Help! Can't get a good sound with Music Man Majesty and Line 6 Firehawk

[Rob Venable]

If you are going through your Valvestate, the first thing to do is to make sure you are going through the FX return. This bypasses the the preamp completely. Second, when you are creating your own sound -- use either "preamp" versions of the amp or full models. Understand that the full model versions will have a modeled power amp section as well as a modeled preamp section. The HD models included in the Firehawk have preamp equivalents. Finally, turn off your cab simulators and mics -- this is probably where a majority of your issues are coming from. I wouldn't use a pre-made tone either from online or the presets from the unit, but rather create my own tones to use with your equipment.

Thanks Guitarshreda. I am going through the FX return. This is my first pedal so forgive my newbie questions...what's the difference between a "preamp version" and a "full model"? I created a couple of my own tones without an amp or cabinet and they sound a lot better but as soon as I add an amp, it sounds overly distorted...even when using headphones rather than going through the Valvestate.
I guess what everyone is saying is that I can add effects to my Valvestate but will not be able to copy the sound of a Mesa Boogie. As another user mentioned, it will only sound as good as the weakest link in the chain and that would be the Valvestate. One of the reasons I got the Firehawk was to try to duplicate the sound of John Petrucci without having t buy the JP2C.

 

[Magic Jason]

I run my AL through a Fractal AX8 and it sounds glorious. You could have all the sounds in the world with an AX8 and a majesty. Modellers are great nowadays.
Using JUST the firehawk is, to me, a better way to get closer to JP's sounds...

 

[Dead-Eye]

Let's start from the other direction: What is the reason you're using the Marshall? Just to have some sort of speaker when using the Line 6?

 

[Rob Venable]

Let's start from the other direction: What is the reason you're using the Marshall? Just to have some sort of speaker when using the Line 6?

Yes, I thought if I use the effects loop it would bypass the Marshall completely and I can use the Amp and cabinet that I want. The only way I can get a good sound is to remove the Amp and cabinet from my preset or custom tones and only use the effects with the Marshall. When I use an Amp in my tone it sounds overly distorted like it's going through my Firehawk and the Marshall.

 

[Guitarshreda]

Thanks Guitarshreda. I am going through the FX return. This is my first pedal so forgive my newbie questions...what's the difference between a "preamp version" and a "full model"? I created a couple of my own tones without an amp or cabinet and they sound a lot better but as soon as I add an amp, it sounds overly distorted...even when using headphones rather than going through the Valvestate.

You shouldn't be plugged into the Valvestate at all. Your signal should be Guitar --> Firehawk --> effects return. That completely bypasses the Marshall sound which becomes a glorified power amp. If you are trying to plug into the front end of the Marshall, that's wrong. There should be nothing going into the front end of the amp nor into the effects send.

To answer the question, the HD Preamp models do not include the coloring of the power section. This is for people who are running tube power amps. In your case, the preamp version might be something to try out.

Something simple might be -- turn down the gain.

 

[DrKev]

^^^
This.

PLug guitar into firehawk, use the preamp models of the Firehawk, plug into the effects return of the amp. What you've been doing before is mixing two different sets of pre amp and power amp sounds. You now know how that sounds!

 

[Rob Venable]

You shouldn't be plugged into the Valvestate at all. Your signal should be Guitar --> Firehawk --> effects return. That completely bypasses the Marshall sound which becomes a glorified power amp. If you are trying to plug into the front end of the Marshall, that's wrong. There should be nothing going into the front end of the amp nor into the effects send.

To answer the question, the HD Preamp models do not include the coloring of the power section. This is for people who are running tube power amps. In your case, the preamp version might be something to try out.

Something simple might be -- turn down the gain.

Well, that's much better. Although my effects return is on the front of my Valvestate. I plugged my guitar into the Firehawk and the Firehawk Out to the effects return on the front of the Valvestate and that seems to do the trick. I had a 4 cable system (according to the guy at the local guitar shop) going through the effects loop but it wasn't bypassing the Marshall. Now I can start playing with the amps and see if I can get the sounds I'm looking for.

Thanks to you and everyone who commented on this thread. I really wish I could just get a Mesa Boogie JP 2C but I gotta make due with what I got!

 

[Guitarshreda]

I had a 4 cable system (according to the guy at the local guitar shop) going through the effects loop but it wasn't bypassing the Marshall.

4CM is usually used for when you want to use the amp's preamp sounds and use the effects of the unit. However, using 4CM you just need to not include an FX block in your signal chain. That will bypass the amp's preamp. With that said, since you are looking to use the Firehawk for amp sounds, going direct into the FX return will be the simplest way.

Good luck!

 

[Eric O'Reilly]

I hate modeling, unless for headphone practice at night, i use my favorite guitars, Ax40d, peavey wolfgang usa, custom built high end all usa hand built 78 frankie, directly into my 5150 head a 212 cab with a short delay from my mxr carbon copy in the loop, perfection.