Experimenting with volume

  • Thread starter Thread starter ABoyWithaTH30
  • Start date Start date
A

ABoyWithaTH30

Member
So I have decided to experiment with using different volumes settings on my TH30H while using a pedal as almost a “attenuator” in the loop. At lower volumes, the amp is less articulate, and much more flubby and fizzy (below 9 oclock). Above 9 oclock to about 12 we get something like an edge of break up almost really low distortion sound. 12 oclock to three the amp really starts to become vibrant and full but sounds flubby. 3 oclock and above my GOODNESS! This thing is ripping, tight, articulate, vibrant, and so rich its magical. Note: all of these tests are with the gain at noon, the shape knob at 7 oclock, as well as a behringer UM300 in the loop with the gain all the way down, eq set to preference, and the level adjusted so I dont blow the doors off my house. Also in full 30 watt mode with RCA 12AX7A tubes in V1-3 and V5. Stock JJ tubes in V4, and power tube slots.
 
Smash said:
Man. It would have to be bigger than my room. 117 is about the max i enjoy in my little room with flooring. But on an open stage, yeah. All fucking day!
Click to expand...
I almost never plug in at home unless it's testing gear or a repaired amp but there are a couple places that let me rip as loud as I want and it's freeing cause I can be an artist and play the way I want instead of being dictated to about how I play. Artistry vs another lame job.
 
Smash said:
I am glad you are having fun. I dont like tube amps less than 105 dbs. I feel like if they arent cooking, may as well do modeling.
Click to expand...
Most of the time I would have the amp really low due to my family, dog, as well as some noise complaints from neighbors when I really get her cranked. But there really isn’t anything like playing with a cranked tube amp. My father was the one telling me that I gotta “crank the !@&$” out of it to really start having some fun. And its really nice because with the power amp distorting, I can turn down the gain and have a nice tight crunch and not worry about it sounding thin.
 
midnightlaundry said:
Don't forget the loudness curves..
If you haven't played loud i a while, you might be used to a lot of highs in the sound at low volume..
I remember being young and turning up my badass rig when the folks were gone..
It was like a belt sander to the eardrums..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-loudness_contour
Click to expand...
Yes, I am a huge Metallica fan and scooped mids and really high treble is what I like (Justice). But once I started cranking the amp I immediately had to change how I eq my amp. I got frequencies I never had before at lower volumes and found the most useful setting for the shape knob is to just keep it all the way down and just use an eq pedal and distortion pedal in the loop (acting as a parametric eq) to dial in some precise tones.
 
VonBonfire said:
It's way more fun playing at 120dB or more. I've noticed that many younger guys don't know how to function at those volume levels thanks to our wussified society.
Click to expand...
As long as your not standing directly in front of the speakers, I would crank them as loud as I could without having people complain. Things are just better when they’re loud, cars, guitars, fighter jets, guns, tractors, you name it. If its loud, its better.
 
I'm embarrassed to admit this, but it's important to admit your mistakes so that you can learn from them. *SIGH* Here goes...

I played too quietly at our last gig.

We were recording at the spot in the weeks leading up the the gig, and I had my amp quiet and close miced to minimize bleed in the room mics. I never turned back up all the way.

Everyone said we sounded great and the mix was perfect. You could hear the synths through the PA and everything. Normally we drown all that out by playing really loud.

I won't make that mistake again.
 
BeZo said:
I'm embarrassed to admit this, but it's important to admit your mistakes so that you can learn from them. *SIGH* Here goes...

I played too quietly at our last gig.

We were recording at the spot in the weeks leading up the the gig, and I had my amp quiet and close miced to minimize bleed in the room mics. I never turned back up all the way.

Everyone said we sounded great and the mix was perfect. You could hear the synths through the PA and everything. Normally we drown all that out by playing really loud.

I won't make that mistake again.
Click to expand...
I remember vibrating bottles of beer off of my amps gigging the 90s. That's when you know you're pushing some air :rock:
 
Findthetone1 said:
I remember vibrating bottles of beer off of my amps gigging the 90s. That's when you know you're pushing some air :rock:
Click to expand...
I like to keep my drinks off the top of the amp. I usually put them in front of the speaker so they soak up more blues vibrations into my beverage of choice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top