Jule Amps Monique part 5

[Wasnex]

So…

Do you use the amp?

I would if it was available. But for context, my last touring rig was about 250W into an Eden D210XLT, and it was plenty. My assumption with 2,500W on tap and a speaker system that can handle 1,600W RMS is I will never need or want to push the power high enough to cause damage.

Can't say that I could necessarily justify spending $2,860 plus tax and shipping to buy one for gigging. But in truth I have spent much more on some of the amps in my collection, and they are all basement queens.

IMHO...if you want it and have the cash, I say go for it...but use some discretion if you gig with it. As the saying goes: With great power comes great responsibility.

 

[smeet]

I just received my new-to-me Monique Dovecage. It sounds and feels amazing.

I have a question about the eq. The mid and low controls work as expected, when I "solo" the mids (turn down the high and low) I hear just midrange, when I solo the low I hear just lows. When I do it with the high, it seems to bring in almost a fullrange signal. The mids control seems to boost/cut more highs than the high control.

Is this the expected behavior of the Monique? Or do I need to replace a tube? Hopefully nothing is wrong with the unit itself...

 

[Wasnex]

As far as I can tell, my Monique 700 works the same way. Keep in mind the Monique uses either a James or Baxandall tone stack. The bands operate more independently than a Fender tone stack. Also with all controls fully CCW, there should still be sound.

 

[juledude]

As far as I can tell, my Monique 700 works the same way. Keep in mind the Monique uses either a James or Baxandall tone stack. The bands operate more independently than a Fender tone stack. Also with all controls fully CCW, there should still be sound.

I think you have it spot on.

Monique EQ does both active boost and active cut (Baxandall-ish), and it allows us to move the center frequencies. This might sound like a Parametric EQ, but it is not. A Parametric EQ gives us greatly more details of each frequency range, a Parametric is relatively linear, and 9 bands are not uncommon. The Monique EQ is somewhat linear and rather unpredictable compared to a parametric EQ. Monique is built on what sounds good and works for the Bass player, specifically on stage. It is not so much about the math.

 

[MarkA]

I think you have it spot on.

Monique EQ does both active boost and active cut (Baxandall-ish), and it allows us to move the center frequencies. This might sound like a Parametric EQ, but it is not. A Parametric EQ gives us greatly more details of each frequency range, a Parametric is relatively linear, and 9 bands are not uncommon. The Monique EQ is somewhat linear and rather unpredictable compared to a parametric EQ. Monique is built on what sounds good and works for the Bass player, specifically on stage. It is not so much about the math.

Jule, are you saying that the Bass, Middle, and/or Treble center frequencies shift with varying amounts of boost or cut?

 

[juledude]

Yes.

Moreso in the High and Mid, less with the Low, but yes.

 

[peterpalmieri]

Can someone point me in the direction of the balanced out specs?

I know it’s here somewhere, what are the output specs at both ends of the rear knob? How does the output vary with either the line level or sensitivity in or out.

With all guns blazing should I consider running it to a line level input rather then through mic preamp?

 

[Wasnex]

Can someone point me in the direction of the balanced out specs?

I know it’s here somewhere, what are the output specs at both ends of the rear knob? How does the output vary with either the line level or sensitivity in or out.

With all guns blazing should I consider running it to a line level input rather then through mic preamp?

From the OM

My observation is pulling the Sensitivity or Line Out seems to add a bit of harmonic content to the sound.

 

[juledude]

You got it. When we pull that Line Out Knob out we add a full tube section. Each tube added gives us more harmonics (no way around it). And it works with low levels too. Pull the Line Level knob out and turn the Level CW. . . Low volume and rich harmonics.

 

[juledude]

Can someone point me in the direction of the balanced out specs?

I know it’s here somewhere, what are the output specs at both ends of the rear knob? How does the output vary with either the line level or sensitivity in or out.

With all guns blazing should I consider running it to a line level input rather then through mic preamp?

They might be somewhere. I should probably know, huh?

Monique Balanced out is optimized to head to the console or mixer or in-ear. Each of those can go up in smoke if we feed too much level to them. (I have been in a studio recovering from a blown console. Unpleasant.)

Here are specs from our Monique test sheet. Hopefully this will help in the quest. Every Monique is as described below before it leaves the shop.

These tests are done with -26dbm input level. Sinusoidal input 420hz, 42hz, 4200hz.

Sensitivity centered and pulled out. All other knobs, including EQ, centered straight up. DI out level looked for is -20dbm.

Sensitivity centered and pulled out. Line Out centered and pulled out and all other knobs, including EQ, centered and straight up. DI out level we look for is -8.

Both Line Out and Sensitivity pulled out. EQ centered, but all other knobs full CW. DI out level we look for is 0db.

Pulling Sensitivity out adds about +4dbm. Sensitivity sweep +4 ish. Pulling out Line Out gives us about +10dbm. Line Out full sweep gives us about +13dbm.

One of these test sheets is made and kept for every Monique.

 

[smeet]

OK, I have to post this here - although I haven't played it out yet, the Monique sounds SO
GOOD paired with the Audiokinesis Hathor 1203/212, Berg Forte hp, and/or Reiner Saturn V

 

[peterpalmieri]

They might be somewhere. I should probably know, huh?

Monique Balanced out is optimized to head to the console or mixer or in-ear. Each of those can go up in smoke if we feed too much level to them. (I have been in a studio recovering from a blown console. Unpleasant.)

Here are specs from our Monique test sheet. Hopefully this will help in the quest. Every Monique is as described below before it leaves the shop.

These tests are done with -26dbm input level. Sinusoidal input 420hz, 42hz, 4200hz.

Sensitivity centered and pulled out. All other knobs, including EQ, centered straight up. DI out level looked for is -20dbm.

Sensitivity centered and pulled out. Line Out centered and pulled out and all other knobs, including EQ, centered and straight up. DI out level we look for is -8.

Both Line Out and Sensitivity pulled out. EQ centered, but all other knobs full CW. DI out level we look for is 0db.

Pulling Sensitivity out adds about +4dbm. Sensitivity sweep +4 ish. Pulling out Line Out gives us about +10dbm. Line Out full sweep gives us about +13dbm.

One of these test sheets is made and kept for every Monique.

Thanks Jule, I appreciate it. The reason I ask is I’m working on optimizing my gain staging before AD conversion. With mic preamp gain, balanced out level and the pull options on the front there are endless options to work with.

 

[juledude]

Thanks Jule, I appreciate it. The reason I ask is I’m working on optimizing my gain staging before AD conversion. With mic preamp gain, balanced out level and the pull options on the front there are endless options to work with.

Glad to help.
The DI out (Cinemag Transformer) is truly 600 ohms impedance and primarily responsible for the gorgeous-oscity of the Balanced Out tone.

 

[juledude]

OK, I have to post this here - although I haven't played it out yet, the Monique sounds SO
GOOD paired with the Audiokinesis Hathor 1203/212, Berg Forte hp, and/or Reiner Saturn V

View attachment 4596319

Beautiful rig.

 

[peterpalmieri]

Glad to help.
The DI out (Cinemag Transformer) is truly 600 ohms impedance and primarily responsible for the gorgeous-oscity of the Balanced Out tone.

My ears tell me having the balanced output all the way up. With both front knobs pushed in gives me the best tone I’m looking for. Nice tube warmth but still clean and articulate.

Pulling out the line level gives some saturation with the added volume. And the sensitivity knob (push/pull) gives some real overdriven tones. Mic preamp gain needs to be pulled back quite significantly.

I also find it much more pronounced, where I’ll almost always play live with the line level pulled out and occasionally the sensitivity.

Contrary I find the EQ to be more subtle on the balanced out, where in a live setting the EQ seems to have a greater effect on a bass cabinet.

I can’t remember but I’ve owned Monique for many years, I use it in many different types of situations and I finally feel like I really know it but there are so many variables I still feel when I focus on it I unlock the next level.

 

[peterpalmieri]

My note last night was a serious over simplification. I would add push pull on sensitivity has a very different flavor depending on if the line level is in or out. The added gain from the line drives it differently. It also has a major impact on where you may prefer to set the sensitivity knob.

I now have the benefit of hearing it through the Avalon 737 Unison emulation in a treated room with good monitors so all sorts of nuances are just popping out.

it’s really easy to go from hifi clean tube to SVT or b15. I’m going to have to go back to my live bass rig and see how I can pull all that out.

 

[smeet]

I think I figured how I want to set the Sensitivity control, at least for now. That seems to be pulled out, pointing to 11 o’clock. But what is it doing (knob position and push/pull)? It seems to be doing more than just increasing gain to the preamp input.

 

[1983L2000]

I think I figured how I want to set the Sensitivity control, at least for now. That seems to be pulled out, pointing to 11 o’clock. But what is it doing (knob position and push/pull)? It seems to be doing more than just increasing gain to the preamp input.

I think it changes input impedance as well - and varies the amount and type of magic (at least that’s the explanation that works for me!).

 

[1983L2000]

My note last night was a serious over simplification. I would add push pull on sensitivity has a very different flavor depending on if the line level is in or out. The added gain from the line drives it differently. It also has a major impact on where you may prefer to set the sensitivity knob.

I now have the benefit of hearing it through the Avalon 737 Unison emulation in a treated room with good monitors so all sorts of nuances are just popping out.

it’s really easy to go from hifi clean tube to SVT or b15. I’m going to have to go back to my live bass rig and see how I can pull all that out.

Question for Jule - those of us with a tardis (and perhaps other Jule power amps) are not supposed to pull out the line out, correct? I seem to recall reading that the amp was designed for the ‘normal’ line out.

 

[Wasnex]

Question for Jule - those of us with a tardis (and perhaps other Jule power amps) are not supposed to pull out the line out, correct? I seem to recall reading that the amp was designed for the ‘normal’ line out.

Try it...IMHO, it sounds great. Pull the control and then turn it down.

AFAIK my amp is the latest version of the Monique 700 (rack). I prefer both Sensitivity and Line Out in the out position.