Question for Mini Rec Owners..

[Si.]

I'm still finding my way through mine but have it fairly well dialled in for what I need.. I was wondering, what do you do for that solo boost? I've traditionally used an MXR Microamp in the loop when getting boosts for other amps but on the Mini Rec I'm not getting a great deal of additional volume (currently running it on 25w with master on approx noon).

Do you tend to use the 2nd channel as a solo channel at a greater volume? or another method? I'm not too keen on using the 2nd channel as the solo due to the slight mute in sound when channel switching.

Really wish they had added the solo boost as standard like the other rectifiers..

 

[dmraco]

Try using the MXR is front of the amp and not in the loop.

I have used a variety of OD pedals depending on the sound I wanted. All of them have been in front of the amp, not the loop.

I have not been switching between 1 and 2. Honestly because I already spend most of my time on channel two.

these seem a popular choice...

 

[Matt O'Casster]

If I'm not mistaken, a boost will not work in front of the amp on channel 2. It must go in the loop. (I may be wrong on this, because my old trem O verb is staged this way, but I could have sworn I tried it out with the MR.)
i used a boss blues driver with the gain set low as a lead boost for years. It is very transparent. Now that I've figured out how to use the four cable method, I use the clean boost on my boss GT 10 through the loop.

 

[knotts]

I would put an OD pedal in front. I think the idea is to push the preamp into distortion and the loop brings the signal in after the preamp. I could be wrong but that's my understanding. I use Xotic pedals. I have the AC booster and the BB which are pretty good. If you want a clean boost, they also have the RC Booster. Also check out MadProfessor. They have a Sweet Honey OD which sounds good. Check http://proguitarshop.com/ for samples. I haven't heard this one in person, but I do have the Forrest Green Compressor CB and it's a really nice pedal.

 

[Si.]

Putting the boost in front of the amp will push the pre amp and give slightly more gain and maybe a tighter crunch, but it gives very little in the way of a volume boost as the pre amp is usually already saturated. Putting a clean boost in the LOOP will boost the signal to the power amp and in turn should give more volume assuming there is headroom on the power section.

I've been using a Microamp in this way for many years on a variety of amps without issue, but for some reason it's not really doing the job with the Mini rec.

For info i have a TS9 in front of the amps as well for when I need a gain boost.

 

[knotts]

That makes sense. Thanks for the explanation

 

[elvis]

In practice, there is still some give in the preamp. Set to Vintage, with gain about 1:00, I get a little bit of volume boost (and a lot more sustain) with a OD808 dimed in front.

I use a clean boost in the loop for bigger volume jumps (the equivalent of a "SOLO" boost). Xotic Boost, MXR Micro amp, GE-7, G System Boost, whatever. This is the best way to get controlled volume boost regardless of preamp settings.

 

[Si.]

thats exactly how I'm running it.. maybe I need to tweak a little more..

 

[J.J]

Does turning the master up further past 12:00 give you the additional volume you want ? If not, then MR is running short on head room and doesn't have much more to give. A boost will be inefective at that point.

 

[elvis]

It should - mine does.

 

[Si.]

I'll give it another try at next practice

 

[ratter]

Mine does as well (increase past noon). Not a lot but there is still some volume gain to be had above noon. I could see how this could be very dependent on the particular power tubes installed, though. Some will have more headroom than others.

Have you thought about putting a "reverse" boost in the loop for your solo boost?

In other words, put a pedal (or rack unit, whatever) in the loop with the volume cut back a bit. That's your rhythm level. Then when you bypass it, you get a volume increase. That's your solo level. Could be an OD or an EQ or whatever...

 

[elvis]

I give you credit for looking at the problem in a new way. But it would be the same as if he just turned down the Master and used a boost for solos as normal.

 

[J.J]

It does seem like head room is the issue. I know that the MR is plenty loud and Mesa rate the output as 25 watts with the Dyna watt, but when pushed things change. Dyna watt provides short term power output which gives great attack to notes, but then sags back to way less than 25 watts by reducing the output stage voltage. A pair of El84 tubes suffer if made to deliver more than 15 watts RMS output and Mesa don't break the rules with that.

For a solo boost to make much audible difference in sound level you really need to add double or more to the output power, mostly due to the way our ears work. I have an Express 5:25 (rated at 30 watts over the MR's 25) that I have made power measurements with. The time constant may be different for the MR's Dyna watt circuit, but it still is not going to sustain more than 15 watts RMS. My experience with the Express live has been similar to Si's, it does run out of steam with solo boosts if we are playing loud.

Really, I think the MR should be thought of more as a 15 watt amp when comparing it to the other Rectifiers. Interestingly though it would take a Tripple Rec to double the percieved volume of the MR.

 

[Si.]

Back from another practice and defiantly have a headroom problem, I don't think the MR is going to work for me.. To get it to properly cut through with 2 guitars in the band I need to get the master Volume to at least noon, but once I get there I've no headroom left for a solo boost.. making it very difficult for me to use.

For now I'm going to have to revert to my Marshall and look at moving the Mini on or try to trade it for a big brother Dual recto.

 

[elvis]

If the Marshall has an FX Return, you can use it as a power amp for the MR.

 

[Blaklynx]

If the Marshall has an FX Return, you can use it as a power amp for the MR.

A word of caution.....

The MR still needs to see a speaker load or a load at the sepaker out. It's an amp, not a preamp. *Maybe* keeping the master output at zero will suffice but the risk is too high. Output transformers aren't cheap, let alone any other damage that may occur.

 

[Si.]

I might keep it and use it as a spare for gigs since it's so small and portable. I guess in the future when we start Micing things the headroom won't be so much of an issue