Hello Friends!
It's been a while since I've posted here...many years in fact. A lot of circumstances have changed, but the more things change...the more they stay the same.
It seems that someone at Mesa HQ took my advice on creating the amazing Cab Clone circuit embedded in their amps (such as the JP2C and Updated Versions of the Rectos). I love you guys for doing that. Those were some amazing ideas and there is still MORE that you can and SHOULD do with the Cab Clone technology. I encourage it because I use the Cab Clone v2 technology EVERYDAY. I love the Cab Clone V2. I think you folks at Mesa NAILED IT and are on the right track considering the competition in that space.
However, Mesa/Boogie (er..Gibson??) decided to discontinue the Mesa/Boogie Simul-Class 2:Ninety. RIGHT when I decided I needed a new Mesa 2:Ninety too. Not cool. Not cool at all. Like...WHAT THE F**K ARE YOU THINKING!?! This event has forced me out of **** posting retirement to have a word with you folks. Moving air is still superior to all of this digital ****. Don't you dare bail out on us...not yet at least! Here are some ideas that would really help Professional Musicians, Engineers, and Artists like me create unique sounding art:
New Stereo Power Amp Idea
Please consider creating AN UPDATED VERSION of that GLORIOUS 2:Ninety Simul-Class Power Amp, but with some...modifications.
1. On this new power amp, I NEED THE NEW Cab Clone Technology with the ability to load customizable IRs. When I perform live, I send the Cab Clone to DI out to IEMs and FOH while letting my Mesa Full Stacks provide amazing tone on the stage and for the front row. I will absolutely need this on a new Power Amp.
2. The former DEEP, MODERN, and HALF DRIVE settings were terrific. However, DEEP needs to be adjustable. It works for the Triaxis, but DAAAAMN it's so farty with my SYNERGY Modules (or anything else I put through it). MODERN is so damn good tho. HALF DRIVE...is just awesome for Home Recording. These settings should also have an effect on the Cab Clone sounds.
3. Fitting it into two rack spaces is a must, but three spaces is OK if the features are there.
4. 90 - 100 watts is really all I need in a Power Amp. Anything more is ridiculous.
5. All tube = All Awesome
Mesa/Boogie Ported 4x12 Cabinets
Mesa Cabinets are legendary for their durability, tone, and craftsmanship. After purchasing a few Genz-Benz 4x12 cabinets, I can say that bass porting truly creates a HUGE tone especially when working in detuned tunings, or when you've got a LOT of bass dialed in on your Recto. I highly suggest experimenting with ported cabinets to see if you can improve on those already amazing sounding Mesa speaker cabinets.
Mesa/Boogie ISO Cab (Single, Dual)
Randall Amplification mass produced the first ISO Cab, which is used by MANY bands like Slipknot, Killswitch Engage, etc. Rivera perfected the design with their Silent Sister ISO Cab. Box of Doom took that concept even further and introduced innovative recording and microphone placement technology giving users the ability to use up to two microphones mounted on a mechanized stand that can be adjusted via a software interface to achieve the perfect tone, or even change Speakers on the fly via a cassette. I own all of these products. The Silent Sister is the best sounding ISO Cab, but the Box of Doom has the most features (though it doesn't sound as good IMO). Where I think Mesa has an opportunity here is to craft a high quality ISO cab with all of the quality features of the Silent Sister, but also include the technology concepts of the Box of Doom. A single speaker, dual speaker ISO Cab with the sonic quality of the Silent Sister and the Technology of the Box of Doom would be a HUGE plus for any home recording engineer, Studio, or touring musician. We all know if it was built by Mesa, then it is built to LAST!
Tube Driven Digital Amp Technology & Innovation Leadership
The Quad and Mesa Triaxis preamps are legendary. You've dipped your toes into this world before. It would be amazing to get a preamp like those again that had feet firmly planted in both the Analogue Tube and Digital Algorithmic Worlds. There is just nothing in the world quite like legitimate Tube Tones. There's been a lot of talk about stuff like this in the past, and it can go in many directions. I moved onto the Synergy Modular system because of the flexibility that system offers paired with outstanding tones I can get from an AFFORDABLE module. Their IICP module is outstanding. I think there is a lot of potential with a modular system like the Synergy System, paired with the digital features offered from something like the Fractal. I believe Mesa Boogie could play an integral part in borrowing the Synergy concept for its own modular line but with expanded digital features (Cab Clone, MIDI, Effects, Digital Foot Controllers, etc). I remember when the JP2C came out and MIDI was finally a feature on Mesa Boogie amps. It was like...FINALLY Mesa has come to the 21st Century. I really think the future is in the amalgamation of analogue and digital as it relates to the art of audio, and it would be great to see Mesa (Gibson??) become innovators, if not contributors, in that world. For all the **** that companies like Randall Amplification get, they truly invested into the innovative technologies that have now matured into full fledged and indispensable tools for people who move air to create their art. If anything, join amp circuit innovators like Bogner, Friedman, Diezel, and Soldano in the Synergy Sun with a faithful and true Synergy Module. This is not about old dudes like me owning a Mesa licensed module...no. This is about that 16 year old loner dude that worked all summer while listening to Master of Puppets and has saved up $1300 to buy a decent rig so he can rip like Kirk Hammett. This is about that 14 year old girl that's taking lessons and all she wants to do is have a crushing rhythm tone like Mark Tremonti. With the Synergy system (FOR EXAMPLE), $400 for a Mesa module, $400 for a Syn1, and $500 for a used Tube Amp get's them in the ballpark to move air. It's about making Mesa accessible to those young people so they can EXPERIENCE what moving air sounds like from a Mesa product that gets the hair stand up on the back of their neck. Is a ******* plugin getting people psyched? Through a Micro Amp, or Studio Speakers, or headphones??? Nah dude. It's not.
That's it. Hope this helps. If not...well...this is my 2 cents then.