Mesa Mark IV with impulses?

[bryan_kilco]

Did some searching and couldn't find a definite answer on this.

I want to record my raw preamp signal out of my IV into my interface and use impulses. I'm just not sure exactly how. I have Slave Out, Recording Out (this supposedly has speaker emulation, so that would be no good...) and FX Send. I'm not exactly sure what kind of signal the Slave Out is sending. And not sure if the 5-band graphic eq will work with either of these options.

Has anyone messed with this? Melb Shredder? Ola?

 

[psycle_1]

Use the Slave out. The signal from the Slave out is tapped off of the output transformer so you will be getting the effects of the power amp as well as the preamp. The FX Send is taken before the EQ so you wouldn't want to use it. Recording out like you said defeats the purpose of wanting to use impulses.

 

[bryan_kilco]

Thanks man! You a IV owner? Slave Out has it's own volume knob.....should I just for halfway or whatever sounds good?

 

[psycle_1]

Used to be. Now using a Studio Pre modded to a IIC+ into a 2:50 power amp, GSP1101 for effects. Just play around with the volume knob on the Slave out and see what sounds best. Try it wide open first and see if it overdrives the front end of your interface.

 

[bryan_kilco]

Oh nice man! I'd kill to play a IIC+......heard they are beasts. I seriously kicked myself in the ass for letting the IV sit on the shelf for like 8 months, thinking something was wrong with it, but it was just the shielded preamp tube somehow wiggled its way out of the socket. I hear a lot of guys say "this amp doesnt need a boost or TS, etc" but I find that a TS in front REALLY brings the amp to life. It seems a bit dry without one.

 

[psycle_1]

Yeah, IIC+'s are definitely the shit.. The sound of the IV makes me think of a refined IIC+ if that makes any sense. I use a boost on my preamp mainly for leads. You're right, it definitely wakes it up. I may try one for my rhythm sounds as well.

Let me know how your recordings work out for you.

 

[bryan_kilco]

Will do man! I might mess around with it today. Only have a crap M-Audio Fast Track Pro at the jam space right now though. Probably going to have the IV and Recto on my bands upcoming album. Doing everything ourselves and I'm hoping it comes out good.....all real drums and whatnot. Still a bit torn on what amps to use....wanted to do 5150 and Recto for rhythms and IV for leads, but I'm realizing how tight and sweet the IV is on rhythms as well.....

 

[bryan_kilco]

Well, tried this out last night with some odd results. =/

I was basically monitoring my signal from my Fast Track Pro through a home stereo. Ran Slave Out direct to interface. Upon raising the interface gain OR the Slave Out gain, there was like a feedback loop or something. Just a nasty freq hum any time I tried to get the signal within "working" levels. Messed with it for a few mins and just gave up. Really strange.....

 

[psycle_1]

That is odd. I wouldn't think it would be a ground loop. Do you have the Inst/Line button pushed in? If not, it needs to be. Also see if changing the ground switch setting makes any difference.

 

[bryan_kilco]

Tried it with and without Pad, no difference.

ground switch? Got none. Could this be a tube issue?

also - Satellite Send.....this sends just the preamp section? for some reason I thought it was power section.

 

[psycle_1]

I wouldn't think it would be a tube issue. Otherwise the amp wouldn't work normally with a speaker cab.

Satellite Send is directly after the FX loop return. Still doesn't take the EQ into account.

Try turning the presence control down. I can't think of anything else to try without actually being there to help. Perhaps you could give Mesa a call and see if they offer up any suggestions.