Post by rickeb1 on Feb 17, 2017 23:57:57 GMT
After working with the MULTIAMP for just a short while, I have some observations/questions that I’m hoping some of you experienced users can help me with. Warning, long post ahead!
1. Volume: I am running the MA mono in bridge mode into a 2x12 8 ohm speaker cabinet, and I have a real concern about being heard in a full band environment (although I just moved to this area and am not in a band yet). Selecting Ch.3 and any of the available amps, the volume is not even that loud in my small bedroom unless perhaps I crank it nearly all the way up, which seems wrong, and then it doesn’t sound all that good. I’ve read of another former MA user on another forum who ended up selling his MA shortly after he got it because he was being “buried” at band practice, so I am worried.
I loaded a number of artist patches (notably those from “Bicio”), and found that they were much louder than anything I was getting. I looked closer and found that most of them had the Cab sim turned on. Looking into the Cab block parameters, I found that there is a volume level parm, and the artists had cranked it up to as much as +6db, which explains why their patches are so much louder. I’d rather not use the Cab block for running live, so this is disappointing. I also found an artist patch that didn’t use the cab block, but used an EQ block and had turned up the level there.
So all you folks using the MA live in a full band environment, how are you getting enough volume to be heard above the din? Are you using the Cab sim and turning up the volume there, or in an EQ block, or some other way? Are you all using 4 ohm cabs, does that make a big difference?
2. Tone: As I mentioned, I really like the Bicio patches, until I noticed that he was using the Cab sim. Turning off the Cab block, the tone was harsh and digital sounding. This makes some sense since I’m sure he tuned his tone controls around the cab sim he was using. Still, I’m finding it difficult to put together a high-gain lead tone that sounds full and rounded like a tube amp, *without* using a cab sim. So I need some help here, as I have never been great at tweaking patches. What tips can you give me for creating high-gain lead tones that sound as much as possible like a good tube amp – rich, full, and not harsh and digital sounding? Any specific settings you can provide or pointers to existing patches would be greatly appreciated!
3. Noise: I’ve noticed that a couple of the Ch.3 amps, and some artist patches, are horribly noisy even with the noise gate, to the point of being unusable. I have an ISP Decimator Pro Rack G noise suppressor, and I am seriously considering running it in the loop of the MA. Have you had issues with unbearable noise on certain high-gain settings (especially when using the Distortion block), and if so, how have you dealt with it?
Apologies for the lengthy post! I really want the MULTIAMP to work for me, and I feel that if I can get past a few of these road blocks, it will. I’ve already got some of my other rack gear up for sale, so I’m counting on the MULTIAMP!
Thanks!
1. Volume: I am running the MA mono in bridge mode into a 2x12 8 ohm speaker cabinet, and I have a real concern about being heard in a full band environment (although I just moved to this area and am not in a band yet). Selecting Ch.3 and any of the available amps, the volume is not even that loud in my small bedroom unless perhaps I crank it nearly all the way up, which seems wrong, and then it doesn’t sound all that good. I’ve read of another former MA user on another forum who ended up selling his MA shortly after he got it because he was being “buried” at band practice, so I am worried.
I loaded a number of artist patches (notably those from “Bicio”), and found that they were much louder than anything I was getting. I looked closer and found that most of them had the Cab sim turned on. Looking into the Cab block parameters, I found that there is a volume level parm, and the artists had cranked it up to as much as +6db, which explains why their patches are so much louder. I’d rather not use the Cab block for running live, so this is disappointing. I also found an artist patch that didn’t use the cab block, but used an EQ block and had turned up the level there.
So all you folks using the MA live in a full band environment, how are you getting enough volume to be heard above the din? Are you using the Cab sim and turning up the volume there, or in an EQ block, or some other way? Are you all using 4 ohm cabs, does that make a big difference?
2. Tone: As I mentioned, I really like the Bicio patches, until I noticed that he was using the Cab sim. Turning off the Cab block, the tone was harsh and digital sounding. This makes some sense since I’m sure he tuned his tone controls around the cab sim he was using. Still, I’m finding it difficult to put together a high-gain lead tone that sounds full and rounded like a tube amp, *without* using a cab sim. So I need some help here, as I have never been great at tweaking patches. What tips can you give me for creating high-gain lead tones that sound as much as possible like a good tube amp – rich, full, and not harsh and digital sounding? Any specific settings you can provide or pointers to existing patches would be greatly appreciated!
3. Noise: I’ve noticed that a couple of the Ch.3 amps, and some artist patches, are horribly noisy even with the noise gate, to the point of being unusable. I have an ISP Decimator Pro Rack G noise suppressor, and I am seriously considering running it in the loop of the MA. Have you had issues with unbearable noise on certain high-gain settings (especially when using the Distortion block), and if so, how have you dealt with it?
Apologies for the lengthy post! I really want the MULTIAMP to work for me, and I feel that if I can get past a few of these road blocks, it will. I’ve already got some of my other rack gear up for sale, so I’m counting on the MULTIAMP!
Thanks!