Petrucci tone and low volume

[Hendog]

Is there an amp that can master the Petrucci tone at a lower volume???

Or is there a setup that I'm not thinking of as far as pedal/amp combo that can dial in this tone without a) setting up/breaking down 2 full stacks 2x per week and b) that will hit that "tone" at small late night jams without the volume?

 

[Hendog]

I didn't think so... LOL

 

[bkrumme]

Not likely to get those tones at low volume without a power attenuator.

Mesa Boogie Mark V combo comes to mind for getting those tones without having to move gear around...

 

[beej]

Three approaches for low volume playing:

- Power scaling / low wattage amps
- Attenuation (or attenuation/slaving through another amp)
- Modeling (Pod, AxeFX, modeling amp, amp sim on your computer, etc)

Pros and cons each way. I have a power scaled amp and a slaved amp, both sound great at a wide variety of volumes. I also have a few amp sims that are fun for late night recording through the computer, definitely not the same thing though.

If you already have an amp you love, an attenuator might be the way to go. But you've also got portability to consider.

 

[Hendog]

How about a Mesa Express 5:25. Affordable, high gain, low watt... But can that thing create those Mark IV lead sounds???

 

[balance]

A lot of tone comes from getting some air moving with the speakers and the speakers and cabinets react different to the load they are handling. Power attenuation always adds some compression IMO and doesn't quite give the same sound, but then again, the neighbors don't get upset either when you use an attenuator.

 

[YtseJam92]

Is there an amp that can master the Petrucci tone at a lower volume???

Or is there a setup that I'm not thinking of as far as pedal/amp combo that can dial in this tone without a) setting up/breaking down 2 full stacks 2x per week and b) that will hit that "tone" at small late night jams without the volume?

Yes. Get one of his rigs and turn it down instead of having the amp at 11.

 

[ScoobySteve]

Of course there are. I personally AM NOT a fan of modeling. Call me a traditionalist, but I say keep the equation as simple as possible.

My opinion is to get a lower wattage amp/head (depending on your current amp you may not need to) and run it through an quality isolation cabinet with some quality mics. Run it through a PA, bam, you're done.

The isolation cabinet was built for this very reason.

 

[roburado]

I think that the F-30 isn't bad in this case. I think it's got plenty of gain. Just crank that knob to around 7 or higher. Turn down the master to like 1, and I think you've got a pretty good little Petrucci practice tone. Granted, it's not going to thump you like a Mark V cranking a big 4 x 12, but it's not going to piss off the neighbors. It does represent a compromise, though--just like all of the other suggestions in this thread.

 

[matty]

The rumor is JP now has an Axe-Fx so it will be interesting to see how or if he uses it live. I can get great sounds out of mine at low volume.

matt

 

[fsmith]

Tech 21

Check out the Tech 21 character pedals. I have them and they are incredible little preamps that sound great on their own through my mixer and studio monitors.

Blonde - Fender cleans and very nice crunch, British - Marshall, Liverpool - Vox cleans through Brian May crunch, California - Mesa Boogie flavored.

There are a lot of YouTube videos on each but here is a real nice demo of the blonde. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6XK6khLaxM]YouTube - Tech 21 Blonde Demo[/ame]

You can either run them alone or with other pedals for chorus and delay etc...

I like to put them in front of my Line6 JM4 Looper disable the amp models and use the built in effects. Great tone at real bedroom levels.

fred

 

[acwild]

The rumor is JP now has an Axe-Fx so it will be interesting to see how or if he uses it live. I can get great sounds out of mine at low volume.

matt

I understand that he's using it for effects only though. The AxeFx is definitely capable of producing his tones at any volume though.

 

[JP7Nomad]

The AxeFX is the only way you can get the tones at low volumes. Coming from someone who is very into his music, and plays similarly styled music, it's just not going to happen unless it's the Axe FX. Mesa Boogies are LOUD. Even the express series, which I suggest you stay away from. They claim to be high gain amps, which I suppose they technically are, but won't get you anywhere John's tone.

Is there anything in particular you're looking at? Maybe someone here has a smiliar amp and can help out?

 

[Hendog]

The AxeFX is the only way you can get the tones at low volumes. Coming from someone who is very into his music, and plays similarly styled music, it's just not going to happen unless it's the Axe FX. Mesa Boogies are LOUD. Even the express series, which I suggest you stay away from. They claim to be high gain amps, which I suppose they technically are, but won't get you anywhere John's tone.

Is there anything in particular you're looking at? Maybe someone here has a smiliar amp and can help out?

Man, I'm all over the place. I am looking at anything from a V3 to a Budda 18. The probem is, I play everything from Margaritaville to Metal.

 

[bkrumme]

Man, I'm all over the place. I am looking at anything from a V3 to a Budda 18. The probem is, I play everything from Margaritaville to Metal.

That would be another good reason for the Axe-FX. It's versatile.

 

[Hendog]

That would be another good reason for the Axe-FX. It's versatile.

I'm not going to lie. I have no idea what that is...

 

[bkrumme]

I'm not going to lie. I have no idea what that is...

Check it out:

Products - Fractal Audio Systems / Atomic Amplifiers

 

[Hendog]

Check it out:

Products - Fractal Audio Systems / Atomic Amplifiers

So it's a modeling unit? Like a POD?

 

[bkrumme]

So it's a modeling unit? Like a POD?

Yes, but WAY better. It's way more powerful. Most modeling units use static algorithms for their amp models. The Axe-FX uses floating algorithms to achieve a more natural sound and to give a response which is much more like a tube amplifier.

With tube amps, you can "feel" the response of the tubes in your hands. Most modeling products can't achieve this same affect. The Axe-FX can...

I'm ditching my G-System/Bogner rig for one because they're THAT GOOD.

 

[ProtoChicken]

I'm ditching my G-System/Bogner rig for one because they're THAT GOOD.

I'm actually about to do the same thing. What are you looking at for a power amp? I've been told to go solid state by the guys who are using them, as tube power amps color the sound in a way you don't want when using amp modeling. Carvin and QSC seem to be the popular choices.