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Post by svart on Jan 12, 2015 12:04:47 GMT -6
Anyone use or record one? I have a band coming into the studio in a few weeks and the guitarist has one and insists on using it (since it was just purchased)..
So any tips on settings or anything would be appreciated.
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Post by Ward on Jan 12, 2015 14:19:03 GMT -6
Not as good as an AC30, but still a useful enough amplifier. 2 microphones, an SM57 and a Royer 121.
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Post by svart on Jan 12, 2015 14:28:04 GMT -6
Not as good as an AC30, but still a useful enough amplifier. 2 microphones, an SM57 and a Royer 121. How's the tone overall? Any tricks to use, or simply just mic it and go? |
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Post by Ward on Jan 12, 2015 15:46:08 GMT -6
Just finished micing up some AC30s, and it's the same principle for AC15s. Except on AC30s you use one mic on one speaker and one mic on the other speaker.
57 3-5" from speaker, 1/2-way on the cone slightly pointed towards the dustcap. R121 1' off, dead center aimed at the dustcap. Make sure logo is pointed out. Flip phase on the Royer. Preamps? API always does it for me but ran my Royer through John Kenn's Helios at his place one day and was very impressed. Then out of the pre at nominal gain into a '76 limiter. Shave about 3-5db off signal. Input 9 o'clock, output 2 o'clock, attack and release at 'noon'. 8:1 ratio.
OR... put the royer 18" behind the amp and face it towards the center of the magnet and do not flip the phase. Everything else the same.
Of course each track is recorded on two channels, one for each mic, giving you options later.
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Post by Ward on Jan 12, 2015 15:48:00 GMT -6
Tone wise, think "alt rock". Doesn't quite have enough balls for big rock or country. Can twang nicely though... alt-country kind of way.
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Post by Ward on Jan 12, 2015 15:51:14 GMT -6
I should also point out that using an LA3a instead of an 1176 works as well or better... I've only got one working ATM, which is why I mentioned the 76s cos that's what I had to use.
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Post by cowboycoalminer on Jan 12, 2015 18:07:23 GMT -6
Not as good as an AC30, but still a useful enough amplifier. 2 microphones, an SM57 and a Royer 121. How's the tone overall? Any tricks to use, or simply just mic it and go? Thinish. You have to get more of the backend to get them right. Which means you'll need it louder in the room and turn the recording gain down. But they are good amps. |
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VOX AC15?
Jan 12, 2015 18:14:55 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by svart on Jan 12, 2015 18:14:55 GMT -6
Good info. I generally have a R121 And 57 on amps anyway, usually just the 121 on smaller ones.
Also good info on the 76. I have a handful of those, an la2a and la4a to try.
And yeah, it's alt rock/ grunge.
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Post by Ward on Jan 12, 2015 20:02:41 GMT -6
Then you're all set!! And cowboy is right... they are a bit thinnish. Try both methods I suggested and pick your fave.
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Post by svart on Jan 12, 2015 20:30:13 GMT -6
Then you're all set!! And cowboy is right... they are a bit thinnish. Try both methods I suggested and pick your fave. Well thanks for the info. I've not recorded one so I had no idea what to expect. Sounds like it's more straightforward than I had expected. I'm used to folks with really shitty gear and have to jump through all kinds of hoops. |
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Post by Ward on Jan 12, 2015 21:26:07 GMT -6
Let us know how it turns out!
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Post by mulmany on Jan 12, 2015 22:50:42 GMT -6
svart, if you have any 12AU7's laying around throw one in the PI location. Warms the amp up a little bit and drops the output as well. They will not last super long in that position without modification but it really helps with guys who are not using the Power tube distortion as their tone. Who dimes their amps anyway?
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Post by Ward on Jan 13, 2015 11:01:56 GMT -6
Who doesn't dime their amps, you mean?
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VOX AC15?
Jan 13, 2015 11:25:02 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by mulmany on Jan 13, 2015 11:25:02 GMT -6
Who doesn't dime their amps, you mean? With the explosion of pedals on the market I have seen less guys using their amps distortion as their sound. No reason to crank an amp if the pedals are doing all the work. |
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Post by svart on Jan 13, 2015 11:45:59 GMT -6
Who doesn't dime their amps, you mean? With the explosion of pedals on the market I have seen less guys using their amps distortion as their sound. No reason to crank an amp if the pedals are doing all the work. I usually go through the pedals and take out all the ones that aren't necessary. it's one thing to use them as effects.. Case in point, the last band I recorded the guy brought in just the cheapest junk pedals. Noisy, terrible sounds. He just turned up louder to compensate. Couldn't get a decent tone to save my life out of that stuff. I then talked him into (more like threatened) paring down the setup to the basics and then rebuilding it back up with just the tones we needed. Big difference, much more usable sounds, less noise, a whole lot less EQ on the amp and on the mix. He later told me that he never believed in the "tube amp" sound until we set things correctly. |
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Post by svart on Jan 13, 2015 11:47:03 GMT -6
Who doesn't dime their amps, you mean? Apparently a lot of high gain guys don't turn em all the way up. You get more articulation and definition if you find the balance between the channel volume and master volume rather than just turning either or both up. |
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Post by sozocaps on Jan 13, 2015 12:06:27 GMT -6
Single coil pickups work better with Vox Amps IMHO... Lots of mids from a Vox, Singles make it big again, Think Joe Walsh Hotel California... the better lead tone
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Post by svart on Jan 13, 2015 14:17:14 GMT -6
Now I'm pretty hyped on recording this band. I think things will go well. I've worked with one of them before in another band. I just got some rough demos and seems like they have some interesting songs. Finding the right tones should be fun.
I'm pretty sure it's a Mustang that's going through the Vox. I don't know if it has the singles in it or not.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2015 16:19:34 GMT -6
I have one, it's my main live guitar and I used a profile I made of it on my bands EP. Very good amp for the $375 I paid for it. I am wanting to upgrade though.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2015 16:22:29 GMT -6
If you are finding it a bit thin use something with a p90. Myself and our other guitarist use single coils and P90s respectively and it really works.
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Post by geoff738 on Jan 13, 2015 19:22:01 GMT -6
the other thing is which AC15?
I have one of the hard wired (China) ones - the first ones with the EF86 channel. Not thin. Definitely mid-forward, nice "chime", and if anything too much low end if not careful. At least through my cab with a 12" Celestion blue.
I have no idea how they compare to the mass produced (I'm assuming pcb?) ones.
Cheers,
Geoff
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