GAS - Gear Acquisition Syndrome (Part 2)

Ha! I totally missed that - soz :laughing::person_facepalming:

I’ve got the HB PowerPlant ISO-1AC Pro Modular on order from Thomann - should be arriving this week, so will let you know how I get on with it :+1:

Phil

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@totyasrac The great thing about Cioks is that they use an IEC cable. This is a an international standard that you find with other pieces of kit i.e amplifiers.

So no need for a specific wall wart transformer. Is this important? Not really, but I like it because when I go to rehearsal / gig. I have a selection of IEC cables (5, 10 and 20ft long plus a power bar with a long 20ft lead) to plug in my amp head and board. I also carry spares in case someone’s forgotten theirs (it happens).

Like I said not critical, but it’s one less thing to think about. Same cable fits all my gear.

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Well if I order it today then I can have it next week. And my patience capability is, how to phrase it not to hurt my own feelings… Well non-existent :smiley:

So currently the options I’m reviewing:

  • Truetone CS6 (IEC cable, claimed to be very reliable brand, cheaper than the “good” alternatives still top shelf according to the gentlemen around
  • Cioks Sol (only 5 outputs vs the rest of this list while one of the most expensive ones, top shelf)
  • Cioks DC7 (top choice, by far most expensive, costs nearly the same as all my current pedals combined)
  • Harley Benton PowerPlant ISO-2 Pro (by far the cheapest, most outputs, expected to have to replace input chord for like 8Euro)
  • Interesting concept to chain a Harley Benton PowerPlant ISO-3AC SAG Modular (4 switchable output voltages each with 500mA capacity) and a PowerPlant ISO-1AC Pro Modular for 5 more 500mA 9V sockets for less than the first 3 options and coming with IEC socket (for input and interconnecting the 2 as well).
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Well I continued to read/discuss all available sources and still no decision. I was ready to pul the trigger on the Cioks Sol then my band leader / guitarist showed me why he has purchased (and is very happy with) the HB:

Geeeeez why isn’t everything black and white (except for the zebras)?

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I know quite a few musicians that use the HB power plants and think they’re great.
I could not say myself, as I have no need for such devices.

If you can read German, this is a good review from a respectable source:

Bonedo is a no-nonsense site, done by true experts that are freaks too … not the typical screaming influencers that you’ll find on YouTube. A 2nd good German site is Amazona.de, though I prefer Bonedo…

What I like about both sites is that they review all kinds of interesting & relevant stuff, and judge it independent of hype, brand preference and price.

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Well I really do appreciate pointing out this page - fortunately Google is willing to translate the whole webpage by requesting it via link only.

In a nutshell the conclusion of the article:

So I’ll just roll with the product, if anything goes south Thomann will cover (I had issues that they have immediately resolved to my biggest satisfaction, absolutely perfect customer service).

Thanks all, will report back upon receiving the power supply.

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Good luck! :+1:

With pedalboards you can also daisy chain from 1 output to multiple pedals. It’s mainly big or digital pedals that take more voltage.

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Well I had a very basic/cheap one (Yuer PR-04) for the past years and it should be definitely better anyhow.

Additionally two instrument cables - one Richard Kruspe signature Sommer cable and a Fender ). Meanwhile both the ordered Aerodynes are on the way here…. Should be fun times coming :heart:

I actually think the Benton will be fine. It’s more the cheap Donner like brands to be careful with.

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So after a new bass my wife :heart: said I needed a new amp so I now have a beautiful Mark Bass amp. Here is where I play.

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Very nice!

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Alto TX408 350W 8” PA speaker with Bluetooth.

$130

Good for playing back tracks I’m working on in my room plus drum pedal.

Sounds great, inexpensive and light.

Bought it as a backup monitor for the band. Our stand in drummer doesn’t use IEMs so I put this next to him for the gig and he was happy.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TX408--alto-professional-tx408-350-watt-8-inch-powered-speaker

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You got me curious. I understand the usefulness of streaming backing tracks or drum track to play along with. But, any other pros/cons vs. just playing with an amp?

Monitors are about you being able to hear.

PA’s are more powerful than most amps and take the mixed signal of the whole band. So consider, instead of everyone bringing separate amps (and the vocalist bringing a PA anyway), you can mix and run everyone through the PAs. This is what venues do with their PA systems (which can be more elaborate).

A pair of 1000W powered PAs and a mixer is a lot cheaper and easier to carry than a bunch of amps and caps, and with decent amp sims/preamps will sound good.

On the other hand, nothing wrong with amps and cabs. However a 100W bass amp isn’t going to serve a very large venue.

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Our band has gone (for the most part) ampless on stage and in rehearsal.

We send the mics and instruments into a digital mixer and then out to our own PA speakers. Plenty loud enough for the gigs we are doing. We also split the signal and send it back into our IEMs (Inner Ear Monitors). I have an app on my phone to control the mix in my ears. So for me lots of bass, not much drums as I’m standing next to him, loud vocals and medium level guitar / keys.

Last gig we had a stand in drummer who didn’t use IEMs so I bought this active speaker (Alto TX408). I can then run it off the back of our digital mixer. Again using my phone I could give him a mix in the monitor that he likes. But now I can also use it to stream music through and practice with.

Lastly we have an Ipad which has all of the feeds shown in a virtual mixer. We hand that to who ever has been roped into help out with sound. They stand up front and then control the overall mix of the band.

No more guitarists turning up their own amps up to 11 on stage bullshit. Just a good overall mix that the audience can enjoy.

I spent about $2000 all in and it’s been totally worth the switch to IEMs.

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Nice set up. I’ve hived off a little corner of the house for myself as well. And, you’ve even got the mirror to practice your bass face.

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That is awesome…and your explanation is very helpful. Tomorrow will be our band’s 3rd practice. So, we are a ways away from needing that gear. But, I want to be prepared. Thanks

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Nice! Did your wife insist on photobombing the pic? :wink:

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We saw that after posting!

10 points to @TheMaartian

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Have you had to spend the money, @Barney, or was it a band investment?

I really would like my band to go down the IEM route, but the guitarist is pretty much dead set against. I have no idea why…

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