Monte Allum CS-3 Mod in Cape Town

Beeg

After seeing this

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyVeDXhJmSA

I got this

for this

Now I just need someone in the Cape Town area to put the pieces together.

Have you guys done this before, or know about someone that can do this properly?

AlanRatcliffe

That's a great mod kit that. ?

Get hold of Andre van der Sandt - 082 367 2297 - he's the guy that I use. Used to run the Roland workshop for Bothner's, so knows what he's doing with audio and digital electronics. Can work on everything up to and including SMD - he fixed my TC Nova Drive.

Beeg

There has been bold claims for this mod kit yes

This is exactly the same kit as my very popular CS3 Opto Mod but I have incorporated my new Dual Stack Chip Adapter Mod into the Opto kit. By replacing one of the CS3's inline chips with the Dual Stack Chip Adapter containing a RC4558P and Burr Brown OPA2134PA we increase the clarity of the CS3, decrease noise and add volume and headroom. This is one sweet sounding compressor with this mod. A truly great sounding mod just got better.
A really great compressor lets the true character of the signal come through preserving all the frequencies of the original signal. This is exactly what my CS-3 Opto Plus Mod does, and it does it very well. I modeled this kit after the character of the old vintage Opto Compressors. These compressors are highly sought after today for their ability to compress a signal in a very smooth yet transparent way. With this mod I have achieved this and more. In fact, I use a CS-3 modded with this kit as a front end compressor for my personal studio. I use it for vocals, acoustic guitar and keyboards. The results have been nothing short of amazing.

Thank you Alan, I contacted him and is taking the compressor to him next week.
It's no small feat fixing a delay pedal, so reckon he might be able to do the mod with ease. ?

Really keen to see what the actually noticeable difference will be between the stock CS-3 and the modded CS-3.

Norman86

Beeg wrote Really keen to see what the actually noticeable difference will be between the stock CS-3 and the modded CS-3.

sound clips ?
the only way you'll truly know!

AlanRatcliffe

I've used both and the modded version is far better than stock. Still does the squishy thing, but is tonally a lot more transparent and quieter with a smoother knee.

Beeg

I like the "squishy thing" ?

I will convince the Andre to do a before and after photo of the internals and post it here.

Will be interesting to see how much actually gets changed in the pedal.

Kalcium

Alan Ratcliffe wrote Still does the squishy thing

Is it not possible to set it to a lower setting, like set the attack and sustain such that the squish is juuust there...shouldn't the amount of compression be adjustable, else what are the knobs for (other than level...) maybe im just a compressor noob...

FruitarGeek

Ive modded my GE-7 with the monte allums package. Its really not that difficult. Its like lego for adults haha!

But Andre is a safe bet too. Ive worked with him before. He knows his stuff.

Beeg

I was pm'ed about this again and thought I will rather reply on the thread. ?

Alan Ratcliffe wrote That's a great mod kit that. ?

Get hold of Andre van der Sandt ..

The mod was done by Karel Mars because Andre was a bit busy at the time, but he did a brilliant job of modding it. He said he has done a few mods on BOSS DS-1 pedals as well, so he is also able to help out with this type of thing.

Alan Ratcliffe wrote I've used both and the modded version is far better than stock. Still does the squishy thing, but is tonally a lot more transparent and quieter with a smoother knee.

After playing around with it for a few months I do agree with this, it is less intrusive, smoother and quieter, but it still has a hiss when you crank the sustain past 3 o' clock. But this seems to be because of the gain it introduces into your signal, if you use the sustain sparingly it is a great compressor.

Kalcium wrote
Alan Ratcliffe wrote Still does the squishy thing
Is it not possible to set it to a lower setting, like set the attack and sustain such that the squish is juuust there...shouldn't the amount of compression be adjustable, else what are the knobs for (other than level...) maybe im just a compressor noob...

I actually found by dialing down the volume on my guitar I could lessen the "squishiness", but I actually prefer it for some uses ?

I will try and post a pic soon.

Would I recommend it? Definitely. 8)

Sorry for the late reply on this topic

AlanRatcliffe

Beeg wrote it still has a hiss when you crank the sustain past 3 o' clock. But this seems to be because of the gain

Absolutely. 3 o' clock on a CS-3 is a huge amount of compression and gain. I would usually end up with mine around 9 - 11 o' clock, even with the Allums mod (but I'm not really a "compressor as effect" guy).

Beeg

Alan Ratcliffe wrote
Beeg wrote it still has a hiss when you crank the sustain past 3 o' clock. But this seems to be because of the gain
Absolutely. 3 o' clock on a CS-3 is a huge amount of compression and gain. I would usually end up with mine around 9 - 11 o' clock, even with the Allums mod (but I'm not really a "compressor as effect" guy).

Saw a few guys saying they didn't notice any change to the sound when engaging the effect, but it is actually a powerfull compressor that should be used sparingly.

It does also serve as a buffer on my pedalboard, don't know how good a buffer it is, but it sounds fine to me in bypass.
Don't think the mod improves the buffer.

kitaarpeer

Where can I buy these mod kits? I presume theyre available for "most" pedals?

Beeg

Yes he has a variety of different mods available, mostly Boss.

You can buy them direct from Monte Allums. He ships to SA.

http://www.monteallums.com

mtmattan

What up guys,

I'm really not convinced by these Monte Allum pedal mods.
If it's a case of you have already identified a problem with the sound and a mod exists to fix it, sure go for it! Get your perfect sound! ?

But use caution as the Monte Allums site is all marketing and misleading phrases like "richness enhanced", "2nd order dynamics", "excellent note clarity".
I've seen less sensational words in Daily Sun newspaper!

Sure, doing the mod will make the pedal sound different, but is different better?
And the labour? Modding the pedal will take a good couple of hours - desoldering components isn't that easy especially if you haven't done it before.

Also remember, this guy is raking in the cash at +/- $25 a mod, which = $1 worth of components and a quick Google search how to do the mod.

For example:"Your favourite op amp for $5" - JRC4558.
Actual: I personally cannot hear ANY difference between op amps and the op amp sells for R1.05 from Mantech.
http://www.mantech.co.za/Stock.aspx?Query=4558and

I have never seen such GROSS exaggerations or misuse of terminology:

For example: "The Mods that I sell for this pedal push the Blues Driver into Hi-Fi territory! "
Actual: No mod will increase fidelity. I assume he means it will have a flat frequency response as per Hi-Fi sound.

For example: "The BD-H2O will react exactly like a tube driven amp"
Actual: ALL overdrive pedals emulate tube amps (a "tube" screamer) The pedal uses op-amp and a clipping diode to create distortion and will never sound 100% tube.

What the mods can do:

1. Changing capacitors changes the treble, mid and bass of the circuit. Most overdrive pedals (and tube amps) have a mid-emphasis, if you want it transparent ie a flat frequency response then yes, change the capacitors. Personally I like the mid-hump - it lets the guitar cut through the drums and vocals.

2. Changing the clipping diodes will change the distortion character - so the "Tri Gain" mod is probably the most useful if you want to change the sound of the pedal.

That's my little rant for the day ?
Hope it helps anyone considering if the mod "is really worthwhile".

Regards,
Matt.

DDR4LYF

Mattocaster wrote What up guys,

I'm really not convinced by these Monte Allum pedal mods.
If it's a case of you have already identified a problem with the sound and a mod exists to fix it, sure go for it! Get your perfect sound! ?

But use caution as the Monte Allums site is all marketing and misleading phrases like "richness enhanced", "2nd order dynamics", "excellent note clarity".
I've seen less sensational words in Daily Sun newspaper!

Sure, doing the mod will make the pedal sound different, but is different better?
And the labour? Modding the pedal will take a good couple of hours - desoldering components isn't that easy especially if you haven't done it before.

Also remember, this guy is raking in the cash at +/- $25 a mod, which = $1 worth of components and a quick Google search how to do the mod.

For example:"Your favourite op amp for $5" - JRC4558.
Actual: I personally cannot hear ANY difference between op amps and the op amp sells for R1.05 from Mantech.
http://www.mantech.co.za/Stock.aspx?Query=4558and

I have never seen such GROSS exaggerations or misuse of terminology:

For example: "The Mods that I sell for this pedal push the Blues Driver into Hi-Fi territory! "
Actual: No mod will increase fidelity. I assume he means it will have a flat frequency response as per Hi-Fi sound.

For example: "The BD-H2O will react exactly like a tube driven amp"
Actual: ALL overdrive pedals emulate tube amps (a "tube" screamer) The pedal uses op-amp and a clipping diode to create distortion and will never sound 100% tube.

What the mods can do:

1. Changing capacitors changes the treble, mid and bass of the circuit. Most overdrive pedals (and tube amps) have a mid-emphasis, if you want it transparent ie a flat frequency response then yes, change the capacitors. Personally I like the mid-hump - it lets the guitar cut through the drums and vocals.

2. Changing the clipping diodes will change the distortion character - so the "Tri Gain" mod is probably the most useful if you want to change the sound of the pedal.

That's my little rant for the day ?
Hope it helps anyone considering if the mod "is really worthwhile".

Regards,
Matt.

MMMMMMM! Preach it brother! Cool to get the other side of the story. I've only really heard good things about these mod kits you get. Thanks!!!

AlanRatcliffe

I think it's more putting the changes in sound into terms that guitarists will understand. When a guitarist talks about "hi-fi", they don't use the phrase the way an audiophile would (if a pedal were really hi-fi, it would make no change to the sound), but basically are referring to a flat frequency response. In my experience you can't talk to an average player about thresholds, knees, makeup and other compression terms (you can barely talk to most sound engineers in these terms!), you have to translate it into terms they will understand: squish; pump; etc. to be understood.

Sure, if you know what you are doing, you can do it cheaper yourself, but for most of us - who are handy with a soldering iron but lacking the in-depth knowledge of how the circuits work and the differences between components or the time to do the experimentation - kits like these are worth the extra money to have all the experimentation already done, all the parts assembled together and a clear set of instructions.

At the end of the day Monte mostly improves the pedals with his mods (allowing for subjective tastes of course).

mtmattan

Alan, I completely agree - there is definitely value in pedal mods. $25 a kit is well worth the time and effort to have everything in a single packet with instructions. The terms used also let the average person understand the technical terms. Also, as far as I know, companies like Boss don't revise their designs from feedback or general opinion which leaves room for such mods.

But in my opinion, the website's claims are most definitely misleading and do not amount to reasonable advertising like "Great product", or "improve your sound". If it said "at the end of the day, generally improves the pedal", I might buy one myself!
I personally feel he is preying on the less informed with far reaching claims backed by often misused terminology.

Im really not trying to just critisize the website but I want to emphasize that it's important to be realistic about what you'll get out of the mod. Will it live up to the claims? Probably not. Will it change the frequency response? Yes. Will it improve your pedal? Quite possibly - depends on your ears! ?