NaturalBornBoy":2buwmko3 said:
That's a damn nice looking amp!
So what's the 411 on the Gemini?
Is it only for metal players? Are these amps voiced more Marshall-like (high-mid emphasis) or more Bogner-like (low-mid emphasis)?
I should probably post a bit about the features of the amp since it's not your typical design.
The Lead channel has four switches used to tweak / adjust the character of the channel -- Mode, Fat, Voice, Bright. Each are switchable on the front panel, via MIDI CC, via preset recalled by MIDI PC, or via the custom foot switch which can control things directly and/or store presets.
The Mode switch essentially dials in the character of the distortion and there are 4 levels. Mode 1 (LED off) is a more vintage sounding 4 gain stage circuit. It sounds good in the entire Gain knob range, and is a bit looser and more forgiving. Mode 2 (LED blue) adds a more modern response/attack and increases the gain a bit. Mode 3 (LED violet) adds a 5th gain stage with a boost/cut level controlled by the Gain 2 knob. This mode allows you to dial in massive high-gain rhythm tones, or even cut the gain leaving a bit more aggression / complexity to the sound. Mode 4 (LED red) is the highest gain mode. It can be dialed in to stoner/sludge rhythm territory with no boost pedal, or give you a fantastic liquid, flowing sustaining lead tone (my personal favorite).
The Fat switch alters the response / feel of the channel, and adds some lows as you move up the 4 levels. Fat 1 (LED off) is the tightest, most modern setting. Fat 2 (LED green) adds harmonic content, thickness, and a bit of 'bounce' to the fret board. Fat 3 (LED blue) adds a low frequency bump to thicken up the sound a bit. Fat 4 (LED cyan) is, simply put, huge sounding.
The Voice switch gives you access to 3 distinct voices. The highest-mid voice (Voice LED Off) is essentially the Colossus Lead 1 channel with the Andy Wood Voice mod switch engaged. (If you also engage Fat to Blue, this is his rhythm sound we came up with.) The normal-mid voice (Voice LED Green) is Colossus Lead 1, and is a great all-around voicing for rhythms and lead work that cuts a bit more, with a bit more pick-attack. And the low-mid voice (Voice LED Orange) is Colossus Lead 2, and my preference for solo work, and certain rhythm stuff.
The Bright switch has just two levels. It adds bite and attack to any of the voicings, and affects each of the Modes a bit differently depending on the Gain settings.
With these 4 switches you end up with 96 possible combinations of tones all recall-able instantly.
Now, to add to the mix, there's also a Crunch 'personality' built-in to the Lead channel. This is something I added actually as a result of talking with Joe (the OP). He wanted access to a definite classic tone. And while the Lead channel might do the job dialed back a bit, I figured I'd just give him access to a circuit already in the amp anyway. With a bit more routing I could use the boost circuit that handles Modes 3 and 4 with Gain 2, and make it into a 3 gain stage classic (Marshall if you will) style circuit. It's my take on a mid-gain tone, and very similar to the Crunch channel in the Colossus.
The EQ and Level controls are shared with the Lead channel, as well as Gain 2. The Lead Gain knob is not used in Crunch. You still have Mode/Fat/Voice/Bright, and they retain their settings as you flip back and forth between Lead/Crunch, just like you'd expect. Mode has just two settings, and it works like hitting an old Marshall with an overdrive pedal. It's still 3 gain stages, but hot-rodded on-the-fly. Fat works as well, but with just two levels. Voice works just like in Lead so you end up with the same three distinct voice settings. Bright does what you'd expect as well.
If you're still reading, I should also mention the Clean channel has similar tweaking options, though no Mode, and just two settings each of Fat/Voice/Bright. Fat Off is great for taming bass on humbuckers, and Fan On sounds great to thicken up single coils. Voice On pushes the mids and gives you a different character / feeling. Bright does what you'd expect.
As for the master section -- the effects loop is completely bypassable (the entire tube buffer is removed from the circuit), there are dual Master Volumes, and a Mute function for tuning. Of course, all that is accessible via MIDI and such. I'm a computer engineer so I don't believe in interface limitations.
BTW what speakers/cab are you using?
