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Part 4

This part provides thorough descriptions of "Practical Uses of the VITALIZER" and introduces examples of the VITALIZER being put to practical use in music studios and at concert venues. It also delves into the benefits which can be expected from the use of the VITALIZER. In addition, we will show you how VITALIZER products are displayed in shops and what types of users the VITALIZER is targeted at.

Chapter 7: Actual use examples

First of all, let's take a look at examples of the VITALIZER being put to actual use and check under what situation the VITALIZER displays its full power. Recently, configurations for the sound systems for guitarists and bassists have become diversified; however the VITALIZER can be used effectively with virtually any system. First let's take a look at the simplest usage example which is the case wherein a guitar or bass is directly connected to an amp without using effectors. In recent years, using this type of setup seems to be in the minority. However, it is the basic setup for delivering a sound that emphasizes the original guitar sound. The important concept of focusing on delivering the original sound reinforces the need for utilizing the dynamism of the VITALIZER. As explained in Part 1, when the cable length is changed, the sound quality also changes simultaneously with it. So, in cases where cables of different lengths are used to meet the requirements of different venues, such as using a 5-meter cable for a studio or a 7-meter or 10-meter cable for a live concert, depending on the width of the stage, the sound quality changes accordingly. However, when the VITALIZER is connected between two cables, with the length of the cable connecting the guitar to the VITALIZER being of a fixed length, and the length of the cable connecting the VITALIZER to the amp being determined according to the usage, you will be free of worries about any changes in the sound quality.

Although many musicians want to connect a guitar to an amp using only a single cable, they have to use a tuning device for live concerts. In such cases if they don't want to connect the tuning device between the guitar and amp, a lot of musicians might opt for using an A/B box for switching without connecting other equipment between the guitar and amp. However, the sound will change depending on the length of the cable connecting the A/B box to the amp and also the contacts inside the A/B box or the wiring may cause the sound quality to deteriorate. The VITALIZER is equipped with a "Tuner Out" feature, which is a neat and practical technique that enables tuning to be performed even while the sound output is muted by setting the preset volume of the VITALIZER unit to "zero".

In fact, it is reported that bassist Rei Ohara uses the VITALIZER as a mute box during tuning. Actually this type of simple configuration may be more advantageous to bassists rather than guitarists. Bassists who naturally have many occasions to listen to the line recording sound which is directly recorded from the mixer table to a recorder via a DI (direct injection box), and who are rather sensitive about conveying the original sound, may feel the effectiveness of the VITALIZER to be highly attractive. In cases where only a small number of effectors are used, the VITALIZER offers approximately the same advantages as derived from a direct connection using a cable, but also allows for extra functionality. When an effector is connected to the "Send/Return" terminals of the VITALIZER, the signals sent to the effector can be improved and a more vivid sound can be output. The effector circuitry can be bypassed completely through switching by means of a foot switch and just the pure signals output from the VITALIZER can be sent to the amp.

However, in such cases, with older type effectors such as a "Fuzz", when low impedance signals are sent to the effector via the VITALIZER circuitry, it should be noted that sound may be conveyed in an unfavorable manner. Also, in the case where wah-wah pedals are used, when the goal is to produce a traditional or classic sound, the sound that is rendered by connecting a wah-wah pedal before the VITALIZER may be better.
Some musicians may use a volume pedal to turn down the volume during tuning or during the interval between songs when an effector is connected to the "Send/Return" terminals of the VITALIZER. Also, quite a number of musicians think that a volume pedal is essential in expressing their performance. However, volume pedals in general-use today are comprised only of variable resistors and the sound thins out immediately as soon as the volume pedal is connected. In addition, sound loss in the high range worsens when the volume is turned down further. The VITALIZER allows you to connect your preferred volume pedal model at the desired position in the signal route, without being influenced by the volume pedal’s input impedance value.

People select volume petals based on personal preferences, such as whether or not it is comfortable to press down, or on the basis of the volume adjustment curve it offers. However, use of the VITALIZER goes a long way towards solving problems with "thinning out" of the sound and also offering more flexibility setting options. In addition, many musicians like to connect a tuning device to the "Tuner Out" of the volume pedal. In these cases, however, the circuitry of the tuning device remains connected internally, which leads to lowering of the sound quality and noise from the digital circuit of the tuning device often overrides the guitar signal. Effective use of the "Tuner Out" feature of the VITALIZER should greatly reduce such problems.

When adding a VITALIZER to a complex system, theoretically it should be connected at the first position possible that is closest to the guitar. However, if the goal is to prevent lowering of sound quality caused by the length of the cable connected between the effector and amp without changing the effect level of the effector, the VITALIZER may be connected to at the very end of the guitar signal chain.

As explained above, one of the biggest advantages of the VITALIZER is the flexibility in usage that it allows for matching the individual preferences of users.

Chapter 8: Interview with Mr. Kentaro Suzuki, Store Manager of "Guitars Station" for Ikebe Gakki, Co., Ltd.'s

Next, as a person who possesses a wide range of knowledge of high-end guitar related equipment, I asked Mr. Kentaro Suzuki, the Store Manager of Guitars Station for Ikebe Gakki, to provide us with a perspective on the relevance of the VITALIZER from an objective viewpoint.

■Impressions of the VITALIZER

Suzuki: "My first impression of the VITALIZER is that I felt a new product had been launched which had 'gone over the top.' In other words, a product that went overboard in playing on the concept of ‘the sound remains unchanged.' In terms of merchandising, I feel it is easier to sell products which conjure up images of offering 'this or that' type of sound. However, I also had the impression that this was a product that focused on the core elements desired by most guitarists. I got this impression namely because, in contrast to products such as boosters which are aimed at increasing sound levels, the Preset Volume function of the VITALIZER is intended to reduce the volume.
I also admired such features as the concept of using the VITALIZER with a volume pedal connected, as well as the manufacturer's serious effort in introducing a product that is intentionally designed for use by professionals. This is my honest impression of the VITALIZER. In a certain sense, I feel that it strongly challenges the degree to which users would have a desire for use of such features."

■Target users of VITALIZER

Suzuki: "When the VITALIZER first came out, most of the customers who expressed an interest in it were those who first saw it being used by professional artists and later came in to ask us 'how do you use a product like that?'
When I described the functions of the VITALIZER while replying to questions such as 'what does it mean that the 'sound remains unchanged?' many customers said 'I've got to have this' and opted to purchase the VITALIZER to incorporate into their pedal boards. One day I actually tested the sound quality by using cables of different lengths, including short and long cables of the exact same brand, as I wanted to feel how much the sound quality changes. As a result, I noticed that the sound changes significantly.
I actually experienced how sound quality changes greatly depending on the length of cables used. I also used a volume pedal and incorporated the VITALIZER at the point which was best suited for it when used in a complex system. By means of this, I truly experienced how the VITALIZER delivered a straightforward sound wherein the ‘sound quality remained unchanged’ in the best sense of the word. Based on my evaluation from these experiences, it became easier for me to recommend the VITALIZER to customers by saying 'as long as you're putting together a system, why not incorporate a VITALIZER in it?' Today, products similar to the VITALIZER are being marketed one after another. I think that this is a good thing and that has led to improvements in the musical equipment environment as it allows customers to select the product they desire most from among the various products available. The preference for obtaining a natural sound such as delivered by the VITALIZER is one way to go along these lines. More precisely, choosing equipment that offers variations in sound or certain sound characteristics depending on the situation may also be appealing both in terms of sound or from the standpoint of the overall system. As such, equipment choices should be made on a case-by-case basis. More than anything, one could say that, in the past, the lineup for products such as VITALIZER was limited. Even if we needed them, such products were not available on the market unless we placed a special order. Having products of this nature was a privilege mainly limited to professional artists. It's surprising how times have changed however, and today products such as VITALIZER are readily available on the market, giving testimony to how things have changed for the better."

■The differences in sound compared to buffers in general use today

Suzuki: "In terms of sound quality I can honestly say that VITALIZER provides the most natural sound of any equipment of its type. More precisely, a natural sound that is uncolored, without bias towards particular tastes. However, I feel the customers actually need to try out the VITALIZER for themselves and try to discover the value of the natural sound it produces."

●Kentaro Suzuki of Guitars Station

Suzuki: "A new product called 'Final Booster' which incorporates a VITALIZER circuit in the input stage has just been launched. With this product, changes in the sound quality are overwhelmingly less noticeable and a natural sound is output when the system is turned ON with the amplification set to 'zero'. Once, when I was in charge of creating custom pedal boards at Free The Tone, I requested that a VITALIZER circuit be inserted at several points along the signal route. What I had gained from my experiences up until then, was that conventional buffers tend to render sound with a 'hard' tone and I wanted to avoid inserting a buffer in as much as possible. I felt that the sound somehow seemed better when configured in a direct connection, such as 'when connecting the board directly to the amp using a cable without routing via the buffer'. However, a much fuller and deeper sound can be produced when the VITALIZER is connected. When a guitar is directly connected to an amp using a short cable, of course, a fuller sound can be produced, which I believe is similar to that when a VITALIZER is connected between them. For good or bad, I know that many people are used to listening to sound that has been changed due to cables or effectors being connected along the line. However, if you want to select equipment based on the idea of producing ‘sound that remains unchanged’ as much as possible, the VITALIZER is a very good option."

■Discrepancies with the sound produced with enhancers

Suzuki: "Although this is my personal opinion, when using a product to correct sound quality, the part that serves as the nucleus for accomplishing this cannot recognize discrepancies in sound quality while in the 'clean state.' That is, when the sound has not been processed, discrepancies in the sound quality may be difficult to recognize. However, when signals are enhanced by distortion or connection to other equipment to vary the sound, remarkable changes in sound (sound colored or biased) can be recognized. When the effector is turned ON, if the high range is output favorably, the sound will be fine. However, in many cases, the sound peaks in the high range, causing distortion. In that sense, I have the impression that the VITALIZER produces less change in the sound quality, regardless of whether the sound is in the clean state or whether it is distorted. And, depending on circumstances, there are cases when more change in the sound quality in the distorted state is desired as somehow it allows for more sound projection. This too, however, depends a lot on individual preference.
At our shop, you can try out various items of equipment in different combinations. Please feel free to drop by and consult with us about your musical equipment needs. "