an EP soon and will try to use the JoeMeek for vocals. I have not tried to use it for vocals yet, so I'm not sure what to expect. With the JoeMeek, you do have to be careful with the compressor, for sure........