The Odd Couple Episode 6 Fail: Gooey Mesa Boogie Quad in IIC+ mode into Rectifier Stereo 2:100

[nightlight]

This is the first episode in a short series that pairs guitar preamps with power amps that they were not designed for.

In this episode, I hooked up a Mesa Boogie Rectifier Recording to an Engl E840 power amp. These were paired with an Orange 2x12 and a Mesa 2x12, which both had Vintage 30 speakers. This was the vintage mode on the amp.

I captured the audio using a Zoom H4 Essential for the room sound and a Sennheiser E906 on the Recto cab for close micing.



Next one up: Mesa Boogie Quad on Mark IIC(+?) channel into VHT 2902!

 

[nightlight]

Episode is up on YT. In this video, I paired a Mesa Boogie Quad on the Mark IIC+ channel with a VHT 2902 power amp. The power amps were hooked up to Mesa and Orange 2x12s.



The Mesa was miced with a Sennheiser E906, while I used a Zoom H4 Essential as a room mic to capture the audio as it sounded in the room.

Please note that this is not double tracked or boosted, it’s just the sound of the preamp into the power amp and cabs.

I got into a little trouble over the volume after this video, so while I ordinarily would have re-recorded, had to use this version with a few mistakes. It is what it is, the main purpose is to give you an idea of the sound. Hope you like it!

 

[nightlight]

Episode 3 is out now, with a pairing of an Engl E530 and a VHT 2902.



What surprised me the most about this rig was that while the Engl is usually considered a liquid and highly compressed amp, the 2902 makes it sound very dry and imparts a kind of rigidity that makes you play harder and tigher to get the results you would from other pairings.

Definitely not my favourite preamp/power amp pairing.

 

[RedB4Black]

Episode 3 is out now, with a pairing of an Engl E530 and a VHT 2902.

Definitely not my favourite preamp/power amp pairing.

Sounds good to me…How does the e530 compare when using the E840? I liked that power amp, but prefer the 2/90/2 with my synergy stuff.

 

[nightlight]

Sounds good to me…How does the e530 compare when using the E840? I liked that power amp, but prefer the 2/90/2 with my synergy stuff.

It is a lot more liquid and not as stiff feeling, making it a combination that sounds very much like the Engl Savage I used to own.

The E840 has that compressed quality that Engl amps are known for and the power amp colours the tone very aggressively. That's unlike the VHT, which stays relatively clean until you really up the volume and then get the girth and depth that the 2902 is known for.

Not to say the E840 hasn't got balls. It's just a very different variety altogether. With the E840, it sounds massive. Here's a short video I did quite recently. Unfortunately, it's a full band mix - and I suck at mixing - but hopefully it gives you an idea of what the E530/E840 pairing sounds like.



All said and done though, I wasn't expecting the tone to be so dry with the E530/E840. I'd love to be able to crank it sometime, but a bit worried that those days are behind me.

 

[nightlight]

Episode 4 of The Odd Couple is out. Today’s rig was a Mesa Boogie Rectifier Recording preamp into a VHT 2902 power amp.



Got to say, I was really impressed with the sound I was able to sculpt, it's got a bit of a buzz saw top end that'll help it stand out in a mix and the low end was tight and focused. No boost was used. Hope you enjoy this one.

 

[TheGreatGreen]

The E530 and 2902 demo is great. I can see where you'd say it was a bit dry and maybe not as easy to play as other sounds, but honestly it sounds super clear with a lot of string definition and nuance, but there's also enough gain and punch that the guitar still has balls. That's a hard balance to strike, and it doesn't sound weak or anemic like a lot of other mid-gain tones can.

Great sounding demo.


edit: Episode 4 video is unavailable though. Looks good now.

 

[nightlight]

The E530 and a VHT 2902 demo is great. I can see where you'd say it was a bit dry and maybe not as easy to play as other sounds, but honestly it sounds super clear with a lot of string definition and nuance, but there's also enough gain and punch that the guitar still has balls. That's a hard balance to strike, and it doesn't sound weak or anemic like a lot of other mid-gain tones can.

Great sounding demo.


Episode 4 video is unavailable though.

Thanks @TheGreatGreen . You may be right, and I am going to try that combination out more often when jamming and writing. I should try not to be lazy and let heaps of gain carry me across the finish line. I mean, there’s fun in that, but fun in this too.

Episode 4 is also up, sorry for the wasted time. I realised I had botched something in the export process, what you hear now should be more in line with what you do want to hear, if that makes any sense.

 

[TheGreatGreen]

Thanks @TheGreatGreen . You may be right, and I am going to try that combination out more often when jamming and writing. I should try not to be lazy and let heaps of gain carry me across the finish line. I mean, there’s fun in that, but fun in this too.

Episode 4 is also up, sorry for the wasted time. I realised I had botched something in the export process, what you hear now should be more in line with what you do want to hear, if that makes any sense.

Hah we all do it. I'm certainly guilty of adding just a bit too much gain to my sounds a lot of the time. But yeah that E530 demo sounded really good.

The Recto preamp video works now too. I'm a fan of the top end sizzle. It adds a cool texture to the tone.

 

[nightlight]

Hah we all do it. I'm certainly guilty of adding just a bit too much gain to my sounds a lot of the time. But yeah that E530 demo sounded really good.

The Recto preamp video works now too. I'm a fan of the top end sizzle. It adds a cool texture to the tone.

Thanks for the feedback. I didn't use a high cut or anything, so I'm sure someone with studio experience would be able to take that tone and just filter out everything over 10k or whatever. It was just direct to amp and preamp, and I think lowering the gain on the preamp and the presence on the power amp and then chucking a OD of whatever type would result in more classic tones that the Rectifier is known for.

But I really enjoy the stiff feeling of the 2902, I made a lot of goof ups because my technique has been shoddy of late and I think my arms are growing tired of playing guitar.

 

[nightlight]

The pairing of the Quad in IIC(+) mode with the VHT yielded some unexpected results, where the gooiness and silk-like tones from the Quad were able to overcome the stiff response of the 2902. The resulting tone was powerful and fluid, and if I ever get to crank this combination at louder levels, I can confidently say that it will bring the house down.

 

[nightlight]

"The Odd Couple Episode 6 Fail": This isn't an official episode because I couldn't get far enough away from the two room mics I used for the recording. Need to work that out.

Anyhow, nothing wasted, nothing wanted.

I used a Mayones Regius Core 6 into a Mesa Boogie Quad on the IIC+ channel paired with a Rectifier Stereo 2:100 power amp. Doesn't sound so bad if you can bear with the sound of the pick. I'll re-record this again when I have time. For now, time for my run