The JTEX Distiller CE (Combinator Edition) is a small, onboard variable low-pass filter, announced on 23 July 2024 by JTEX Electronics and Combinator as a modular and affordable onboard tone shaping solution for bassists and guitarists1. It is not a floor pedal: it mounts in the instrument, in the territory usually occupied by a preamp's tone section, and it variably sculpts the high-end response between 1 and 10 kHz12. If you are shopping for a floor unit instead, the filter pedal category covers the pedalboard equivalents.
From the stock Distiller to the Combinator Edition
The Distiller CE is a revision of JTEX's stock Distiller circuit12. Both versions share the same foundation: the circuit is originally based on Alembic's famous and unique 12dB-per-octave filter, the design Alembic built its onboard electronics reputation on12. What the Combinator Edition adds is Combinator's own tuning: a 3-way resonance control custom tuned by Combinator, which Bass Magazine describes as a small, onboard LPF with that control2.
Both the Distiller and the Distiller CE feature a 3-way selectable boost control, with settings for flat/no boost, +5dB, and +12dB2.
| Feature | Distiller CE |
|---|---|
| Form | Onboard LPF12 |
| Filter range | 1 to 10 kHz, variable12 |
| Resonance | 3-way, custom tuned by Combinator12 |
| Boost | Flat/no boost, +5dB, +12dB2 |
| Circuit basis | Alembic 12dB-per-octave filter12 |
What it does to your sound
Bass Magazine characterizes the Distiller CE as operating more as a top-end "tuner" of pickups' resonant peaks than a full-range filter2. In practice that means it works on the upper part of your signal, where a pickup's resonant peak lives, rather than rolling off the whole spectrum the way a passive tone control does. The variable filter sweeps the high-end response between 1 and 10 kHz, so you can set exactly where the top end starts to fold off12.
"operating more as a top-end \"tuner\" of pickups' resonant peaks than a full-range filter"
Who is Combinator, and who uses it
Combinator is the artist name of bassist, vocalist and producer Sean Fairchild2. He is the "CE" in the name: the 3-way resonance control is custom tuned by Combinator1, and Bass Magazine reports that he uses the Distiller CE in place of a typical preamp's active treble or passive tone control2. That is the intended role: a drop-in replacement for the treble side of an onboard preamp, rather than an added effect stacked on top of one.
Videos
Combinator / Sean Fairchild
Questions
What is the JTEX Distiller CE?
The Distiller CE (Combinator Edition) is a small, onboard variable low-pass filter made by JTEX Electronics together with Combinator. It is built into the instrument rather than used as a floor pedal, and it variably sculpts the high-end response between 1 and 10 kHz. It is offered as a revision of JTEX's stock Distiller circuit, with a 3-way resonance control custom tuned by Combinator.
How much does the JTEX Distiller CE cost?
Bass Magazine listed the price of the Distiller CE at $87.00 when the unit was announced on 23 July 2024. It is described in the announcement as a modular and affordable onboard tone shaping solution.
What is the difference between the Distiller CE and the stock JTEX Distiller?
The Distiller CE is the Combinator Edition of the stock Distiller: Bass Gear Magazine describes it as a revision of JTEX's stock Distiller circuit. Both the Distiller and the Distiller CE feature a 3-way selectable boost control with settings for flat/no boost, +5dB and +12dB, and the CE's 3-way resonance control is custom tuned by Combinator.
Is the Distiller CE a pedal or an onboard circuit?
It is an onboard circuit, not a pedal. Both Bass Magazine and Bass Gear Magazine describe the Distiller CE as a small, onboard LPF, a modular tone shaping solution that mounts in the instrument rather than sitting on a pedalboard.
What filter circuit is the Distiller CE based on?
The Distiller CE is originally based on Alembic's famous and unique 12dB-per-octave filter, according to both Bass Magazine and Bass Gear Magazine. That circuit is the starting point for the stock Distiller as well as the Combinator Edition.
Who is Combinator?
Combinator is the artist name of bassist, vocalist and producer Sean Fairchild. He custom tuned the Distiller CE's 3-way resonance control, and Bass Magazine reports that he uses the Distiller CE in place of a typical preamp's active treble or passive tone control.
Sources (2)
- New Bass Product, Bass Gear Magazine, 2024-07-23
- JTEX Electronics Unveils the Distiller CE (Combinator Edition) Onboard Low Pass Filter, Bass Magazine, 2024-07-23
