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Topic: Mesa Studio Pre Question |
Cody Russell
From:
Arkansas, now in Denver
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Posted 19 Mar 2008 12:49 pm |
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I recently bought a Mesa Studio Pre to go with my Steel King. I find that the mesa clips out my SK if it is turned up very loud. It's also when I give the volume pedal full volume. Maybe I'm using the volume pedal wrong. It sounds pretty good w/vp about 75%. Anyway, any mesa pre owners that have some advise on how they hook theirs up or settings they use would be helpful. There are several inputs and outputs on the unit and I get different sounds out of each. I'm not trying to get distortion, just more sustain out of my single notes. Thanks for the help. Cody
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carter pro, 66 twin revrerb, steel king, tut taylor dobro, gibson rb 250 |
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Michael T. Hermsmeyer
From:
Branson, Missouri, USA
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Posted 19 Mar 2008 1:05 pm
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Hi Cody,
How are you hooking up the Studio Pre to your Steel King? Does the SK have a "power amp in" or effects return? You might try hooking your SP straight into this jack.
I sold my SP a few years ago, so I am not familiar with the back of it anymore. Is there a "main out" and a "recording Out"? Use the main output to go to your SK's power amp or eff return in (or to a power amp and speaker) and use the recording output only for direct to a console, if you need to. I don't remember if the SP has a recording out like my Formula Pre.
I'll go to the sites and see if I can get see the jack layout. Mesa Boogie has PDF Manuals available for download on their site if you need one.
If you are plugging in your SP into the front main input of the SK, then you are adding at least two gain stages to your signal chain and most likely you will get distortion from overdriving the second preamp (SK) with the first (SP).
Also, are you using any effects in the signal chain? This could also add a gain stage depending on what you are using.
I'll check back with you.
God Bless,
Michael T.
_________________
Currently retired from performing music in Branson, MO
'73 EMMONS D10 FATBACK, '92 EMMONS D10 LASHLEY LEGRANDE, Bray Resonator Guitar,'95 DOBRO F60S, '85 Dobro 60DS, '95 MELOBAR CUSTOM, 1948 National Grand Console D-8, 1951 Supro Clipper S-6. EVANS, FENDER, PEAVEY,
and MESA BOOGIE Amps...
www.onemancountryshow.com
www.facebook.com/utilityman2000 |
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Cody Russell
From:
Arkansas, now in Denver
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Posted 19 Mar 2008 1:15 pm
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There is effects send and return on the back of the sk. I hadn't even thought of using that. The sp has a main and recording output. I haven't been a fan of the recording output side. Would running the sp through the effects loop be the way to go or just into the effects return. I'll try both. I live in a small apartment so I have to be aware of weather or not my neighbors are home to play with my electronics. Which doesn't leave much time after work. Thanks
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carter pro, 66 twin revrerb, steel king, tut taylor dobro, gibson rb 250 |
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Michael T. Hermsmeyer
From:
Branson, Missouri, USA
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Posted 19 Mar 2008 1:44 pm
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I just looked at the Fender and Mesa Sites.
The SK only has an effect return jack on the back.
The Mesa's recording outputs sound great direct to a console, but will be dark and muddy to your amp. Use the main outputs.
Here is info from the SP's manual from their site.
MAIN OUTPUTS: This pair of 1/4" jacks is intended primarily for connecting the Preamp to a
power amp. Its output level is determined by the OUTPUT LEVEL controls on the front panel. If
you are using some type of stereo effect in the Preamp’s Effects Loop, then the Main Outs function
as a stereo pair. If you’re not using a stereo effect, they function simply as two mono outs (in other
words, the content of Main Output A will be the same as the content of Main Output B). If you’re
operating the Preamp in mono and you are feeding into a mono or single power amp input you can
use either Output A or Output B - it makes no difference.
RECORDING OUTPUTS: This pair of outputs (also 1/4" jacks) has been specially EQ’d and
buffered to simulate the sound of a power amp loaded by speakers, for use in "direct inject" recording
situations when the Preamp is plugged directly into a mixing console. Like the Main Outs, the
Recording Outs function as either a stereo pair or as two mono outputs (depending on whether
you’ve got a "stereo-izing" device in the Effects Loop or not) at levels determined by the front panel
OUTPUT LEVEL controls.
USING THE PREAMP AS AN "EFFECT BOX": Another excellent use for the Recording Outputs is
for connecting the Preamp to the input of a normal guitar amplifier such as a Fender, Marshall, etc.
The Preamp then becomes a super "effect box", adding Tone, Gain, Footswitching, Distortion, EQ,
Reverb, and en Effects Loop to the normal capabilities of your amplifier! The Recording Outs can be
connected straight into the front panel input of the amp (there’s no need to attempt to bypass the
amp’s preamp section) and should not require any radical alteration of your normal amp settings.
Did you get all that???
As you can see, it states that you can go into the front of your amp, but what they are probably referring to as "effects" is overdrive and distortion, which is what you were getting. And my guess is that it was a rather harsh, brittle tone with a 15" JBL clone speaker. LOL.
When you connect your SP to the back of your SK, of course you will lose the use of the SK's preamp and reverb and possibly the XLR output. You should have a nice tone either way.
God Bless,
Michael T.
_________________
Currently retired from performing music in Branson, MO
'73 EMMONS D10 FATBACK, '92 EMMONS D10 LASHLEY LEGRANDE, Bray Resonator Guitar,'95 DOBRO F60S, '85 Dobro 60DS, '95 MELOBAR CUSTOM, 1948 National Grand Console D-8, 1951 Supro Clipper S-6. EVANS, FENDER, PEAVEY,
and MESA BOOGIE Amps...
www.onemancountryshow.com
www.facebook.com/utilityman2000 |
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Michael T. Hermsmeyer
From:
Branson, Missouri, USA
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Posted 19 Mar 2008 1:47 pm
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Sorry for the extra post,
What part of Arkansas are you from? Are you very close to Branson?
My wife needs a steel/guitar/banjo player for her Friday 2pm show. www.patsyinbranson.net.
God Bless,
Michael T.
_________________
Currently retired from performing music in Branson, MO
'73 EMMONS D10 FATBACK, '92 EMMONS D10 LASHLEY LEGRANDE, Bray Resonator Guitar,'95 DOBRO F60S, '85 Dobro 60DS, '95 MELOBAR CUSTOM, 1948 National Grand Console D-8, 1951 Supro Clipper S-6. EVANS, FENDER, PEAVEY,
and MESA BOOGIE Amps...
www.onemancountryshow.com
www.facebook.com/utilityman2000 |
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