need opinions on a good studio amp for hardcore metal
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Posted on Nov 29, 2007 05:41 am
Dematrix
http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member Since: Nov 27, 2007
Am in the market for a new amp for recording heavy stuff. I currently have a Peavy Studiopro transtube series.
Its not too bad an amp but no where near good enough for what i need. dont really think its cut out for the heavy stuff, at least not quality.
Just wonderin if anyone has suggestions on an upgrade? dont wanna go too loud, my current amp is a 60watter and is ample volume wise, just looking for quality, maybe around the 1200-1500 dollar mark, maybe more if i really found something xtra worth it.
Heads and quads i know about, but the smaller ones havent had much too do with.
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pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Nov 29, 2007 05:53 am A buddy of mine had a DSL50 head, with a homemade 2x12. Man, it sounded great for heavy stuff. Throw the mid shift, and the deep, and it was perfect.
There's the TSL212, of which Coco (on here) has one, and loves. I don't think he's too much into the heavy, but I'd start by looking at one of those, if I could.
You can probably drop two tubes on those, to get to 50 watts, which will drop volume a little bit (not much). Look into it first, as you probably would need to change a few other things.
Then there's the Mesa Boogie. I haven't played with those yet. But a lot of people do.
Also, you may want to look into modeling, if you're going to be recording it. Recording a 100 or 50 or even 15 watt amp is hard to do. They're very loud. Modeling has come a long way.
Nov 29, 2007 06:25 am I couple heavy playin buddies of mine swear by the 5150...
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Nov 29, 2007 06:38 am can you get 5150s in a smaller combo amp or only the head?
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Nov 29, 2007 11:41 am Yeah the 5150 and 5150 II (now renamed the 6505 and 6505+) are great hi-gain amps. Same for the Mesa Boogie Single/Double/Triple Rectifier amps.
But they're EXTREMELY loud when cranked because almost all of those heads are 100 tube watts of power. And you have to crank them to get them to sound their best (just like any tube amp). I'd advise factoring in the cost of a power attenuator with your purchase.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Nov 29, 2007 11:51 am I find the smaller Crate practice amps have a fantastic metal tone. I have one with a 1x12 Celestion and that thing has been a champ for 15+ years now.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Nov 29, 2007 05:45 pm i know about the mesa, didnt know they make em in smaller amps though, just so used to looking at heads and boxes only didnt notice the smaller stuff.
But yeah i know what ya sayin, may be a bit loudish, im only cranking my 60 watter on 5 pushing six and it seems to be loud enough.
problem is though you can hear like speaker kinda noise, like it just isnt tough enough to handle it, especially when you tight mute you get this rustling noise, its not huge but the response isnt there.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Nov 29, 2007 05:51 pm Can you explain what a power attenuator is for me? widdle bit green i am.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Nov 29, 2007 07:22 pm If your talking heavy like James Root type heavy then look into Bogner. www.bogneramplification.com/
I've played through a few of his amps and they are killer for heavy tone. He makes mid stage amps as well that aren't nearly as heavy, but can still grind with the best of them.
Nov 29, 2007 07:39 pm MESA BOOGIE = \m/
Nov 29, 2007 08:22 pm I play in a hardcore band, and I just went through the process of borrowing and trying out tons of amps in preparation for recording, and after trying out a Peavey 6505 and a Mesa Double Rectifier, I ended up going for an Orange Rockerverb 50. I know it sounds weird, but those things have both the low and high end sounds you need for hardcore. Anything clean sounds amazing, and the overdrive is really, really powerful and deep. The reverb is nice too. Alot of guys I know in the Toronto hardcore scene swear by Peavey, but just as many'll swear by Orange.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Nov 29, 2007 09:19 pm Dude, ya I completely forgot about Orange.
I used one in the 70's and loved it. Its sound was way ahead of its time back then. I wish I still had it no. but you are dead on. It can go from a sweet clean tone to a killer grind easily. And probably can be had a bit cheaper then say the Bogner or a Mesa. Although the prices on some of the Mesa stuff has come down as of late around here.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Nov 30, 2007 06:26 am Cool man, will be sure to try one out tomorrow(orange) i know one of the dudes from slipknot is using one now and have heard of them.
I checked out the 6505 on line, pretty expensive new here. they want $2500.
Whats an orange combo worth? 50watter.
Nov 30, 2007 07:32 am To follow up on what CptTripps said, I agree with him as well, I have always actually liked Crate's onboard dirt...their small amps and big ol' double stacks.
Obviously, at the end of the day it's all about personal preference, but those Crate's have a great grit in my opinion...
...and yeah, Orange was a good call too.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Nov 30, 2007 09:01 am I always associate Orange with lower gain sounds, like crunchy blues. I think you'd have to put a pedal in front of them to drive them hard enough to get modern high-gain sounds out of them. Great amps though, I'd buy one in a heartbeat.
Oh and a power attenuator is a device that goes between your amp's speaker output and your cabinet or speakers. They allow you to turn your amp's master volume all the way up in order to really push your power tubes into breaking up. Then it lets you attenuate the final signal before it gets to your speakers, letting you get cranked tube amp tone at any volume by dissipating the extra load as heat. But be realistic with your expectations, any attenuator affects your tone. The higher the level of attenuation, the less natural your amp sounds. But when it comes to knocking off 8 or 12 dB from your sound, it can really make the difference between your neighbors calling the cops or not.
I highly recommend the THD hotplate over all the others just because they're widely regarded as the best-sounding of the lot (I researched it a TON before I bought mine, and I love it to death for my 80-watt tube combo). I just like THD as a company anyways.
The Weber Mass also gets lots of good press as a cheaper alternative. The Marshall Power Brake gets pretty poor marks for tone but is still a popular choice.
Nov 30, 2007 09:04 am Tom Schultz had a thing called "Power Soak" back in the day that I used and it worked well, I could get the tubes red hot and super dirty and not piss my parents off...
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Nov 30, 2007 12:49 pm Dang, where did you look that a 6505 was $2500? ZZSounds has a 2x12 combo for $1200, and the half stack is $1800:
www.zzounds.com/item--PEV6505
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Nov 30, 2007 12:59 pm Red hot and super dirty. I like the sound of her... I mean that DB.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Nov 30, 2007 05:44 pm I guess I have to agree on the Crate thing as well. I had a band in here several years ago that had two guitar players and both played through those big Crate 100 watt heads. They were also the lowest tuned band I have heard in awhile. And it was major crunch full on. And it didn't take window shattering volume to get that kind of crunch either.
And you probably don't even want to look at Bogner if $2500 is high. Orange amps are not cheap either. Both the Bogner and Orange are considered Boutique amps and are all hand built and point to point wired.
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Nov 30, 2007 06:32 pm I'm with WYD... Mesa Boogie is about as 'metal' as it gets . Everytime I hear one all 'up close' it puts me in a good mood . = p
If you have the budget for a MB, and play metal, then this is a very easily answered question . Although, I can't imagine which model would be best for your specific needs . I know they offer at least one amp with the ability to 'step-up/down' the wattage . They have some nice recording DIs as well .
Mesa Boogie . 'Ees like... mother .
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Dec 01, 2007 11:04 pm when i say $2500 for the 6505 thats for me being in Australia. pretty pricy eh?
Still, thanks guys for all the suggestions and will be sure to try em all real soon. at the end of the day you get what you for and if i have to falk out a bit then so be it. you only live once right? If you not gonna do your best why even do it?
Kaos62Kaos is only a form of insanityMember
Since: Feb 03, 2005
Dec 02, 2007 10:59 am no offence to all mesa users but i find that the sound is crap (personal opinion and i am sure there are good users out ther who find good tone)!! you would be better off buying a peavy (although i'm not a fan of their specific metal amps) however playing around with a good tube amp ( Orange, peavy classic, fender or marshall) you will get a good metal tone and have the ability to change style if you need to. Also the guitar and effects pedals will influence the sound.
