Better Tone In Hard Bypass

[mule#1]

Is anyone else running their MKV in Hard Bypass because it sounds better than with the loop? All my floor effects run in the front at this time. I like the solo function which is I went to it. However I was listening to old live recordings and noticed it was better. When I put it in Hard Bypass.......There is more urgency and thump. It seems others must be seeing this according to a post on effects yesterday.

 

[farren]

An additional gain stage enters the circuit when you engage the loop. Most prefer it, some don't. This is yet another option offered by the Mark V that lets you fine-tune your tone. They're going to sound different by design and necessity, as outlined in the manual, which is an excellent read. *cough*

According to a professional review I read, two fewer 12AX7s are in the circuit with hard bypass engaged--I'm not sure about this. I think it's more like one triode (half) each of two tubes. I'm sure someone will clarify.

 

[rocknroll9225]

An additional gain stage enters the circuit when you engage the loop. Most prefer it, some don't. This is yet another option offered by the Mark V that lets you fine-tune your tone. They're going to sound different by design and necessity, as outlined in the manual, which is an excellent read. *cough*

According to a professional review I read, two fewer 12AX7s are in the circuit with hard bypass engaged--I'm not sure about this. I think it's more like one triode (half) each of two tubes. I'm sure someone will clarify.

Yup. I have the schematic and it's only one triode stage.

Interestingly enough (and slightly unrelated), the loop circuit on the V is actually completely new additional circuitry on the V that wasn't there in the older models. The loops on the Mark II-IV would have fallen just before the triode stage that comes before the channel master, but this was taken out on the V and a fixed resistor was put where the "lead master" was on the old models, making the channel master analogous to the "output level" knob on the mark IV, the "master" knob on the mark III and the "master 1" knob on the mark II, instead of the lead master knobs on the respective amps. I guess they did this so that you'd be able to bypass the loop like you can on a dual rectifier, and so that the effects loop would come after the GEQ. The rest of the preamp circuitry (with the loop bypassed) is pretty damn close to the older models (it's actually a little closer to the IV than than the IIC+ for the most part). Same number of triodes and everything. So basically, if you want your V to sound more like a IIC+ or IV, you should have the loop bypassed.

 

[screamingdaisy]

Try running channel 3 with the channel master at 9:00, then raise the master output to compensate for the drop in volume.

 

[mule#1]

I'll give that a shot. Like I said it just seems more urgent in HB. I will play around with it. It's funny the manual says to have the loop in to sound like an original C+ if I remember correctly. However the ears don't lie......or circuitry :lol: I will post my findings!

 

[bandit2013]

I would agree that there is a change in tone when using the loop. However it is easier to balance the outputs of all three channels.

 

[farren]

I'll give that a shot. Like I said it just seems more urgent in HB. I will play around with it. It's funny the manual says to have the loop in to sound like an original C+ if I remember correctly. However the ears don't lie......or circuitry :lol: I will post my findings!

It does say that (for IIC+ and IV emulation), a bit strange...

 

[cradlefish]

I do like the hard bypass better as well.

 

[ricorocks]

Man you cannot beat the TONE when it's in Hard by pass. it's the ultimate "TONE". nothing colors your tone, i am starting to love playing straight guitar to cable to amp. just pure MARK V TONE . it's a different animal. no processed sounding, just pure organic TONE. PERIOD :wink:

 

[bandit2013]

I would agree. The reverb is enough effect for me. Although I do like the Line 6 delay unit since it does not cut or compress the sound. It is not often I dig it out of storage for use. I did have a compressor/sustainer but gave that away.

The only difference I notice with the Hard Bypass is the change in punch I would get from CH2 and CH3. If you set the master high enough, it comes back, plus you can drive the channels a bit more and still keep you eardrums with the loop active. Just flip a few switches and the amp takes on a different character. Makes it more versatile in some ways.

 

[ricorocks]

Yeap , the Tone is punchier and i find it to be more immediate and cutting in Hard by pass mode especially in Pentode setting ( Watch OUt) haha. and it's pure Bliss to my ears, call me Biased LOL