B
bduersch
New member
Let me start by saying that over the years, I've tried just about everything to find the perfect amp that brings all the versatility and tone I need for recording and gigging. That includes modeling amps (the Johnson JM150 was killer from a versatility standpoint, but didn't quite nail the tone), massive racks (Triaxis/2:90--need I say more), and a collection of combos (which included a Mark IV, Rectoverb, Marshall TSL, Egnater TOL100, Roland JC120, and Fender D.R.).
About a year ago I took a chance on ordering the Randall RM4 preamp with a handful of modules and an RT2/50 power amp. I'd never had great impressions of any Randall amps previously, but, having owned a Rocktron TOL100, I knew that any amp that Bruce Egnater was associated with would not disappoint. From the moment the Randall arrived, I knew it was exactly what I'd been looking for... wonderful tube warmth & dynamics, along with all the tonal flexibility I'd come to expect by having a collection of combos around. I sold off the rest of my combos, and picked up a bunch more modules to round out the collection.
Now, a year later, I've got three Randall rigs:
- RM4 preamp (loaded with Blackface, Brown, Recto, and Ultra Lead modules), DOD R848 reverb unit, RT2/50 power amp, two Avatar 2x12 cabs (one with G12T75's, one with V30's), handful of pedals (Sparkle Drive, Carl Martin compressor, Ibanez WD7 wah)--this is my primary recording rig, and gets hauled out for big gigs
- RM100C combo (loaded with Deluxe, Plexi, and SL+ modules) with integrated quad of 6L6's/EL34's and G12T75's, Lexicon MPX-G2/R1 FX, Avatar 4x12 cab (loaded with V30's)--this is my rig for band practice
- RM20B combo (loaded with Top Boost module)--this is my "throw it in the trunk for last minute jam sessions" rig
What I like best about the Randall gear from a recording standpoint is how fat my guitar tracks sound these days... Typically I record 2 tracks for each take--one track is the 6L6 side of the RT2/50 through G12T75's mic'd with an e609 panned out to one side, then the second track is the EL34 side of the RT2/50 through V30's mic'd with an SM57 panned dead center. The variety of power tubes, speakers, and mics really fills the sound out nicely. Then I'll change modules and repeat the process with the 6L6/G12T75/e609 track panned to the other side. Thick & meaty!
One other trick I've learned... I've modded pretty much every module I own. The clean modules (Blackface, Deluxe, JTM, Top Boost, Clean) have been modded for more headroom, and the high-gain modules (Recto, Brown, SL+, Ultra, Ultra Lead, Modern) have been modded for tighter bass response. All of the mods consisted of changing either one resistor or capacitor, so they're extremely easy to do, and IMO, well worth the cost & effort.
If you want to check out some demos I've done with the MTS amps, here are a few tracks:
(I know the mixes aren't the greatest... I recorded these in my old studio and the mixing/mastering process was interrupted by the moving process. I only recently got my studio put back together in its new home but haven't yet had time to polish these tracks up.)
Well, that's about it... I just felt compelled to have a (positive) rant about my good experience with the Randall MTS gear to date.
Anybody else have experiences (good or bad) to share on the MTS gear?
--B
About a year ago I took a chance on ordering the Randall RM4 preamp with a handful of modules and an RT2/50 power amp. I'd never had great impressions of any Randall amps previously, but, having owned a Rocktron TOL100, I knew that any amp that Bruce Egnater was associated with would not disappoint. From the moment the Randall arrived, I knew it was exactly what I'd been looking for... wonderful tube warmth & dynamics, along with all the tonal flexibility I'd come to expect by having a collection of combos around. I sold off the rest of my combos, and picked up a bunch more modules to round out the collection.
Now, a year later, I've got three Randall rigs:
- RM4 preamp (loaded with Blackface, Brown, Recto, and Ultra Lead modules), DOD R848 reverb unit, RT2/50 power amp, two Avatar 2x12 cabs (one with G12T75's, one with V30's), handful of pedals (Sparkle Drive, Carl Martin compressor, Ibanez WD7 wah)--this is my primary recording rig, and gets hauled out for big gigs
- RM100C combo (loaded with Deluxe, Plexi, and SL+ modules) with integrated quad of 6L6's/EL34's and G12T75's, Lexicon MPX-G2/R1 FX, Avatar 4x12 cab (loaded with V30's)--this is my rig for band practice
- RM20B combo (loaded with Top Boost module)--this is my "throw it in the trunk for last minute jam sessions" rig
What I like best about the Randall gear from a recording standpoint is how fat my guitar tracks sound these days... Typically I record 2 tracks for each take--one track is the 6L6 side of the RT2/50 through G12T75's mic'd with an e609 panned out to one side, then the second track is the EL34 side of the RT2/50 through V30's mic'd with an SM57 panned dead center. The variety of power tubes, speakers, and mics really fills the sound out nicely. Then I'll change modules and repeat the process with the 6L6/G12T75/e609 track panned to the other side. Thick & meaty!
One other trick I've learned... I've modded pretty much every module I own. The clean modules (Blackface, Deluxe, JTM, Top Boost, Clean) have been modded for more headroom, and the high-gain modules (Recto, Brown, SL+, Ultra, Ultra Lead, Modern) have been modded for tighter bass response. All of the mods consisted of changing either one resistor or capacitor, so they're extremely easy to do, and IMO, well worth the cost & effort.
If you want to check out some demos I've done with the MTS amps, here are a few tracks:
(I know the mixes aren't the greatest... I recorded these in my old studio and the mixing/mastering process was interrupted by the moving process. I only recently got my studio put back together in its new home but haven't yet had time to polish these tracks up.)
Well, that's about it... I just felt compelled to have a (positive) rant about my good experience with the Randall MTS gear to date.
Anybody else have experiences (good or bad) to share on the MTS gear?
--B
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