Is this enough gain?

[aleclee]

I'm pretty surprised when I hear folks say "[potent channel switcher] doesn't have enough gain". It really makes me wonder if it's more a matter of the amp's voicing than insufficient gain (in the textbook sense).

One of the first things I did when I bought my MagicStomp was to play with the parametric EQ. Since it's in the loop (i.e., post-OD), it affects the tone very differently from an EQ in front of the amp. I discovered that you could radically change the "voice" of an amp this way.

My signal chain was

Driskill Diablo
Rivera Rake (High input, channel 1 w/boost engaged)
Yamaha MagicStomp (in loop)
Marshall MG 4x12
I used an MXL condenser mic as opposed to the venerable SM57 but that's just 'cause I like the way it captures the cab's "room sound".

Anyway, here are the clips. Be kind, this is my first clip posting. :p

Rake without EQ (http://www.aleclee.com/misc/BAM/Rake0.mp3)

Rake with EQ (http://www.aleclee.com/misc/BAM/Rake1.mp3)

[Phil Macino]

I think there definately is enough gain....It has a nice growl to it.

To my ears it sounds like the same amp in both clips. I think the difference between the two clips to me is more about "presence". The second clip IMO, sounds more like the presence was reduced, and the mids are scooped rather than a different voicing per say.

Cool riff!

[Quinny]

There's definitely more of a raw, unfinished feel to the 'without' clip. I like this kind of sound myself, a little bit more loose and lively. I agree with Phil though, both sound like the same amp but with different treatment.

Both sound very cool though!

Q.

[twitch]

I like the growl, definitely enough gain. My first question is, is the Magic Stomp a gain pedal, or an EQ? I think Rivera's provide plenty of gain, and I dig the tone in your clips for sure.

I liked the without EQ a little better. The EQ gave it more of a wet sound.

[Erik]

I tend to like a tight sound that has bite to it. The EQ'd clip has that in spades, I really liked it. You can feel the percussive nature of your amp in that clip...the clip without the EQ sounds too loose to me.

Cool clip, I really enjoyed listening.

[aleclee]

I like the growl, definitely enough gain. My first question is, is the Magic Stomp a gain pedal, or an EQ? I think Rivera's provide plenty of gain, and I dig the tone in your clips for sure.

I liked the without EQ a little better. The EQ gave it more of a wet sound.The MagicStomp is a multiFX pedal that excels in delay (it does everything the UD Stomp did). It does distortion, reverb, non-intelligent pitch shifting, modulation, parametric EQ (what I used for the clip), and compression--though not necessarily all at once.

Since I use it in my amp's loop, I use it mainly for delay and modulation. Sound samples are available at www.magicstomp.com (http://www.magicstomp.com).

[Turbo Gerbil]

I've come to pretty much the same conclusion as you Alec I think. Alot of it depends on the amount of presense and treble in the signal. I didn't used to think that my Mark IV had enough gain, but after finding speaker cabs that didn't squelch so much of the high end off the signal it feels much more gainy to me. I didn't think I liked having alot of high end in a signal, but it turns out that some of that "buzz" is needed as well as some midcut to really make gain come out. So my current cabs combined with the Mark IV's EQ ( which I believe is just before the power amp, similar to your use of the MS) makes a pretty rockin rhythm sound. Since the EQ on the Mark IV is footswitchable I use the gain channel + EQ for rhythm, and pop off the EQ to effectively "bump" the mids for solo's to punch through. The rhythm sound does sound better in band context though, it still sounds "buzzy" to me by itself.

BTW, I'm thinking of hosting a jam sometime next month, so maybe we can do some comparisons. :)

[Adam]

I like the tone of the first clip - it's a little more natural, but the EQ'd clip seems to have boosted highs - maybe dail some of the mids back into the EQ and have the best of both worlds?

[aleclee]

BTW, I'm thinking of hosting a jam sometime next month, so maybe we can do some comparisons. :)As long as it doesn't conflict with the Broncos, I'll be there. ;)

[Dan Desy]

Sounds really good, Alec! Plenty of gain, especially for rhythm playing.

Funny, last night I was alone at home (that NEVER happens!) and decided to have some fun with my M60 - so I turned up a little...

Man that thing has so much punch and kick! I love that little amp. The clean channel with the Jeckyl & Hyde just kicks so much ass... No regrets. I'm a Rivera disciple now.

[Erik]

Alec, I just gave these clips another listen through better speakers...I changed my mind, clip one sounds better to me. It has better mids to it, clip 2 sounds a tad on the scooped side (like Phil said)...I'd love to hear the amp EQ'd with some more mids dialed in. Oh, and to answer your question...plenty of gain in those clips.

[BoyMambo]

I like the sound of the second one with the EQ and agree that it definitely adds a little bite and air. The MXL mics are meant to be very good, I wanted to by the $159 pair from Musicians Friends, but one they don't send to foriegn countries with obviously dubious reputations like Australia. Heck, they did not even answer my email!

[Gavin]

Another vote for the non EQ. Sounds nice and raw baby!!!



Gavin