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Electro-Harmonix Black Finger
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Published on 05/15/13 at 06:11
Compressor pedal for guitar or bass operating on two technologies: optical coupling and LED lamps (2x 12AX7 EHX). We choose between two compression modes: full LED or LED lamps +, between two types of effect: compression or squash (a kind of gate) input gain + output, and finally compression ratio. Switch true bypass relay (if the power supply is cut off the pedal, the pedal automatically switches to bypass, this is very handy).

UTILIZATION

We were told many things about this pedal, for good or not, I do confirm that: getting a nice clean sound is quite delicate. There are two reasons: the BF is made to work with low impedance, so if possible with a pre-amplified signal and then an active instrument. It is not desirable to try to boost the signal by increasing the gain, because it may significantly degrade the sound and add a big breath. BF is not a preamp, the input level should be sufficient, without being line level, if it saturates! It limits the blow quite use. Deuxio, the settings are all very interactive, it should not look bad to get what we want. For example, the input gain plays a lot on getting the compression. This is the control in the second set after the compression. At the same time we must not push too, or else watch the breath or saturation (which is not nice at all).

SOUND QUALITY

Side sound reproduction, wholesale, simply put:
- The lamp mode is punchy, moderately compressed, with a characteristic hump in the midrange.
- The LED mode is less hot but more "spicy", perfect for funky casseroles.
- The counter mode is very hairy, gains should be very low to avoid saturating.
- Squash fashion behaves both as a sustainer and a limit. There must be more gain to compensate for the loss of volume. I do not like this method because it seems to lose momentum, but it can be nice to smooth an instrument without too much sustain.

My favorite setting is the following, on acoustic and electric guitar:
Location: ahead in the effects loop of the preamp AMT SS11.
Mode: Comp / Lamp, Input gain: 10h, Output gain: 10am Compression: 13-14h.
I get very hot and very compressed sound. This setting back substantially all of the lower levels means all breads and glissers strings! But that's what I love the most, for me to play clean then.

In fact, the quality of sound from this pedal is simply excellent, once it is left tamed.

OVERALL OPINION

I took me months before allowing me to post a review, story to go around. Initially I bought it to warm up a POD (but nothing did). Then I plugged into a preamp tube, wondering if it was justified ... Then I had to change the lights, I had to remove because I had bad contacts and I really failed to sell it short, it was a bit I love you me either. Plus it takes up so much that it has an interest to be essential! And with patience, I finally found what I wanted. It perfectly complements my preamp, so I keep it.