Recto Preamp to 2:100 Power Amp using Recto inputs

[Iconoclysm]

I know a couple of you are using the same setup as myself so any info you can give me on the following would be appreciated!

If I have rack effects between the pre and power amp (TC G-Force or G-System) can I still use the Recto inputs on the 2:100 rather than the normal inputs?

If I can use the Recto inputs, will the output of the rack gear now control the volume or does the preamp still have some sort of "phantom" control? The amp tends to sound better into those inputs, it gets a sizeable gain in volume and tone as well.

Any help? Please?!??!

 

[screamingdaisy]

You can use the Recto inputs.

The volume and presence controls on the preamp control the volume hitting the effect unit, and the volume on the effect unit controls the volume hitting the power amp. You don't need to use the normal inputs.

 

[samhill]

I am using a Recto Pre and a Recto 2:100 with 2 FX racks. I also utilize a Bradshaw switcher and a Roland Line Mixer. For me, the preamp goes into loop 1 of the Bradshaw and it in turn feeds(send) the FX units then the output of the Bradshaw(which essentially is only the Recto Pre output) goes into the line mixer as does the FX units outputs. The outs of the line mixer goes to the "normal" ins on the 2:100. I control overall volume with the line mixer.

In your case I think I would put the FX units in the loop of the Recto Pre, then run the outs of the preamp into the Recto INs on the 2:100. That way you have a bit more control and you can control the vol with the preamp and take advantage of the "true" Dual Rectifier signal path.

I personally prefer not to use the loop on the Recto Pre and prefer the sound of using the Bradshaw and line mixer....although this does cost significantly more to go this route.

Mark

 

[Iconoclysm]

You can use the Recto inputs.

The volume and presence controls on the preamp control the volume hitting the effect unit, and the volume on the effect unit controls the volume hitting the power amp. You don't need to use the normal inputs.

But since you lose control of the volume when you use the Recto inputs, will the output of the FX unit be able to compensate?

 

[Iconoclysm]

In your case I think I would put the FX units in the loop of the Recto Pre, then run the outs of the preamp into the Recto INs on the 2:100. That way you have a bit more control and you can control the vol with the preamp and take advantage of the "true" Dual Rectifier signal path.

I personally prefer not to use the loop on the Recto Pre and prefer the sound of using the Bradshaw and line mixer....although this does cost significantly more to go this route.

Mark

I'd love to put it in the loop but the G-System is not the type of FX unit to put in a loop, it has pre-preamp stages and post-preamp stages and works as a post preamp EQ unit as well. I could run it the traditional way but I would think that Mesa had already intended to have something in between since they recommend putting your FX units between rather than in the loop. I really haven't experimented with it much yet but I was hoping one of you had. Thanks for the responses!

 

[samhill]

In your case I think I would put the FX units in the loop of the Recto Pre, then run the outs of the preamp into the Recto INs on the 2:100. That way you have a bit more control and you can control the vol with the preamp and take advantage of the "true" Dual Rectifier signal path.

I personally prefer not to use the loop on the Recto Pre and prefer the sound of using the Bradshaw and line mixer....although this does cost significantly more to go this route.

Mark

I'd love to put it in the loop but the G-System is not the type of FX unit to put in a loop, it has pre-preamp stages and post-preamp stages and works as a post preamp EQ unit as well. I could run it the traditional way but I would think that Mesa had already intended to have something in between since they recommend putting your FX units between rather than in the loop. I really haven't experimented with it much yet but I was hoping one of you had. Thanks for the responses!

Like I said I prefer the sound of not using the loop on the preamp. Now that I've re-read your post, I realize that you have a G-System not a G-Major. I guess you will just have to experiment.

Mark

 

[screamingdaisy]

But since you lose control of the volume when you use the Recto inputs, will the output of the FX unit be able to compensate?

I set the FX unit up so that it was pretty close to unity gain (the volume was the same both with and without the unit in the signal path). Then I would use the volume on the preamp to control the overall volume.

If I was to do it again (currently moving away from rack stuff) I'd use a line mixer so I could have a direct dry signal going into the power amp and a parallel wet signal that was only wet signal. But I only really use delay so I'm not too sure how well that'd work for you.

In your case, I would try both sets of input over a period of time and see which way works best for you.

P.S. - I don't like using stuff in the built in FX loop either.....I've come to loath how Mesa builds them.

 

[Iconoclysm]

Thanks man! I'll give it a try.

Just wondering, why are you moving away from rack stuff?

 

[screamingdaisy]

I originally went with rack so I could use chorus and delay in stereo, among other effects.

I've since learned that I'd rather mix and match different heads than have two channels of the same power amp. For instance, right now I'm slaving a MarkIII into a Laney GH100TI via a Maxon AD999 delay, and the Laney is setup for repeats only.

I was doing the same with a power amp, but now I can overdrive the piss out of the MkIII knowing that the extra headroom on the Laney will keep the repeats relatively clean.....plus I get the benifit of combining 6L6 and EL34 tones together.

Plus, the MkIII combo wieghs less than my rack does, and is completely self contained, so I can grab a guitar, cord, and amp if I only want the basics.

 

[Iconoclysm]

Interesting. Maybe one day I'll end up doing the same.

For now, I'm going to try KT77's in my 2:100 to get the "mix" sound of 6L6 and EL34...don't know what my results will be.