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Post by Steve Reynolds on May 11, 2015 17:47:44 GMT
Hi Dave
I managed to get one of those vox mini 3 amps used off the well known auction site. Only paid £60 for it, what a cracking piece of kit, very authentic sounding
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Post by Cruachan on May 11, 2015 18:42:17 GMT
Hi Dave I managed to get one of those vox mini 3 amps used off the well known auction site. Only paid £60 for it, what a cracking piece of kit, very authentic sounding Hi Steve, I agree wholeheartedly! Recently I purchased the Mini5 RM Rhythm version with the metal grill and was astonished by its sound and tonal capabilities. I've only had it a few days so there is much to explore. The rhythm module and slightly larger speaker and output are the only differences when compared with the Mini3. I'm in the process of ordering a custom made cover for it from HotCovers. They made a fantastic cover for my Roxlut last year and the service is excellent. Played Sleepwalk (modern version) through Charlie and John's HCSE into the Mini5 and my playing buddy was bowled over by the sound. Dare I say it, he felt quite moved! Not sure whether it was the HCSE/VOX Mini5 combo or my playing. Hopefully it was a bit of both Great little practice amp for lugging around the house and entertaining at small gatherings. Amazing array of inputs one of which allows the concurrent playing of backing tracks. I got mine within a couple of days from Amazon (£109.00) I chose the one with the metal grill as I read a review which suggested that the Classic grill was liable to sag in humid weather so could be a consideration if you take it out and about. Regards, Mike
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Post by localhero on May 11, 2015 19:41:26 GMT
I'm glad you like them, I bought the one I have for our grandson to go with a little Strat I bought him for his sixth birthday next month and told the missus it was that good I'm keeping it. I actually ordered another straight away and it will be here this week. I also picked up a Vox AC1 for £35 which will be handy to have around, Charlie used the early version for his 'Happy Birthday' demo and it sounds great. I don't know about you guys but I can't stop playing since the Hall & Collins arrived, it's infectious !
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Post by santoinetwo on May 11, 2015 20:30:41 GMT
Can I just say, What an amazing sound from this truly beautiful engineered unit.
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Post by gazongkapede on May 13, 2015 8:18:43 GMT
My H&C unit arrived this morning in perfect order. Despite a sore elbow, I've been trying it out for most of today. What a liberating and refreshing experience!
I've owned some pretty flash echo units; but the pre-amp in this one, along with those amazing echo tails, have allowed me to ditch my compressor and EQ and return to simply using picking and playing technique to dig out those previously unobtainable, genuine tones (from the records). This unit has it all! I've only just started my journey of exploration; but already the '61 "Young Ones" tonal period seems largely sorted with Strat (Bareknuckle Apaches) to H&C to VOX pentode channel. Just backed off the Dry Level to about 2 o'clock, the Echo settings a bit, and started to have fun with P15! I've read about the limited pre-amp headroom (and mid freq' make-up gain) giving the impression of attack compression; and this certainly is what I've always heard on the records from that era (just always assumed it was conventional compression). The H&C does this trick beautifully. This means that I can return to my old 'bad habits' of picking with a variety of thumb follow-through damping / choking to enliven various nodal tone effects - all with a simpler (and clearer) set-up. As I say, liberating!
My sincerest thanks to Charlie and John for a breath-taking achievement! I'm privileged to be one of the recipients of this fine effort.
Exemplary work, gentlemen.
My compliments,
Richard Busser.
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Post by atkinsson on May 13, 2015 12:04:34 GMT
Hi, Charlie!
I will be running my beautiful and just arrived HCSE thru my Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II.. In the Axe-Fx manual it says:
"The front panel input (INSTR) uses a proprietary circuit and a dedicated A/D converter to lower noise ("secret sauce"). It's conditioned for guitar through hardware and software. For best results use the front input for guitar, whether wired or wireless, electric or acoustic (except when running a line level signal). The front input also has a soft clip function."
My question is this:
Is the output jack socket on the HCSE line level? If not, I will connect the units this way:
Guitar > HCSE Input and HCSE Output > Axe-Fx II Instrument Input.
Thanks for all the effort your team has put into this project.
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Post by Charlie Hall on May 13, 2015 12:57:33 GMT
Hi atkinsson, The output jack of the Hall & Collins Signature Echo is nominally the same as guitar level, but depending on the control settings. I wqould suggest connecting the Hall & Collins unit between the guitar and the Fractal Audio Axe-FX unit. Regards, Charlie
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BillyBoy
Member
The best thing before sliced bread was doorstep sarnies
Posts: 33
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Post by BillyBoy on May 13, 2015 20:56:23 GMT
HI CHARLIE & JOHN AND ALL INVOLVED WITH THE NEW HALL & COLLINS ECHO.RECIEVED MINE LAST WEEK FIRST INPRESSIONS SOLID AND UNBREAKABLE.THE UNIT I HAVE BEEN USING FOR YEARS WAS THE ZOOM RFX 2000 WITH EFTP BOUGHT FROM CHARLIE AT THE TIME. OVER THE MOON WITH THIS UNIT, ITS GOT IT ALL AND MORE, ONLY THING IT HAS'NT GOT IS THE SHINEY SUIT LOOKS LIKE A TRIP TO THE TAILORS LOVE LOOKING IN ON THIS SITE LOADS OF HELPFUL NICE PEOPLE ENJOYING THE MUSIC BEST REGARDS TO EVERYONE BILL
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Post by musketeer58 on May 14, 2015 1:19:35 GMT
Hi Adrian, The H&C unit will sound good straight out of the box, particularly into a vox or similar amp. Some people like to additionally shape the tone from the guitar, basically to add some mid-range boost, to achieve a sound more like Hank Marvin's early recorded sound. Have a look at this thread on EQ, started by Steve Reynolds. charliehall.proboards.com/thread/18743/sound-opinion-worthCheers, John Thanks for the reply John, some interesting replies in that thread and thanks to Steve as well for sharing that with us.
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Post by scanners on May 14, 2015 7:19:53 GMT
Hi Charlie, my H&C arrived today, I'm really impressed I have to say, it really nails the early tube drive, i like all the extra ones you've added too like the Edge and Bombora ones. One minor complaint, I never got a manual with it, I've down loaded and printed it off the website, and I've been having a read. I don't think I'll be messing with any head settings or anything, I might save my favourite and most used presets down the track. I'll have to get busy and do some videos for you. Thanks again Matthew
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Post by scanners on May 14, 2015 7:20:07 GMT
Hi Charlie, my H&C arrived today, I'm really impressed I have to say, it really nails the early tube drive, i like all the extra ones you've added too like the Edge and Bombora ones. One minor complaint, I never got a manual with it, I've down loaded and printed it off the website, and I've been having a read. I don't think I'll be messing with any head settings or anything, I might save my favourite and most used presets down the track. I'll have to get busy and do some videos for you. Thanks again Matthew
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Post by Charlie Hall on May 14, 2015 20:07:58 GMT
Hi Matthew, Thanks for letting me know you have received your Hall & Collins unit and that you are pleased with it. I am sorry about the manual. Please contact Derek on the support email address and I'm sure he will sort something out for you. Regards, Charlie
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Post by scanners on May 15, 2015 1:09:55 GMT
Thanks Charlie, I emailed Derek and he is posting me one Matthew
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Post by JohnGB on May 15, 2015 17:26:42 GMT
Thanks Charlie ,John, and Derek. For fixing the Hum on my Hall & Collins, it's working perfectly now. And I must say that you and customer support were first class in getting the unit fixed and returned to me in three days which was great, Again Thank you so much.
All the Best,
John.
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Post by Charlie Hall on May 15, 2015 20:16:17 GMT
Hi John, Thanks for letting us know it works perfectly now. Regards, Charlie
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Post by tim59 on May 18, 2015 11:51:52 GMT
Hi Everyone
Not sure if this has appeared in the right place on the site, but here goes…
My name is Tim and this is my first post, having recently become a member. Wow, what a buoyant time to get on board, with the new echo unit now out! I have followed the site on and off for a few years but I used to experience a load of technical problems accessing it. (Fortunately these appear to have resolved themselves so I’m pretty much able to keep up with things now).I have purchased various EFTP products from Charlie over the years and I asked him to put me on the ‘list’ via email, which of course, he did.
I received my HCSE about two weeks ago, but was not in a position to fire it up in earnest until last weekend. The unit has received universal praise and there is not really a lot I can add, but for the record, here are my first impressions: To test, I used a simple set-up of a 57 Reissue US Strat via the unit then into a current Vox AC4. (The version with the classic Vox styling and brown fret cloth). I have to agree, ‘that sound’ is pretty much there straight out of the box.
For many years and despite hours of experimentation and latterly, trawling the web and YouTube for solutions, I found it difficult or impossible to create an acceptable emulation of certain tones and nuances on any number of Shadows and other ‘60s instrumental tracks. (I’m 55 now and probably embarked on the ‘quest’ when I was around 18!). Three frustrating examples selected from many: 1) I could never quite get the tremolo bar swoops in ‘Dance On’ to sound as twangy and quirky as they should, 2) there always seemed to be a richness missing from certain parts of ‘Foot Tapper’, and 3) ‘FBI’ would either lack twang, or sound thin if I made adjustments to compensate. Not any more, it’s all there now! I never realised how much the original echo units coloured the sound and contributed to the tone, compression and drive. Until now, I assumed it was pretty much down to two things I’ve never had i.e. a Vox AC30 and access to Abbey Road studios! After all, an echo unit just produces echoes, right? Wrong! . Even the tunes I was reasonably happy with, now sound very close to the originals. I’m sure there are plenty of little tweaks I could make which might improve the tones further (adding a few processors, EQ etc.), but it’s so close to the originals I think I’ll concentrate on playing more and tinkering less now that Charlie and John have done all the hard work!
Thank you both for producing such a terrific unit and British made to boot, and thank you to Derek and his team for the build quality and professional and efficient way that they have handled the ordering process.
All the best
TIm
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Post by Charlie Hall on May 18, 2015 12:04:57 GMT
Hi Tim, Thanks for your detailed review of your impressions of the unit. It all makes the work everyone put into it worthwhile. Regards, Charlie
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Post by fulham on May 21, 2015 15:45:36 GMT
Hi every one. Have now set up my H & C I have never belived in Magic I do now. We'll dun to all in volved Fulham
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Post by localhero on May 21, 2015 16:19:53 GMT
Hi Charles (Fulham) have you bought one for Poppy too or are you sharing ?
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Post by fulham on May 21, 2015 17:59:40 GMT
Hi No we share when I get a look in Poppy Loves it to. Poppy says Hi
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Post by Charlie Hall on May 21, 2015 22:07:51 GMT
Hi fulham, Thank you for writing and letting us know how you are getting on with your unit! Regards, Charlie
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colljaw
Member
The Controller
Posts: 426
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Post by colljaw on May 25, 2015 11:06:44 GMT
Hi Charlie & John, I have just moved, renamed or added text at the end of current info, and adjusted settings for 5 patches moving them to U60,61,62,63 and U64. I did not have to consult the manual to do this as it is very simple to do. I liked the speed when holding down + or -, not too fast and easily readable while progressing through the parameters.
This is a wonderful piece of kit that will be very popular with professional musicians of all genres once it is reviewed!
Thanks team H&CSE!
Regards,
Jim.
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Post by John Collins on May 25, 2015 13:01:01 GMT
Hi Jim, I'm glad that you were able to find your way around the editing routines, without the need to consult the user manual. The design goal with the editing was to keep it as simple as possible - using the same principle of selecting and executing an option, within each the menu screens. We also didn't want to add a whole lot of extra buttons to the front panel - hence just the Enter and Next buttons, and then using the +/- footswitches to increment or decrement parameter values, where needed. I encourage others to "dive in" and have a go at editing, to see how it works - safe in the knowledge that none of the Preset patches can be altered. Thanks for the feedback. John
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Post by 101146 on May 27, 2015 20:04:55 GMT
Good evening all 136 arrived 2 weeks ago and I've only just had time to play serious with it,Charlie John and all involved with the H&CSE what a sterling job you've all done. The unit seems bomb proof very well made and the display is just spot on. Thanks again to all involved one very happy man here.Next thing according to her indoors is all you've got to do now is to learn to play that guitar thanks Luv!!! Good luck all Del.
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Post by ha2he on Jun 8, 2015 20:39:27 GMT
Hi Charlie & Friends, I'm a little late to join the party due to me not being able to accept delivery for a couple of weeks, Derek held back postage for me until I could. So, firstly, thanks to Derek for doing that for me, exchanged a few emails and it was all taken care of, incidentally I paid using a bank transfer and had no problems. I received an email with a one hour time slot for my delivery, anyone who has ever been to a hospital delivery suite will understand the tension My dearly beloved announced a parcel had arrived for me and it was heavy.... IT WAS HERE! A short while after the input and output jacks were connected, then the 12vac 1a, Apache is the initial default so at around 09:30 the amp barely warm..... Good grief.... What a difference.... truly amazing. I've had the Hall & Collins Signature Echo for a little short of two weeks and can say it is an amazing piece of kit. Amanda Hambridge (valvewiz) said of a prototype there was very little difference, if any, between it and a Meazzi, praise indeed. It is built like a tank and sounds and looks wonderful, and easy to use, I dived into the editing which is so easy to get to grips with. There are numerous sound files to attest to how good this unit is on this site. In conclusion a really heartfelt thanks go to Charlie, John and Derek and the guys/gals who put this together, it has put in our hands something previously unobtainable, a little bit of magic. Thanks to all involved, Regards, Tim.
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Post by Charlie Hall on Jun 8, 2015 21:04:25 GMT
Hi Del, Tim, and all others who I missed replying to earlier due to being so busy for the last few weeks,
Thanks very much for each of your impressions of the unit. It is interesting to see that certain items like compressors etc., can be removed from the chain, enabling a return to how some things were done in the old days.
I visited one user who also has a particularly good sounding Meazzi tape echo unit. We compared the dry signal through the Meazzi and then through his Hall & Collins unit, alternating between one or the other several times. The Hall & Collins unit had as much harmonic enhancement to the dry sound as the Meazzi unit had, if not more, with the Hall & Collins emphasising more rich enhanced mids, without sounding thin. I only mention this for those that have probably wondered how they might compare. To reiterate, only the dry signal was compared at the time of this little test, although we did of course compare the echo sounds separately afterwards.
Regards, Charlie
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Post by glyderslead on Jun 8, 2015 22:33:10 GMT
After all these great comments believe me, I'm really looking forward to receiving my own H & C unit when batch 2 is distributed.
In the meantime I can't recall seeing a note from anybody regarding the use of a Gemini unit or Charlie's cut unit.
Has anybody tried either of these with the H & C unit or are they no longer required?
Cheers
Mick
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Post by frankmarvin on Jun 9, 2015 0:31:57 GMT
Hi Mick, of course people will experiment with various EQ's etc etc and good luck to them, personally speaking ,the H&C unit does it for me, between that and the amp settings I now get a sound that I daren't dream about a short while ago : I am old enough to have worked with most of the old tape / drum echo's and yes , some of them had a lovely tone, but were prone to problems, breaking tapes etc, not to mention the knob fiddling between each song . Charlie's unit gives you all the benefits without the draw-backs, just my opinion.
You will LOVE your H&C unit:
Regards, Frank.
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Post by Charlie Hall on Jun 9, 2015 5:10:23 GMT
After all these great comments believe me, I'm really looking forward to receiving my own H & C unit when batch 2 is distributed. In the meantime I can't recall seeing a note from anybody regarding the use of a Gemini unit or Charlie's cut unit. Has anybody tried either of these with the H & C unit or are they no longer required? Cheers Mick Hi Mick, The Hall & Collins Signature Echo does not take the place of units like the Gemini III or the Cutting Edge which were designed to produce something close to the bass cut found in early Vox amps. Regards, Charlie
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Post by frankp on Aug 11, 2015 6:00:24 GMT
Hi Charlie, Thanks again for all you help, I have now received confirmation and a serial number. I am very pleased to see 'MADE IN THE UK' what a change from made in China. Because of my experience with the Q2 does your new unit have a battery or is it on an eprom or such like? Can't wait to get the new unit. Good luck to you and John with the new unit. Regards Frank
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