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12/23/2020

2020S - the new thing that almost wasn't

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A friend of mine asked around the time the 2020 came out if it would be possible to make versions with different tonal colorations.  At the time I thought it was impossible.  I thought a steel core version would do it, but I didn't think it would be possible to fit it into the same size enclosure due to the lower efficiency of a steel core.  Basically, I expected a steel core transformer would need to be substantially larger to yield similar results.  Aside from that, I had no source for steel laminations of a small size... at that time.

Recently I have been working hard on the Trinity, trying to finish up my masterpiece.  I needed to secure a reliable source for steel laminations for the EQ inductor onboard Trinity.  After months of hard work and some special sample material, I was able to find a good company to work with.  After some experimentation I was able to develop a great EQ inductor, which was roughly the size of a 2020 transformer.  Which, got me to think maybe its possible...
I figured the likelihood of it working was about 30%, but it was worth the try because the R&D cost would be low.  The only way it could work is if the transformer had a lot more turns of wire than the 2020, so I procured the absolute finest wire I could find in order to fit it on the same bobbin.  The first prototype surprisingly worked well, but I decided to wind another with some variations.  After comparing the two to each other and the original 2020, I decided the second attempt was the better choice because it was the most colorful option.  The first attempt sounded much closer to the original 2020, but I realize people want the maximum color possible - while still sounding good.

After the holiday break (today-January 2nd) I will return to start work on the demo video.  I'll be comparing the 2020S to the original version and demonstrating how it saturates at a much lower volume than the original.  I might even include a chain of multiple 2020S's.
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I have a bunch of these already made and boxed up.  They will be the pre-orders.  I'm accepting pre-orders until they run out.  This is limited to 33 units.  The official release date has not been determined yet, but should be expected for late January.  Pre-orders can be placed here.    

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    About the Author

    Mike Congilosi II, Owner/Designer/Electronics Engineer at Lightning Boy Audio and Owner/Audio Engineer/Music Producer at LBA Studios.  

    Mike received a Master of Music Degree in Studio Production from SUNY Purchase in 2007.  He has been engineering and producing music for about 15 years and has been a musician since early childhood.  Mike's electronics background comes from self education fueled by love, necessity, and a insatiable drive to create.  

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  • Home
  • Store
  • Products
    • Dark Storm - Mic Pre
    • Sun Storm - audio compressor
    • Super Storm - 500 Series Preamp
    • Eye of Jupiter - 500 Series Re-Amping DI Box
    • 23Fe+ Instrument Transformer
  • Mike's Blog
  • Reviews & Demos
  • Customer Support
  • LBA History
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