Two Dual Rec Questions

[Pmaurer]

1) Do the volume knobs greatly effect the tone in a certain variation? By this I mean...well....right now my channel 3 volume is at 11 o clock and my output volume is at about 9. Would my tone change at all if I reversed the two and set the channel 3 at 9 and my output to 11?

haha....if I haven't confused you enough...I basically just want to know if either volume knob takes precedence over the other.

2) I want to record my dual...so I've got a Sennheiser e609 center mic'ed going into an Alesis IO2 into my computer. When I'm on clean the recording sounds great...but when I switch to distortion it just doesn't have that clarity that you hear in albums (yes, I do realize they are using very expensive recording gear) but is there any way to achieve that clarity in a bedroom?

thanks guys!

 

[espboogie123]

Check this youtube fearedse guy. He records tons of amps in bedroom. He records quite a few mesas. Check his other vids too.

Here is a quick vid of how he sets up for bedroom recording. He also uses a maxon ox808 to boost the preamp which also tightens especially for bedroom recording.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WLhv0rId5k

 

[screamingdaisy]

1) Do the volume knobs greatly effect the tone in a certain variation? By this I mean...well....right now my channel 3 volume is at 11 o clock and my output volume is at about 9. Would my tone change at all if I reversed the two and set the channel 3 at 9 and my output to 11?

haha....if I haven't confused you enough...I basically just want to know if either volume knob takes precedence over the other.

Typically, it'll sound better with the channel master set low (between 9 and 10:00 on the loudest channel) and the master output up higher (preferably above 11:00... but we know that isn't always possible).

2) I want to record my dual...so I've got a Sennheiser e609 center mic'ed going into an Alesis IO2 into my computer. When I'm on clean the recording sounds great...but when I switch to distortion it just doesn't have that clarity that you hear in albums (yes, I do realize they are using very expensive recording gear) but is there any way to achieve that clarity in a bedroom?

Use a lot less gain and multi-track the guitars to get that wall of distortion sound, then thicken things up by filling in the bottom end with a bass guitar.

 

[jbird]

Actually, bypassing your effects loop would eliminate your 1st question, and achieve your 2nd question!

 

[Pmaurer]

I don't even use a loop...does that mean I could bypass it? What is the advantage to bypassing the effects loop? Especially when you say it would achieve my second question...

 

[jbird]

You should hear more clarity and dynamics by eliminating the circuitry associated with the efffects loop!

 

[Pmaurer]

What would I want to set the knob to then? No Loop? Or Bypass Loop? Won't I lose control of my footswitch if I bypass?

 

[BostonRedSox]

Nope. The bypass feature takes the solo, effects loop, and master output away. Doing this employs each channels master volume as being the sole control for volume. Be careful doing this though, and remember to turn the volume down on each individual channel. The worst thing you could do is to change to a channel that is blaringly and unnervingly loud!

The bypass switch is located at the back of your amp.

 

[Pmaurer]

Awesome, thanks! I will give that a try! Just because I'm curious, what would the "No Loop" selection do?

 

[BostonRedSox]

Just try it out both ways. That is the best suggestion I can give you. Nothing will emulate the sound of the amp a 8 or 9, but with some tone knob tweaking on the amp and your guitar, you should still be able to find some good tones. You may crank the gain more at lower volumes, but this wont apply at higher volumes. Remember that. Once you really get the power tubes cooking, you can lower a lot of the preamp gain. You'll get a bigger and more dynamic sound this way. I think noon is a good place to start for gain on a Recto when on 8 or 9.

Good luck. I don't like things super gainy or fizzy, so I may not have the advice you seek. Too much gain, to me, isn't very musical.