Randall RM4 modular preamps?
- Thread starter crguti
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Red_Label
New member
Re: Randall RM4 modular preamps?
Some guys like 'em. But many who've owned them say that they're mostly just slightly different flavors of the same tone. Sort of like eating BBQ chicken-flavored ice cream. It might have that taste... but it's NOT BBQ chicken! :laugh:
Which makes sense, because great tube amps aren't defined by just their preamp sections. The preamps are designed to work integrally with the power amps to achieve those specific tones. For me, the modular system isn't much different than the way we used to do things in the late-80s and early-90s... with rack preamps and separate power amps. We got some good tones, but few ever accuse the rack tones of that era as being holy grail tones. My ADA MP-1 setup sounded good, but in reality was pretty homogenous in my opinion. My future only holds the real thing (complete tube amps) or great modelers like the Kemper at this point.
Btw... I realize that I'm admitting that I've never owned the modular systems. But I was SERIOUSLY interested in picking-up the original Egnater Mod50 and some great modules several years ago. Trouble is, I kept seeing posts by guys saying that they're nice, but still not the real thing. So I figured that I'd just go get the real things instead (and I did).
Some guys like 'em. But many who've owned them say that they're mostly just slightly different flavors of the same tone. Sort of like eating BBQ chicken-flavored ice cream. It might have that taste... but it's NOT BBQ chicken! :laugh:
Which makes sense, because great tube amps aren't defined by just their preamp sections. The preamps are designed to work integrally with the power amps to achieve those specific tones. For me, the modular system isn't much different than the way we used to do things in the late-80s and early-90s... with rack preamps and separate power amps. We got some good tones, but few ever accuse the rack tones of that era as being holy grail tones. My ADA MP-1 setup sounded good, but in reality was pretty homogenous in my opinion. My future only holds the real thing (complete tube amps) or great modelers like the Kemper at this point.
Btw... I realize that I'm admitting that I've never owned the modular systems. But I was SERIOUSLY interested in picking-up the original Egnater Mod50 and some great modules several years ago. Trouble is, I kept seeing posts by guys saying that they're nice, but still not the real thing. So I figured that I'd just go get the real things instead (and I did).
Last edited:
karpathion
New member
Re: Randall RM4 modular preamps?
I had a friends RM50C, here at the house, for about a week. It had the Plexi, Mr. Scary, and XTC modules in it.
All of the modules do have the same kinda feel, just voiced a little different. Nothing you couldn't do with a hand full of capacitors and resistors, with your own amp. Obviously, they all have varied amounts of gain on tap, but it still feels like you're playing with the same pre-amp, just different levels.
All of this is in my own personal experience and opinion.
I had a friends RM50C, here at the house, for about a week. It had the Plexi, Mr. Scary, and XTC modules in it.
All of the modules do have the same kinda feel, just voiced a little different. Nothing you couldn't do with a hand full of capacitors and resistors, with your own amp. Obviously, they all have varied amounts of gain on tap, but it still feels like you're playing with the same pre-amp, just different levels.
All of this is in my own personal experience and opinion.
speed2dirt
Butterball
Re: Randall RM4 modular preamps?
I have an RM4, RM20, and RM100 Scott Ian. I have limited experience with stock modules besides the 3 Scott Ian mods and a self-modded Top Boost. The SI mods are actually pretty good. It's definitely Scott's tone from the early albums. Not as gain heavy as you'd expect for a thrash legend, but I think that's the problem with so many young guitarists is that they equate more gain = better heavier tone. Not necessarily the case.
As for the modded modules, they completely are game changers. They get pretty close to the original amps tone and/or feel, but have the modders take on those specific amps. Truthfully, some of the mods I like better than the original amp it's modelled after. I have mods based on the Bogner Fish, Bogner Ecstasy, Bogner Uberschall, VHT 50/ST, VHT UltraLead, Dimebag's Vulgar tone, Marshall 1959RR, Trainwreck Express, Mesa Mark, and Framus Cobra amps. They all offer something different in tone and feel. Yes, they could be tweaked to sound similar, but they come accross differently with compression, gain, sustain, etc.
All that to say, I'm a big fan of the MTS system and modded modules. If you're willing to invest in modded modules, give the MTS system a try. If not, I'd let it pass you by as some of the stock mods can be muddy or generic.
I have an RM4, RM20, and RM100 Scott Ian. I have limited experience with stock modules besides the 3 Scott Ian mods and a self-modded Top Boost. The SI mods are actually pretty good. It's definitely Scott's tone from the early albums. Not as gain heavy as you'd expect for a thrash legend, but I think that's the problem with so many young guitarists is that they equate more gain = better heavier tone. Not necessarily the case.
As for the modded modules, they completely are game changers. They get pretty close to the original amps tone and/or feel, but have the modders take on those specific amps. Truthfully, some of the mods I like better than the original amp it's modelled after. I have mods based on the Bogner Fish, Bogner Ecstasy, Bogner Uberschall, VHT 50/ST, VHT UltraLead, Dimebag's Vulgar tone, Marshall 1959RR, Trainwreck Express, Mesa Mark, and Framus Cobra amps. They all offer something different in tone and feel. Yes, they could be tweaked to sound similar, but they come accross differently with compression, gain, sustain, etc.
All that to say, I'm a big fan of the MTS system and modded modules. If you're willing to invest in modded modules, give the MTS system a try. If not, I'd let it pass you by as some of the stock mods can be muddy or generic.
speed2dirt
Butterball
Re: Randall RM4 modular preamps?
The MTS Grailtone forum is your only real resource. Check out the DIY section.
http://mtsforum.grailtone.com/
The MTS Grailtone forum is your only real resource. Check out the DIY section.
http://mtsforum.grailtone.com/
dominus
King Midas to Cheap Guitars
Re: Randall RM4 modular preamps?
Just to slightly derail this -
Kemper is NOT a modeler. It profiles a specific mic'd up amp tone. While it does this well, you're relying on what other people determine to be good tones. They're slightly tweakable presets and nothing more. If you have your own amp and cab to model, it's great. If not, you have to download other people's setups and hope for the best.
The AxeFX is a modeler.
(I have not owned an AxeFX, but I do want one, because I can always get a good sound out of a modeler. I did own a Kemper for a little while, and hated the limitations.)
Just to slightly derail this -
Kemper is NOT a modeler. It profiles a specific mic'd up amp tone. While it does this well, you're relying on what other people determine to be good tones. They're slightly tweakable presets and nothing more. If you have your own amp and cab to model, it's great. If not, you have to download other people's setups and hope for the best.
The AxeFX is a modeler.
(I have not owned an AxeFX, but I do want one, because I can always get a good sound out of a modeler. I did own a Kemper for a little while, and hated the limitations.)
Red_Label
New member
Re: Randall RM4 modular preamps?
Yeah, I shouldn't have used the word "modeler". I meant to say "digital preamp" or some other such term. I just generally use the term modeler as a generic term to describe an amp that's not tube or solid state.
Got a friend who's got the Kemper. He's only had it about a week though. Traded his XTC 101b for it (plus cash on the other guy's end). Likes it so far. He's also got my old Eleven Rack (with expansion module) and says that both the Kemper and 11R have their strengths and weaknesses. So it was good to hear that for him at least, the Kemper didn't make the 11R sound like child's play. I see a lot of hyperbole on gear sites and every time something new comes out, there's always some vocal supporters saying things like "makes everything else sound like @#$%" or some other such nonsense.
Yeah, I shouldn't have used the word "modeler". I meant to say "digital preamp" or some other such term. I just generally use the term modeler as a generic term to describe an amp that's not tube or solid state.
Got a friend who's got the Kemper. He's only had it about a week though. Traded his XTC 101b for it (plus cash on the other guy's end). Likes it so far. He's also got my old Eleven Rack (with expansion module) and says that both the Kemper and 11R have their strengths and weaknesses. So it was good to hear that for him at least, the Kemper didn't make the 11R sound like child's play. I see a lot of hyperbole on gear sites and every time something new comes out, there's always some vocal supporters saying things like "makes everything else sound like @#$%" or some other such nonsense.
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