Eleven Rack to Front of Combo Amp or Amp Head

[Sierra Voodoo]

Okay, I was just wondering if anyone is running their Eleven Rack through the front of a combo amp or head? If so, what are your thoughts?

I currently have my 11R running through an ART SLA-2 and find myself soemwhat missing tube power. The ART is pretty good but I decided to experiment by running my 11R through the front of my 1976 Marshall JMP 50-watt MKII head. I used Output to Amp 1 on the front of the 11R. I set the controls on the JMP fairly neutral with the exception of turning up the bass slightly. My JMP also has a master volume mod which I used to adjust the overall volume.

I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised and rather liked what I was hearing. There's soemthing to be said for genuine tube power. I had to do some tweaking as my presets are designed with the ART but I really liked the possibilities. Now I am considering replacing the ART and using my Marshall for power or purchasing a Carvin TS100 power amp due largely in part for its reputation for being quite clean.

Any comments or expereinces? Has anyone tried the 11R with the Carvin TS100?

 

[jlbaxe]

I like the 11 R for headphone use and recording. I tried it in the return on my Mesa MkIII but didnt like it. I havent spent much time with it and amps yet.

 

[megamike]

i use mine in the fx return of my mesa tremoverb with good results. by the way would u know how to hook it up to a amp head to use just the fx of the 11R,and what setting woukd you put it on?sorry to hijack your thread.

 

[Sierra Voodoo]

I use mine in the fx return of my mesa tremoverb with good results. by the way would u know how to hook it up to a amp head to use just the fx of the 11R,and what setting woukd you put it on?sorry to hijack your thread.

I have not tried this but I know the signal path is controlled within the "User Option" menu. Select the "Output to Amps" option and then set your signal path to "Amp Input" (The signal after any processing that occurs before the Amp model in the signal chain). At this point use one of the Outputs to Amp (either 1 or 2 - front or back) to run into your MESA. I apologize for not being 100% sure as I have only used my 11R for full rig capability in a live setting.

Here's the link for the manual: http://akmedia.digidesign.com/support/d ... _66715.pdf

There's also some useful videos on the 11R page at Avid: http://www.avid.com/US/products/Eleven-Rack

Hope this helps. Worst case scenario, you can also check out the All Things Guitar thread at the Digi User Conference (Forum http://duc.digidesign.com/forumdisplay.php?f=33

 

[lolzgreg]

Okay, I was just wondering if anyone is running their Eleven Rack through the front of a combo amp or head? If so, what are your thoughts?

The only thing I would run it through is a trash compactor

I don't have any negative bias, but daneyo brought one to my house, and it sounded like crap through the effects return of all of the amps here, as well as the mesa tube poweramp he brought.

Unless there is a hidden magic button inside the unit that makes it sound good, I would flip it for an AxeFx FAST!

 

[6string40]

I ran mine through a Mesa 2:90 for awhile, then ran it straight into the PA. I liked it better straight to PA. I know you can use it in a number of different setups, but IMO it was truly meant to be a straight to recording or PA piece of gear.

 

[billm408]

IMO it was truly meant to be a straight to recording or PA piece of gear.

Agreed. Although I do use mine live with an XTC for the FX. I like going midi to keep me from tap dancing.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Okay, I was just wondering if anyone is running their Eleven Rack through the front of a combo amp or head? If so, what are your thoughts?

The only thing I would run it through is a trash compactor

I don't have any negative bias, but daneyo brought one to my house, and it sounded like crap through the effects return of all of the amps here, as well as the mesa tube poweramp he brought.

Unless there is a hidden magic button inside the unit that makes it sound good, I would flip it for an AxeFx FAST!

Yeah, i messed around with the menu's and tried everything, i thought that unit was crap. THANK GOD Guitar Center took it back.

 

[Sierra Voodoo]

Okay, I was just wondering if anyone is running their Eleven Rack through the front of a combo amp or head? If so, what are your thoughts?

The only thing I would run it through is a trash compactor

I don't have any negative bias, but daneyo brought one to my house, and it sounded like crap through the effects return of all of the amps here, as well as the mesa tube poweramp he brought.

Unless there is a hidden magic button inside the unit that makes it sound good, I would flip it for an AxeFx FAST!

Yeah, i messed around with the menu's and tried everything, i thought that unit was crap. THANK GOD Guitar Center took it back.

I must respectfully disagree. I think it sounds pretty darn good for what it does. I know it can be limited in terms of the amount of effects, but I think if you spend enough time with it you can get some great sounds. I will say this, I would not rely on the presets.

 

[megamike]

thanx for your reply FENDER126 ill give it a try. i think mine sounds ok for what it is.

 

[Sierra Voodoo]

thanx for your reply FENDER126 ill give it a try. i think mine sounds ok for what it is.

Exactly...I think the 11R is fantastic for what it does. It's simple to use, easy to set-up and make changes on the fly, and the vintage tones sound really good. If someone wants to play death metal...better look elsewhere. I play 80's and 90's hard rock and it works great. The Plexi and JCM800 are my favorites.

 

[muudrock]

Okay, I was just wondering if anyone is running their Eleven Rack through the front of a combo amp or head? If so, what are your thoughts?

The only thing I would run it through is a trash compactor

I don't have any negative bias, but daneyo brought one to my house, and it sounded like crap through the effects return of all of the amps here, as well as the mesa tube poweramp he brought.

Unless there is a hidden magic button inside the unit that makes it sound good, I would flip it for an AxeFx FAST!

Yeah, i messed around with the menu's and tried everything, i thought that unit was crap. THANK GOD Guitar Center took it back.

I've had great results recording with it and once I figured out how to use it live, it does pretty good. IMO it sounds better in live setting if used FRFR since you can't seperate the power amp and preamp in the models. But, I've used it live into the front of a plexi reissue set really clean and it sounded good. As "shallow" as the editing options are on the 11R, it is extremely responsive to subtle changes in EQ and gain settings. You can really tweak it to sound great or terrible, FRFR, Direct to PC or through an amp. I like the unit a lot, but it is a jack of all trades-master of none...but what is?

 

[FUZZboat]

I like this - not bad for a FREE VST

 

[Sierra Voodoo]

Okay, I was just wondering if anyone is running their Eleven Rack through the front of a combo amp or head? If so, what are your thoughts?

The only thing I would run it through is a trash compactor

I don't have any negative bias, but daneyo brought one to my house, and it sounded like crap through the effects return of all of the amps here, as well as the mesa tube poweramp he brought.

Unless there is a hidden magic button inside the unit that makes it sound good, I would flip it for an AxeFx FAST!

Yeah, i messed around with the menu's and tried everything, i thought that unit was crap. THANK GOD Guitar Center took it back.

I've had great results recording with it and once I figured out how to use it live, it does pretty good. IMO it sounds better in live setting if used FRFR since you can't seperate the power amp and preamp in the models. But, I've used it live into the front of a plexi reissue set really clean and it sounded good. As "shallow" as the editing options are on the 11R, it is extremely responsive to subtle changes in EQ and gain settings. You can really tweak it to sound great or terrible, FRFR, Direct to PC or through an amp. I like the unit a lot, but it is a jack of all trades-master of none...but what is?

So true, so true. I think I'm gonna experiment a little more with the JMP but I am also considering a Carvin TS100.....don't have much money for the higher end power amps.

 

[jlbaxe]

I have an RT2/50 and SLA2 to try out with the 11R. Now that I have my area set back up yesterday to about 90% complete I think I will put it in a 4 space rack and mess around with it Thursday.

I do need a 16 ohm speaker to go with my G12T75 in my TM212 cab. Either another T75 or a elite 80/V30/ or something like that.

 

[lolzgreg]

Okay, I was just wondering if anyone is running their Eleven Rack through the front of a combo amp or head? If so, what are your thoughts?

The only thing I would run it through is a trash compactor

I don't have any negative bias, but daneyo brought one to my house, and it sounded like crap through the effects return of all of the amps here, as well as the mesa tube poweramp he brought.

Unless there is a hidden magic button inside the unit that makes it sound good, I would flip it for an AxeFx FAST!

Yeah, i messed around with the menu's and tried everything, i thought that unit was crap. THANK GOD Guitar Center took it back.

Amen here, brotha. It sounded terrible compared to the other amps we had in the room.