The Steel Guitar Forum

Hello there, Happy new year from Italy. I'm using Roland XL80 with my Williams E9. Is there anyone could share his XL80 setting experience to reach a good sound with Williams? thanks a lot. Daniele

Daniele, these are the settings I've been using most recently. I use the Black Face lead channel about 75% of the time. These settings are for a Carter with an Alumitone pickup. I had very good response from the audience on NYE this year. However, I am always either mic'd or DI'd with the amp facing me so I never really stand on it for volume. Your mileage may vary if your not playing through a PA.

I also use two FS-5L foot switches to toggle the lead and efx modes. I generally use these same tone settings when toggled back to the default JC-Clean channel.

-doug garrick

I set my tone controls on the amp using a technique specific to Roland amps here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4t9oC57osU

It's intended for six string but the principle applies to steel just as well. You just have to use different strings.

I end up usually at about the same settings as Doug.

Another tip. Set the looper and play about 30 sec. Then play that loop back as you walk around the room. Go back to the amp to adjust as needed then listen again.

Once you get a good baseline setting save it as a preset on your Solo channel.
You can adjust the tone controls on the Solo channel when you need to make small adjustments for a particular room. When you turn the amp off it keeps that baseline setting so you don't have to dial it in every time.

And yes foot switch highly recommended.

Thanks a lot Doug and Ollin for the feedback. I'll try your suggested settings.I'm looking for a clean tone with good strings separation sound. I think also to use a MIC in front the XL 80 speaker to enter in the PA instead of connecting them via cable. I hope the sound will be better.

Daniele, I play thru the Jc clean channel. Bass at 500 o'clock, mid at 900, treble at 1200, presence at 1200 slight reverb and slight delay. this is what I use for both guitars, MSA studio pro and Mullen pre rp

thank you Michael , I'll try also yr Jc clean set, let's see how it works on Williams PSG with alumitone PU. Bye

If I were to guess on how it sounds. I would say good. It might sound a little bright at first but let somebody listen in the back of the area your playing. I find these settings cut through and stands out.