Joe Meek C2 vs. MC2...any difference or no?

[Seeker of Rock]

Looking at JM C2 and MC2. The manuals say the Fletcher corporation moved between producing these two models. Input gain knob is bigger on MC2. Was the mailing address just changed or were these produced in different factories? Anyone here a/b'd them or have opinions on sound from one to the other?

[k1enneth]

I got a second hand one a couple of weeks ago. I use it into a Tascam 414mkii
for acoustic guitar, electric bass. It focuses the instrument's sounds, particularly the bass into a more dynamic quality sound. I did not A/B it, I just read some reviews at Harmony Central versus some DBX units and finally rolled the dice. I spent $139.00 second hand. I would say it is worth that. I could never get a good bass sound any other way.

[alanhyatt]

Originally Posted by Seeker of Rock

Looking at JM C2 and MC2. The manuals say the Fletcher corporation moved between producing these two models. Input gain knob is bigger on MC2. Was the mailing address just changed or were these produced in different factories? Anyone here a/b'd them or have opinions on sound from one to the other?

No difference at all. Same exact unit. The new Mc2 or whatever we decide to call it is very different, but will not be out for another 8 to 10 weeks. So old C2, or old MC2, no difference.... Just cosmetic...

[Kiauma]

From what I've read (never had the chance to compare myself) the MC2 is as good or better sound for less expense, so just consider it a new and improved C2.

Does anybody know why JM discontinued the MC2? It didn't seem like they were made for very long...

[alanhyatt]

Well, the old MC2 was not discontinued. The old company that owned Joemeek went out of business. I bought Joemeek two years ago. Since then, we redesigned all the products, including the old Mc2, so the new Mc2, or what ever model we decide to call it will be back on the market by mid to end of Summer, with a lot of new features.

New drawing of the Mc2 can be found here... Click Here to see photo of Mc2

[Seeker of Rock]

I like my TrakPak I bought from you in '01/'02?. I bought a NAMM demo model and the JM47 and MQ3 have done nice things for my recordings. Out of curiosity, was the MQ3 manufactured under in the "old" factory or is it one of the newer facilities? It has been said the Joe Meek sound is a taste that one either has or has not...I have it, and love the character. Just wondering as I learn the history of the product line where it was manufactured, under whose authority, etc.
BTW, the new line looks very tempting. I am a home recording person...i.e.- my studio is for my works only, but how does the new 3Q compare to MCQ? Thinking of adding a 3Q just so I have stereo pre capability. Curious about the difference in sound I may face channel to channel.
Thanks again for the great products!

[alanhyatt]

The old MQ3 and MC2 was made under the old management, and also made in China by ANS. The mic amp was very innexpensive, but did sound pretty good. The EQ was not very useable either, and the compressor was the Joemeek compressor which always had its own flavor that I loved.

The new threeQ has a very nice mic amp, very useable EQ that sounds quite good, and the compressor is a real Joemeek compressor, but has a lot of added horsepower if you will. Getting it to sound like the old one is easy, but then you can really make it rock if you need it.

All of this is my opinion, but if you read the reviews from Sound On Sound, EQ, Pro Audio Review and some others, they all seem to agree the new units are far superior to the older ones. Your milage may vary....

[Seeker of Rock]

Appreciate your dedication to your product and exemplifying it on this forum, firstly. Secondly, I have noticed the MQ3 compression adds a bit of hiss in my chain, even when zeroed, just by activating via the on/off. I love the flavor, but anything I can do to remedy this? From my reading, sounds like I want to check out the new 3Q as a secondary. Obviously, there are varying opinions on Joe Meek products here, as there are about Marshalls on amp forums and Les Pauls on guitar BBS, but I love the sound of your product and, minus the hiss from the comp, dig the Joe Meek cult. Count me in as a continued believer(though if you have tips for the hiss on the side, most welcomed...PM if you do). BTW, customer service goes a long way and you seem to take it seriously! I am a humble design professional, but as I get the money not already spent by my family, I will continue to believe in the Joe Meek sound...just don't change the 'tone'!!
Dale

[Kiauma]

Yes, thanks for the reply. Wow! The new MC2 looks like quite an improvement - could even call it the MC3! I can't wait to hear it.

[alanhyatt]

Originally Posted by Kiauma

Yes, thanks for the reply. Wow! The new MC2 looks like quite an improvement - could even call it the MC3! I can't wait to hear it.

We may use a different model number for it because it is light years ahead of the Mc2. So all we need to do is decide on a new model number...

[alanhyatt]

Originally Posted by Seeker of Rock

Secondly, I have noticed the MQ3 compression adds a bit of hiss in my chain, even when zeroed, just by activating via the on/off. I love the flavor, but anything I can do to remedy this?
Dale

The new threeQ remedies this. The old compressor was noisy, but that was a result of the design and components used....

[DJL]

Good job Alan... it's nice to see you answering questions without the highend marketing crap for a change. Keep up the good work. Don

[alanhyatt]

Originally Posted by DJL

Good job Alan... it's nice to see you answering questions without the highend marketing crap for a change. Keep up the good work. Don

The good people on this thread and myself do not need your approval over what I say. They most certianly do need you policing threads where I post in order to approval any communication I may have between them.

They can decide all on their own if they think I am marketing or just answering their questions. The only reason for your comment I can see is in hopes to start another trash thread as you have done in every other thread to paint me as the bad guy manufacturer trying to sell or market my goods....

So please leave this thread alone.

[DJL]

Originally Posted by alanhyatt

The good people on this thread and myself do not need your approval over what I say. They most certianly do need you policing threads where I post in order to approval any communication I may have between them.

They can decide all on their own if they think I am marketing or just answering their questions. The only reason for your comment I can see is in hopes to start another trash thread as you have done in every other thread to paint me as the bad guy manufacturer trying to sell or market my goods....

So please leave this thread alone.

Nope... I was just trying to be nice to you for a change and tell you it's nice to see you answering questions without the highend marketing (my way of thanking you)... period. But, I see you don't want that... so have it your way... bye.

[alanhyatt]

Originally Posted by DJL

Nope... I was just trying to be nice to you for a change and tell you it's nice to see you answering questions without the highend marketing (my way of thanking you)... period. But, I see you don't want that... so have it your way... bye.

NICE...NICE YOU SAY....After all the things you have said and done....you are right, I do not wish to hear any approval you may wish to offer.... I have no interest to make ammends with you.... All I can hope for is for you to leave my company alone and stop spreading false information about our products.

[Seeker of Rock]

Gentlemen, Peace be with you....
I think it is alright if we get a product representative to chime in...as long as he/she realizes this is not a place to peddle the product,but a place where musicians help musicians.
Alan, I wonder if you would consider putting some dry vs. wet clips of your products on your website. The biggest challenge for me in selecting gear is not being able to hear it. GC (at least the one near me) doesn't have a lot of their rack stuff hooked up. Just an idea.
Dale

[DJL]

Originally Posted by alanhyatt

I have no interest to make ammends with you.

Ok... have it your way, it's your lost.

[DJL]

Originally Posted by Seeker of Rock

Gentlemen, Peace be with you....
I think it is alright if we get a product representative to chime in...as long as he/she realizes this is not a place to peddle the product,but a place where musicians help musicians.
Alan, I wonder if you would consider putting some dry vs. wet clips of your products on your website. The biggest challenge for me in selecting gear is not being able to hear it. GC (at least the one near me) doesn't have a lot of their rack stuff hooked up. Just an idea.
Dale

I totally agree. Don

[alanhyatt]

Originally Posted by Seeker of Rock

Gentlemen, Peace be with you....
I think it is alright if we get a product representative to chime in...as long as he/she realizes this is not a place to peddle the product,but a place where musicians help musicians.
Dale

Exactly, and I have not peddled any of my product for years. I am here to provide accurate information about my products and give my opinions when I am asked....

[alanhyatt]

Originally Posted by DJL

Ok... have it your way, it's your lost.

It is not my "lost" Don because all you will do is look for ways to critique my posts, diminish the worth of my products, and bad mouth our quality control as you have done with no cause for the last two years. What makes you think I would ever believe you would change?

In addition, show me one post where I have asked anyone to buy my products over another in the last two years. If I am asked, I offer my opinion and my tag is clear at the bottom as to who I am. It is up to the user to make his own decision. I have tried before to keep the peace with you only to see you go back to your old offensive ways.... So why should I think it would be different now?

The prime example is right on this thread. No one felt I was marketing, Spamming, or hyping my products. I was answering questions and clearing up mis-information.

[DJL]

Originally Posted by alanhyatt

It is not my "lost" Don because all you will do is look for ways to critique my posts, diminish the worth of my products, and bad mouth our quality control as you have done with no cause for the last two years. What makes you think I would ever believe you would change?

In addition, show me one post where I have asked anyone to buy my products over another in the last two years. If I am asked, I offer my opinion and my tag is clear at the bottom as to who I am. It is up to the user to make his own decision. I have tried before to keep the peace with you only to see you go back to your old offensive ways.... So why should I think it would be different now?

The prime example is right on this thread. No one felt I was marketing, Spamming, or hyping my products. I was answering questions and clearing up mis-information.

I was just trying to be nice to you. Anyway, I thought I made it clear that I don't want to argue with you... I could quote you and prove you wrong... but I'm not interested in arguing with you, so I won't... good bye.

[Seeker of Rock]

Crap, man...the war goes on...I think all I was looking for was a comparison of products.
Per my previous post, any chance we could hear the new products (or former as well would be nice), Alan?
MQ3 has some hiss, but not that much. Never heard Avalon or the likes that the big boys use, but just wondering how it sounds without having to deal with the shipping/return hassle. Off topic, but again, I like the MQ3, but trust the opinions on here (that is subjective, I know, and it is a matter of WHO you trust, etc...i.e.-don't trust everything that is said, only the collective). Off topic again, but still in Joe Meek, if the 3Q is awesome, I would love to be able to hear it online, as a comparison to at least a dry signal, and maybe it is time for me to upgrade....as long as you are honest about it and don't throw in any smoke and mirrors when you sample it, and I highly doubt by your general reputation here (though DJL seems a bit skeptical, and I respect that) that you would. To post wet/dry comparison clips would be honest and believeing in your product, wouldn't it?
Again, long live the Joe Meek sound, imho. As a customer and believer, just would love to see the aforementioned.

[noisedude]

Sorry to drag this one up again, but Seeker's post caught my eye.

Originally Posted by Seeker of Rock

Alan, I wonder if you would consider putting some dry vs. wet clips of your products on your website. The biggest challenge for me in selecting gear is not being able to hear it.

This is a really good idea. I have two threeQs coming this week (one for me and one for a friend), I could run some drums loops, single hits, clips off the Listening Sessions through the pair, one clean and one with progressive comping, one on either side of the stereo mix, if you like. I should point out that I'm no engineering expert, but I'm buying the threeQ more for the comp than anything else (I have a reasonable mixer already), and if I really love it I may get the new comp, whatever it's called.

If you fancy that, if it'd help, then let me know what you want and I'll look at doing it over the weekend.

[Seeker of Rock]

That sounds great!! Bass guitar is the most noticeable noise I have heard from my MQ3 compressor section. Anyway you could do a few bass lines wet vs. dry with a lot of comp? If not drums would be great too.
Thanks!

[noisedude]

I should be up and running by Saturday or Sunday - I'll make these the first thing I do. Don't expect great bass playing from me though ... it'll be a 'real world/amateurs in action' kinda test.