Mesa M9 mega thread

andrew · #1 05-14-2010, 01:44 PM

I know there's a very large three part Mesa M6 mega thread that is peppered with M9 info, but I think this is a very cool amp that seems to be pretty popular, so I'd like one place we can gather all the info on this amp together. I think it deserves it's own thread.

-What cabs do you use your M9 Carbine with?

-What are your favorite setting?

-Anything you wish was different about the amp?

-How does it perform live for you? Recorded?

Let's show the M9 some love!

lomo · #2 05-14-2010, 02:52 PM

I play mine through an LDS 15/6. It's all I need to gig with. I like to describe playing through an M9 as being like having one's own private dragon

.

**Chef** · #3 05-14-2010, 03:52 PM

I'm in!
I run voice 2 most often, as I do on the M6.

I really got the M9 so I could more specifically trim/tighten the low end sometimes.
The M3/6/9 have Big Booty!

So, when needed, I trim some with 50/80 via the graphic, and then add a little 120 back.

I most typically use an Epi UL410, but I have other stuff I use intermittently.

I've never needed all the headroom of the M6, and I don't need a compressor, so, this M9 purchase really was just for the GEQ.

Morning Beer · #4 05-15-2010, 09:31 AM

I run mine with a ph412. I usually run mine with the switch at the first mid bump, Bass pulled for deep at 1 o'clock, mids at 1 o'clock, treble at 11 o'clock. As far as the EQ I have alot of the lows and low mids bumped up and I cut alot of highs for a dub-by reggae vibe. I almost always use a lefty MM SR5.

Done tons of live stuff always sounded really good, for some reason I like to play with the gain lower then I used on other amps and boost up the volume. Never recorded yet with it but i'm a little nervous about it because it does seem to be a little noisier then most amps I've owned.

Only things I would change is make the the compressor foot switchable, and let the voice settings be foot switchable also. All in all this head is as close to perfect as I've come into contact with.

Neil · #5 05-16-2010, 05:59 PM

I LOVE my M9. It is so damn loud and has head room for days.
It's quick, punchy and articulate. I haven't even begun to experiment with the graphic EQ or the compressor yet. The amp is just a monster.
It actually sounds quite a bit bigger, phatter and punchier than the M6 IMHO.

I typically play my M9 through 1 Berg HS410 cab and it kills. But with 2 HS410 cabs it is just friggin ridiculous! Sort of like a freight train coming down the tracks. I wish I had bigger venue gigs to use both cabs.

**Chef** · #6 05-16-2010, 06:04 PM

Dude, that's seriously slammin'!
I had two Epi UL410's...I sold one, 'cause two was just waaaay too much for anything I'm doing anymore. The pair of them was devastating, and I imagine the two HS's are equally so!

I've been messing with "Voice 2 versus Voice 3+Graphic eq seasoned like Voice 2"
I think I like the GEQ...

The compressor seems fairly sensitive, I have to set it very low or it's lighting up all the time.

Ebelow · #7 05-17-2010, 12:04 AM

Hi fellas,
I love my my M9 too!

I just had a gig with it and pulled up with my PH 2x10 and 4x10, the tone was right there.
Preamp volume 11, bass, mid, high about 1 o'clock, no EQ, voice 2, comp about 10/10 o'clock, Master about 11,
no fx in the chain at all, like I use to have at least a driver.
My bass is a MM StinRay5 HH,
with one of my band, is an 80-90's rock/heavy metal cover band. This thing is looouuud!
Not recorded yet.

lomo · #8 05-17-2010, 05:51 AM

Anyone using a pedal in front of the M9 for fur? If soi, what pedakl and how do you set your head to preserve low end?

LeonD · #9 05-17-2010, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

The compressor seems fairly sensitive, I have to set it very low or it's lighting up all the time.

I found the compressor worked VERY differently depending on how the gain was set.

**Chef** · #10 05-17-2010, 08:14 AM

so
"back off the input gain a little?"

LeonD · #11 05-17-2010, 08:28 AM

Exactly.

I found I could never get the comp in the "sweet spot" no matter what I did with the volume on my bass.

Usually I just put the gain is one spot and leave it there. For some reason, I started moving the gain around and found the comp acted very different depending on where it (the gain) was set. I started playing around with it and the lightbulb went off. :-)

**Chef** · #12 05-17-2010, 08:37 AM

where do you have it set for best results?

i prefer it around noon-one oclock

LeonD · #13 05-17-2010, 09:07 AM

I like to use the comp mostly as a limiter. I'd set the ratio around 3:00 and the threshold between 8:00 and 9:00. Because I don't push the gain to breakup, I'd set it so the comp acts correctly. Usually between 12:00 and 2:00. Then I'd set the master for my overall sound level.

**Chef** · #14 05-17-2010, 09:10 AM

that sounds about like how i'd like that...so,
i'll check it out, thx!

LeonD · #15 05-17-2010, 09:14 AM

My pleasure. Let me know how it works out.

**Chef** · #16 05-17-2010, 09:16 AM

can do; i'll mess with it some at tuesdays job.
comp off/on...that's footswitchable, right?

LeonD · #17 05-17-2010, 09:20 AM

Not footswitchable on the M9 :-(

Just mute and EQ.

Though if you're using the compressor mostly towards the limiter end of the compressor spectrum, it should be fairly transparent till you're near the threshold.

**Horny Toad** · #18 05-17-2010, 09:24 AM

I run my M9 through two PowerHouse 1x15's. Gain at noon, maybe a touch higher. Voice control on 4. I rarely use the graphic EQ. Tonal bliss.

**Chef** · #19 05-17-2010, 09:27 AM

that's what i'd want....a very transparent and subtle limit of the biggest dynamic spikes,,,,

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeonD

Not footswitchable on the M9 :-(

Just mute and EQ.

Though if you're using the compressor mostly towards the limiter end of the compressor spectrum, it should be fairly transparent till you're near the threshold.

**Chef** · #20 05-17-2010, 09:27 AM

toad; i bet the ph115's are a great match!