VTypeV4

I'm trying to get nearly everything in place gear wise before sorting property as so many places come and go. I've got some pennies saved too so I'm trying avoid any loans or finance deals so put simply if it doesn't work and I don't get enough work, I can close the door, sell some gear and go back to live. It's still all a bit scary though! There is also saturation locally so I'm looking to set it up just a bit out of the area particularly as one of the best (probably [i]the [/i]best) is literally just around the corner from The Rigger. They have Neve, SSL plus all the usual 1176, Pultec, Distressors, API 500, Manley etc and I can't get near that for a new venture.. I think the charm and visual impact of a large analogue console will make a good impression and being one of the finest consoles built by A&H with flexible routing, comprehensive EQ etc plus being a 48 frame, I could use one side in and the other out. I haven't mixed a recording on an analogue console since I was 16 - that was an A&H too, a GS3V so I'm quite excited at the prospect. There's a recording I did for my band that we never finished so I'm gonna get some looms this week and do a mix on the ML although I'll have to largely use software compression / gating and FX. I looked at the GS3000 you metioned, they look great and seeem to have a good reputation but aren't often up for sale - I assume those that have them like them! The newer GSR24(M) looks to be a comprehensive update of the old 3000 but at £5000, they're a bit outside my budget. And no, I'm bottling it and sticking with a computer for recording as I know next to nothing about tape machines plus their initial and maintenance costs are somewhat prohibitive. I love the idea but thats a bit further down the road. Onwards and uupwards!

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1485039266' post='3220719'] I actually had better results going through the DI on my Markbass 121P into my interface (Focusrite Forte) than plugging direct into the Forte. I got a much cleaner, better balanced sound. You can always use an amp/cab emulator (Amplitube, Guitar Rig etc.) to get something like the cab sound if you wanted. [/quote] I wasn't going to chime in on that front but since it's been mentioned, I agree.. I use the DI on the V4 for probably 75% of the recordings I do and it works great. Using the compressor a bit harder than I do live yeilds the best results for me. The amp (unlike its older and larger siblings) has a built in dummy load so can be operated without a speaker although it's a heavy DI box!

It's been a while since I posted here so I thought I'd do a catch up.. [url="http://s778.photobucket.com/user/VTypeV4/media/DSC_0266_zpspqpgryjk.jpg.html"][/url] This was another Unity card I purchased from eBay for installation in the 'analogue card' 02R however it didn't work and caused the console to crash everytime I fired it up. I tried it in one at work too but it was exactly the same so I've returned it and pending the outcome which will hopefully be a refund in full. Grr I have also removed the analog cards and replaced them with two ADAT and an AES card so it's closer to the spec to the pair at work. [url="http://s778.photobucket.com/user/VTypeV4/media/DSC_0265_zpsgtfbqjak.jpg.html"][/url] I've swapped soundcrads at work too - there's now a firewire 828 MK3 in place of the 828x which may seem a reverse step but it works in exactly the same way giving me the same I/O and freeing the Thunderbolt / USB equipped one for mobile and more modern computers.. I have also purchased a REV500 Effects unit (not pictured) as I fancied one for a while. It has not disappointed offering some absolutley luscious and truly believable reverbs. It worked lovely for live but I did a mix for a band recently and it made the sound truly epic. It's a slightly different flavour than the TC ones and different again from the SPX units in the 02Rs but it's a great unit - it's a keeper.. [url="http://s778.photobucket.com/user/VTypeV4/media/IMG-20170119-WA0002_zpsc3b8lm2l.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s778.photobucket.com/user/VTypeV4/media/DSC_0278_zps2wimcotz.jpg.html"][/url] As part of my on-going studio project, I have a plan that will have an 'A' Studio for which I can charge a premium and a second 'B' option for the slightly more budget concious players. The 'A' studio will have this lovely 48 frame Allen & Heath ML5000 and racks of analog gear. It has been purchased from a pro hire company near Manchester who specialise in theatre and musicals. They have replaced it with a Digico SD8 and accompanying rack. The 'B' Studio will likely be run with the 02Rs - what else! [url="http://s778.photobucket.com/user/VTypeV4/media/DSC_0280_zpse0wqajrq.jpg.html"][/url] And lastly this may look familiar but it's not the same one at the start of the thread as that now lives with my apprentice. This example was again purchased from ebay with a boot fault on the cheap. These have a little fault that is common but it's an easy fix so, taking a risk, I've pulled it apart and as you can see in the pic, it once again lives. After a very breif stay with me here, I'll sell it on to help pay for the ML..

I hope they can make it work this time around - not sure about the above offerings! It'll take a very good amplifier to beat the old 400SMX as I believe that was the peak of the 'normal' graphic ranges - it was certainly the best one I had with the exception of the valve powered offerings. I bet a VA400 is killer though! I wish them the best of luck and as suggested, a lightweight SMX style amp would apeal to many players. I guess we'll see..

I've done a few (and only a few) drivers (mainly in the PA world) although nearly all have failed thermally - worst case was a succession of 3 Eminence Omega Pro 18s in some folded horns ten years ago - they still looked great but were dead with a black coil on post-mortem.. The other pair of horns still have their original JBLs working in good order.. The only driver I've mechanically broken was a Celestion BG12-100S in a Trace 712 about 15 years ago. It flapped to the point where if I'd have sellotaped a sheet of A4 to the coil the sound would have been cleaner. Not sure if it was a manufacturing fault or it was simply under specified (both I suspect) but Trace changed it under warranty for a Q2025 or it might have been a K12T - can't remember but never had any trouble after that.. As an in-house engineer, I see many an abused bass rig with the driver(s) crying out for a rest!

Nice one, fella!

Hope they sort it for you quickly..

They're usually in a PDF format so it should open in your browser or in Acrobat reader? As suggested previously, the balance knob sort of tilts the character of your sound between neutral (irrespective of EQ / pre-shape settings) at the 12 o'clock position and a brighter thinner sound as it's turned clockwise or conversely, a fatter darker sound if it's turned anti-clockwise.. Personally I found leaving it centered and using the graphic to sculpt the sound worked best. Watch the 50Hz slider as it can add lots of sub into your sound which can really muddy things up if boosted too much - personally I always cut it by between -3 and -6dB depending on the gig with my old 300SM, 715 or Twin-Valve combo. If you need warmth add it at 100Hz and your speakers will love you for it.. The bikes are kind of current - I need to update it a little.. The '87 FJ is part way through a restoration and some mods although I've not done much on it for a while. The '92 FJ is sadly history as I got knocked off it last May which killed it at 99 thousand miles. I've since replaced it with a low mileage '89 FJ which is superb despite it's vintage years. I like FJs just in case you'd not noticed! My '80 CX is current and running well althhough it's currently on SORN whilst the roads are covered in salt. I love my '89 NC30 as it's a head banger - a tiny terror thats more than capable of upsetting much more powerful and newer bikes. In Germany last year at the Nurbugring it lived with a two R1s, a Street Triple R and a Zed Thou.. And lastly the Kawasaki - that now lives three doors up the road with my next door but one neighbour who plans to restore it with his brother in law. Have a look on the 'Who rides motorbikes' thread in off topic and you'll find some pix of all of them..

You'll not find a specific manual for a 150SM although a quick google search for the SM series should see you find it rather quickly. Trace used the SM pre-amp on the smaller BLX range right through to the giant AH1200SM so they didn't do a manual for each just one for the entire 7-band range..

As long as it doesn't have a valve power stage, you'll be fine so things like Ashdown ABMs, SWRs, EBS etc plus any modern class D range will be safe.. On the other hand, if it's something like an SVT CL then you'll need a speaker or a dummy load as you'll hurt the valves and / or output transformer without..

[quote name='andytoad' timestamp='1482787061' post='3202768'] Does this mean I can 'plug and play' new valves in my hexa? Oddly, the previous owner removed two of the valves as it was too loud for him. I have them, but didn't want to put them back in unless it was modded in some way. [/quote] I think Quattra / Hexa models did have an adjustable bias but they're best setup on a scope for best performance if you're changing all the valves. If you're just putting back in what should be there - ie going back to six tubes, then unless the amp has been modded for four, you should be fine. It's the old trick from years ago to make the amp distort at a lower volume typically used on Marshall and Fender amps that used four output tubes - pull two out and makes half the power - but does create an impedance mis-match at the output transformer unless you use the 'wrong' taps ie 8 ohm load / 16 ohm tap (or the other way round, I can't remember). It's less than ideal on the Trace as it's not a half / double match due to it having six valves so it's a 3rd / two-thirds mismatch. I expect your amp will sound sweeter back on all six as it's what it's output transformer was designed to operate with. It'll probably play louder and cleaner too..

Never tried '88s in my T/V but you shouldn't have issue as the type differences between those and 6550 aren't that distinct these days. I run EHX KT88s in the V4 currently but I've had all sorts in there - my second favourites were a quad of the re-issue Tung Sol 6550s.. If you do, it might be worth having the bias checked although if memory serves, these are fixed (like an old boogie or Hiwatt) bias anyways. Mine had never been modded and ran happily with the PM branded 6550s..

[quote name='DBerriff' timestamp='1482396269' post='3200115'] In my experience the GB DI is as good as anything and has all the switchable options needed for different mixer/PA setups. [/quote] Agreed..

Post some pictures when it arrives..

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1482336622' post='3199699'] And the pa elves will almost certainly provide the cable. [i][b]They love bass amps they can di[/b][/i] [/quote] Indeed we do although some are certainly better than others and some I simply don't bother and use a box..

All good man!

I always wanted a V6 or V8 but when that V4 came up as NOS in box.. The rest is history!

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/264557-trace-elliot-twin-valve-combo/page__p__2805840__hl__trace%20elliot%20twin%20valve__fromsearch__1#entry2805840 You might this of use, I wrote it a while back but I think it's a fair and balanced view. For what it's worth, I'd have another.

I had the 15" combo version - it was truly awesome albeit somewhat arkward to move.. I only sold it as I managed to get my Trace V4 back but if that hadn't have happened then I'd still have it. Don't be put off by the ~100w rating as I'm sure through those 2x10s you'll blow the windows out! Mine could find the limits of it's internal speaker although it was way too loud in any normal situation by then.. Probably the second best Trace I've owned - and I've owned lot's of 'em! - only trumped by my V4

[quote name='GarethFlatlands' timestamp='1481661722' post='3194165'] The guy unloading the 550x is also selling a [b]Goliath Jr 2*10. Any opinions on them?[/b] [/quote] I have a pair of Goliath Jr III cabs.. Probably the best cabs I've ever owned although O/E drivers are trcky to come by..

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1481543517' post='3193042'] I don't know what it's like on Windows (or the current version on the Mac TBH) but MotU always used to have their own way of doing things especially with the interface which means that there was a lot of extra code in their applications to do stuff that the OS should have been handling. This re-inventing of the wheel doesn't always make for the most stable or intuitive of systems. As an alternative to PT on Windows I would have suggested Nuendo, but it seems to have been repositioned as an audio post-production system for video, so it might not be suitable anymore. [i][b]On the other hand the sooner you find an alternative for PT the better. Avid seem to be in the process of a company melt-down which could have dire consequences for their end-users (and that's before we deal with all the iLok fiascos!)[/b][/i] [/quote] Good to know..

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1481377455' post='3191852'] why don't they put a HPF as standard on bass amps? [/quote] I've always wondered this too..

Thanks for the thoughts, chaps.. I need a bit of a tidy up at work this week plus a few other odds and sods so I might download DP and try it.. It might not be this week but I will try it and report back when I do.

I'm just wondering if there's anything it does better than PT or Cubase? I appreciate 'better' is very subjective and mileages may vary.. And yes I'm mostly using PT on a Windows 7 computer which, as good as it is as a virtual tape machine and sequencer, I find the creative process a little uninspiring. Maybe that's what I'm looking for...? Just seen they do a 30 day free trial of DP9.. I've used my 828x as part of a mates Mac system using Logic X via Thunderbolt as well as my own and it too has been rock solid. I've been very impressed with the hardware, it syncs with the computer and the 02Rs without any upset hence me buying second 828MK3..

Just the above really.. I've recently picked up an 828MK3 second hand and I'm considering making a more compact 'mobile version' if you will - of my existing setup which has an 828x at it's heart. I'm considering using DP9 as an alternative to the tried and tested as surely they'll work in perfect harmony both coming from the same company? Pro tools works just fine and I also have two ancient versions of Cu-Base for home recording and I have no issue with any of them, I was just wondering if DP9 might be better? I'll be using it for live multi-tracking at gigs as well as the more traditional layer-by-layer process and probably creatively for my own group using the midi sequencing and soft synth parts of the software also..