View Full Version : Recommend preamp please....
countandduke
10-31-2003, 08:16 AM
I have read lots of reviews from you guys and I am hoping to get some help as well. I currently have a jmp-1 and although I am "happy" with my tone I think it can be better. I am using an intellifex in the effects loop and this WILL be my effects unit. My question is, What preamp would you guys recommend for 1) great clean sound, 2) liquid lead sound ala Vai and Petrucci 3) good rhythm tone ala Van Halen. Basically I am looking for a preamp that will do EVERYTHING but I do NOT need it to do metal death music. Some of the preamps I am considerings are: Rocktron Piranha, Prophecy, Hafler Tiple Giant, Groove Tubes Trio, Mesa Quad, Mesa recording pre.........ANY advice would be GREATLY appreciated. I have already tried the following pre's and don't care for them..... ada mp-1, mesa triaxis, digitech 2120....I am also looking for a preamp that will give GREAT tones without miking a cabinet. That's one of the main reasons I LOVE my jmp-1........BUT if I need to mic, I will...
Thanks,
Chris
6130907
10-31-2003, 10:22 AM
there are some soundclips for the voodu valve (which has the same preamp as the prophesy) on the rocktron site, and i think you should check them out...
btw, doesn't Petrucci use as triaxis ?
I recommend the Engl 530 pre-amp. It's not very expensive, and is extremely versatile. I think you should take a look at it. It has frequency compensated outputs for direct recording that sound *very* realistic. Not a miked cab, but pretty close.
regards,
mori
countandduke
10-31-2003, 10:33 AM
Yes, I believe Petrucci uses a Triaxis but also Mesa heads and what not as well, but I don't have his bank account.......his chops either!! :)
EVH Wolfgang
10-31-2003, 11:01 AM
So, are you ruling out the TriAxis, because of cost?
I'm just trying to get a fix on your requirements or what you're looking for.
countandduke
10-31-2003, 11:30 AM
No, but I had one and I thought it was pretty good but I have since sold it and I think I can find something less expensive.......I guess it's a good ole case of, if I haven't yet heard it for myself then I want one!! But I am asking for advice to "try" and get around that impulse.........
EVH Wolfgang
10-31-2003, 11:35 AM
Wow, that can be an expensive approach to sampling tones.
Honestly, you were probably best off just keeping the TriAxis and leaving it be.
countandduke
10-31-2003, 11:48 AM
Yeah..........I might have to get another one. There are some on ebay right now for around $700 or so..............we'll see.........I am doing LOTS of recording in my home studio which is NOT soundproof so I am REALLY looking for gear that will give me good tones without using mics..........I might have to get a groove tubes SE or palmer speaker emulator.......any advice on those? I HAD a microcab but didn't care for it too much............
mshifflett
10-31-2003, 12:07 PM
Originally posted by countandduke
I have read lots of reviews from you guys and I am hoping to get some help as well. I currently have a jmp-1 and although I am "happy" with my tone I think it can be better. I am using an intellifex in the effects loop and this WILL be my effects unit. My question is, What preamp would you guys recommend for 1) great clean sound, 2) liquid lead sound ala Vai and Petrucci 3) good rhythm tone ala Van Halen. Basically I am looking for a preamp that will do EVERYTHING but I do NOT need it to do metal death music. Some of the preamps I am considerings are: Rocktron Piranha, Prophecy, Hafler Tiple Giant, Groove Tubes Trio, Mesa Quad, Mesa recording pre.........ANY advice would be GREATLY appreciated. I have already tried the following pre's and don't care for them..... ada mp-1, mesa triaxis, digitech 2120....I am also looking for a preamp that will give GREAT tones without miking a cabinet. That's one of the main reasons I LOVE my jmp-1........BUT if I need to mic, I will...
Thanks,
Chris
I was in the same exact situation as you about a month ago. I too had a JMP-1, which I still have in my rack and use on a regular basis. It covered the Marshall tones with no problem but I was after that same liquid lead tone that you describe. I have since then bought a Mesa Quad and have been happy beyond belief. I but all new JJ tubes in it and that thing sounds sweet. I use it along with a G-Major effects unit, a Mesa 20/20 power amp and an ADA Microcab-II. I send a signal directly to our FOH board and it sounds great. Of course it could sound better with a Palmer emulator, but I have yet to find any deals on a used one that I could afford.
Rocinante
10-31-2003, 01:05 PM
I too am currently in the market for a good multi-channel preamp, and recently got to audition a Groove Tubes Trio. I would say that this is a nice preamp if you're using humbucker equipped guitars (It sounds like you are). It's not voiced for single coils, IMO. Way too bright and trebly, and impossible to dial this out without creating mud (and I like a bright sound!).
countandduke
10-31-2003, 01:41 PM
Great posts guys........I will keep you informed of what I decide. I wish there was a website that we could all go to that had various soundclips of these preamps. I HATE dealing witht the morons in Guitar Center!!
AlanFord
11-01-2003, 06:58 AM
I too am currently in the market for a good multi-channel preamp, and recently got to audition a Groove Tubes Trio. I would say that this is a nice preamp if you're using humbucker equipped guitars (It sounds like you are). It's not voiced for single coils, IMO. Way too bright and trebly, and impossible to dial this out without creating mud (and I like a bright sound!).
I'm using a Trio with a Clapton Strat with great results: the clean channel is one of the best I ever tried. I tried it with my Les Paul, but wasn't as happy as when i plug my strato in. It's definitly subjectiv. Anyway it's a great preamp!!
Try a strato+Trio+Mesa 50/50 and you're in tone heaven!!
Rocinante
11-01-2003, 07:25 AM
Originally posted by AlanFord
I'm using a Trio with a Clapton Strat with great resultsIs that with or without the mid-boost?
I really wanted to like the Trio. I've been hunting so long for the right preamp. The Scream channel didn't ever really get 'metal' with the Strat, as I was hoping. However, this may not be so much a criticism of the amp as an observation that you get out of it what you put in.
Looks like I'll be getting an MP-1 anyhow. I really want a Randall RM4, but it'll probably work out too expensive to order from the UK.
Hektor*
11-02-2003, 04:14 AM
I also was looking for a preamp for a long time. I ended up getting Voodoo Lab preamp. I don't no why it is not very popular but I can tell you it is a great unit. All 3 channels sound awesome; it is very versatile and only takes 1u space which is a big plus in my book. It has as much gain as one might need but I'm not sure it is the ideal pre for heavy metal players.
I was amazed by the convincing natural sounds of the direct recording outputs. It doesn't have a zillion amp/cab options like modelers have (only two) but it is analog and sound real good not only when you hide it in a mix but also when you hear the recorded track alone.
I recommend you give it a try.
Hektor
mikeSF
11-02-2003, 04:29 AM
dont forget about the Carvin Quad-X. The clean is exceptional (Fender quality). and the gain channels are very versitile.
plus you have a built in spring reverb(or patch in your own) with long tail switching, lots of effects loops, graphic eQ, etc.
this unit also employs a very nice cab simulator, one of the best i've heard.
a fine pre-amp, and very affordable used around $350.
good luck
AlanFord
11-02-2003, 05:51 AM
Is that with or without the mid-boost?
The Clapton has the mid-boost, it really helps to get a fatter humbucker like tone.
The scream channel is like a hot rodded marshall, it has a ton of gain but not in the rectifier style. Probably the Trio isn't the best to play metal, but for vintage tones it's really great!
Zeromus-X
11-02-2003, 09:52 AM
Originally posted by countandduke
Great posts guys........I will keep you informed of what I decide. I wish there was a website that we could all go to that had various soundclips of these preamps. I HATE dealing witht the morons in Guitar Center!!
Ironically, this was the entire intent of the MonsterRack service.
countandduke
11-02-2003, 10:06 AM
Yes, I agree. The monsterack has been cool but trying to find all the clips is not very easy......is there a file we could put all the clips into?????
joncyberboy
11-03-2003, 08:48 AM
Sansamp PSA-1
Tom Manning
11-03-2003, 05:30 PM
I recommend the Mesa Quad - but then again I do own one :D