NAD! '82 Marshall 4104 with EV's

  • Thread starter Thread starter 7704A
  • Start date Start date
Ok, it occurs to me that I shouldn't be comparing stereo single-source tracks vs panned doubled mono tracks since the panned mono imitates two sound sources wide apart whereas the stereo single-source track is just a single source down the center. What I should do is compare centered stereo image tracks vs centered mono tracks. If I want to compare a panned mono track with the 57 to the PZMs, then I should also double track with the stereo array, but each time rotating the mic array left or right to do the panning at the source. I also sorted out issues with tracks sounding different outside my DAW than they did inside. I think that came down to mono tracks getting doubled into left and right channels without re-normalizing the audio to maintain the same level as in the DAW, resulting in a 3dB boost in volume.

So, here is a centered stereo pair recording with the PZMs and a panned mono track with the 57. They've both been LUFS matched so they should have approximately equal loudness, and I fixed the issue with exports screwing that up.

 
Last edited:
Just took receipt of the PS100 I bought from @GrimTrigger, and used the line out to blast the Marshall into an Eminence EM12 IR through my MSP5 monitors without killing the neighborhood cats. Not quite my ideal tone being an SM57 capture, and an EVM12L (clone) instead of a 12S, but still good I think. Phone recording.
 
Hmm, ok, now the amp is making noises similar to when the input jack had a bad connection, and has some volume drop-outs. Maybe it's finally time to perform a more thorough service check-up. The low input on 10 through the PS into my combo cab sounds fantastic though, enough drive to do lighter stuff (or play in a worship team) and cleans up beautifully with playing dynamics.
 
Hmm... Where were we? Right, not using 57's. Haven't had the volume issues again, and just today finally built a PZM wedge stereo mic array. Pro: it sounds pretty realistic. Con: realistically, sticking your head right in front of a speaker cabinet isn't that pleasant. Beaming is biting, I tweak for the sound up where I'm standing or sitting, but it's much brighter right in front of the 2x12. So that'll need some tweaking. But, the big takeaway right now is how realistic things sound, in particular ambient stuff. There's a door closing at the end of the track and even knowing it's a recording it feels like it's in the room with me. Neato! Riff ripped whole-sale from @Mr Mansfield and played poorly.


Anyone else feel like that door slam is in the room with them when listening back in stereo? Comments on tone? Complaints for the complaints bin 🗑️?
 
Hmm... Where were we? Right, not using 57's. Haven't had the volume issues again, and just today finally built a PZM wedge stereo mic array. Pro: it sounds pretty realistic. Con: realistically, sticking your head right in front of a speaker cabinet isn't that pleasant. Beaming is biting, I tweak for the sound up where I'm standing or sitting, but it's much brighter right in front of the 2x12. So that'll need some tweaking. But, the big takeaway right now is how realistic things sound, in particular ambient stuff. There's a door closing at the end of the track and even knowing it's a recording it feels like it's in the room with me. Neato! Riff ripped whole-sale from @Mr Mansfield and played poorly.


Anyone else feel like that door slam is in the room with them when listening back in stereo? Comments on tone? Complaints for the complaints bin 🗑️?

That sounds nasty in the best way. Love it.
 
The semester's keeping me busy so I haven't posted much, but I've been amassing a bunch of clips where the only thing changed is various speaker, cabinet, and mic setup parameters as I move the Force 12's and XXX speakers around, with the planned final configuration being the Force 12's in the XXX 4x12 running as a "detuned" 2x12. At some point I'll have to post those. BUT....

Right now I'm posting 'cause I just removed the cap from the mid pot wiper to ground that is stock on the combos, but absent on the heads.

20251108_133212.jpg

I have yet to make recordings and compare back-to-back with prior recordings, but my first impression is that it's staying this way. More definition, presence, high-mid grind, various riffs sound more "right", etc...

While doing that, I discovered that the Marshall factory was apparently a fan of lick 'n stick style soldering. I took a few minutes to dress the wire ends a bit and upgrade slightly to a poke 'n pray solder joint until I can take the time to make something more mechanically secure. I wonder how many other joints in the amp are like that, but then it's lasted 43 years so probably not an immediate priority.

I also discovered that the mids pot is 22k, not the 25k which is "to-spec". I guess the factory ran out that day, or whoever assembled my amp needed glasses. I wonder how many other quirks like that are in here?

Also, it looks like my unit has a hot-shield "mod" (but stock from the factory?) on the first 12AX7:
20251108_140415.jpg


That's all for now. When I post the clips for all the speaker and mic permutations that'll probably be it's own thread.
 
Alright, a few clips now that I have the cap out of the circuit. It happened to be well-timed, since I recently realized that DiMartini is probably pinching the chords in @DanTravis62's favorite riff, so now I had more upper mids to try it out. So that's the first thing I recorded, me pinching the living daylights outta Lay It Down, poorly. 57 on the edge of the dust cap, cabinet is a detuned 4x12 with the EV Force 12's.


I've been using a riff copped from @Bxlxaxkxe as the benchmark for all my permutations, so I also recorded a track of that using my looper pedal. Same cabinet and mic setup as with Lay It Down. Here are the before and after tracks:

Mids cap intact:


No cap:


I think I'm keeping the cap out of the circuit.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

Back
Top