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Genz Benz Shuttle vs ShuttleMax

xerogh

xerogh

Oct 11, 2002
71
14
Pennsylvania, USA
#1
Looking for a few opinions, here is my situaltion:

Home Studio only, recording Direct, most work will be done through headphones or at lower volumes. Would like lots of options with tone shaping for different styles.

There are some nice clearance sales going on with the old Shuttle's and ShuttleMax's so I want to jump on them, I'm noticing that the deals are better with the ShuttleMax series (I'm looking at a ShuttleMax 6), from a tone shaping standpoint the Max looks great and only a few bucks more than the standard Shuttle.

Here is where I am getting hung up... for the same price as the ShuttleMax 6 and can get a new standard Shuttle 6.2.

I guess what I need to know is given what I will be using this for is getting a ShuttleMax overkill and I'd better off getting into the newer series?

Either way I'll end up with something good!

THanks,
 
#3
Obligatory statement 101: Buy what suits your needs then your wallet.
If you are home studio use the extra compact nature of the STL-6.2 is not part of your criteria. The ability two choose between two preamps to recording does fit your criteria. The mids EQ options on the MAX are also something to consider, with the catch being that recording will be direct so will the DI be post EQ or will you do EQ that after tracking? If not then EQ is not as heavy of a contender. Third feature: 6.2 main change is the 3DPM (3 dimensional power management) which based on your described usage you will never engage if you are not playing the amp loud.
 
#4
Thanks for the input, good points on the Mid EQ options, that are something I mess with a lot. I would like to do the EQ on the head, more versatile and better sounding than the digital VST method. Sounds like the ShuttleMax would be the way to go here.

Is there a way to run and split signals with the ShuttleMax two preamps? There is only one Direct out from what I see. In some cases I'm recording two tracks simultaneously to beef up the tone, one Clean/Bass/Treble the other Dirty/Mid. I do this now with my current setup (GK RB700 - Direct clean no EQ to one track and an EQ'd signal through effects loop out to compressor, compressor out to second track). Just cannot get both sides to sound good that way.

Thanks!
 
#6
xerogh said:
Thanks for the input, good points on the Mid EQ options, that are something I mess with a lot. I would like to do the EQ on the head, more versatile and better sounding than the digital VST method. Sounds like the ShuttleMax would be the way to go here.

Is there a way to run and split signals with the ShuttleMax two preamps? There is only one Direct out from what I see. In some cases I'm recording two tracks simultaneously to beef up the tone, one Clean/Bass/Treble the other Dirty/Mid. I do this now with my current setup (GK RB700 - Direct clean no EQ to one track and an EQ'd signal through effects loop out to compressor, compressor out to second track). Just cannot get both sides to sound good that way.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

No, both preamps share the same signal path, and the paths are internally selected based on the positions of the channel and mic switches.

What you can do, is use the onboard DI in the post position to get the influence of the amp's eq and tone shaping and overdrive and use the tuner out to drive a pre-eq DI, or loop the bass through a quality active DI for your pre signal.
 
#7
On the Max, can't you run each preamp out separately to a DI/mixer/pre and record two simultaneous tracks with different voicings? I think that would be a wicked cool feature come mixing time. You could have a harmonically rich tube tone to blend with a wide clean tone, or just choose whichever one sounds good in the mix.

I used an Avalon U5 for years, but after getting my GB heads, I let that go and just use the DI out or preamp direct out. I think a REDDI would be nice too, but having flexibility is definitely nice when you only have 1 piece of gear to track with.
 
#8
Agedhorse/kai ski, Thanks for the details. Blending the Tube/FET on one channel is still great, less tweaking in the DAW. I could try is a Lehle P-Split or something like that too. So I guess the Shuttle Max is the way to go... in the time I've started this thread I see good prices on the Shuttle Max 12 too, might be more power than I need, but maybe I'll get back to gigging at some point... headroom is important!

Bill.
 
#9
Potential snag in the Gen Benz upgrade, I was able to tryout a Shuttle 6 at home and it sounded very good, recorded a few tracks with different basses and was very impressed. Knowing that the Shuttle Max would take it a level higher made me want it even more. But... the fan... it drove me nuts in my studio. I totally understand why it is a constant on and it's operating ok, not a broke noise, just a constant noise that I wasn't liking too much. If I were gigging or playing in band rehearsals it wouldn't be an issue, but in a quite room it's annoying.

Even if the Shuttle Max puts out 1/2 as much fan noise it will be too much.

Still considering it though.

Bill.
 
#10
xerogh said:
Potential snag in the Gen Benz upgrade, I was able to tryout a Shuttle 6 at home and it sounded very good, recorded a few tracks with different basses and was very impressed. Knowing that the Shuttle Max would take it a level higher made me want it even more. But... the fan... it drove me nuts in my studio . . .
Click to expand...
In case it helps, the all-solid-state Shuttle 3.0 does not have a fan. I've used it for years for daily practice and it is never turned off, as there is no worry about tube lifespan.
 
#11
As much as I love my GB amps, and believe their DIs are superb, if fan noise is a problem for your situation, then I can HIGHLY recommend the REDDI for recording. It is absolutely amazing sounding for that, for live performance - both in IEM, stage monitors and FOH - and also direct into studio monitors. Depending on your volume requirements, it just might be enough to run your bass through the REDDI and into your powered monitors for tracking and songwriting. This may not be a usable solution for you, but the REDDI is a absolutely superb bass DI.

FYI... the fan on my Shuttle Max 9.2 was very quiet. The fan on the Streamliner 600 and 900 is very quiet as well, and they also happen to sound particularly wonderful via their DI post-EQ.
 
#12
HugoM said:
In case it helps, the all-solid-state Shuttle 3.0 does not have a fan. I've used it for years for daily practice and it is never turned off, as there is no worry about tube lifespan.
Click to expand...

The 3.0 is my only amp. I have gigged it and pushed it and never had an issue.
 
#13
OK, I've put the GBE750 into the mix as well, not concerned about weight compared to the Shuttle Max, just want to make sure it's quite. I think the variable speed fan in the GBE750 will take care of my concern. I have no way of comparing them so it will need to be a blind purchase, I put an email out to Genz Benz to see what they think.
 
#14
Hi Guys, old thread but I believe this is the best place for my question, I'm trying to decide on a used Shuttlemax 12.0, shuttlemax 9.2, STM 900 or shuttle 9.2. How much of an impact do the adjustable global signal shape controls have over the signal button shape controls? How "usable" would you say the single button mid scoop and low/high boosts are for most applications. Couldn't find this specific topic discussed in previous threads.
 
#15
The ShuttleMax 9.2 is probably anybody's best bet for pure power, versatility, and tone shaping. The mid scoop button isn't super aggressive. It's just right, IMO. After all, scoop the mids too much and you'll get buried in the mix.
The highs boost is again a very mild switch. It doesn't get hissy or harsh.
Both controls are very useful.
I have a Shuttle 9.2 (non-max).
 
#16
BBEgo said:
The ShuttleMax 9.2 is probably anybody's best bet for pure power, versatility, and tone shaping. The mid scoop button isn't super aggressive. It's just right, IMO. After all, scoop the mids too much and you'll get buried in the mix.
The highs boost is again a very mild switch. It doesn't get hissy or harsh.
Both controls are very useful.
I have a Shuttle 9.2 (non-max).
Click to expand...
 
#17
Thanks for the reply, I'm also looking at the 9.2 shuttle. My worry is the single button signal shape would be too drastic. I really like the idea of scooping the mids via footswitch, just not too drastically for the reasons you stated above. I'm not the most savy with EQ but scooping/bumping mids is something I like to do depending on how I sit in the mix and what tone I'm going for from song to song. It's one of the many reasons I'm looking to convert from GK to GB.
 
#18
If size is not a concern, I would definitely opt for a Max- astounding versatility provided by blendable preamps and powerful
Eq. The adjustable presets on the max are more usable than the fixed ones on the 9.2 . I have had both and kept the 9.2 due to it's size and the fact that I do not use the presets.
 
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