JHS Colour Box: A 1073 You Can Take Anywhere

[@jhspedals]

Shoutout to the sharp-eyed smarty pants who caught a mistake in the episode. Turns out, we totally goofed when explaining the 'shift' controls on the Colour Box-they don’t control the 'Q.' Like the 1073, the Colour Box doesn’t have a 'Q' control. We got our EQ terms mixed up! Being a huge nerd is hard sometimes.Turning the shift controls counterclockwise moves the boosted or cut frequency toward the lower end of that band, and turning them clockwise moves it toward the higher end. At least the diagram in the video got it right! (Shoutout to Austin for the accurate visuals.) Thanks for keeping us on our toes and helping us set the record straight.

[@SolidBody55]

That was actually the first thing that I reacted to. You're changing the center frequency of the band, not the Q 🙂

[@ant1sokolow]

I was about to do that comment. It may be cool (and useful ?) to have a third row of blue buttons for Q control and make the EQ fully parametric.. But perhaps the circuit is already complicated enough for the pedal format

[@the_nondrive_side]

In parametric eq terms thats usually "center frequency" but it's OK. Some don't even bother explaining what the function does

[@mhf1979]

Josh can you guy make a tutorial on FX loop?

[@hoboroadie4623]

@@ant1sokolow It takes quite a while to dial in the seven band parametrics on the Brotary.

[@nflrunes]

I just added this to my kazoo board last night, albsolutely mind blowing

[@chickenbeek]

MegaKazoo!!!

[@poissonpuerile8897]

Dude, you _know_ you can fit two more rows of knobs on there, right? And you _know_ that deep down in your heart, you want to! Do it!

[@jhspedals]

lol

[@jw6588]

​@@jhspedalsMore is Loud Good

[@benderemer7518]

*The Colour Strip v1 * this plus a Neve portico 5043 compressor

[@dunbarcustomsound]

@@jhspedalsI heard he wants to put a 2 knob comp and 1 knob de-esser 😂 … and he wants… “$1 million”

[@sub-jec-tiv]

(Dr Evil) One.. Milllion Dolllars!

[@Stallbeezy73]

Nick is an incredible singer! I love seeing all the uses for the Colorbox! Keep up the awesome work!

[@Firstandthirdday]

That drummer can saaang

[@jw6588]

If they don't cover "What I like About You", I don't know if I can keep watching JHS.

[@findJLF]

Totally agree

[@drv4859]

Why is nobody talking about Nick's singing? He's so good?

[@GreccPerspective]

I am sure its been said before, but this guy puts so much passion in the pedals.

[@GizzyDillespee]

Wait... that wasn't hot glue?

[@boalston2484]

I came for the run through of the Colour Box and stayed for all of Josh’s studio knowledge and recording tips. Thanks for sharing man!

[@splashfreelance2376]

The grey is good marketing, IMO. Anyone who knows the classic Neve consoles associates that colour scheme with the 1073 and 1081 preamp/eq modules from those big iron, big sound behemoths. I understand why JHS wanted to fit in with their own aesthetic, and that's great. But I didn't realise the Colorbox was a Neve analogue until I saw the thumbnail for this video with the grey box with blue and red knobs, so it's great to have it as an option. I was never really interested in the Colorbox, thinking it was just another eq but as a long term engineer who cut my teeth on Neves and SSLs, I am a lot more interested now. And as the video shows, for a lot more than guitar.

[@mmachine83]

I also appreciate it’s a new color but no revisions of the circuit. ❤

[@Gwen-n4s]

Same for me : as i now know it's based on a NEVE, i feel very interested !

[@max79_99]

I’m The Man Who Loves This Pedal

[@jhspedals]

🙏🏼

[@aronvanalstine]

Wilco!

[@fredman727]

Wilco!

[@lynnhopewell4728]

Picked up a Colour Box on a whim second hand during a trip. It was my daughter who used it on her singing and spoken word tracks. She got immediate feedback on the improved quality of her sound and that got her some additional voice over work. Thanks JHS. You may be impacting more artists of different types than you realize.

[@CorbCorbin]

@@lynnhopewell4728 I’m debating whether to get one for vocals, or an Eventide Mixing Link preamp, with effects loop. It has the phantom power, and 65db of clean gain. But, it doesn’t have the eq ability, that the Colour Box does.

[@lynnhopewell4728]

@@CorbCorbin It was the EQ that got her where she needed to be.

[@CorbCorbin]

@@lynnhopewell4728 Cool, thank you.

[@nathansknobs]

I've wanted a Colour Box for ages. The combination of this video and the new colourway (as well as the incredible sale right now), just pushed me over the edge. Ordered!

[@TheMirolab]

Aww thanks man, I was just going to say the same thing!

[@TjByers369]

Woah, the JHS drummer sings really well.

[@nmv881]

He’s got an EP out on most platforms. It’s really good

[@daughtersofdivorce6803]

​@@nmv881no shit! Under a different artist name or?

[@nmv881]

@@daughtersofdivorce6803 same name. Nick Loux

[@painkilla1972]

Finally ! A tuner...

[@glo2ube786]

Intimately we discern our sound with our ears why not tune with"em?

[@glo2ube786]

Just kidding more is always better

[@spinaltap22]

The combo of a Colourbox (v2) and a Quad Cortex means I can dial in whatever drive/boost/EQ I'm feeling at the time, capture it as a 'preset', then tweak away in different directions...also opens up the options for using two captures in stereo for those wanting a stereo version...

[@segueoyuri]

mind blown

[@mp5285]

I suck to much at guitar to make this purchase a good idea, but I dig it. With such stuff, JHS is part of Music History and it's something you guys should be so proud of

[@HoopSirius]

I use this pedal with harmonica into a RS Stage 5 amp. It really wakes that amp up, and finally gave me the Chicago blues sound I had been searching for!!

[@lamsonian]

A friend of mine is a well-known Blues Harpist and he uses one for his sound too. Good on you, man!

[@adamalexanderray]

Finally, a JHS branded tin of mints to store plectrums in.

[@r0flgal0re]

Gotta say, 499 is a bit steep for a tin though...

[@crolodon8024]

@@r0flgal0re Well, it's $449, not $499.

[@MRxr400]

the DI with chorus and compression sounded really cool, very 80's pop. this pedal is especially creative if you come from both guitarist back ground and sound engineer. it makes sense for a sound engineer and sculpt your tone amazingly like the front of house engineer has control to do so to your mic'd cab

[@Joey_DiMarco]

You are 100% correct. I play guitar + engineer FOH (usually not at the same time) and could find a lot of uses for this device, possibly TOO many 😁

[@jake_ricker]

Nick Valensi of The Strokes also uses one on his board. Figured I’d mention it just add his name to the amazing list of people that use this awesome pedal.

[@richnewman]

My entire “studio” is a Colorbox V2, UA Dream, and a UA Volt. Absolutely beautiful setup. We are in a golden age for gear.

[@christiaandemarezoyens4720]

Do you as a rule place the Colour Box before or after the Dream?

[@CorbCorbin]

@@richnewman Do you run any other pedals after the Colour Box, or do you put any after the Dream?

[@river_tripper]

@@CorbCorbinfollowing

[@river_tripper]

@@christiaandemarezoyens4720 I run my colour box after my drives, then modulation, reverb, and UA Dream last.

[@anthonycashero7605]

It is the golden age of gear. Nice setup. Cheers.

[@TikiBadgerSSBU]

This is one of those pedals that isn’t glamorous, it’s not flashy or sexy, but it is going to help in SO many ways.

[@JosephEMercado]

You all are so talented, dude. Love JHS with a sincere passion.

[@iamjimmyrand]

I love this pedal so much and just realized how much I’m under utilizing it, despite using it on every gig and in the studio. This video is fantastic - thanks.

[@vikingbear79]

This is a fantastic video! I have owned a Colour Box v2 for a few years... I feel like Ive learned that I can expand my usage in a few wonderful ways. Thanks guys you are a joy to watch.

[@vaclavsmerda2103]

I play keyboards and drums. At home, for fun. I write songs as a personal therapy more than anything else. All this to say that I do not really need a pedal. I don't really need a pre-amp. But I bought the 10-year edition today; purely because I appreciate this video and what Josh & team are doing on KZbin. It's a very unique entertaining education. I now have to wait for 3 weeks for the pedal to arrive, but I am looking forward to just playing and tweeking the sound along the way. Thank you.

[@riloh58]

My ColourBox v2 is one of my “always on” pedals. I actually have mine in the loop and use the eq and gain to dial in the sound for whatever I need. I love it and have been contemplating another for front end, other studio uses and in case the first should get sick. Looks like a good opportunity. Thank you Cliff and JHS.

[@jhspedals]

🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@hitsonacousticguitar]

Congratulations on the 10th anniversary and thank you for your videos. I pre-ordered one 😅

[@mistergoat7357]

Thank you for taking the time to go through the instruments. I was unaware

[@tannerbarsness9992]

The one pedal that will probably never leave my board.

[@jhspedals]

💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

[@ajlsoundwave]

Great concept to deliver color across multiple applications. Some of these sounds are a must have, so I guess I need to get this!!!

[@paulcrowder]

Holy shit, Nick’s voice is amazing!

[@EversonBernardes]

Nick is a ridiculously talented musician in general. Got an EP out called Rocks in the Rain, it's fire.

[@wasperminingco]

This is the main takeaway from this. I have no idea what this pedal does, but that was awesome.

[@Mardial]

making 2 albums with this as vocal pre amp. decent 1073 color in a tiny box

[@AltGrendel]

Now all I need is a stereo version.

[@Skyne_E_Vader]

Buy two 😊

[@henryhill92]

@@Skyne_E_Vader So I used to have two of them in stereo, and while it was FINE, it was also a pain in the ass. For one, in my studio setup, having side jacks but top power means there's no way to position them without a heap of wasted space. I even put together right-angled XLR cables to help them fit, but they end up messy regardless. The second and more annoying problem for stereo, is that with no way to link controls between the two sides, you're constantly dancing back and forth trying to make the same moves on both channels while also managing gain-matching so that you're not blowing out your ears. So yeah, it was a nice sounding setup, but I ended up selling it and replacing it with 500 series modules including a stereo EQ. Much more ergonomic and honestly it sounds better. If you want that in a pedal format, get an OTO BOUM or maybe an Elektron Analog Heat.

[@Skyne_E_Vader]

@@henryhill92 fantastic reply and very informative. Thank you.

[@relative_vie]

Yep haha

[@s90210h]

stereo is nice, but have you tried mid-side?

[@riffsvanwinkle]

I recorded a whole album with the Colourbox V2 on literally every instrument on every song- vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, keys and drums. I might choose to be buried with my Colourbox in a white, red, and blue coffin that looks like a big Colourbox.

[@fransredoja7138]

Share the album aye

[@Texasbluesalley]

Congrats on the anniversary of a great pedal.

[@jhspedals]

Thank you! 🙏🏼🖤🙏🏼🖤

[@jimmoore6514]

What a great video! Great explanations and playing all round. Definitely on my to-buy list! Thanks

[@joshuapark1749]

The piano player took me to church this morning on my commute to work. About to cry. 😢

[@ryangunwitch-black]

I just got a grey Colourbox V2 for Christmas! Now I have my V1 on the pedal board and the V2 in the home studio. It’s glorious. 😂❤

[@figueroalabs]

This, mixed with a "Nadine" mic from Ear Trump, is the absolute best recording equipment than any double-bass player can have. To have a colour box is now as basic gear for my double basses as my fingers are, such an amazing pedal. Thanks JHS folks for making this pedal, I wish more double bass players knew about this combo.

[@RedRuby-m1z]

Brilliant pedal. This and the Strymon Deco are my favs.

[@jasonupchurch]

Thanks for another awesome video - Josh and crew !! I’ve had the white V2 for a couple years and only dabbled with it a little. Now I understand it better and look forward to being creative with it. Down side is I need at least two more.

[@RadcliffGuitar]

Will always love this pedal. I remember working for you in early 2015 and we sold one to Lyle Workman.

[@lennartdelarambelje1154]

This pedal review was like watching a tiny desk concert!🥰

[@hermestrismegistus3417]

I use the color box on everything. Bass, vocals, synths, salad. To me, its more than a pedal, it's a statement about who I am as a person in this crazy world.

[@PaulOwens]

Josh's explanation of the blue EQ section sounds to my ears uncannily like how a plumbus is made.

[@KryzReid]

We used it at FOH for years, the V1. I use the V2 in my studio all the time. Amazing piece of gear💯

[@RobertNolan]

I got my Colour Box earlier this year, it's the first and only JHS pedal I own, currently. I really love the clarity and control I can get out of it, where any other drive or EQ I own might not have the control sweet spot - this one does in almost any scenario. My favorite thing to do is show it to someone who's in need of some inspiration, it tends to make you think outside of the box.

[@jhspedals]

awesome!

[@lamsonian]

... thus, the name. 😉

[@RobertNolan]

@@lamsonian you see what I did there?

[@eastwind32]

I could listen to Josh explaining anything and be interested but why not just have Nick sing and play all the instruments! He is amazing.

[@Ashton-mx2bg]

Greatest pedal of all time, I still have the V1 and it's always on. a Centaur style overdrive with a colour box is next level perfection

[@pg123ab]

Great job Nick, love the song and the voice. Of course I had to get one Cbox….

[@danbode]

This is my most recent add to my harmonica pedal board that I use for gigs, allowing send to PA and/or to an amp. Great add for a little more fat, warm dirt.

[@kindergartendropout4GOD]

Perhaps the most underrated pedal I own!

[@MakePopMusic]

Yeah, this pedal is WILD. I had the opportunity to test it before it launched and I've been in love since I plugged it in. Y'all really knocked this out of the park.

[@jhspedals]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@Fabiano.Bittencourt]

Wow Nick! What a surprise. Awesome singing. Cheers from Brazil.

[@mariojqg1]

my fav JHS pedal, use it in every single recording

[@TheBison917]

just ordered mine thanks JHS

[@brianpayne5773]

My mind is blown. The possibilities of this go on and on.

[@jhspedals]

🙏🏼

[@harrisfrankou2368]

amazing rewatch. Everything sounds like a classic record...awesome acoustic...everything.

[@ssnydo3]

Josh/Nick/team, You guys are awesome. I’d love to see some vids about the recording gear you guys use for these videos. Preamps, audio interfaces(?), DAW info. Your jams are always recorded & mixed super well and this kind of episode would be awesome and enjoyed by many! Or at least me.

[@madscientistdave]

Yes yes yes, another great video from Josh. But I can't believe I never noticed the Nauga on the shelf behind you before. Almost as rare as a genuine Klon!

[@mikesharpsongs]

Nick's been holding out on us; STELLAR, good sir☮💜🎶

[@Hogdog42069]

Im legitimately grateful

[@ryangunwitch-black]

I bought the V1 as a vocal pre in my home studio set up and it’s amazing. One day I was like “What if I put this on my pedal board and play guitar through it!?” Well, now I need another one. lol ❤

[@ryangunwitch-black]

Now I need the V2. ❤

[@ryangunwitch-black]

Got the V2, biotch!!!!

[@EvanCampanella-i4o]

Thanks for the explanation. I'm new to recording and to DI sound. This has really helped. Very cool and powerful device!

[@RobUttley]

That was a seriously compelling pedal demo. Woah!

[@simondodd918]

I love this success for you. What an amazing company and product.

[@ohhhthatsjames]

What a versatile circuit that's dope, no wonder its a studio secret weapon

[@SafeHandsProductions]

Its such a beautiful thing seeing a whole video without sarcasm. The sarcasm might work in the studio as an in joke at the end of a long week but it doesn't always translate and feels like you are speaking to someone other than the watching audience which feels isolating. In contrast this is full of your amazing sweetness as people, honesty, intelligence and clarity of communication it really leaves you feeling good. This video (and Janek Gwyzdalas endorsement) really made me reconsider getting one. I bought both this and the Superbolt because you sold me on them but took them back because when i got them home they didnt actually do what I needed or maybe couldnt work out how to use them in my set up. However your presentation in this video has persuaded me to try again. I do have a charlie brown and love it. It helps to make my Marshall SV20H sound more like a Marshall as I could not afford a real one

[@13aphomet]

The Colour Box is one freaking impressive pedal. It's almost too good.. Congrats on a fantastic circuit guys.

[@WhatsUpWhitey]

I’ve been wanting one of these in gray since I saw the original. The updated knobs are perfect.

[@Pulse2AM]

Sounds good on vocals, adds a nice polish. That's probably all I would use it for since I do mainly electronic/rock/pop.

[@jackprice7828]

Nick is an excellent drummer! Had no idea. Beautiful timing!

[@NoFate97]

Nicholas! Wow what a voice. Beautiful ❤

[@WhiteWizzard]

I play bass for metal/rock band White Wizzard and I’m literally using this as a pre amp with a separate power amp through an Ampeg cab and it’s all I need. Sounds so damn good. Recording with all methods above I can attest is as advertised. The direct guitar with 1176 whatever effect you want into a UAD Apollo is the sound you want. Josh was cool to give some really useful settings on here. Really I think it’s the best modern pedal created in the last 20-25 years along with Strymon Deco, Cali 76 and a few others. Just brilliant.

[@fiddlefolk]

Best $400 I have spent in a long time. I initially was going to put this on my guitar pedalboard but instead I made another board featuring the colour box as the heart and soul. I paired it with an Origin fx Cali76 compressor, eventide micro pitch , TC elect. chorus/flanger/ pitch modulation, MXR phase 90, Meris mercury 7 reverb and a Malekko Dark delay. The power of this compact rig is unbelievable. The colour Box is a desert island piece of equipment. It inspires you to play and I think that is what most of us are looking for in gear! Thank you Josh and JHS! RIP Cliff Smith!

[@CaseyJamesMusicOfficial]

I can’t wait to use this on vocals and live, the phantom power feature is genius.

[@solkullen]

Wow, I love Nick's voice! Please sing more. 😊

[@cliftontorrence839]

Holy Moly,,, watching you fine people grow thru the years has brought me a lot of joy. I even bought a pedal or two. 😊

[@UnitedEffect]

Nick has as many Color Boxes as he has drums! Diggin' it!

[@AdamLevyGuitar]

Happy Birthday, Colour Box! I have one - and I love it.

[@csakennyitakartam]

dang. I've been wanting this pedal for so long and now I'm even more convinced.

[@mislavsmusings]

I was setting up for my mates band that was Supporting UMO in Tassie, the drummer had a colourbox on his vocals! now im doing the same!

[@elymartinez6007]

Josh really just ripped a Beatles type of riff on bass like it was no big deal just made him my favorite bass player on the show ❤

[@knoxt303]

Just like all the colorways this video is also a look back at all of Josh's hairstyles. Iconic.

[@chavernac]

🎸 Gotta find a grey, a shade of grey, While i’m theeeeeeeeeere 🗣

[@rcrighter4319]

Love the Nauga on your shelf!!

[@itieknots7]

Dang.... the new colorway got me. I had been on the fence about a Color Box for months..... but the new color sold me 😂.

[@christianneuner2595]

Love that Sovtek Amp in the back 😊

[@lamsonian]

Feelin the keyz! Excellent playing, man!

[@peterpaulconcepcion359]

Those Keyboard chordal patterns.... daaaamnnnnn.!

[@lamsonian]

I felt that too! There's some talent in that guy!

[@lizardman7364]

Hell is Chrome by Wilco

[@shantydoctor]

what a marvellous sonic delight 👏🏼🇳🇿

[@bravo4adventure988]

The vocal component is really what's pushing me to buy....that was pretty cool.

[@soundxplorer]

With a dynamic mic, I use a Cloudlifter plus phantom power into the Colourbox. That provides a clean boost before going into the pedal, to get further above the noise floor.

[@hansjong2430]

So where do you get phantom power from in that case?

[@AlexStrabala]

@@hansjong2430 v2 passes phantom thru to the input

[@soundxplorer]

@@hansjong2430 From my mixer. The Colour Box is rarely on my pedalboard, I keep it on the desk in my home studio.

[@philtron1969]

Now I want a Colorbox. Well done.

[@officedurapquebecois]

Wish I could afford one! Congrats on its 10 years

[@sferguson1130]

Same! I scratch my head at how people afford all this stuff lol. I have a decent job, but with bills and how expensive shit is nowadays, I couldn’t imagine being able to spend this kind of money, on stuff like this.

[@kds58]

I did some recording with the guitarist Will Graefe a few months back, and he made some unbelievable sounds with this pedal. Easily my favorite guitar sound I've heard in a long time.

[@AutismRocksOfficial]

such a cool pedal ✌🔥

[@xvii8693]

Oh man, now I need this. If muse has I must have it too

[@KRM849]

That rhodes jam was exactly what my saturday morning needed.

[@DaveyMulholland]

I've got two! So, looking forwards to this!

[@juancortezmusic]

Wow so many thoughts in my mind right now. Great episode!