Rectifier Old vs New

TheSweetener said:
Yeah man! That' absolutely right. The "Play an tube amp loud" comes from a different time with different music. (Still right for many things though)
If everybody here is using Tube Screamers to get the rhythm sound tighter, you should not crank your power amp too much!

WTF crank that shit, why wouldn't you play it loud. THATS FUCKING METAL
 
High gain amps doesn't sound that joyful on higher levels. For instance, if you'd want a good metal tone out of the 5150 you can not crank the power amp over 2,5.. about 2 is the most optimal.
 
Plec said:
High gain amps doesn't sound that joyful on higher levels. For instance, if you'd want a good metal tone out of the 5150 you can not crank the power amp over 2,5.. about 2 is the most optimal.

I completely disagree. On my old 5150, as well as on my Dual Recto...the "sweet spot" appears to be around the 11 o'clock range, or roughly a "4" to 4.5" on the power amp.
 
Well... I don't say you're wrong 'cause it all depends on what type of tone you would want, but the thing that happens on all the high gain stuff when you crank it with pretty much preamp gain (especially so on the 5150) is that the power amp first of all can't handle the dynamics of the low end so it distorts and feels spungy and undefined. The power amp then starts to attenuate the high end making the sound even more mid rangey.

But don't be fooled when comparing this in the room since you can never compare two sounds at different apparent levels. Try recording an amp like this on two very different volumes and then listen back to them at the same apparent level in the control room. You will find that the versions recorded at lower amplitudes (maybe 15-20% of the amps capabilities) will have a much tighter low end feel larger because the high end and dynamics are more intact. I think this is right when going for larger guitar sounds, but if the production calls for something smaller and more controlled and mid rangey I might crank it a bit more.
 
I also have the same experience actually, I always track at a pretty low volume. I always thought it just started to sound messy once I cranked the amp up, which would blur the guitar playing even more when more guitars were added.
 
vile_ator said:
My 5150 sounds tightest at 3. Thats about 10 o' clock. Definately not bedroom levels. Its still pretty damn loud at 3.

Colin
I always turn that up to 6, especially with a 5150. :loco:
 
Haha!

This weekend I was tracking guitars with a 5150 through a Marshal 1960. I had the preamp gain on 3 and the post gain volume of 1.5.

Im tracking vocals tonight but I'll post up the results in a day or two when it's mixed.


Volume and hi gain are over rated. I would have liked to be a little louder than what I was but living with your sister means you have to be considerate!