Jule Amps Monique part 4

[basshack]

Monique and I went interstate this weekend to catch up with the Ozbass Forums NSW guys at their GTG. Had a chance at the end of the afternoon to sit back and listen to Matt play through it into a Barefaced cab. I know now that I made the right decision. She's sweet and I wasn't the only one impressed on the day.

That's one of our forum Mods (Owen) in the background getting in on the photo and for those that don't recognise the bass it's a Mailloux 6 string Modern Jazz out of Queensland. Very impressive build quality and tone. I have a 5 string P style bass on the way from the same builder Phil.

This is my rig!

 

[gkbass13]

How are you liking the Monique/Blue Soul contrast?

 

[basshack]

I love my Glock and I'm not going to retire it anytime soon. I am playing around with blending it with the Monique rather than bypassing the pre altogether to get the best out of both units. The Glock on its own reproduces my basses tone without colouring unless I dial it in. The Monique brings out more from my instruments, warming and fattening the tone up. Somewhere in the blend is nirvana. They work really well together.

I need the functionality of the Glock too. I don't want to add a separate muting pedal or rely on the Monique to tune a room out or cut through if necessary, not sure it can do that as well as the Glock in that reguard. But it could end up being overkill keeping it. A Mini, or similar, might be on the horizon but I'd have a big argument with myself forking out for one especially since I have options on power amps at home. Their just heavy and I'm past lugging heavy around.

 

[BurningSkies]

Just to let you all know where it can go when my builder, Phil Beuhrig gets going. And I understand it is not for everyone. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Very nice, Jule. Any thought on offering 'custom' enclosures, or having him make up some then offering them up on the website? There ARE people who would go for such things.

 

[KJung]

Based in the last 10 posts or so, it is obvious that there is a nice reason for each of these formats for the Monique in Jule's product line. Very cool.... meaningful aesthetic and 'functional' differences between each format that appeal in different ways to different users..... stand alone pre, rack rig, additional pre in your signal chain using another integrated amp, and pure, stand-alone integrated head. Fantastic product line!

 

[maisbass]

I love my Glock and I'm not going to retire it anytime soon. I am playing around with blending it with the Monique rather than bypassing the pre altogether to get the best out of both units. The Glock on its own reproduces my basses tone without colouring unless I dial it in. The Monique brings out more from my instruments, warming and fattening the tone up. Somewhere in the blend is nirvana. They work really well together.

This can work quite well. I have tried many configurations with Monique. I did a similar setup as you are suggesting above except with my Puma 900 and it sounded really good and did provide more tone shaping.

What I did was use Monique in the fx loop of my Puma. This gave me the ability to use the tone sculpting of the Puma pre, and the magic of Monique and Monique's DI out. Monique's input can handle a preamps fx send with no problem and Jule confirmed this for me as well in an earlier post.

Even though this combination worked and did sound great, I prefer just using Monique alone as my pre and use my Puma just as a power amp. Honestly, I have found that I rarely need to eq with Monique anyway. Perhaps a dash here and there but really minuscule movements on the eq. For me it really sounds wonderfully pretty much flat and I use the sensitivity which is really the magic sauce of this pre. I also use an fdeck to get rid of any stage rumble if needed.

 

[juledude]

Very nice, Jule. Any thought on offering 'custom' enclosures, or having him make up some then offering them up on the website? There ARE people who would go for such things.

Phil is, like a good musician, great to work with. Every time I walk into his shop I go there knowing he may have come up with something just-a-bit different. I have asked him to keep to the Bamboo for several reasons. It is beautiful when worked with love. It is extremely durable. It grows up to 1 foot a day, so it is by no means "endangered."

If someone really wanted alternative hardwoods, it can be done. It will take more time (It is a big mistake to rush a creative person - as we all know), and it will be more costly.

But it can be done.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Any feedback on how Monique's DI tonally compares to REDDI?

 

[KJung]

Any feedback on how Monique's DI tonally compares to REDDI?

Quite a different design, since the Monique is 'post everything' (I believe) with tone controls and input 'sensitivity' settings. I would guess that one of the infinite number of tonal and gain settings on the Monique would be able to come quite close to the Reddi.

Kind of different units though... a pure DI versus a full featured pre, so one would not replace the other most likely.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Quite a different design, since the Monique is 'post everything' (I believe) with tone controls and input 'sensitivity' settings. I would guess that one of the infinite number of tonal and gain settings on the Monique would be able to come quite close to the Reddi.

Kind of different units though... a pure DI versus a full featured pre, so one would not replace the other most likely.

You're right, and Monique's "DI adjustability" is what initially scared me off toward REDDI [which works wonderfully, by the way!]. I suppose if Monique is usually run "flat" there might be some tonal equivalence. Thing about REDDI is it avoids the "pre" vs. "post" hassle that sometimes happens with sound professionals who [perhaps justifiably] prefer a neutral signal. Curious about how real-world Monique / DI users who've also used a REDDI would compare the experience. The added benefit of Monique would be adding tube tone to the cab's output, which is something REDDI does not do. If I have to haul one extra piece of gear, why not haul one that does both functions?

 

[KJung]

You're right, and Monique's "DI adjustability" is what initially scared me off toward REDDI [which works wonderfully, by the way!]. I suppose if Monique is usually run "flat" there might be some tonal equivalence. Thing about REDDI is it avoids the "pre" vs. "post" hassle that sometimes happens with sound professionals who [perhaps justifiably] prefer a neutral signal. Curious about how real-world Monique / DI users who've also used a REDDI would compare the experience. The added benefit of Monique would be adding tube tone to the cab's output, which is something REDDI does not do. If I have to haul one extra piece of gear, why not haul one that does both functions?

+1 Different tools. It would make little sense to purchase a Monique just to use as a DI in a live setting. The Reddi seems made for that (although I would be surprised if anyone can hear the difference between a Reddi and a JDI in a mix through the vast majority of PA's and gig settings). IMO, a bit of 'listening with the eyes' going on there in some situations.

For the studio, seems the Monique all the way.

Interesting that if I read a few posts correctly earlier in this thread, the DI is voiced significantly different than the line out that would drive the power amp. So, might be OK as a 'post EQ' DI live, even if you have some EQ used to get your stage sound. Not sure there... most likely won't be using my DeMonique in the rare situations where I have significant, hi end front of house on the few really large gigs I do, since I really do like to send those guys a pretty neutral signal from the bass. However, for typical 'moderate size' front of house sends, where they just have me in the PA a touch for the subs, should be fine.

 

[LME]

Any feedback on how Monique's DI tonally compares to REDDI?

I've tried both Reddi and Monique. I think both are excellent DIs. As already mentioned, they are different types of equipment, a DI vs a preamplifier with a DI. To my ear Moniques DI (flat EQ) has a tad fatter and rounded (softer) tone than the Reddi. The Reddi has slightly more high frequencies in the tone.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I've tried both Reddi and Monique. I think both are excellent DIs. As already mentioned, they are different types of equipment, a DI vs a preamplifier with a DI. To my ear Moniques DI (flat EQ) has a tad fatter and rounded (softer) tone than the Reddi. The Reddi has slightly more high frequencies in the tone.

Thank you. So twisting Monique's treble knob slightly to the right would make its DI signal more similar to REDDI? The higher frequencies are important to me, especially for acoustic bass overtones.

EDIT: found my answer here by markorbit:
www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/jule-amps-monique-741469/index4.html#155

I now have a Jule Monique here in the UK. First off let me say that Jule is a TOP guy to deal with and made sure my Monique was just right before shipping.

It's a beautiful boutique preamp in metal with more tubes in it than I realised. (EDIT: no, probably three ) It's slightly smaller than expected but that just makes it more cute.

I also have a REDDI so I'm looking forward to some serious A/B'ing.

Of course I've had a quick go and I'm impressed. My initial thoughts (via the Monique Line Out into a Berg IP) are that if the REDDI is a B15 then Monique is the SVT. On first comparison I found the REDDI rounder and fatter with more natural compression and the Monique a little more lively with a bit more tube sound. This can be dialled with the Sensitivity knob and if it takes your fancy, it can overdrive. It sounds good without going that far but it's there if you want it.

Unless it's my imagination the differences were less when I used the DI out on the Monique instead of the Line Out. The REDDI can go much louder than the Monique over XLR but the tone is now very much in the same ball-park.

Both are excellent pieces of gear that do the dry, warm, fat tube thing very well. Whilst the REDDI is just a DI (essentially on or off with a level control) the Monique does everything - feeds your power amp, feeds your mixer a seperately controllable HQ DI signal and gives you EQ and Tube Sensitivity on top. I would choose the Monique for stage with my Berg IP but it would likely be a close call in the studio. Either one would be a great solution.

So far I've only tried them with a flatwound P with foam mute. Looking forward to seeing how a P with rounds performs.

 

[jdwinva]

I'm curious why several Monique owners are also using a REDDI. Doesn't the Monique make the REDDI kind of redundant?

 

[maisbass]

I'm curious why several Monique owners are also using a REDDI. Doesn't the Monique make the REDDI kind of redundant?

Perhaps I missed it in a post, but I don't remember reading that many Monique users also use reddi. I've read many great things about the reddi, but I don't remember reading Monique users using a reddi instead of a Monique. I don't have a reddi nor have a desire to buy one because I am very content using Monique.

Perhaps if I tried a reddi I would like it better, but again I have no desire to.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

So does the rack-mount Monique fit into a 10.5" shallow case or does it require the longer standard case?

 

[BurningSkies]

Perhaps I missed it in a post, but I don't remember reading that many Monique users also use reddi. I've read many great things about the reddi, but I don't remember reading Monique users using a reddi instead of a Monique. I don't have a reddi nor have a desire to buy one because I am very content using Monique.

Perhaps if I tried a reddi I would like it better, but again I have no desire to.

I don't remember this either. They're really different pieces of gear. One is pretty much a DI. The Monique is a combination of a really NICE DI and a reasonably full featured Bass preamp/front end.

 

[bherman]

So does the rack-mount Monique fit into a 10.5" shallow case or does it require the longer standard case?

Hi Dave - I just started using a Monique Rack Mount with a Crest Prolite amp. I used an Odyssey 3-Space Rack Bag that is 12" deep.
Great combination, easy to transport (although it takes a bit of adjustment, coming from carrying a GB Streamliner at 6 lbs).

PM me if you want more info....

 

[Wild Rice Chris]

I just bought my frosted green jewel lens, and my Dovecage isn't coming for 4 weeks. All I need now is a Jule hat and a vivid imagination and I'm set.

Ha, I went green on the jewel as well.

 

[juledude]

I don't remember this either. They're really different pieces of gear. One is pretty much a DI. The Monique is a combination of a really NICE DI and a reasonably full featured Bass preamp/front end.

I think the Reddi is a great piece of gear. I had the privelege to hear Reggie Hamilton play his in Tony Sheppard's studio in L.A. many years ago. Certainly part of the inspiration for what Monique has become.