VTypeV4

On 14/11/2021 at 14:50, Delberthot said:

They were D'addario Prosteels but I think that I had a new 130 B string that I used with a set of EPS165 - I tend to use the same guage of D'addarios

Good to know, they're perfect so when they're done, I'll stick another set on - I usually use Fender, Warwick or Elites..

So, I bit the bullet and WA's version of the famed SSL Bus compressor now sits proudly in my group compressor rack. I haven't had chance to get into it as I only put it in the rack yesterday but initial impressions are very good both in terms of sonic performance and build quality.

Looks like it might be put on recording duty tomorrow so will report back then. 😃

It's been a while since I bought a bass (probably 10 years give or take) so when this superb Yamaha came up within this lovely community, I decided something modern (allied to my Warwick and Jazz basses) would sit well. Arriving safely this morning, it turns out that it's well set up and sounds fantastic so I'm over the moon with it. Many thanks to @Delberthot

My 'new' Yamaha RBX765A has just arrived safe and sound.

The Yamaha was just as described (and exceeded my expectations) plus Derek was a pleasure to deal with - a straight, honest and genuine member of this lovely community. 😃

Series 6 models were introduced around 1988 / 89 and remained in production until the more advanced SM / SMX range replaced them somewhere around 1993. If you pop the top cover off, there's often a hand written sticker or QC label on or around the transformer. I found my SMX was built in July '98 this way - see the one of the pictures about half way down the first page.

The 200w output stage will have more than enough power to see you through most situations - especially if you use two cabs with it.

PM'd

Your TC M1 is still a great unit despite it's slightly vintage status - I own two and still use them regularly.. I've never struggled to get an appropriate and great sounding from the M1 but found they really shine with bigger 'soundscape' type reverbs. They're equally at home in both live and studio situations although it has been a while since I've used them live.

Staying with the TC theme, I also have a HOF 2 pedal that I use exclusively for 'shimmer' type reverbs.

I have several vintage Yamaha SPX 90 units too which are good for a certain sound as well as some slightly newer REV500s which are far more realistic and a very capable unit.

On the software front, I rather like the Valhalla plugin although the native D-Verb in Tools and Silver / Platinum Reverb in Logic have some pretty good starting points too. I've found the pre-sets need a bit of tweaking but they certainly are more than useable.

Regarding brass, you might find a degree of short delay (~170ms and low feedback) allied to your favourite reverb is a winner. Personally, I've found the delay can really help it 'pop' in a mix even if it sounds a bit off when in solo.. Most importantly, experiment and see where it takes you.

I still love my SWR Goliath Jr MK3s - they sound fantastic. I don't do enough gigs for the weight to be an issue plus they're still the lightest cabs I've owned anyways. 😀

As this thread approaches ten years old (mental, I know!), I thought I'd share the latest pictures from the move over to Sun St. The studio is almost complete and ready for action with the Mac, MOTU interfaces, the A&H ML5000 and GL3000 not to mention the big Yamaha DM2K..

I've still got the two 'dual Unity' 02Rs at home of which one is part of my home recording setup and the other on standby for external jobs - it recently did a recording job at a local theatre without fuss or fault. The third now lives at a local venue.. 

Yes and no, personally..

The Trace Elliot SMX rig uses the matching 2103H and 1153 (2x10 & 1x15) cabs - they all seem to play reasonably well together. The cabs are a bit dated but they're still up to the job although there's not that much 'identity' to them. My other rig is a V-Type head with two SWR Goliath Jr 3s and I have to say, the SWR cabs are alot more characterful and of a higher fidelity than the Trace cabs. The SMX head through the SWRs is a killer so a bit of mixing and matching is probably a good thing..

On 15/08/2021 at 07:30, simon88wilson said:

I played at Bloodstock yesterday with Black Atlas.  It was amazing. The sound quality on stage, the professionalism of the techs and the appreciation of the crowd was all excellent. We played well and I’ve never had such a buzz after playing. 
 

Such lovely words - I was FOH engineer for this stage over the last few days..

Good to see the brand continued and with a new product that is likely to be taken more seriously than the Elf. I expect Peavey have done a decent job of developing this new amp in terms of power, features and reliability - maybe it's the start of a range?

I know my SMX and V4 are relics of the past - irrespective of how good I think they still are! I do wonder whether they'll ever do a new 'Trace Elliot' with the old features or whether that's just nostalgia and wishful thinking on my part..?

Looks great! 😎

Excellent - enjoy! 😎

I did a review of my V4 a while back whilst also in possession of a friend's V6 also - you might find it useful.

27 minutes ago, lukewarm said:

 I have just joined and 80's band - so maybe I should "un EQ the 80's in" 😄

Brilliant - try it and see! It never did Mark King any harm.. 🤣

Thanks for the kind words and I'm glad you're still getting great service from the rig. I wouldn't worry about selling the 4x10 as that 400w power stage (as I'm sure you're already aware) is more than capable of driving pretty much anything.. I still need to try the SMX through my SWR boxes as they're fantastic with the V4..

Glad you enjoyed the review. 😎

17 hours ago, hemdee666 said:

Hi, just got a RAH400SMX wednesday. Hope I enjoy it as much as I enjoyed reading your article. Very well done sir. Grtz, Marc. 

Many thanks - I'm sure once you get into it, you'll love it.. 😎

Tl 02r synk 1.5 by VTypeV4, on Flickr

02R on recording duty for the next few weeks at the studio until the big move over to Sun Street in July.. 😎

The larger 2x15 isn't a bad box - mine is the late 70's / early-eighties and is a vented enclosure which I've fitted with JBL 140s. The tuning appears to be about 50hz and the larger box volume is about right for the JBL drivers.. I've never used the 4x12 but it really doesn't seem a well thought out design..

I love the head and have used it both live and for recording sessions. They're not massively loud and won't keep up in a loud band (unless you have crazy efficient speakers) but do have their own character and do the 'oldskool' thing very well indeed.

IMG_20210321_151035 by VTypeV4, on Flickr

So, two nights on the bounce and it seems that both the 02R and I are still capable of doing the job - lovely to see KB too. 😎

Kb 02r 521 by VTypeV4, on Flickr

1 hour ago, Stub Mandrel said:

I can say Trace Elliot kilos are heavier, though.

100%

Thanks for the reply..

I've got a couple of the Klark Teknik 1176 clones too which are excellent and I generally prefer them to my software (especially in 'all buttons' mode) although it's not a night and day difference . Sadly, I've never had a play with 'real' Urei one but if the WA comp is to the genuine article what my KTs are to the software, I'd be more than satisfied.

I'm very pleased with the VLA I currently have doing the job as it truly is a great compressor but I just wish it had a side chain - it's my only criticism of the unit. 

Has anyone used one of these yet?

I currently have an ART VLA Pro 2 doing my L/R compression and it's a great unit that sounds great with a lovely 'fat' character but intrigue is tempting me with one of those WA units.

My old mate Kirk Brandon doing an 'akoustik' show at The Rigger. I'm expecting it'll be a reasonably low key event but it'll be lovely to see some live stuff again. See if I can still mix!?

So this week will be the first time I'll be using an 02R live since August - it should be interesting! I've still used them in recording world so there's a fighting chance the live show will be ok but still, fingers crossed.. 😁

IMG_20210424_204329 by VTypeV4, on Flickr

IMG_20210206_201930 by VTypeV4, on Flickr

IMG_20210313_201004 by VTypeV4, on Flickr

And a cheeky snap of the DM as I've used that more than anything else in the last 6 months..

IMG_20210510_202610 by VTypeV4, on Flickr