It's V2 time boys! You know what to do!

Got a mate who use's this for Rockabilly vocals to get a grainy 50's like effect, sounds great!!

The clean tone with that tele through that amp is just unbelievable

This is best for people that record. A lot of uses for guitar, bass, vocals, keys and synths.

Get home, computer on, beer from fridge, That Pedal Show = Friday!

For those who don't "get" the pedal - think of it as the front end for your audio interface that you can plug anything into. It's like having one channel strip of a Neve mixing console. If you have two of them - you are building a small console....and on and on. In fact - that is exactly what I did - I bought two of them so that I would have 2 channels comprised of "Neve 1073s." That is why there is a mixing console on the faceplate. The new Ver 2 will be able to pass 48V phantom power from your audio interface (or whatever you use to provide phantom power) straight through to the CB V2. In other words - you would plug your condenser microphone into the box using the combo jack on the right side of the unit (it accepts either XLR or 1/4" TS) and run an XLR out of the left side of the unit and into your interface where most will have the option of switching on 48V phantom power. The new CB V2 will also have the bells and whistles that JHS included in the VERY PRICEY Colour Box 500 series unit. The awesome sauce is that it is HALF THE PRICE of the 500 series unit!!!!! $399 - which is the same price as the original CB V1. It's better to not think of the boxes as "pedals" but rather individual channels of Neve 1073 pre-amps with the added advantage of being able to use it as a guitar pedal. You'll start to realize you want (need) multiples if you are into recording. One is fine - but two channels are better!! Imagine if you had 8 channels!! You could mic a drum kit, a guitar amp, go DI with it on a bass guitar, and have a channel or two for vocals or direct inject with a synth. Capiche? Hope this helps.

Should do an episode on preamp pedals and direct-in type stuff ala Sansamp, Colour Box, Tech 21, Tubeman, AMT, etc.

Fast becoming my favourite YT show. Keep it up! :)

And here's my weekly request for an episode on solid state amps (and how to make them acceptable with pedals). Great video as always!

Got one last week. This thing is a beast!!!! The EQ is so reactive its unreal. Cant wait to do some sessions with it.

Terrific job, fellas! I really cannot understand why anyone would not love that pedal. One of the things I try to find in a pedal is tonal range and diversity, and the Color Box has that and more. Such a big, open, enunciated sound. At that price, it’s not likely that I’ll ever own one, but wow! I think it sounds amazing!

Maybe an idea would be an episode on overdrives + guitar volume and tone control and how you can use that? Treble bleeds, overdrive vs clean and how to deal with volume or tone differences when playing like this on a one channel amp. (Sorry for the long complicated question..) Whenever you guys go over a subject I almost always find a new aspect or trick that I didn't know already! :)

Usually, the more stuff is removed from the signal chain between guitar and amp, the better the clean sound. However... this is one of those very few pedals where it’s addition into a signal chain could, depending on your idea of great clean tone, make your stuff sound BETTER. A rare thing, that.

"I know people who would really like that." Definitely a coded message. ;) Thank you for the show, gents! I so appreciate these videos. I watch them multiple times and learn something new each time. Please keep them coming!

Great show and pedal. I have been using it in a variety of settings: a preamp for my classical guitars' piezo pick up - this works great and sounds beautiful through my hand made Class A tube amp. A preamp for my Sennheiser into my DAW - my singing voice is not as loud as say my bandmates so this really helps bring up the level using my dynamic mic. I still have to try a condenser mic. An electric guitar fuzz pedal - I like the fuzz sound on it. Terrific sounding preamp pedal.

They've managed to recreate the Neve mids very well on the Colour Box.

LOVED the strat into the colour box into the AER. As soon as Mick plugged in `i had a smile on my face.

I think it sounded great. A true kind of dirt or rather (its about to break) sound. Ive been looking for something like this for awhile. Somehow its got a eagles of death metal sound.

Hi ! I once heard "Revolution" by The Beatles played thru that pedal and I was floored ! Then I found the story of the recording of "Revolution" (the fast pace version) recorded at Abbey Road and lead by John Lennon after a specific demand from the record company for a "hit" (Revolution #1 been too slow). So, it was done in a day or two..........

Great video! Coming from more of a production background than a guitar background I loved that most of the tones this produces have a very interesting edge to them, like a little chaotic spark that lets all notes sound a little different. To me it sounds awesome.

The Red Snapper drive pedal is a great drive that does not make the sound "small" it sounds like a amp and a guitar...if you don't know about that pedal...you should. It is my favorite drive or clean boost pedal

Love this show. You guys get into every detail and the comparisons help a lot. I hardly see reviews with as much details as you guys.

I don't know how to say it... but it looks like when I was a kid in the 80s and plugged my guitar directly into my TV room's 3-in-1 sound system (radio, tape deck and turntable) in the Mic input and turned the volume all the way up, potentially destroying its preamp.

look forward to this every week! great show guys! keep 'em coming!!!!!

Another Brick In The Wall solo tone here perhaps. That solo was a P-90 equipped Les Paul recorded direct into the mixing desk. Dave Gilmour thought the results were a bit thin sounding, so they ran the direct recorded track back out into an amplifier to fatten it up. Re-amping basically. Colour Box set up for a fairly clean direct recorded guitar sound into an amp would probably get very close. I always thought I needed a Strat for that sound btw. Nope p.s. Props to JHS for spelling colour properly.

You guys do such a great job! I just love this show...

the heavy break up is, to me, almost useless other than for novelty. But think of it as a preamp, which is what it's based on. No one buys expensive preamps for their overdrive. You buy them for their subtle enhancements of the signal which this does beautifully in the clean and early break up. It adds a lot of definition and subtle coloration like a good pre. The overdrive is a 'bonus'.

Guys thanks for saving me $ 400! Your's is my must see on Fridays, keep um coming 👍

Good review. I've used this box for 8 months now and can tell you playing through it gets addictive. I set it up to get the Beatles "Revolution" grind then can back off guitar volume and it cleans up beautifully. Currently using it as a mic pre before hitting my Mackie 1640. sounds great. Just realize this is closely providing the sound of going into a Neve desk for better or worse!

The sound around 14:15 reminds me the times when i plugged a guitar into my HiFi system through the mic input of the casette recorder...Skimpy distorted sound. And i said to my myself: 'i need a real amp'.

Excellent video, as always. I always learn so much. Keep up the great work.

It is incredible how one (myself included) can sense audible differences across various pedals, which also disappear entirely in the context of the band with drums, keys and bass. Then you are left with pretty much not knowing/telling a difference with your run of the mill quite capable Boss OS2.

You guys are costing me a fortune! Wasnt sure about into the aer but id have this in my chain to add "that" vibe to the sound, lovely!

You guys have some of the best guitar pedal and just plain guitar content on KZfaq thanks for all your hard work.

The Nervous Breakdown Pedal When Dave Davies shoved a couple of knitting needles into his amp and banged out "You Really Got Me"

That pedal has made such a huge difference to my hoe recordings....sounds amazing on everything, especially DI'ing a bass!

Your show is so addictive..Lots of information and awesome guitar playing...

i must get my hands on a colour box!!! this video gives so much great insight on how to use it

With regard to this device, if you are recording in Logic, for instance, there are a number of plug-in apps that do what the Colour Box does, and better, and are available for very little or for free.

$45 dynacomp, homemade fuzz for $75 and get a boss eq pedal for $50 would get you into what this does for a pittance. You saved me $400! I had been interested in hearing this for a while. Thanks, always love the show.

Another great show guys! Still the best part of my Friday!!

Mick can't quite talk himself into it

I have a complete Neve pre (handbuilt based on the original circuit and transformers). It sounds great on bass. I skip over the mic transformer with a 1/4" when I use it for bass. Sounds great.

Love all these videos. Could you do one on how different guitars are EQ'd? I remember in one video Mick says something about a strat having a mid-scoop (or something!) "obviously". It would be great for people who that isn't obvious to to explain it a bit. Keep up the good work!

+Daniel TheGigRig Next: we want JHS Muffuletta!!!!

Trying to figure out who should buy this pedal, other than producers looking for a different way to colour or destroy their sound, but not coming up with much. Who would want this on their pedalboard? Really enjoying the pedal show, guys. I like how you go into a lot of geeky detail about each subject.

I have played with one before and I honestly love how it sounds. Say what you will about the sound, but I think it's a unique thing that sounds great, and it's got a ton of possibilities. BUT I really wish that it wasn't $400. As much as I love the pedals sound and the amount of tones you can get out it, I really struggle with such a massive price tag. And that's a problem with most JHS pedals, in my opinion. They're good, but I can't usually justify spending upwards of $100 higher than what a normal overdrive or normal delay pedal costs. Just my thoughts. They make good stuff, for sure, but I just wish it was reasonably affordable.

Great show guys.... love how you break things down and make it interesting at the same time. This video on the colour box made me wonder how amp simulators like Sansamp or the Joyo lineup direct to PA sounds compared to a real tube amp.

Loving these vids, pedalboard builds as well. Only been subscribed for a bit but watching a lot of these!! Always good info, n a bit of humour. Can name beat it. Thanks guys

Guys! You please gotta do some with ZVex! It'd be so cool to see a Fuzz Factory, Fuzzolo, Instant LoFI or any other mad scientist thing! Specially the Fuzz Factory. Your chanel is just splendid, I love it! Keep on rocking.

Always entertaining and helpful videos! I would love to see an in depth video in stereo use of pedals (e.g. Strymon Timeline). Also for studio use!

Love the shout out to Pete Thorne. Nice video guys!

SO YOUNG!!!!!!

Love mine, but wish Id waited for V2. The pop when the button is engaged is off putting and abrupt!

Hey Dan and Mick. Always love your videos. Will you please do some vids for the millions of us who get all our gain from our amp and use a boost for a bit more gain and then the challenges we face with things like a volume bump for solos etc.

Nice seamaster, Mick ;) Fascinating pedal!

it's a channel strip... Not an overdrive. hence the name

I honestly think this would sound best with no amp. Straight to desk

Can you guys please do a video with the Colour Box V2?

Thankyou for doing this video, it's such an expensive pedal that you won't see often in a shop. Just about the only other video for this is PGS in the U.S.

I'd love to see you cover tube driven pedals

Hate to be that guy, but the High Pass section is a filter NOT a shelf (7:10)! It's filtering out the frequencies below a certain point (controlled by the pot).

13:35 instant eagles of death metal

Game changer pedals. Plural? In my rig I use the Colour Box V2 on the dry side. On the wet side? Colour Box V2. "Playing both sides out of the box?" Now that's interesting...

Just got #2726. This thing is fat or tinny depending on what you're after. Great usable controls. The step knob is amazing by itself. So far I'm digging this with my Jazzmaster into a Big Muff Pi through the CB into a tube amp.

Can you guys do an episode on fuzz boxes with wah pedals? As in, using fuzz before and after the war, or using them both ways a la Jimmy Hendrix?

nice idea, but I think that some eq + good drive cannot cost that much

My biggest complaint about this pedal is the massive pop when switched on/off. Very apparent around 17:15. Obviously not an issue if you’re using a true bypass.

My favorite channel by far on all things gear! You guys do a fantastic job. Daniel, who makes your two level boards you use?

The "magic" sound of a transformer. Yes, the EQ options are nice, and it is a sweet overdrive/fuzz/noise box however, the Color Box strapped across your drum buss, or on snare, can really open up your ears. Bass, vocals, keys-Audio dynamite...If you're into recording, and you have an analog patch bay, having the Color Box around is like, having a secret weapon.

Hey Daniel, I see you have the El Capistan shirt and I searched the site for a demo of that pedal, no luck. I just watched the show with the quarterback from 2012. Not really a show on the El Cap :( How about a tape delay That Pedal Show show? You and Mick are by far the best show of this type. Informative, Funny and Entertaining. I appreciate your work and have now seen most of your historical shows, even back when you had hair :) and that is coming from a balder guy than you. Cheers

I like mic intro like Hendrix Dan nailed the Tele

I know this weird but I hear like an orange type thing with the hamstead and colour box combo

Interesting a lot of guitars in the old days didn’t even use amplifiers in the studio they went straight into the recording desk, My girl by the temptations being one I found out

Wondering what you folks thought of some of the bizarre pedals of WMD? Any chance of doing a show about them? (BTW - Love your show.)

Here's a suggestion for an episode: buffers. What they are, when your pedal board might need one, how to use them, examples of good buffer pedals (and whether certain pedals also act as a buffer, whereas true bypass pedals do not).

Dan you are Sooooo Politically Correct. In one episode ( maybe Muff / Fuzz ) you asked Mick ( which one is your favorite & made him choose ) and you said " I Love them All . . . I really do - it's Sophie's Choice " - You guys are just so fantastic. What chemistry. I could watch this show for 6 hours per day. ( Honestly ). Tons of Great Info !!! " Never Stop "

Can you guys do a review of the Pettyjohn pre Drive? I got one to try but just not getting it....that would fit well with this preamp series

One of the most famous guitar tune recorded directly into a desk is probably David Gilmour's The Wall solo. Don't know if it was a Neve though.

epic hello from mick in the intro

Seems like a swiss army knife kind of pedal that could fit in almost any rig

It wold be great if you did a show about using tube preamp pedals on solid state amps. The electric on the AER sounds great. but how would it be if pass through a Blackbird by effectrode for example.... Anyway guys... this is great work... keep going, thanks

Whenever I hear the colour box, I think “we are sex ba-bomb and we sing songs that make you think about death and feel sad and stuff.”

Awesome video !!!

So this is the kinks in a box pretty much??

I went through a period in the middle of the video after the ‘broken’ sound where the guy with the LP junior was looking kind of disappointed and I was thinking the same... but got better towards the end of the sounds. I will check out the V2 demos but at the moment I’m not sure - a 1073 channel strip clone might still be my preference.

Why the crazy bright LEDs? I have 3 pedals where I had to stick some tape on them because otherwise I cannot see anything on the board.

I have a 1073 clone that I love to play my guitar through. To bad that colorbox pedal is so damn expensive! Wilco

So many great ears have been talking about how special this unit is, but my average ears haven't quite latched on yet. Thanks for helping me understand what I'm hearing. Love those "Knopfler" sounding cleans, but how does it differ from a good compressor? I suppose it offers some OD flexibility beyond the compression.

nice one chaps!!!

The reason it gets so battery dieing Over the Top is because it doubles the gain stages of a 1073 (that had plenty of gain to get weak mics to line level) so pretty much running two mic preamps into each other which is the worst nightmare in normal situations for any audio engineer but can get strange fuzzed out tones.

if these guys didnt make it sound amazing, im passing

The JHS pedal sounded much clearer and more articulate than the Boss. But four bones? Yoicks!

Hendrix used those squirty tones studio Swiss Army knife

1:46 Favourite moment

When I was 12 r 13 I used to go to junk shops and buy old 8 track record player sterio put.quqter inch jacks strip the turn tables and decks out re house them and sell them to other kids as guitar amps I'd put the phone input as the high gain input. I'm hearing some of those sounds out of this box

That Friday Show!!! aaaawwww yeaaah

Hey ! Thanks for the video... I think that instead of wasting 400+ one could as well load a pile of crap into a DI box ...

19:10 you can use this to cover the law and order theme song

I'd consider it for acoustic guitar or a miked wind/horn. Other antique consoles with EQ sound nice too. Electric guitar? Needs fuzz or something. Whats the input impedance?