Jad Freer LUCE

[EmmettC]

Been seeing a lot of stuff on social media about this, and the release is on the 20th, but I got an early access email today. I don't think I'll get one, I use a Noble, but could be ideal for a smaller board.

 

LUCE – light in Italian – is a studio-quality, transformer-based tube DI (Direct Injection) box; a unity-gain (1:1) tube preamplifier and active summing unit.

The main purpose of a DI box is to convert an unbalanced, high-impedance instrument signal into a balanced, low-impedance signal — allowing long cable runs without interference and enabling direct connection to a mixing console or studio interface.

Beyond that, LUCE also provides an additional unbalanced output that benefits from the tube circuit, plus an active summing stage that allows two instruments to be connected at once.
All in a compact, pedalboard-friendly format.

Inside the LUCE you’ll find one high-quality, low-noise ECC88/6922 tube and one OEP/Carnhill audio transformer, just like those found in legendary British consoles.

SPECIFICATIONS

[knicknack]

I have one on the way... loved my old Khan DI and somebody already posted some samples and it impressed me enough to want to hear it in person. Interested to compare to my Noble! Wondering if something like a Linden EQ in front of it will get very close indeed. 

[sambecker1]

I hadn't seen this but owning a Noble and a Khan DI I'd love to hear how it compares! @knicknack I'd love to hear your thoughts!

[walshy]

Well I do fancy one but I have just received the Nobelium from The Rev over in Australia with the new addition of a Jensen DI and I think its better than the Noble, and I have had a few of them. It may be the best Preamp DI I have had to date. Pic attached. The silver is the new V1 ( bought for a mate of mine ) and the gold is the one with the Jensen. It is simply magnificent.

 

I would love to hear what you think of the new Luce when it lands though still.

[EmmettC]

@walshy I keep checking your website for info on the Nobelium, What's the price for them?

Edited January 19 by EmmettC

[tayste_2000]

https://jadfreeraudio.com/product/luce-transformer-based-tube-di/

[walshy]

8 hours ago, EmmettC said:

@walshy I keep checking your website for info on the Nobelium, What's the price for them?

£360 ish for the V1 and £520 for the Jensen DI V2 plus a bit of duty. It’s an epic pedal, I think the circuit comes from C2C Electronics and they build a full pedal too about $450 plus duty if I remember. The Rev adds a little spin to stuff and it’s spectacular. If you’re close to me you’re welcome to come and try. 

[EmmettC]

2 hours ago, walshy said:

£360 ish for the V1 and £520 for the Jensen DI V2 plus a bit of duty. It’s an epic pedal, I think the circuit comes from C2C Electronics and they build a full pedal too about $450 plus duty if I remember. The Rev adds a little spin to stuff and it’s spectacular. If you’re close to me you’re welcome to come and try. 

I'm not close enough, sadly. I am really interested in trying it at some point. I saw the pic on Facebook and thought you were stocking them - maybe you should?!

 

[walshy]

7 hours ago, EmmettC said:

I'm not close enough, sadly. I am really interested in trying it at some point. I saw the pic on Facebook and thought you were stocking them - maybe you should?!

 

It’s something I’m definitely looking into atm mate. If I’ve a break between gigs I could send it up for you to try maybe

[EmmettC]

31 minutes ago, walshy said:

It’s something I’m definitely looking into atm mate. If I’ve a break between gigs I could send it up for you to try maybe

That's very kind, thank you. No pressure at all, I still use the Noble I bought from you, jut interested in a comparison. Might be nice to shrink the pedal board down, and save a few pounds, but I'm not in a rush.

[knicknack]

Just putting this in a few of the relevant places… in a few days I will have a few of the ‘latest and greatest’  preamp/DI offerings (Mantle, Luce) in my studio for at least a few days, plus a bunch of the classics and a few wildcards. I’m going to recording a few comparison clips in different contexts, mostly for my own curiosity but also as a resource for anyone who would find it useful. If anyone has any particular things they’d like to hear feel free to make suggestions! 

[tayste_2000]

Just excited to hear the Mantle 

[spacecowboy]

Got mine on order, missed the first batch but hopefully mine is in the next round!

[LukeFRC]

On 20/01/2026 at 07:21, walshy said:

£360 ish for the V1 and £520 for the Jensen DI V2 plus a bit of duty. It’s an epic pedal, I think the circuit comes from C2C Electronics and they build a full pedal too about $450 plus duty if I remember. The Rev adds a little spin to stuff and it’s spectacular. If you’re close to me you’re welcome to come and try. 

C2C is the diy arm of the same guy who does Sushibox effects. If you fancy getting the soldering iron out Klaus at Musikding can help

[LukeFRC]

obv this is off topic!

[knicknack]

 

Here you go... Noble with flat EQ followed by Luce. Noble is about 4/5db louder in this setting. 

Edited 14 hours ago by knicknack

[mattpbass]

I’ve succumbed to the hype and ordered one! Currently running a Capo into a Noble on my board, thinking this might replace the Noble. I love the saturation of the Capo with the added mojo of the Noble, but having a second input at the end of the chain would be very useful being as I am on synth bass on every gig too. Currently have to carry a separate DI and use two channels, be easier to just have it all on one DI for gigs we are mixing ourselves. 
 

Be very interested to see what you think vs the Noble Paddy.