This is an in-depth technical analysis and audio comparison of the TonePump preamp and the LHZ Preamp intended to provide objective data to help players understand the differences in tone and feel that they experience when switching between these two preamps.
The tests consists of two portions, the Stress Test and an audio Performance Test.
STRESS TEST
This test uses at set of sine waves that sweep from 20Hz to 20kHz. These are repeated at 6 different volume levels that correspond to very soft playing volume to very aggressive playing volume. This data is analyzed to build a profile of the EQ response, dynamics, saturation, overtone harmonics, and symmetry of the preamp.
PERFORMANCE TEST
A 2007 Flame Maple Rebop 5DLX with active EMG 40P5 and 40J pickup was modified to send the output of the pickups (equal blend of P&J) directly to the output. Two performances were captured: a solid picking section using heavy picking, and a fingerstyle section that uses soft, heavy, slapping, tapping, and strumming.
These performances were recorded directly to the DAW and were also captured by a digital sampling oscilloscope. This allowed us to calibrate the audio interface to deliver those performances at the exact volume levels as originally recorded to each preamp. The eliminates variance in the performance so that only the differences in the preamps can be compared.
There is no processing of the final output. The native output of the preamps is what is heard in the video.
CHAPTER LIST
00:00 Introduction
00:24 Stress Tests
01:19 Real World Tests
01:59 Loopback Baseline Test Audio
02:37 Mid-Rotation / Center Detent Comparison
03:17 CCW Full EQ Cut Comparison
03:50 CW Full EQ Boost Comparison
04:29 How Loud Is the TonePump
04:47 LHZ Dynamics Analysis
06:08 TonePump Dynamics Analysis
06:47 Overtones and Saturation
08:53 Audio Comparison Challenges
09:51 Left & Right EQ Boosted (Volume Differential)
11:11 Left & Right EQ Cut (Volume Differential)
12:09 A/B Comparison with Peaks At Equal Levels
13:18 Summary
TEST FILES
The raw audio files used in the video are available from the LHZ Shop as a FREE download: TonePump vs LHZ Comparison Audio
We’ve opted to make these available because YouTube applies it’s own compression and optimization that can change the quality of the audio.
IMPORTANT: This requires completing the checkout process, as this is the only way we can offer digital downloads without having other websites hijacking our content. You will receive a link to download via the email address provided during checkout.