Is there a rack gear 'order' for dialing in sound?

[dupedd]

Hi there guys! I'm wondering if there is some known step-by-step order for finding, dialing in your tone with rack gear. Like "bass, mid, treb, then the 5-band...", for example.

Using Quad pre, strategy 400, sonic maximizer, ISP decimator, how would you all approach this rig?


I'll say up front, I'm asking for a buddy. He's aquired all this rack gear the past couple years to get a great chunk- Metallica, Pantera, heavy...and it's blowing my mind how long it's taking to get a decent sound. I figured you mesa tone pros might know.

 

[nocluejimbo]

I would first run the Quad and Strategy alone into your cab. Use the eq knobs to tune the two channel sets to find a good sound on it's rhythm channel, and use the 5-band to make each lead channel sound it's best.

After you have established your sound, throw on the Decimator to kill the excess noise. I would highly suggest dumping the BBE.

 

[phantomlord2oo]

well... here's how he should set it all up:

guitar ->
Quad Pre ->
Strategy 400 ->
Cab

I'm not really familiar with the Quad, but if the effects loop is assignable and a serial loop (ie. you can have it active on the dirty channel and inactive on the clean channel) then put the isp decimator in the loop.

the sonic maximizer shouldn't really be needed since the Quad has a separate graphic EQ for each channel but if he does want to hook it up, he should put it between the quad and the power amp.

first off he should get the amp sounding the best it can sound with just the bass, mid, treble controls. then when he likes it, he should add in the graphic EQ.

now for settings:
treble: set about 6
mid: 4
bass: 5
but he should experiment.

the graphic eq should be set to the classic "V" setting.
80 and 6600 slider should be just below the top line.
750 should be just below the middle line
the other 2 siders should be a little above the middle line.