Preamp/poweramp vs. head

[mrid]

Re: Preamp/poweramp vs. head

The reason you crank one and scoop the other is because the rotary EQ is pre-gain and the graphic is post-gain. By cranking the rotary you get more gain and a thicker sound. You then scoop out the mids you don't need with the graphic to prevent the sound from getting muddy.

I have to do that on my Mark IV. I keep the mids high on the dial to tighten the bass, but scoop them on the graphic eq (or rather boost the lows and the highs) to get a decent sound.

[Ken]

Re: Preamp/poweramp vs. head

Ah-ha!

Learn something new everyday. Then again I've spent a grand total of zero time with Mesa equipment.

[AcidBurn]

Re: Preamp/poweramp vs. head

Sounds like the pre/poweramp is the way to go.

Any suggestions for a pre around $500. I was thinking a voodoo modded ADA MP-1 or Marshall JMP-1.

[dystrust]

Re: Preamp/poweramp vs. head

In that price range I would recommend the ADA MP-1 if you need midi and lots of presets or a Soldano SP-77 if you only need a few basic sounds.

[parabola]

Re: Preamp/poweramp vs. head

right now im in the process of going back to stomp boxes and a combo amp, the rack just had to much versatilty for me. I was always tweaking my sound more than i was playing. Anyways, heres what i have for sale now : digitech 2101 fully loaded tube preamp/effects processor, digitech control one floorboard (not a midi pedal, only works with the 2101 and some other digitech products) rocktron voodu valve, and carvin t-100 tube steroe 50watts per side or mono 100 watts poweramp. i also have a digitech rp20 thats will be going. oh, and a rocktron 1x12 velocity cab, and a peavey 4x12ms cab (pickup only)

[Burkwieser]

Re: Preamp/poweramp vs. head

Sounds like the pre/poweramp is the way to go.

Any suggestions for a pre around $500. I was thinking a voodoo modded ADA MP-1 or Marshall JMP-1.

Randall RM4! At least look into it.

[ishmun]

Re: Preamp/poweramp vs. head

one thing ive heard from many sources is the diff in tone generated from preamp-->poweramp
as compared to just a head
the difference is the head shares a COMMON transformer. its noted that sharing it provides more interaction between the pre and power amp of a head -->giving a more natural and better tone
thats why apparenlty rack setups sound a bit more sterile
does somebody kno wat im tallking about here? ive heard it from many ppl , but i dont kno the tech talk behind it
currently, i run a mesa boogie mark3 HEAD and a tc electronic Gmajor rack unit - ive been wanting to convert my head (which is a short head) into my rack case for easier setting up therefore creating a plug and play situation live

but, racks do allow sooo much flexibility, its up to u to figure out whether that flexibility outweighs the slightly more sterile tone overal

[AcidBurn]

Re: Preamp/poweramp vs. head

Randall RM4! At least look into it.

I wouldn't mind getting one of those but there not in my price range ...unless you wanna lower your price

parabola: how much for the 2101 and what version is it

[parabola]

Re: Preamp/poweramp vs. head

acidburn,
the 2101 is version 3.00a, it has both pc210 cards so you have the option of 2 s disks or seamless patch changing, its also been upgraded with processing speed (2x faster). Im asking $400 for it and the floorboard ... im the orignal owner, ive taken great care of it, and ive invested over a grand in this thing...plus i just got two new jj's from eurotubes 2 weeks ago.