my little emg 18v mod comparision

[viralz]

I find the difference to be quite noticeable, the 18v does give you alot more headroom, I really like it so far.

Here a really short example. second part of the clip is the 18v mod. Used the exact same settings on both parts.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10337799/18v.wav

guitar used was an Agile intercepror Elite

 

[viralz]

Forgot to mention its an emg 81-7

 

[colonel_claypoo]

thanks for doint this it's indeed quite interesting.
there's quite a noticeable difference between the two.
however, I wonder how people label the difference they hear as "headroom"
how can you hear headroom, what characterizes it?

 

[deLuther]

18 V mean less clipping, opamp ceiling is raised proportional to supply voltage, hence more headroom.

 

[colonel_claypoo]

18 V mean less clipping, opamp ceiling is raised proportional to supply voltage, hence more headroom.

thanks but that does not equate with using less gain on your amp so the signal isn't as saturated and distorted right?

 

[Mutant]

thanks but that does not equate with using less gain on your amp so the signal isn't as saturated and distorted right?

2 different things.

With 9 volts the clipping of all the highest peaks occurs at the pickup stage, but with 18 volts the DI wave looks just like it would look if it came from a passive pickup (but of course it is way hotter).

 

[colonel_claypoo]

thanks I got it now.

 

[MarcusGHedwig]

Ran my EMG's at 18v for awhile, but then a couple of years ago switched back to 9v and I much prefer it; tonally the 18v mod made both an 81 and 85 (in the bridge) have a decreased upper-mid focus and tightness (which I love) and an increased low-mid woof (which I don't love); sounds a bit fuller with just shitty drums in the following (ancient) clips, but in a full mix I found the low-mids to clash with the bass and the decreased upper-mids to reduce definition/perception of pitch

85 9v
85 18v