Triaxis Lead2 sound don't switch over

[Moritz]

Hello all, maybe someone can help me out.
The sound of my Triaxis in the lead 2 channels gives no difference in sound when I switch from green to yellow and red.
The leds are switching but not the sound.
Is this a tube matter or????

Please advice.

Grz Moritz

 

[ando]

No, that wouldn't be a tube matter, that would be a switching matter. Have you been through the usual process of unplugging the ribbon cables, cleaning the contacts (use DeOxit) and reseating the cables? They are not too hard to access when you remove the top casing. That's always the first step when things go funny with the Triaxis.

 

[Moritz]

Ok Ando, thanx for the tip.
I will try this and hope the switching problem will be solved.
Keep you posted.

Grz Moritz :wink:

 

[Moritz]

all the connectors of the ribbon cable were cleaned.
I tested again the 3 modes in lead2(and maybe this was already the case before cleaning the connectors) but I hear a tiny difference in sound when switching to the differend modes. The controls(gain, treble bass etc.) have same settings in all the 3 modes..
before I noticed about the switching I thought the sound in the 3 modes were ok, but this is because of the different controls setting in each mode.

Maybe someone is willing to do the test as I did it.
All the 3 modes of lead2 with the same controls settings and listen to the sound differences.

Grz Moritz

 

[Jackie]

**** couldn't you have said that BEFORE I tore down my rack rig and setup my other amp? :lol:

Just kidding. I think the difference between Lead 2 Green and Orange if set up completely the same shouldn't be huge but it should be noticeable. Lead 2 Red should definitely stand out.

 

[Moritz]

Thnx Jackie, Lead 2 Red does not stands out as you said
Maybe I have to test it again with the levels more open to hear the differences.
But actually I think this must do at living room level too.
I send an email to Mesa with some questions about this problem.
Can anyone say that there's a chance that I will receive an email back from Mesa?

Grz Moritz

 

[Jackie]

I will try all three modes one after the other today and see if there is a big or barely noticeable difference.

 

[ando]

Are you sure your power amp is working properly? I can imagine that if your power tubes were on their way out, it might make all modes sound a bit similar. What sort of power amp are you using?

 

[Moritz]

Jackie thanx, I'm curious what you will hear.

Hello Ando, I'm using the 2:90 Mesa power Amp.
I don't think the tubes are bad, they are about 5 years by now and I never play with the levels that wide open.
I understand that this is no guarantee that the tubes remain good all the time.
I tested the Triaxis via a mixer with my headphone and I can hear the differences better.
As Jackie says, between green and yellow no huge differences but in red mode it differs more but not that huge.

Maybe I have a problem with my ears and they must first be tested :wink:

Grz. Moritz

 

[Jackie]

Hey Moritz.

I recorded a clip (guitar-TriAxis-2:90-Marshall 1960AV cab-sm57-Avid Mbox Pro-ProTools 8LE, no post processing) and I found exactly what I predicted - small, in A/B comparison noticeable difference between Lead 2 Green and Lead 2 Orange, but noticeable difference between Lead 2 Red and the other two.

I always play Green->Orange->Red in the clip. Settings the same for all three modes.

I think the tubes might be dodgy. I would say try the TriAxis direct from Record output to a mixing desk or PA and see if there is a difference between the Lead 2 modes but you already did that.

If it sounds OK without the poweramp, I'd suspect the powertubes first - BUT! I would rather first change the internal three 12AX7s - it's a much cheaper solution.

Clip is here.

Hope you get it sorted.

 

[Moritz]

Jackie you're awesome, thank you very much for your help.
I have listened to your clip and it now gives me an idea what the differences supposed to be.
I will first replace the 12AX7 tubes and let you know what the outcome is.

Again, thanx for the support both.

Grz, Moritz

 

[ando]

It's interesting that the 3 modes are so similar really. There is almost no difference between the first two in the recorded tones. Even the third one is not a totally different tone - it's just got more treble presence and more saturation. It wouldn't surprise me if there is nothing wrong with Moritz' Triaxis and there is just an old tube somewhere in the chain (in the Tri or the 2:90) putting a dull sheen over the sound and making it harder to pick the difference. I think the main difference between the 3 sounds is the amount of natural saturation they have and how hard you have to work them to make them really burn. With Red, it's easy, it already cuts through concrete. With the other two modes you have to work harder as they are more mild, tonally and saturation wise. But if you think about it, there's a reason why they are grouped together on the LD2 category - they share a lot of similarities. I have always used LD1 a lot more so I hadn't really looked into what makes the LD2 modes different from each other. I had always remembered that LD2 Red was the high-octane Mark mode though.

 

[Moritz]

Hi folks, Mesa has responded to my email about the sound in lead 2.
Read it your self.

Hello there,
Thanks for your email.
LD 2 has very little difference between YELLOW & GREEN. It is when you hit RED that there is a noticeable difference- & even then, not a huge difference.
Yes, it is a version 2 with the FAT mod. We do not have an accurate serial # database.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for your interest in MESA!

michael taylor :: product specialist
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