Genzler Amplification Club

[Double Agent]

We've talked a lot about the contour curves and the EQ here, but we've not really touched on subtractive EQing.

I was practicing last night with my MG800 and headphones, and I was using my Pawn Shop Mustang bass. The humbucker has a funky midrange and with most amps/cabs that add bass and low mids, it's not noticeable. But with the MG800's clarity, the funky mids on the pickups really jump out. So I did a bit of subtractive EQing - dialed in the odd frequency and pulled down the mids - and it cleaned it right up. After that, I got thinking and turned down the bass a bit and I got this really cool, gnarly tone from the Mustang. I haven't clipped my nails as I usually do so I was getting a bit of bite with my fingers and having a blast jamming out.

My default setting is always to use the EQ to enhance the sound by boosting certain frequencies, but there's just as much power (maybe more) in pulling down the unwanted frequencies. Because the mid sweep on the MG800 has such a huge range, I was able to dial out the odd mid frequency and still have some balls with the tone.

Jeff - this thing is filled with surprises that just keep coming. I can't speak highly enough about the amp, although I daresay I'm trying!

I had a similar experience at rehearsal with my R&B band last night. I put Fender CS60s pickups into my MIJ Jazz and they have a very rock-oriented, snarly midrange. Normally, I like that but it's overwhelming for my Motown/R&B group, even with flats on the Jazz. The flats actually seem to make it worse, accentuating less highs and more upper mids.

So, last night, after I plugged in and remembered the nasty tone from the last show (EQ flat, Counter B off) I did with this bass, I dialed the mid freq sweep up to about 2:00-2:30, cut the mids back to about 10:00, then ran Contour B up to about 11:00 to bump up the low mids. Left bass and treble flat. Instant old-school smoothness, but still enough cut to be heard clearly (using the MG112). The contour and semi-parametric mids really give a lot of sculpting ability to dial in/out what is needed. It also really adapts well to different instruments, as I would never consider running the EQ this way for my Stingray, but it's perfect for the Jazz with those pickups.

 

[svtb15]

That is so good to hear from you. Because i had the SAME experience and what you said validates what i found .. The GENZLER DI is about the finest...NEVE is fantastic gear... The new DI that they have is cool BUT the Genzler DI surpassed it .. In my experience.. The FOH at my church gig is the one that said it... He tours with some of the biggest names too, so he knows the deal.. The genzler DI also surpassed the Radial stuff too... The JDI isn't even close in my experience. but so many hop on the JDI bandwagon of hype without having enough hands on...
I will be honest , the genzler works better than the JDI and the other radial boxes, the countryman and brookes Siren. The only one that tops my genzler DI is the REDDI..
The current FOH guy that im with on my road gig does folks from Sugarland, Gavin Degraw, Keith Urban and a ton of others and he demands that i use the REDDI. so that is why i have them rack up together. My stage rig is VERY adjustable and adaptable with Mg800 .. And the extra reddi DI gives FOH ultra dynamic range and bigness..
This gig is Not too loud on stage. It fairly low actually.. I've played in club gigs where i was much louder on stage..

Casey plays a Dr Z amp but has it buried in a road case or behind the guitar boat and Mic'd.then feeds his monitors.. . No IEMs on this gig... . he is the first guitar player/ front person/ artist that i have played with that thinks about the overall stage and other performers. Zero ego, Great , kind and SMART guy he is

I want to brag on the Genzler 800 DI and give Jeff props. I've been playing in some very big churches and taking just my Genzler to use as a DI only for IEM gigs. This week I had a new Rupert Neeves RNDI that is recognized as one of the best DI's out there for bass and done some side by side tests. Well the Genzler outperformed easily and even the Sound Engineer says the Genzler sounded better. I've owned alot of bass amps and used the DI out on them but the Genzler is head and shoulders above in every level. I love the DI this amp has. Sure makes my life easier whether I'm using my Arrays and Head or just the head by itself.

 

[svtb15]

I enjoy sharing gear HO pics with fellow enthusiasts. It's fun to share our gear pics from home and local gigs to road gigs. Small to big . doesn't matter , its all about the BASS

This was stacked and I decided to go side by side then finally put the 115 up on my road case,

This gig, his amp stayed behind his guitar boat instead of mic'd inside the case.. I think it breathes better this way and he can still hear some live guitar.

And of course the old selfie.

 

[Jeff Genzler]

I want to brag on the Genzler 800 DI and give Jeff props. I've been playing in some very big churches and taking just my Genzler to use as a DI only for IEM gigs. This week I had a new Rupert Neeves RNDI that is recognized as one of the best DI's out there for bass and done some side by side tests. Well the Genzler outperformed easily and even the Sound Engineer says the Genzler sounded better. I've owned alot of bass amps and used the DI out on them but the Genzler is head and shoulders above in every level. I love the DI this amp has. Sure makes my life easier whether I'm using my Arrays and Head or just the head by itself.

Thanks for the comments! It's always appreciated when our designs hit the mark for players. One thing about this DI discussion, a lot of what you're really experiencing is the front end input circuitry of the Magellan 800. Especially in the PRE mode at the DI. Obviously in the POST mode you hearing the entire PREAMP.

In both the Input circuitry and the DI Interface, we've taken a lot of effort to create an extremely low-noise signal chain, using premium components and updated circuitry designs. These choices directly impact the "cleanliness" of the signal, including the reduction of RF "noise" to the benefit of the signal quality of the DI Output.

Back in the early 2000's, I had the opportunity to meet Rupert Neeve at a Summer NAMM show. He was consulting with a large acoustic guitar company on their new pick up system and he had the opportunity to experience some of our amplifier designs from that era. He was very complimentary to what we were achieving in our input circuitry at the time. Needless to say we've advanced those designs even more since those days.

 

[Erik Turkman]

Just curious, Jeff. Is there any difference in the DI between the MG800 and MG350? Thanks.

 

[Jeff Genzler]

Just curious, Jeff. Is there any difference in the DI between the MG800 and MG350? Thanks.

There is no difference, they are the same.

 

[Erik Turkman]

There is no difference, they are the same.

Great. Thanks for this info. I'm loving my MG350.

 

[Turn Em Loose]

Casey plays a Dr Z amp but has it buried in a road case or behind the guitar boat and Mic'd.then feeds his monitors.. . No IEMs on this gig... . he is the first guitar player/ front person/ artist that i have played with that thinks about the overall stage and other performers. Zero ego, Great , kind and SMART guy he is

Nice! Not using IEM's and not having to shove ear pugs so far into your head they hit your brain stem.

 

[SteveC]

Nice! Not using IEM's and not having to shove ear pugs so far into your head they hit your brain stem.

I never feel like this at all. I love using IEM's. There's no substitute for the control you get over your mix and for FOH.

PS - I love Jeff's amps and have owned many - still do. Just saying if its a gig where I don't need an amp....

 

[Turn Em Loose]

I love IEM's too. I meant when you're NOT using in ear monitors and everybody's cranked really loud and I've got to stick my custom molded earplugs in my ears as far as I can go so as to not contribute to my hearing loss.

I'm lucky that doesn't happen to me too often. The bands I don't use IEM's in are all filled with adults.

 

[Tdub77]

What iem systems do you guys use/like? I've got a nice set of shure 535se. Need to know what to drive them with? Wireless? Thanks

 

[SteveC]

We're using Rolls PM50S boxes for our IEM's at church. It's wired of course, but very inexpensive, versatile an pretty good quality. I use Westone UM-2's with mine.

I'm debating a wireless system but a) I don't move much and 2) good wireless IEM's are much more expensive than good wireless instrument systems.

 

[Tdub77]

We're using Rolls PM50S boxes for our IEM's at church. It's wired of course, but very inexpensive, versatile an pretty good quality. I use Westone UM-2's with mine.

I'm debating a wireless system but a) I don't move much and 2) good wireless IEM's are much more expensive than good wireless instrument systems.

Right. Do you get a band mix with the rolls or is it just a bass monitor?

 

[Bassworship1]

We've used the Galaxy Audio 900 and 1100 IEM systems for years and they have always worked good. We use the Mackie DL1608 Board for our band and that way each member can download the free Master Fader App to control their own IEM settings on their Iphone or Ipad. Really easy system that works flawlessly. Use it 15-16 dates a month for the last 3-4 years.

 

[svtb15]

I was using the westone custom mold ES3 and they just set me up with new UE with 8 drivers i think??? As far as wireless IEM packs, its whatever the soundcompany provides.. BUT they have to have the proper antenna. Ive been on gigs where you may get some static or minor drop outs (even with top of the line body packs).. Even being just 30 feet from the monitor desk.. Lately they have been using some hi gain antennas and the IEM body packs are flawless... I still prefer a Low volume wedge though.

My Church gig uses the Midas 32 behringer for FOH and each player has their own personal Mix station... I have used both my reddi and my MG800 to feed the monitor.. And since no one wanders around we all stay hardWired to the mix station. No Packs except for the lead singers. It works our great ..

I love an IEM gig.. Except for some gigs... Especially the type that require extreme interaction among players and not just playing the song as it was rehearsed.
But I like it even more when I can play on stage with others that are very dynamic and play lower in volume so I don't need to use earplugs or IEMS...
The best for me is using wedges with a remote ipad app to control my own personal mix in my wedge.. .

What iem systems do you guys use/like? I've got a nice set of shure 535se. Need to know what to drive them with? Wireless? Thanks

 

[SteveC]

Right. Do you get a band mix with the rolls or is it just a bass monitor?

Yep. I get a stereo mix back. I don't have a "more me" channel. We use Q-Mix and iPhones to individualize our IEM mix so I just run myself hotter than everyone in my stereo band mix. We also have pastors mics, handhelds, etc. in our mix so we have total control.

...since no one wanders around we all stay hardWired to the mix station. No Packs except for the lead singers. It works our great ..

I love an IEM gig.. Except for some gigs... Especially the type that require extreme interaction among players and not just playing the song as it was rehearsed.
But I like it even more when I can play on stage with others that are very dynamic and play lower in volume so I don't need to use earplugs or IEMS...

We use wired at church because we don't wander. For the "secular" band, I plan to stay wired as I tend to stick close to the drummer and keys. Our singer and guitar payer are wireless. No one wants the 50+ year old bass player out running around when there's a perfectly good looking young female vocalist and guitar player to fill that need. Saves me $1,500 in wireless gear so...

I will admit, as much as I love IEM's that on some gigs I like an amp - jazz gigs and maybe musical pits. We did a jazz background gig at church for a fundraiser - piano, guitar and bass - and used IEM's as that's how we're set up at church. It wasn't the same at all. Yeah, we've played together and had eye contact as we set up nice and close, but still, sometimes you just need to say "take a ride" or "let's go to the bridge" or "back to the head" or whatever. Usually those types of gigs have good volume control so it works out.

I and looking for an amp to give me my "in ear" sound sound in a rig. I'm leaning Genzler but can't decide on the Magellan 350 combo and additional cab or just go Magellan 800/BA12-3 and do it with one larger cab instead of two smaller cabs.

 

[svtb15]

Yup. Wired IEMs are the best i think Im not into wireless anything.. Id rather be on a cable any day of the week IEMs or for my instrument..

 

[SteveC]

Yup. Wired IEMs are the best i think Im not into wireless anything.. Id rather be on a cable any day of the week IEMs or for my instrument..

Yep. Until I'm on a big stage and people want to see me running around (never happen at this point in my life) I'll stay wired. Now to figure out what rig to get for home practice an occasional fill in gigs...

 

[Turn Em Loose]

My IEM gig has a Mackie 1608 board. We all control our own monitor mix. I use Westone UM3's (I think? They are the three driver set.) with foam tips from Comply Foam. I'd like to have molded tips, but honestly the foam tips work great and last a solid 6 months for me. I use them every weekend. And the molded UM3's would be about $800-ish.

The only wireless systems I've used have been at the local casinos. And they suck. I don't know what brand, or even if it IS the brand/quality or the FOH guy....But they suck. Dropouts, compressed/limited sound, etc etc.

My church gig has the capacity for everyone to run their own monitor mix, but we can't actually use them. Something about the aux sends being wired up wrong, or labaled wrong? Something like that. I can't wait to get my own mix.

IEM's are....Weird. I love them, for sure. But I tend to not only feel isolated, but also feel.....Naked. I mean, you can hear hear everything. EVERYTHING! Every little piece of slop and fret buzz and inconsistancy in your playing...It can be very stressful. I keep reminding myself that the crap that I hear isn't making it out to the audience and can actually be beneficial in getting a good tone out front. But I still get self concious about my playing. I'd much rather play with adults and not use IEM's. I play with a great drummer/friend that has a great, solid groove and knows how to play with authority without being loud. We tend to play in fairly average bands when we gig together, but I always love playing with him because I can use my "normal" rig and not play loud and still hear everything really well. Unfortunately he's more the exception than the rule.

 

[dwellers]

Question: from a pure volume perspective, would a Magellan 350 with two BA12-3 (running at 4 ohms and benefiting from all the multiple speaker efficiencies) get louder than an 800 head and a single BA12-3? Qualitative difference too? I ask as I'm trying to decide between a second cab (my preference) or swapping the 350 for an 800. Sorry if it's a dumb question. Oh, and I'm not considering the schlep of two cabs vs. one. It doesn't matter to me.