Misc rack stuff..... - hummmm need some insight.............

MorbidAngel · #1 07-16-2001, 09:57 PM

Hey guys I need to finish off my rack rig

I have the power amp and the pre amps I wanted
so now I need to get some extra stuff

I need

BBE sonic maximizer *the best for guitar and bass for studiop use *don't try to talk me out of it =0)*

EQ *I was thinking alesis MEQ230 but i'm not sure*

Furman/other power conditioner *not sure of the best model to get that keeps a steady power level and has good protection*

Rack tuner *I was thinking Korg but not sure*

Misc effects units?

I was thinking of throin an Alesis qudraver or a midiverb in there, maybe something recent from lexicon or tc electrics

but the things i mentioned previous to the "misc" stuff is more important

Also is there a switcher out there that I can use to switch between pre amps? without having to unplug the cables and plugging them back into the desired preamp?

Thanks guys

Chris

Jesse Greenawalt · #2 07-16-2001, 10:46 PM

WHY do you need the maxie and the EQ?

I'm not saying you don't but be sure that you DO before buying. *Not 'cause it's cool, but because it does something you specifically need done. *I mean, if you have a nice amp rig with good presence, the maxie can be annoying as hell. *Sometimes a touch can help a deficient sound, but I've never heard it improve a sound much that was good to start with, and I've heard it *trash* sounds by making it shrill. *Everyone seems to think "if a little is good, a lot would be better..."

And a 1/3 octave, 10 octave EQ is kind of overkill for electric guitar, plus the Alesis is impossible to work on a dark stage. *If you're going to just set & forget, I guess so. *They're cheap enough, anyway.

You DO need a good verb. *I like the Lexie stuff, but the Alesis is usually easier to program (unless you just get a Lexie preset model). *For vox I'd say Lex all the way, but Alesis is great for guitar. *I'd say play with a few & see what feels best to you. *Roland & TC Electronics make a few nice units, too.

Good luck!

oooo · #3 07-16-2001, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Also is there a switcher out there that I can use to switch between pre amps? without having to unplug the cables and plugging them back into the desired preamp?

check out
http://www.axess-electronics.com/
they make some awesome switching devices.

also, check out Digital music corp GCX at *
http://www.voodoolab.com
these are also awesome. *

Purplehaze · #4 07-17-2001, 05:38 AM

Hi Chris,

I totally agree with Jesse, if you have a great tone to start with an SM and EQ will generally subtract from the quality rather than add to it. *If you really feel you need it, then check out the Rocktron ProQ (now discontinued). *It covers both basses and is programmable allowing you to bypass it when needed.

Another suggestion for a switching system would be the Patchmate (also discontinued). *It is transparent, has nine stereo loops and HUSH. *Rolls make a 4 loop switcher but I have no experience of it. *Bob Bradshaw (CAE) makes great units, too, and they're not as pricey as one might expect. *Lastly there is the DMC version, it's only mono with 8 loops, but I hear that its pretty good. *There are others out there (Kenton, EXEF, Laney etc) but they were never really major players. *Oh, nearly forgot. *Sound Sculpture have two Matrix switchers available. *They are expensive, but extremely versatile.

The Korg DT1-Pro is an awesome tuner, probably the best you can buy short of a Peterson, but it can be extremely temperamental with regards to where you place it and what it's used with. *It has a reputation for causing loops when used in conjunction with certain high gain amps.

HTH

Mikey *

winterlong · #5 07-17-2001, 06:01 AM

If you really want a meq-230 I have one for sale in the classifieds

bluenote · #6 07-17-2001, 07:35 AM

you didnt state your budget......would be helpfull for us to suggest items

i agree with most of the people here, you dont need the maximizer or the giant eq....the boss ge-7 eq pedal is more than enouogh and can be racked

as for switchers, go with CAE 4x4 or a rocktron patchmate....personally, i like the patchmate a little better

power conditioner: get the furman ar-1215...its the best true conditioner

tuner: doesnt really matter....whatever you like.....they are pretty much the same

effects: depends on budget....id get a good delay like the tc electronics 2290 or roland sde 3000....something where you can program parameters.....and then id get some sort of "vintage" rack unit like a yamaha spx 90 or a digitech tsr-24.....very powerfull for the price and will cover the rest......or just get a gforce and be done(although i cant recomend the g-force having not used one---someone else may be able to help)

gkelm · #7 07-17-2001, 09:55 AM

The Alesis Quadraverb had decent effects and has a graphic EQ that might serve your needs. *I like my Rocktron Replifex...has a parametric EQ built in.
Greg

nuno · #8 07-17-2001, 10:23 AM

Dudes, about the BBE maximizer, Chris said:

'don't try to talk me out of it'

so, please, let him buy it!!

nuno

ps: I don't work for BBE... :- P

pri0531 · #9 07-17-2001, 10:43 AM

The Sonic Maximizer and the eq will give a great foundation. *In regards to effects (i.e midiverb 4 or a g-major) that is up for discussion.
Out,
GP

**cerealk** · #10 07-17-2001, 10:51 AM

To agree with the other posts...from my personal experience...

BBE will be great (especially if your preamp is an ADA MP-1)

Furman PL-8E has been great-has the lights too

Korg DTR2 rack tuner great-I am currently selling mine because...
I got a TC electronic G major which has a tuner which is always on.

To switch between signal going to the tuner and to the main part of the rig I used a Rocktron Patchmate which also had a Hush circuit to remove any unwanted noise.

The Patchmate is very good as it allows for amp switching too (and currently switches my Mesa 2.90).

Also before I had the g major I also had a Lexicon relflex which was great for reverb.

I am not sure you need an EQ on top of the EQ in your preamp and what you get from the BBE.

hope this helps

cheers

Simon

one less than none · #11 07-17-2001, 04:53 PM

do you really need a rack tuner ?? they are very pricey i use a £15 tuner and have no problems.

With the money you saved you could buy a better mulitfx, i use a quad /2 and it is good (and cheap (now not when i bought mine)

rolls do a little 4 way switcher not brilliant but a lot cheaper than the other suggestions.

As always biudget is a large part of it i suggested cheaper items cause i presume you are nearly broke after paying for the rest of the rig ha ha ha

Pablo · #12 07-17-2001, 06:00 PM

Dumb question but what does the sonic Maximiser do?

Simon ,I have an ADA MP-1 what benifites does this give?

**cerealk** · #13 07-17-2001, 06:15 PM

BBE sonic maximiser:

ahem...

an extremely versatile, two channel signal procesor that will benefit any sound reproduction system. *Progam material will have sparkle and unmistakable clarity. *Lower frequencies, such as a bass guitar, will be more evident in the mix. *Guitar and keyboard notes will have greater integrity and be more distinct from each other...

The BBE process works dynamically by boosting the harmonic content of the music program, as determined by the signal input, and separation of the high, mid and low frequencies so that they do not arrive at the speaker network at precisely the same time.

my one:
http://www.harmony-central.com/Effec...imizer-01.html

The ADA MP-1 comes alive with a BBE attached. *Switching it into the signal path after the ADA is like pulling a blanket off the speakers. *My ADA MP-1 and BBE always go together and the BBE is always on.

Unofficial ADA website
http://www.ultimatetone.com/

hope this helps

Simon

craig · #14 07-30-2001, 04:36 PM

I use the Sonic maximizer and the alesis EQ you mentioned together and I could not take one of them away and be happy. *Granted, the meq-230 might be a little overkill because of its wide range, but it works great for me, like jesse said, I set it and forget it.
I say get them both, especially if you're going to play technical metal/hardcore....

MorbidAngel · #15 07-30-2001, 08:45 PM

Well the budget is not a big deal
and I'll be playing mostly Jazz/Jazz Metal/Technical Metal and Death Metal *ala Morbid Angel*

I've narrowed it down to this

Furman PL PRO
Korg DTR-2
BBE Maximizer 482 or 462
Alesis Midiverb or Quadraverb
Hush 2C

but now I'm looking at some eq's. I was thinking perhaps a 2 rackspace tube EQ or an ART eq that is on Abes music website

But now i'm lookin for more preamps

Now I want something by Bogner, Soldano. I wish they made the Legacy in a rackmount because I'd buy one of those too

I was going through some of the old Jemfest pics and I noticed some guys rack that had a Marshall JMP-1 and the 9200 Monoblock
but above that he had 2 identicle processors anyone know what i'm talkin about? They were blue and had a big rotory dial on it

anyhow

If anyone can reccomend another rack effect unit

I was thinkin TC Gforce, G Major or Fireworx

Chris

(Edited by MorbidAngel at 7:47 pm on July 30, 2001)