rack effects and stuff dawg

[ttfaashred]

So alot of times when I see other guys playing mesa amps they usually have like a signal processor with effects or something cause the tone they get I know I could never get out of my triple rec. Anybody know any good effects units or anything like that that are either popular, or you know would compliment my amp in a very good way. I just notice how much gain I don't have with the triple rec which is cool, I like how clean it is, and I don't want so much gain that it's muddy, but I guess I just want more response, and a bit more distortion.

[jacob shock]

man ive got a combo amp with shit on it and thats it for bass. but fuck dude I used this guys amp from passing in dreams and he had all kinds of processors and effects and shit man. I didnt know what the fuck any of it was or still is hahahaha but it was probably like a foot and half of shit I didnt know about

[ttfaashred]

man ive got a combo amp with shit on it and thats it for bass. but fuck dude I used this guys amp from passing in dreams and he had all kinds of processors and effects and shit man. I didnt know what the fuck any of it was or still is hahahaha but it was probably like a foot and half of shit I didnt know about

Yeah I know man, this is stuff i'm so uneducated about, and would love to learn, I just want to have a good solid sound consistently. I wish I could just mix from the stage. But I really want to get my amp sounding killer, and thanks to the knowledgable ones it will be a probability.

[Durchfall]

Yeah I know man, this is stuff i'm so uneducated about, and would love to learn, I just want to have a good solid sound consistently. I wish I could just mix from the stage. But I really want to get my amp sounding killer, and thanks to the knowledgable ones it will be a probability.

100 % agree. I have a triple rec as well, and I love it and all, but I find myself constantly changing the tone around because I get sick of one or i just dont like the way it sounds or something. I just want a solid consistent tone that I dig 100% of the time that doesnt take away from my amp.

[infrangible silence]

you could always just get some big ass EQ and get exactly the tone you want.

or something like a TC Electronics G-Major - tons of effects, built in noise gate, and 3 band eq (which you can change for different channels).

[joshthysia]

unless you want to spend a pretty penny getting that perfect sound for the amp.. i can't really suggest finding anything worthy. i spent a lot of money buying a rackcase or my mesa and rack effects. i ended up with a korg tuner, super hush c, behringer EQ, dbx EQ, power surge, and sonic maximizer and still thought everything wasn't worth the trouble. i sold everything else and just use the mesa dual rectifier in its own head case :)

[ttfaashred]

unless you want to spend a pretty penny getting that perfect sound for the amp.. i can't really suggest finding anything worthy. i spent a lot of money buying a rackcase or my mesa and rack effects. i ended up with a korg tuner, super hush c, behringer EQ, dbx EQ, power surge, and sonic maximizer and still thought everything wasn't worth the trouble. i sold everything else and just use the mesa dual rectifier in its own head case :)

Would it be wise to sell my triple for a double. I found someone selling the old version for $1,250 but he said if the 2 people who are interested in it fall through he'd sell it to me for $1,100 Which is $300 more than I bought my head for.

[M. Diddy Oien]

i bought a double rec rackmount with a korg tuner, and alesis compressor for 1100. fucking steal! anyways, i'd go with the compressor. i love the way it makes my distortion channel sound.

[underrealm]

Compressors, preamps, and EQs are common gear. Also, I see a lot of guys with multi-effects units in their racks (controlled with a MIDI foot controller, of course). I thought about doing that for a long time, but...

Although, some may disagree with my taste, I caught myself falling in love with Opeth's live tone. At first, I thought it was those $4k PRSs that were making the tone, but I then realized that both of Mikael and Peter were using nothing more than BOSS GT-6 effects units running into Laney heads an using only the amp's clean channels. I thought it was kinda retarded in a way, but after getting myself a BOSS unit, I'm really amazed at the sounds you can simulate by using these things at stage volume.

You might also look at www.guitargeek.com and check out some pro rigs there. There is a fair variety of artists' rigs revealed there, so if you like a specific guitarist's tone, it may be worth checking out that site.

[joshthysia]

i've never used the alesis compressor... do you prefer to use that over just a plain mesa? i won't go back to rack gear cuz it takes too long to set up everything at shows :emot-part

what old version are you looking to buy.. the 2 channel? i'd say if anything go for the dual racktifier... that thing is a beast!!! if you're looking for heavy go with 2 channel (i actually prefer 3 over 2 b/c of this particular band i'm in) but hey if you dig your triple i'd say just keep the damn thing unless you're absolutely positive you hate your triple.

[Jotun]

You can get the wildest blues tone with a compressor pedal, hahaha.

[ttfaashred]

i've never used the alesis compressor... do you prefer to use that over just a plain mesa? i won't go back to rack gear cuz it takes too long to set up everything at shows :emot-part

what old version are you looking to buy.. the 2 channel? i'd say if anything go for the dual racktifier... that thing is a beast!!! if you're looking for heavy go with 2 channel (i actually prefer 3 over 2 b/c of this particular band i'm in) but hey if you dig your triple i'd say just keep the damn thing unless you're absolutely positive you hate your triple.

Yeah it's the two channel. I'm really confused about the logic of using a preamp, and or effects over an mesa amphead. Doesn't that completely defeat the purpose of buying a mesa head if your going to play a preamp with a effects processor? Or does having the mesa head make the most of these effects units, and rack gear? I've always wanted to know the logic in this.

It is the old 2 channel as well. I've heard that you really have to crank the triple rec to get it sounding good live, as opposed to the dual rectifier. Cause if thats the case I just might want to get a dual.

[underrealm]

The preamps don't do anything more than give you more control over your tone. I don't know many pro guitarists who play a "naked" rig without some sort of preamp or EQ (exclude the hard rock Les Paul/JCM800 guys like Slash from AFD days - Godly tone, btw).

So it's not the mesa head making the most out of your rack gear. It's the rack gear making the most out of your mesa.

[ttfaashred]

The preamps don't do anything more than give you more control over your tone. I don't know many pro guitarists who play a "naked" rig without some sort of preamp or EQ (exclude the hard rock Les Paul/JCM800 guys like Slash from AFD days - Godly tone, btw).

So it's not the mesa head making the most out of your rack gear. It's the rack gear making the most out of your mesa.

Very well put man, thats a really eye opener. So now my question is, what should I go with. If I want a harsh yet clean tone, and along with a beautiful clean channel tone, with a great solo tone as well, how can I make this happen. I've heard some good things about the gt-8 and or gt-6 but I don't know if thats going to be a waste of money. I want more gain for amp but not muddy, and not too much, I just need a little more gain than what i've got. I'm a decent guitar player, but playing with as much gain as say like spawn of possession scares me to death live. Especially when I have to tap my fretboard real hard to get my notes to sustain with my gain. Were talking that little of gain. And my noise gate is low as well.

[underrealm]

I'd say a compressor may help you out a bit, but more importantly, a distortion pedal of sorts will really be key to evening out your tone and giving you a good gain boost. I use a TubeScreamer with the distortion turned all the way down, but I jack up the level for a clean gain boost (sounds great on the dirty channel - see the latest pages in the Gear Discussion thread for details), and use the Tone Control to shape my sound accordingly. Both of those elements can be added from stomp boxes, and are every bit as effective as rack gear.

If you aren't currently using a boost of sorts, then I recommend that to be your first step. It's really hard to beat a TubeScreamer, but the Boss DS-1 seems to be very popular as well. And a little bit of compression can never hurt for added sustain to make those tapped notes jump out a bit more.

[underrealm]

BTW, ttfaashred, I tried to check out your band, but I couldn't find any mp3's. It's highly plausible that I'm just a retard that sucks at the eenerweb, but I thought it would be worth asking if you have a myspace.

[invadertim]

everyone i know that has a mesa runs a BBE sonic Maximizer with it. Also, as far as rack stuff, get a Power condition (protects your shit against shitty wireing in shitty venues, like a beefed up trustworthy surge protector) and a rack tuner is ALWAYS a nice thing to have. other than that the advice above is all solid as hell.

[invadertim]

by the way...want to get on a few MO shows in July ?

[Dreams in dog years]

you could always just get some big ass EQ and get exactly the tone you want.

or something like a TC Electronics G-Major - tons of effects, built in noise gate, and 3 band eq (which you can change for different channels).

plus won

the gmajor is awesome and doesnt color the tone but it has reliability issues
the rocktron xpression, intellifex, intelliverb are also good

for noise

nothing can beat the isp prorackg, a great unit i owned the $350 dollars was worth the money

[ttfaashred]

by the way...want to get on a few MO shows in July ?

www.myspace.com/thebodyandtheblood

We also have purevolume and it's the same,

I'd love to, but depends on a couple of things. When in July because the first 2 weeks 2 of our guys will be out of town. Also what venue, and what day cause all of the dudes in our band are pretty picky about the shows we play. If it was up to me and I would just be like when and where, but some of the other dudes are pretty picky. So first off find me a date in which you guys are looking to come down, and we'll see if we can get something going. And thanks so much for your advice man it really helps, all of you guys, you all rule.

[underrealm]

Hey, I really like your band, honky.

[M. Diddy Oien]

everyone i know that has a mesa runs a BBE sonic Maximizer with it. Also, as far as rack stuff, get a Power condition (protects your shit against shitty wireing in shitty venues, like a beefed up trustworthy surge protector) and a rack tuner is ALWAYS a nice thing to have. other than that the advice above is all solid as hell.

basically my rack, but - the BBE, and + alesis compressor and my mesa is a rackmount double.. I have actually thought about swapping out the alesis for the BBE. my rack is full, so i'd either have to get a new rack to have both, or just swap out the compressor. my rack is also a roadcase which is fucking awesome, so i really don't want a new one.

any opinions on the swap?

[underrealm]

I've never used a BBE with a Mesa, but I've found them to be somewhat useless... I mean, I know they serve a purpose, but I never thought that the "effect" was worth anything. Just a personal opinion.

On the other hand, I use the BBE plug-in on just about every guitar or vocal I record with Sonar, so I do see its merit. Just haven't been able to find a good use for one live. Sold mine shortly after I bought it.

[bulb]

as a general rule, dont use a bbe in your live rig, i can give you the short version or the long version as to why, but trust me, although it makes it sound cooler on its own, it will make you sound worse in a band situation and/or live

[ttfaashred]

Hey, I really like your band, honky.

haha, thanks alot man. And thanks so much for sharing your knowledge i'm gonna go to guitar center and try figure some of this stuff out soon.

[BZM]

as a general rule, dont use a bbe in your live rig, i can give you the short version or the long version as to why, but trust me, although it makes it sound cooler on its own, it will make you sound worse in a band situation and/or live

^^

this is very true.

[joshthysia]

yeah when i was a loser and played techmetal i heard that paul used to use a bbe sonic maximizer with his mesa i went ahead and bought one but disregarded the fact that he said he didn't use it anymore. well come to find out the bbe does its job of beefing up the tone but it made my amp sound like shit. if you honestly want to buy some rackgear for cheap luke from sleep terror just posted a bulletin yesterday about selling a lot of stuff, you should check it out.

here's a picture of my unnecessary rig before i sold almost everything. :emot-part

http://myspace-205.vo.llnwd.net/01298/50/25/1298355205_l.jpg

Pedal board has different pedals in it as well.. also i am selling the 5 space rack case for $375 if anyone wants it.. its in very mint condition. anyway cheers!!

[ttfaashred]

yeah when i was a loser and played techmetal i heard that paul used to use a bbe sonic maximizer with his mesa i went ahead and bought one but disregarded the fact that he said he didn't use it anymore. well come to find out the bbe does its job of beefing up the tone but it made my amp sound like shit. if you honestly want to buy some rackgear for cheap luke from sleep terror just posted a bulletin yesterday about selling a lot of stuff, you should check it out.

here's a picture of my unnecessary rig before i sold almost everything. :emot-part

http://myspace-205.vo.llnwd.net/01298/50/25/1298355205_l.jpg

Pedal board has different pedals in it as well.. also i am selling the 5 space rack case for $375 if anyone wants it.. its in very mint condition. anyway cheers!!

Interesting so you played with a metal zone? Was that a mistake?

[IKilldUrFuKnFace]

before you buy a ton of shit for your rig pick up line 6s metalzone uber metal pedal. It has something to scoop out or shape the mids, and eq for the high and low ends, 3 diff preset distortion settings, 2 noise gates and goes for about 90 bucks. best money i ever spent and it makes any amp sound amazingly brutal, no joke, it'll even make Crate stuff sound good :emot-LOL: I always run it on the clean channel. Its the best pedal i ever bought.

[ttfaashred]

before you buy a ton of shit for your rig pick up line 6s metalzone uber metal pedal. It has something to scoop out or shape the mids, and eq for the high and low ends, 3 diff preset distortion settings, 2 noise gates and goes for about 90 bucks. best money i ever spent and it makes any amp sound amazingly brutal, no joke, it'll even make Crate stuff sound good :emot-LOL: I always run it on the clean channel. Its the best pedal i ever bought.

http://img3.guitarcenter.com/dbase/media/product/video/150389.mpg

Either this guy sucks and doesn't know how to use thing, or the peddle the sucks and guys to afraid to try and play with it. Does this video do it justice to you?

[bulb]

before you buy a ton of shit for your rig pick up line 6s metalzone uber metal pedal. It has something to scoop out or shape the mids, and eq for the high and low ends, 3 diff preset distortion settings, 2 noise gates and goes for about 90 bucks. best money i ever spent and it makes any amp sound amazingly brutal, no joke, it'll even make Crate stuff sound good :emot-LOL: I always run it on the clean channel. Its the best pedal i ever bought.

the difference between what you are doin with your amp and the options someone with a mesa rig has is so huge that i pooped

[joshthysia]

like i said.. the pedalboard set up is different now and the only reason i had the metalzone in the set up was b/c i didn't have the 5th pedal to complete the connection and make it look like a full board hahaha.. i haven't used that pedal since i was like 12 :emot-blin

[underrealm]

I think the Metal Zones are actually pretty decent. They certainly serve their purposes, but I would NEVER rely on it as my only source of gain. When simply used as a boost, they can be just as (or more) effective than other distortion pedals.

Forget about the scratchy distortion it produces. Turn that shit off and crank the level and shape the tone how you see fit. This is VERY useful when you step right into a lead out of a rhythmic chord progression. If you're like me, you love using your bridge pickup for chunkier stuff, but you want your leads to be thicker with a totally different color. As long as your dist pedal has a Gain, Level, and Tone control, then you can pretty much make it sound however you want. If I'm not mistaken, the BOSS MZ has two tone controls (correct me if I'm wrong), which could potentially be even better than a lot of other possible avenues.

[ttfaashred]

I think the Metal Zones are actually pretty decent. They certainly serve their purposes, but I would NEVER rely on it as my only source of gain. When simply used as a boost, they can be just as (or more) effective than other distortion pedals.

Forget about the scratchy distortion it produces. Turn that shit off and crank the level and shape the tone how you see fit. This is VERY useful when you step right into a lead out of a rhythmic chord progression. If you're like me, you love using your bridge pickup for chunkier stuff, but you want your leads to be thicker with a totally different color. As long as your dist pedal has a Gain, Level, and Tone control, then you can pretty much make it sound however you want. If I'm not mistaken, the BOSS MZ has two tone controls (correct me if I'm wrong), which could potentially be even better than a lot of other possible avenues.

Hmm, well I know our other guitar player has a metal zone, i'm tempted to see what kind of tone I can get out of it.

[NavalPigsty]

I wish I played guitar, this thread seems interesting.

The other day my friend and I recorded some shit, but I didn't take tone or anything into consideration. I assume he knew what he was doing, it didn't look too hard.

[prayerforazazelandme]

Joshthysia and Underrealm are giving you awesome advice, ttfaashred.

As far as the BBE Sonic Maximizer, I used one back in the day with a solid state amp, and it sounded great, but with tube amps, it really drains and deteriorates your amps sound.

I would agree with Underrealm about the Tubescreamer as the first step. I currently use a Maxon OD808, (Maxon was the original oem chip manufacturer for the Ibanez ts8/ts9 pedal). The Maxon OD808 is the best screamer on the market imo. I turn the overdrive all the way down, tone like on 4, and the balance to the desired amount of boost. http://www.shsmusica.com/SHS%20web/Fotos/fotos_maxon/reissue/od808G.jpg

As far as other rack gear, and I saw most of this in here already, a good power conditioner is a great investment, a korg tuner, and a good eq.

Other than that I would suggest a compression/sustainer pedal like a Boss CS-3, the item description doesn't lie "With the Boss CS-3 Compression Sustainer you get smooth sustain, a more balanced string response, and more clarity and punch at any volume. A must for recording. Ideal alone for a clean sound or in front of a distortion or chorus." But my favorite part about this pedal is that it is sterile in that it does not change or fuck with your amps tone at all. http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/regular/9/3/0/367930.jpg

Good Luck dude, and congrats on your band.

[My Arms Your Hearse]

yeah, I love the boss compression pedal so much.