Jackson Distortion
New member
Heavy music guys - how much distortion do you have dialed in on your amp?
If you need to elaborate, please do so.
If you need to elaborate, please do so.
What are your gain knobs set to?
- Thread starter Jackson Distortion
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Quencho092
New member
Re: What are your gain knobs set to?
I put a very loud 5, but I play just loud and clean. No distortion for me, sometimes 100% dry without reverb too, gives the band a nice sound.
I put a very loud 5, but I play just loud and clean. No distortion for me, sometimes 100% dry without reverb too, gives the band a nice sound.
Virtual Kevorkian
New member
Re: What are your gain knobs set to?
This is going to vary too much between each amp to make the poll useful. I run my 5150 at 3, sometimes 2 - that setting on a Recto would be terribly undergained for the same style.
This is going to vary too much between each amp to make the poll useful. I run my 5150 at 3, sometimes 2 - that setting on a Recto would be terribly undergained for the same style.
Edgecrusher
Well-known member
Re: What are your gain knobs set to?
True that. Really depends on the whole rig configuration. The best way to put it is I like gain but there is a point when theres too much of a good thing.
True that. Really depends on the whole rig configuration. The best way to put it is I like gain but there is a point when theres too much of a good thing.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: What are your gain knobs set to?
Why does the poll start at 5? It leaves out the numbers below 5, yet includes a bunch of unnecessary options, such as half numbers, and the same number with or without pedals. There are ten spots, so why not make them less-than or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10?
I only have two guitar amps that have a gain/master setup, and they are both on the OD channel, which I rarely use. I use anywhere from 2 to 5 on the gain knob when I do use the OD channel. I find the OD channels pretty useless without their own E.Q. settings, though my new treble booster has changed that quite a bit. The problem is having to step on both the channel switch and the treble booster when going into or out of the OD channel.
I do have a Mesa coming, though, and that has master/gain on both channels. I'm curious to see where my gain ends up most of the time with that amp.
Why does the poll start at 5? It leaves out the numbers below 5, yet includes a bunch of unnecessary options, such as half numbers, and the same number with or without pedals. There are ten spots, so why not make them less-than or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10?
I only have two guitar amps that have a gain/master setup, and they are both on the OD channel, which I rarely use. I use anywhere from 2 to 5 on the gain knob when I do use the OD channel. I find the OD channels pretty useless without their own E.Q. settings, though my new treble booster has changed that quite a bit. The problem is having to step on both the channel switch and the treble booster when going into or out of the OD channel.
I do have a Mesa coming, though, and that has master/gain on both channels. I'm curious to see where my gain ends up most of the time with that amp.
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JCM900MkIII
New member
Re: What are your gain knobs set to?
Mine goes to 20... as loud as THE bomb...but without the mushroom cloud... which is great.
I'll let Nigel explain...
skip to 3:04
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwuZePiQHLI
Mine goes to 20... as loud as THE bomb...but without the mushroom cloud... which is great.
I'll let Nigel explain...
skip to 3:04
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwuZePiQHLI
Last edited:
Edgecrusher
Well-known member
Re: What are your gain knobs set to?
He said heavy music guys. So im assuming he started at 5 thinking noone who plays metal would use less than 5. Which is still a depends. My old Ampeg VL1000 has so much gain that anything past 5 is white noise. Its all too subjective to poll
He said heavy music guys. So im assuming he started at 5 thinking noone who plays metal would use less than 5. Which is still a depends. My old Ampeg VL1000 has so much gain that anything past 5 is white noise. Its all too subjective to poll
Petrovsk Mizinski
New member
Re: What are your gain knobs set to?
Only been using the POD X3 really.
Gain stays at about 45-55% depending on what I'm playing, rhythm guitar wise for metal stuff, using the Tube Screamer simulation as a boost.
For rock, even lower, maybe 30-35%.
Lead sound is a little higher gain to smooth things out for legato runs and for a little more sustain.
Pretty much no need to run a POD X3 at full gain with a a boost, there's just far more than you could ever need
Only been using the POD X3 really.
Gain stays at about 45-55% depending on what I'm playing, rhythm guitar wise for metal stuff, using the Tube Screamer simulation as a boost.
For rock, even lower, maybe 30-35%.
Lead sound is a little higher gain to smooth things out for legato runs and for a little more sustain.
Pretty much no need to run a POD X3 at full gain with a a boost, there's just far more than you could ever need
JCM900MkIII
New member
Re: What are your gain knobs set to?
I think a nice "rumble" is much more heavy than a "screech"...
The heaviest bands I listen to don't use a lot of gain either.
Just mentioned that mine goes to 20. But 10-20 is the diodes department and I don't use those (brand new).
I think a nice "rumble" is much more heavy than a "screech"...
The heaviest bands I listen to don't use a lot of gain either.
Just mentioned that mine goes to 20. But 10-20 is the diodes department and I don't use those (brand new).
Edgecrusher
Well-known member
Re: What are your gain knobs set to?
10-20 are just the numbers printed on the face plate has no bearing on the actual amount of gain. As a side note on JCM900s the diodes are always in the signal path they might not be lighting up much at 5 on the knob but they are still there and still running. There is no bypass for them
10-20 are just the numbers printed on the face plate has no bearing on the actual amount of gain. As a side note on JCM900s the diodes are always in the signal path they might not be lighting up much at 5 on the knob but they are still there and still running. There is no bypass for them
metalmachine
New member
Re: What are your gain knobs set to?
I use however much it takes to get some good sustain and compression going then back it off a notch and hit the strings harder. My 5150 with a sh-6 is about 3-1/2 or 4 without a boost. On a mesa I set it sound 5-6 the best I remember. I found with too much I lose that percussive pick attack. I would like to add that I am extremely heavy handed.
I use however much it takes to get some good sustain and compression going then back it off a notch and hit the strings harder. My 5150 with a sh-6 is about 3-1/2 or 4 without a boost. On a mesa I set it sound 5-6 the best I remember. I found with too much I lose that percussive pick attack. I would like to add that I am extremely heavy handed.
JCM900MkIII
New member
Re: What are your gain knobs set to?
You mean the bridge rectifier(s)?
Those are bog standard. They might compress though (which creates the "hi-gain" sound of the 900MkIII)
1N4007 2 diode bridge rectumfrier
W005F 4 diode bridge rectumfrier
JCM900 MkIII MV schematic
You mean the bridge rectifier(s)?
Those are bog standard. They might compress though (which creates the "hi-gain" sound of the 900MkIII)
1N4007 2 diode bridge rectumfrier
W005F 4 diode bridge rectumfrier
JCM900 MkIII MV schematic
CTN
The Drama Dude
Re: What are your gain knobs set to?
My gain is usually somewhere between 4 and 5.
I also keep my EQ pedal engaged full time when playing metal, as I have it set to accentuate some upper mid frequencies responsible for attack and definition + an overall slight boost.
In addition to that, I also use my OCD as a secondary upper-mid boost for leads or fast staccato kinda stuff.
I would describe my heavy tones as thick, juicy, and very saturated, but extremely well defined, and not too dry or crisp.
My gain is usually somewhere between 4 and 5.
I also keep my EQ pedal engaged full time when playing metal, as I have it set to accentuate some upper mid frequencies responsible for attack and definition + an overall slight boost.
In addition to that, I also use my OCD as a secondary upper-mid boost for leads or fast staccato kinda stuff.
I would describe my heavy tones as thick, juicy, and very saturated, but extremely well defined, and not too dry or crisp.
Ironbird666
New member
Re: What are your gain knobs set to?
I'll say a loud "5" for the current project, goes for both amps I own. Well, maybe not the 5150 IF I'm running a TS in front of it, I'll drop the gain much lower than that if I do. I also don't like to use the high gain input of the 5150 since I find the "normal" input seems to be a bit tamer, more articulate (could just be a mental thing). I'm playing in a black/death project now so I kinda want the amp to be a bit nastier than normal so I goosed the gain up a bit more than I normally would but it works out great. It's pretty oldschool, real gristly and wicked sounding but not so saturated you can't hear what I'm playing. I guess it's just a tiny bit beyond "just enough" gain to be heavy.
If I was in a thrash band, or prog metal, whatever, I would drop it a bit more to clean it up, maybe 4. Of course, between the 5150 and the Coreblade running the amp on "4" or "5" is still a HUGE amount of gain compared to some other amps. :naughty:
Edit: I forgot to mention I add a bit of gain for leads, but just a tiny bump (and some mids).
I'll say a loud "5" for the current project, goes for both amps I own. Well, maybe not the 5150 IF I'm running a TS in front of it, I'll drop the gain much lower than that if I do. I also don't like to use the high gain input of the 5150 since I find the "normal" input seems to be a bit tamer, more articulate (could just be a mental thing). I'm playing in a black/death project now so I kinda want the amp to be a bit nastier than normal so I goosed the gain up a bit more than I normally would but it works out great. It's pretty oldschool, real gristly and wicked sounding but not so saturated you can't hear what I'm playing. I guess it's just a tiny bit beyond "just enough" gain to be heavy.
If I was in a thrash band, or prog metal, whatever, I would drop it a bit more to clean it up, maybe 4. Of course, between the 5150 and the Coreblade running the amp on "4" or "5" is still a HUGE amount of gain compared to some other amps. :naughty:
Edit: I forgot to mention I add a bit of gain for leads, but just a tiny bump (and some mids).
Agileguy_101
Master of his Domain
Re: What are your gain knobs set to?
0.
NMV amps ftw
0.
NMV amps ftw
Re: What are your gain knobs set to?
I said 7.5 but it's more complicated than that.
I have a Triaxis which has a Gain setting and a Drive setting. (Lead Drive 1 and Lead Drive 2 for each of the two Lead channels) Both add to distortion/gain or whatever. Without going into too much detail (the Triaxis has different channels with different levels of gain) on the most high gain channels I typically have Gain between 7 and 8 and Drive between 6 to 7. I almost always have Drive below Gain. This is what the manual recommends and I've seen a lot of pro players settings and they do this same thing. It tightens up the sound and gives you a good, focused yet crunchy distortion. Having them at the same level seem to mush things out or just be too much.
I find this to be more than enough gain. I play mostly speed/thrash/new metal etc., so I'm almost always in high gain territory. Guitars are usually equipped with passives, usually a Duncan Custom.
I said 7.5 but it's more complicated than that.
I have a Triaxis which has a Gain setting and a Drive setting. (Lead Drive 1 and Lead Drive 2 for each of the two Lead channels) Both add to distortion/gain or whatever. Without going into too much detail (the Triaxis has different channels with different levels of gain) on the most high gain channels I typically have Gain between 7 and 8 and Drive between 6 to 7. I almost always have Drive below Gain. This is what the manual recommends and I've seen a lot of pro players settings and they do this same thing. It tightens up the sound and gives you a good, focused yet crunchy distortion. Having them at the same level seem to mush things out or just be too much.
I find this to be more than enough gain. I play mostly speed/thrash/new metal etc., so I'm almost always in high gain territory. Guitars are usually equipped with passives, usually a Duncan Custom.
King IzzO)))
Ultimate Kitten Puncher
Re: What are your gain knobs set to?
On the Butcher it's dimed most of the time, but it's not really a high gain amp (JCM800-ish) and doesn't ever get buzzy. I never removed the bright cap yet, so without it dimed it get's pretty gnarly. It still cleans up pretty well by backing off the guitar volumes.
On my Boogie vol1 is at 7, R2 is 9 or so, and the lead channel is about 5.5, I hit it with the MXR for full on massacre mode. Sort of a less-more-even more-kill.
On the Butcher it's dimed most of the time, but it's not really a high gain amp (JCM800-ish) and doesn't ever get buzzy. I never removed the bright cap yet, so without it dimed it get's pretty gnarly. It still cleans up pretty well by backing off the guitar volumes.
On my Boogie vol1 is at 7, R2 is 9 or so, and the lead channel is about 5.5, I hit it with the MXR for full on massacre mode. Sort of a less-more-even more-kill.
Rich_S
HomeGrownToneBrewologist
Re: What are your gain knobs set to?
I would put 7 with extra boost, but that's through a little 18 Watter, with a BB Preamp for solos. Kinda puts me in the sligthly crunchy - very crunchy zone. Still FAR less gain than a lot of people would use.
But since I'm not a "heavy music guy", I didn't respond at all.
I would put 7 with extra boost, but that's through a little 18 Watter, with a BB Preamp for solos. Kinda puts me in the sligthly crunchy - very crunchy zone. Still FAR less gain than a lot of people would use.
But since I'm not a "heavy music guy", I didn't respond at all.
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