Recto Pre and Effects

[cscotto]

Hi, I am new to the board, but I am a long time user of Boogie amps. I am rebuilding a rack I had a while ago with my Recto pre, and a 2:100 I just bought on ebay. I have searched all the forums, and problem I have is mentioned briefly in some of them. I did not post this in the effects forum, because it is a problem with the Recto Pre and effects placement.

The first time I had this rig, I used a G-major. As TC suggested I used it in series. The effects were great. However, because of the way the recto pre interacts with the power amp (if you use recto pre inputs), it is just two easy to overload the G-major. Even if you use the regular inputs and only the master on the recto pre, it is still too easy to overload the G-major. I think part of the sound I like a lot with this rig is how much the preamp can drive the power amp.

To fix the problem, I bought a Bradshaw line mixer. Set the G-major to kill dry. This helped, but as TC says in the manual, the effects really lost something in parallel, especially the phaser and flange effects, and any stereo effects.

I want to get a processor that works in this configuration. With my Dual Recto head, I just used pedals, because I hated what the effects loop did to the tone. I feel like my only choice is to use a G-system in front of the preamp or the Line 6 M-13 stompbox modeler. How have you other recto pre owners solved this problem? Thanks, and sorry for the long first post.

 

[gbsmusic]

I bought the G-system about 2 months ago and I'm also running the Recto Pre and 2/100 power and I can tell you the G is spendy but the quallity of the effects makes the price worth it, it took me a while to get everything dialed in but now it sounds great. I also just sent me Recto Pre to Voodoo Mods to have them work their magic on my pre because they now do their mods on the pre's. I'll let you know how it sounds. I heard a 5150 they did a mod to and I was blown away with what I heard!! I can't wait to get it back. I'm sure I'll like what I hear. Good luck!

 

[cscotto]

Thanks gbsmusic,

Is this your signal chain?

guitar-->G-system--> guitar input on recto pre-->2:100


Or is the G-system between the recto pre and 2:100?

Or do you use the loop on the G-system?

Thanks

 

[gbsmusic]

I'm using the 4 cable method, thats the way it was recomended to me for the best sound.

 

[soundpurist]

If you use the boost option then put it in the loop. I already tried it it and it work well. If you want 100% series then put it between preamp and 2:100 just keep headroom in your input level for the boost option (if you use it...).

 

[soundpurist]

... I also just sent me Recto Pre to Voodoo Mods to have them work their magic on my pre because they now do their mods on the pre's. I'll let you know how it sounds... Good luck!

Wow, I'd like to hear about that too. I've sold my 2:100 but I still have my recto pre. If it increase gain, while removing the fizz it must be cool! How much for the mod?

 

[goathead]

I also have the recto pre going into a 2:100 with a TC Gm.

In the past I would have considered running the rack series thru the TC, but my perception was that the whole signal was basically wet with TC processing even during bypass as it paths thru the TC to the poweramp. This was ok for awhile because I was also playing with various multiband compression and a maximizer. The wonderful tone was diminished as well as the overall natural compression between the differing headroom S/N of the TC output and the poweramp in.

End story is I run the recto preamp into the poweramp for the strong signal and headroom. I run the TC using the loop and have a bypass. For most effects Im pleased with the clarity and the use of the TC's relays to trigger solo boost and channel changes on the recto pre.

For global compression on the signal and the really wet chorus and flange, I just use analog stomps up front. I snagged a Keeley 4 button compressor which is kinda nice for the cleans and solos.

The para effects loop has some advantages and disadvantages for sure. Im confident that subject has been beated to death elsewhere but I can say that I enjoy keeping the tone while the loop is engaged.

Sorry for the ramble, long day.

 

[gbsmusic]

The mod is $295 for the Recto.Pre, which I think is a great price for what they're doing. The 5150 I heard sounded so good to me it was a done deal to have it done. The 5150's and even the 6505's to me have plenty of gain but they are a little muddy and the cleans sound great to. Trace Davis is the owner of the company, I called to ask a couple of questions I did'nt ask in my Email and I accually talked to Trace and he was happy to answer any question I had and thats something thats kinda rare right there, these days your lucky just to not get a computer to talk to let alone the owner of a company to talk to you. Check out the reviews on Harmony Central on the mods, I have'nt got my Pre back but I will post how I like or dislike the sound as soon as I test drive it.

 

[cscotto]

I also have the recto pre going into a 2:100 with a TC Gm.
End story is I run the recto preamp into the poweramp for the strong signal and headroom. I run the TC using the loop and have a bypass. For most effects Im pleased with the clarity and the use of the TC's relays to trigger solo boost and channel changes on the recto pre.
.

No problem. This is exactly what I found. The way the Recto Pre is designed to interact with the power amp really discourages putting anything in the signal chain, even though in the manual mesa says its fine. To make sure the G-major didn't overload, I would have to put a "governor" on the pre-amp. I basically took the same road with my Dual Recto head, stompboxes, because the loop effected the tone too much. Nevertheless, I am going to try a buch of the ways people have suggested hooking things up. Thanks.

 

[again with this]

My GMajor is in the F/X loop of the Recto Pre. No issues.

 

[cscotto]

My GMajor is in the F/X loop of the Recto Pre. No issues.

Hi,

Since the recto pre loop is parallel, do you have the GMajor set to kill dry? Do the flangers and phaser still sound wet enough? Thankls.