Poll for Mega Head - Programmable or Traditional?

[Ed Yoon]

We are contemplating the flagship "kitchen sink" monster head for development in 2009 and hopefully have it ready for introduction in 2010. We've got an internal debate going on what this amp should be and how it should look. Basically, there are two choices: a MIDI programmable head with a single-row of controls that looks like a single-channel layout or the traditional multi-channel layout with a bunch of knobs (Mesa Road King, the new Marshall JVM 4CH head, Diezel VH4, Egnater Tourmaster, etc.) on two rows.

For guys who are interested in this mega head with the ultimate in flexibility and versatility in one head, we'd like to know which option you'd prefer. We know that some guys don't like anything with programmability and we know that some guys would rather not have so many knobs that a typical multi-channel amp would have. So please vote and let us know which version you prefer and why.

The programable head would have instant access to any control, no paging through menus, in fact no display except maybe a preset. It would be straight up and simple. The knobs would be surrounded by an indicator clearly showing where the knob is set for that patch.

Thanks!

 

[King Guitar]

Hey Ed,

Count me in for the Traditional multi knob head. I like to be able to twist knobs in real time on the fly. I also want it to be midi switchable like the ENGL SE or Diezel Herbert. Sounds cool! If you build it I will take one

 

[Ed Yoon]

Hey Ed,

Count me in for the Traditional multi knob head. I like to be able to twist knobs in real time on the fly. I also want it to be midi switchable like the ENGL SE or Diezel Herbert. Sounds cool! If you build it I will take one

Hey Brad,

MIDI would definitely be included in the traditional head as well - some voicing buttons or switches (Deep, Shift, Bright, Scoop, Mid-Boost, etc.) as well as engaging the FX loops and a second master. The thing is, you'd still be able to change settings on the fly on the programmable version as well, but I guess then you'd have to go through the various presets you want to use to make the tweaks...

Yeah, I guess we'll be able to stuff the different channels of all the different OD-100 versions and then some for the more "modern" high-gain rhythm sounds into this head. But I'm also thinking that it'll still sound at least a little different from the current OD's because of the layout, different components, etc.

Thanks!

 

[King Guitar]

Sounds like it would be a winner and lusted after by most here including me...

 

[MARK1970]

I am sure there is no amp modding involved. I would prefer the traditional on the fly tweaking. What I would like to see is different power sections. To have 5881s for the cleans and EL34s for the dirty channels would be great . How about a switch that can cut off the power section of any ch and have a line out from that channel (which would be a preamp now) to a Suhr power amp that can take all power tubes.
Ch.1 Clean with the option of using the amps power section of EL34s and being able to switch off and
bi-pass the amps power section and sending ch.1 out to a Suhr 5881 power amp or some kind of Suhr power amp that excepts different tubes.
Ch.2 classic with amps EL34s seperate boost for a little more gain for the classic's gain structure.
Ch.3 SE+
Ch.4 insane gain ( newest sound to the Suhr family of tone)

 

[Digital Jams]

JVM owner and I have zero issues with the four seperate channels of control, I dont understand how some get confused over it.

MIdi capable with the following...

2 masters
channel switching
loop
Boost as in additional gain stage...the 2 masters can also be set up as a boost via midi.

The problem is cost when dealing with that many pots, hence the plastic shafts and lack of flying leads on the JVM.

 

[mysticaxe]

I voted traditional, because you never know when technology will fail you. I like the programmable idea, but what if my MIDI cable dies? I would still want to be able to tweak and change channels (albeit less efficiently) as I could before.

 

[fearhk213]

Traditional all the way

 

[guitarslinger]

I like lots of knobs like my Egnater IE4 preamp.

 

[petethorn]

but throw in a mixer like the one John made for me, and a small solid state power amp, so you can do w/d/w with 1 head. yesssss......

 

[Tone Merchant]

Pete and I talked about that yesterday. That would be amazing

 

[Mark Day]

I would like to have the knobs and midi. I want to be able to dial something in manually then hit a save button to save to a preset without have to scroll through a million tiny screens that have fonts that I can no longer see..lol.
I think a lot of guys that are using high end gear are like me 30-50 years old. We are on dark cramped stages and our vision is becoming impaired with age I no longer find it "fun" to toggle through LCD menus, where I used to spends days at a time programming.

I want a global solo volume boost (or rhythm attenuator) so I don't need to mess with my FX units' input levels if I decide to change volumes, switchable FX loops (serial and parallel(built in Minimix??) configurable).
I like the idea of 4 channels..clean, crunch, Metal, SE+(solos). Midi switchable WHOMP.

I like Vinni's idea of a built in Decimator...not for noise reduction but for unwanted high gain pickup squeal and rumble..make it midi switchable for dudes that don't want it.

Built in midi controllable VCA ...at 2 points pre and post preamp. Be able to insert two exp pedals for this.

Built in Palmer PDI09 like output.

Having said all this, I hardly ever unboost Ch2 on my OD100 and I rarely if ever used Ch2 on my CAE 3+se preamp....I use my guitar volume. I sure like to have the option though

I want the first one


Oh ya how about a wifi for direct output to YouTube

Mark

 

[Tone Merchant]

a couple of things ive noticed demoing amps everyday is that

#1 they would like all controls on the front panel rather than always having to reach to the back or walk behind the amp.

#2 alot of knobs isnt what scare guys away. its tons of toggle switches on the front panel with numerous titles on them. like vintage, modern, sponge,etc. Or lots of push pull knobs.

As one of john's dealers, I want him to be creative as possible and fulfill whatever vision of this amp he has. i want him do something unique and compelling that will intrigue us, regardless if its midi, tons of knobs or operated on mind waves. Its my job to know the amp like the back of my hand and show everyone how it works.

i vote for the amp to be operated on mind waves. but that may take some serious research and development time.

 

[guitarslinger]

Oh ya how about a wifi for direct output

Mark

Or a super-premium head with a USB or firewire interface built in?

I think you're on to something, Mark.

 

[stephen sawall]

I like samhills idea about VCA's. There maybe a few more ideas about control with VCA's......... I can already do them there with my System Mix Plus. But I need my rack to do that. How about 4 channels and all the MIDI control ? Overkill ?

 

[Fretburner]

Yeah, what Marc said above is perfect!!

 

[van hellion]

something in design close to the diezels. for example, what they do is alot but the front panel layout is fairly simple. i think the mesa's are just over kill with all of the switches and bullshit covering the front and back of some of these amps. midi is a must for me though.

just my 2 cents

A Wood

 

[ned911]

I'm with Mark as well.

The one thing I like about the GSP1101 is that it has knobs. A OD100 that has the ability to set the sound via knobs then store to a memory location which can be brought back via midi would be very nice. Maybe an option for an attenuator so we could run speakerless/direct to the mixing board. I play in a cover band and a lot of our gigs are very volume restricted, also keeping stage volume to almost nothing helps with the FOH. Since I monitor via IEM's I don't really hear the sound of a cab anyway.

Thought I would add that Mark's YouTube clips have me wanting a OD100.

 

[PaulP]

Sounds like the Deizel VH4 is gonna have a little competition in the future........

PaulP

 

[Suhr]

I like samhills idea about VCA's. There maybe a few more ideas about control with VCA's......... I can already do them there with my System Mix Plus. But I need my rack to do that. How about 4 channels and all the MIDI control ? Overkill ?

How about a programable stereo volumes or use controllers midi, no zipper noise and .003% THD ?
Size of the minimix box.