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OOPS! Binaural recording tests, were loaded in our samples below,
without an explanation. We were experimenting with a rig, that can
pick up movements, pick and guitars sounds. It's also good for demonstrating
spatial/environmental elements of sound. Without noting this; however,
we seem to have presented a terrific amp, recorded by some hooligans,
twirling a Mic here, and there. We've voiced our regrets to the
very kind; Dan Torres, and thanked a particularly serious listener,
for recognizing: nobody's technique could be this undisciplined!
Until we can redo the sound: forget us, and dig Dan's little ass
kicker! We regret this goof up.TF
What is it with "Tiny Tone"? Yes, great minds have pondered the
name game! "Zippy the PinHead" could get lost in a Tiny Tone reverie,
"Tiny Tone, say it softly.and it's almost like praying!" After all;
that large daschund head Zippy loves ("Doggie"), is a real statute
at an old "Doggie Diner", in Frenzyland. Then again it might be
suppressed memories of a mysterious movie entitled "Terror in a
Tiny Town", aimed at at those, extraordinarily willing to suspend
disbelief? However, here's something for real:
Torres Tiny Tone, is a "one & a half, Watt" guitar amplifier, which
is all tube driven. Smaller Amps have become more popular for several
reasons; not the least of which is: hard working tubes sound better.
It's easy to turn the dials to eight on your stack. However, the
walls start shaking, hearing loss begins, and people are screaming
for mercy, we all know the drill. These were major factors in promoting
the popularity of overdive pedals, master volumes, dummy loads,
pentode/triode switches, disabling power tubes etc. Twenty to thirty
Watt Amps are less likely to cause profound hearing loss, but they're
still quite loud.
Here's a prototype of the Torres Engineering Tiny Tone series, tube
guitar amplifier. The tube compliment is one 6005 power tube, and
two 12AX-7s, reported to be, one and one half Watts. The controls;
(at this point are): volume, treble, midrange, and bass. This prototype
has an additional treble switch, and a Mid pull-boost. Other cut/boost
features are in the experimental stages. This pup will be issued
in both Marshally, and Tweedy flavors, and 8 and 16 Ohm resistance
loads.
Naturally, you can use it just like any other Amp head, or plug
into its line out: Tiny Tone will then function as an OD/Distortion
effect, that your big Amp can project! Think of it as the electronic
version of Australian "dwarf tossing". If nothing but "Le Tubes"
may enter your immaculate signal chain, try this petite Tonier,
and voila! Familiarity with fried preamp tube distortion, has demonstrated
to most: it's poached POWER tubes that create the subtler, singing,
somewhat compressed qualities in a distorted Amp. Now this flavor
is available in a "to go" container. How... rare!
How does it sound?
The tone is well.not so tiny. Slightly distorted tones are available,
(hear sample #two). Clean tones are available at low volumes, (hear
the beginning of sample #3). Yo! Nobody in their right mind should
buy this rig for copious clean headroom though, the deal here is
power tube torture at moderate, home stereo volume. Take a listen
to sample #one for some mojo, then try #three, which demonstrates
its terrifying range, (at as low a volume as you've likely heard):
Warm clean chords, clear across to fill in the blank distortion,
you may notice the distortion doesn't turn into a fuzz tone; even
with our ancient, inefficient speaker.
Recording notes:
Samples were played through a single Celestion 12 inch speaker in
a Torres closed box. We compared a few small Amps with the TinyTone:
a seven, and ten Watt Amp, the Tiny Tone is w-a-y quieter.
Please note:
To be needlessly difficult: some sounds take a few seconds of experimentation
to achieve. This is a tiny Amp with a big range of tonal options.
You don't just grab it and twist with abandon, remember: big range...tiny
environment. We wanted power tube overdrive, at low volume, we got
it. We wanted options, we got them. If the designer removed all
but the obvious, you could dial in it's relentlessly characteristic
sound, in three seconds.
Size:
This head can be held in one hand. We bought one of those padded
things, that people carry their lunch in, and the head didn't quite
fit. Imagine the carton a half gallon of milk comes in; now scrunch
it together from each end, a little bit. That's about the size,
and weight involved.
A delightful new option/flavor, a studio tool, play Purple Haze
during the quiet "dinner set", at clubs that serve meals until ten
PM, enjoy a tasty power tube overdrive, late at night, without visits
from the police. This design will continue to evolve, and it's already
way cool! Hear for yourself, just below.
Sound Sample 1 | Sound Sample 2 | Sound Sample 3 |
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