Chameleon Labs 7602 - Initial Impression

[mrbowes]

Just received my 7602 today from frontendaudio.com (super fast shipment - thanks, War).

Anyways, the unit looks nice (brushed aluminum faceplate), and all of the knobs are solid and have consistent movement. The plastic switches for the DI/EQ/48v/phase reversal seem cheap and don't even line up perfectly. Oh well, no biggie (I might DIY replace these switches with something more elegant and solid).

So far the only thing I've tried is the DI, and I can honestly say it rocks! The EQ is very useful for getting some ballsy tones out of it. I use a Fender MIJ P-bass lyte with EMGs and it sounds great. One with EQ, one without, and one recording using my E-mu 1820M's onboard pres.

The levels were eyeball'd, so it's not very scientific, but there's some obvious sonic differences. Links forthcoming...

So far this unit has impressed the heck out of me. The EQ is just FUN. I've never had an EQ that could be cranked without sounding like trash. I've literally been going to the extremes on this EQ, and it handles them very well.

I'm thirstin for another one! I'll report back when I've recorded some acoustic guitars (can't wait to use the EQ on acoustic guitars) and vocals.

 

[gaetadog]

That's great mrbows. I'm ordering a pair of them from Warren tomorrow. Can't wait to hear them for myself.

 

[mjau]

I've had one of these for about two months now, and it really is a very cool piece. I use it primarily for electric guitars and bass, and I'm sure it'll be on kick when I do some drums soon. The eq is really powerful, as in a little goes a long way...a totally different beast than the Toft eq out there now, which must have a wider Q and is maybe a bit smoother in the mids. The high pass filter on the 7602 is steep, which I like.
For old school DI bass, the 7602 cannot be beat - makes my P-Bass sound like a P-Bass should, and with a bit of eq it doesn't sound so dry and direct. I think it really shines on electric guitars - so far I've used a 57, sennheiser e609, c414, and a beyer m69 with it and I've liked how the pre sounds with each one. You can drive the input and back off the output trim and get some different sounds through it.
I've used it on acoustic guitar (using oktava 012's, at4050, c414, & an ADK Hamburg), and it gives you a 70's vibe on that - works for some stuff, but mostly I prefer my EH pre's for acoustic guitar. I've only done a scratch vocal through the 7602, but I'm pretty sure it'll be fine with vocals - maybe not always my first choice, but nothing wrong with it, either.