Rack setup?Warning: lots of questions about Rocktron Prophesy 2 and rack/preamp gear!

[Cam-Vai]

Originally Posted by nickcoumbe

I am a fan of rack stuff.

I bought a JMP1 and a multi effects unit, added a midi foot switch and haven't looked back.

I am between power amps at the moment, but I wouldn't consider trading racks for a head now to be honest.

They can be tricky to set up, but they are brilliant when they are working.

Cool!
i was looking at a jmp-1 when i was in japan cuz it was 300 bucks, but i couldnt carry it back
and they couldnt explain what it did! haha
but i got a couple of pedals

what power amps u got?

[toneboy]

Originally Posted by Cam-Vai

axe fx is wayyyyy tooooo expensive

Ok, consider this:
- How much will a preamp cost?
- How much will an effects unit cost?
- How much will a tube power amp cost?
- How much will a guitar cab cost?

If you buy an Axe-FX, you will never need to buy another preamp or another effects unit. Yes, it's that good.

If you buy an Axe-FX, you don't need a tube power amp. The Axe-FX also simulates tube power amp so you can buy a solid state amp. This will save you money in the long run because you won't have have to replace power tubes (which aren't cheap BTW).

If you buy an Axe-FX, you won't have to get a guitar cab. Because of the quality of the modeling in the Axe-FX, you're much better of running FRFR (full range, flat response) speakers (PA speakers or monitors) so the speakers don't color the sound the way guitar speakers do.

If you want to make things extra simple, you can just get power PA speakers or monitors and not even bother with a power amp. A lot of folks do this and they love it.

[Sickbean]

Originally Posted by toneboy

If you want to make things extra simple, you can just get power PA speakers or monitors and not even bother with a power amp. A lot of folks do this and they love it.

Now this sort of setup has me interested.

Can anyone honestly attest to this setup sounding as good as with traditional tube amp + 4x12 set ups? As in side by side Pepsi challenge type scenarios?

There arn't any music shops near me that stock the Axe FX, so I can't demo one myself.

[toneboy]

Originally Posted by toneboy

If you want to make things extra simple, you can just get power PA speakers or monitors and not even bother with a power amp. A lot of folks do this and they love it.

Originally Posted by Sickbean

Now this sort of setup has me interested.

Can anyone honestly attest to this setup sounding as good as with traditional tube amp + 4x12 set ups? As in side by side Pepsi challenge type scenarios?

There arn't any music shops near me that stock the Axe FX, so I can't demo one myself.

I can attest to it sounding amazing. I've tried my Ultra through a solid state power amp (PV something) through a pair of Mesa 112s and some PV 112 monitors.

It's one thing if you want to get a good tone through FRFR - that's easy - but if you want to feel the hairs on your forearm move when you play then you'll need big powered speakers (or big FRFR enclosures) to move the kind of air that a 412 can.

[Sickbean]

Unfortunately I have to say that in my 14 years of playing I've never played through a 4x12

But I see what you mean.

[toneboy]

Originally Posted by Sickbean

Unfortunately I have to say that in my 14 years of playing I've never played through a 4x12

But I see what you mean.

I gave up on 412s a long time ago but yes, I'm just referring to the SPL (sound pressure level) that cabs with multiple speakers, especially closed-back 412s, can deliver.

[Cam-Vai]

i dont like 4x12
too biiiiig


i liek 2x12
mesa's especially they sound aboslutely amazing,

but i think prophesy and el34 is the one!
unless i find an absolutely amazing rack rig

[Cam-Vai]

hey presto

cataclysmicheal is using an el34 20/20 and a axe fx ultra

sounds amazing!!!


guitarmichael.com
and watch the one called threat signal - rational or something along those lines'


cam-vai

[toneboy]

Originally Posted by Cam-Vai

hey presto

cataclysmicheal is using an el34 20/20 and a axe fx ultra

sounds amazing!!!

FWIW, you can probably save a few hundred bucks on the Axe-FX if you cruise the official boards and look for someone selling a Standard.

Also, if you do go the Axe-FX route, you owe it to yourself (and your wallet) to look into a solid state power amp and a FRFR cab. You really don't need a tube power amp with the Axe-FX and running it through a guitar cab just decreases the Axe-FX's flexibility.

[Cam-Vai]

my 'rents arent too pleased ive looked at the axe fx

haha


but hopefully whatever comes up cheap first im getting basically


but


can i work a moog mp-201 (like the foot controller) with prophesy or axe-fx?

cuz its alot cheaper than an all access and would be alot easier for me


thx heaps



cam-vai

[toneboy]

Originally Posted by Cam-Vai

my 'rents arent too pleased ive looked at the axe fx

haha but hopefully whatever comes up cheap first im getting basically but can i work a moog mp-201 (like the foot controller) with prophesy or axe-fx? cuz its alot cheaper than an all access and would be alot easier for me

The MP201 isn't designed for guitarists - it's designed for keyboardists. Half of its features won't even work with guitar gear.

For a foot controller, look into the Behringer FCB1010. It's a great bang for the buck. The next step up would be the Rocktron MidiMate. It's a little more money but it's built a little better and you'll have to spend a little more money to get an expression pedal for wah or volume if you want that. Either option is still a lot less money than anything else out there.

[Cam-Vai]

sounds good!~
is the midimate programmable? can i assign a wah, flanger, maybe channel select? i.e. - clean/chorus to dirty/overdrive or something??

thx


cam-vai

[toneboy]

Originally Posted by Cam-Vai

sounds good!~
is the midimate programmable? can i assign a wah, flanger, maybe channel select? i.e. - clean/chorus to dirty/overdrive or something??

You have to be careful about using the word "channel" when referring to anything dealing with MIDI. Processors like the Rocktron don't have "channels" for sounds, they have "presets" or "patches". MIDI uses channels for sending MIDI data (e.g. preset change, controller messages, etc).

Have you gone to Rocktron's site and read up on the Midi Mate? They have a manual available for download.

[Cam-Vai]

ok
turns out i cant do this:'(

if i buy them from america ill havbe ot mod them - liek an extra 3 grand, and its liek an extra 2 to buy them anyway
so im gettiung a mesa mk iv

played one and its heaven!
but is it as heavy as a prophecy?