symetrix 501...got one cheap. Anyone use one?
- Thread starter CMEZ
- Start date
mrface2112
Well-known member
kinda depends
which 501 is it? the old one or the newer one? you can tell by which "on/off" switch it has.
the older ones (with the silver toggle switch) were highly favored on bass and kick.....so, in a nutshell, it should be fine for that. the newer ones had a different (considered inferior) chip that made them not as "popular".
i've had an older 501 (or a pair of em) on my list for a while now, but other things keep jumping in front. do some searches around here for "501" and see what you get--should be plenty of info.
wade
which 501 is it? the old one or the newer one? you can tell by which "on/off" switch it has.
the older ones (with the silver toggle switch) were highly favored on bass and kick.....so, in a nutshell, it should be fine for that. the newer ones had a different (considered inferior) chip that made them not as "popular".
i've had an older 501 (or a pair of em) on my list for a while now, but other things keep jumping in front. do some searches around here for "501" and see what you get--should be plenty of info.
wade
teainthesahara
New member
Does anyone know how the new 501's with the grey button sound? Are they still worthwhile for other reasons or just not as useful as they were for bass?
T
T
teainthesahara
New member
Thanks chessrock,
I was deciding between one of the push button 501's (used) and a similarly priced behringer unit (new), for bass and occasionaly vocals. Since the unit still retains some of its desirable characteristics i might opt for the symetrix instead.
T
I was deciding between one of the push button 501's (used) and a similarly priced behringer unit (new), for bass and occasionaly vocals. Since the unit still retains some of its desirable characteristics i might opt for the symetrix instead.
T
mrface2112
Well-known member
maybe it's just me, but i'd take just about anything named "Symetrix" over anything named "Behringer" just about any day.
although, the Symetrix units don't come with those cool stickers.....
dunno about the "easy chip replacement"--never been inside a 501. my guess is that there would be some soldering involved.
wade
although, the Symetrix units don't come with those cool stickers.....
dunno about the "easy chip replacement"--never been inside a 501. my guess is that there would be some soldering involved.
wade
The 501's are actually very good units.
Yes the button units are considered to be less of a find
than the older toggle power switch units, but that is
probably either folklore or opinion. If you've got the unit,
test it out. IMO the 501 is just as much a steal in the
comp world as the RNC, of which I have both in my studio.
I've used the 501 on just about everything, and it can
acheive great vocal tracks to boot. If you don't like it,
let us know...somebody around here will surely snag it
from you if you decide to sell!
A Good buy. Enjoy.
Sky Pilot
Yes the button units are considered to be less of a find
than the older toggle power switch units, but that is
probably either folklore or opinion. If you've got the unit,
test it out. IMO the 501 is just as much a steal in the
comp world as the RNC, of which I have both in my studio.
I've used the 501 on just about everything, and it can
acheive great vocal tracks to boot. If you don't like it,
let us know...somebody around here will surely snag it
from you if you decide to sell!
A Good buy. Enjoy.
Sky Pilot
CMEZ said:
The toggle switch models have a pretty rare and discontinued VCA that was originally made by Valley People -- so it shares some similarities with the Dynamite / Gain Brain lineage. The VCA alone would be worth more than you paid for your comp.
The button model has a dbx chip. I'm pretty sure it's the same one they use in the 266.
I have a pair (grey push-button) and use them for bass and kick 90% of the time, especially good on bass through an Avalon U5...that's my go-to sound, except when it's not 
BW
BW
formerlyfzfile
New member
What about the cheaper Symetrix units....
...like the SX208????
Are these decent as compared to ....say......composer pro or dbx xl stuff???
-mike
...like the SX208????
Are these decent as compared to ....say......composer pro or dbx xl stuff???
-mike
cavedog101
Well-known member
I had 6 of em(501's) in my PA rack.Dont even mention that b...rijer crap in the same breath.
Now I use the older 525's in the studio rack.Both are just fine for many many uses.Wish I hadnt sold the old rack.........
Now I use the older 525's in the studio rack.Both are just fine for many many uses.Wish I hadnt sold the old rack.........
teainthesahara
New member
symetrix 501 - yeah, its good
Golly Gee Whiz. So i just unpacked and plugged in this 501 for the first time. It's a grey-push button model. Put a DI'd bass through it. Played some rock, then blues, then punk, and finally some jazz type stuff. Might have to call this thing the gandalf-the-grey-push-button 501 for bass - just to make sure that people get it straight that this thing is still a cool find, toggle switch or no toggle switch! Lot's of bass sounds to be had - from smooth to punchy, raunchy to clean. This thing was $70 well spent...
Thanks Chessrock, Skypilot, mrface2112 and everyone else who posted about their experiences with this unit.
T
Golly Gee Whiz. So i just unpacked and plugged in this 501 for the first time. It's a grey-push button model. Put a DI'd bass through it. Played some rock, then blues, then punk, and finally some jazz type stuff. Might have to call this thing the gandalf-the-grey-push-button 501 for bass - just to make sure that people get it straight that this thing is still a cool find, toggle switch or no toggle switch! Lot's of bass sounds to be had - from smooth to punchy, raunchy to clean. This thing was $70 well spent...
Thanks Chessrock, Skypilot, mrface2112 and everyone else who posted about their experiences with this unit.
T