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Jule Amps Monique Part III

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Yeah, I currently have a Crown XLS1500 which has an input sensitivity rating at 1.4v, but I would not be opposed to changing that amp to a Crest ProLite or an IPR, however if the Monique will drive the Crown to it's fullest ability there would be no need to change amps, and the amp in this equation is the cheap (inexpensive) part!

I used the XTI2000 and it pushed it just as well as the CarvinDCM2000 that I am using now.
 
I have the newer one but don't pull out any of the knobs. I find that I run the line out on Monique nearly maxed but I can get plenty loud then dialing up the master on the Puma.
Jule said I could send it back to him for a update.Mine does not have the push pull on the Line out so I guess I may send it back.Im just confused about you not pulling out the Line out and getting very much volume unless you play at lower volumes?
 
Well, I did find this in the M6 users' manual:

WARNING: Always make sure proper load is connected before operating the amplifier. Failure to do so could pose a
shock hazard and may result in damage to the amplifier.

But I found the exact same precaution in the MPulse manual and I know for a fact that amp can be run without a load, so...

I guess it would be better to heed the warnings of the manufacturer, even if it doesn't really make much sense - I even looked at the block diagram of the amps in question and they do not use heavy iron for the output which REALLY makes me wonder why they would require a load - honestly, my belief is that they simply used the same precautions page in most of their amp manuals, but it IS in the manual.

Bottom line - if I had a SS Mesa under warranty, and running it without a load would cause the warranty to be void, I'd think twice - even though common sense tells me otherwise - it's a weird one - I just don't see how a direct coupled output would need a load.

Maybe Jule can offer his insight into this.

I heard this from the Mesa Hollywood crew. Perhaps they are so old-school they missed that chapter in amp evolution. Or perhaps, corporate policy is to not say that such operations are "safe" just to avoid any potential issues.
 
I don't have a Monique yet but from everything I've read here that shouldn't be a problem. The Line output that Monique puts out is .775 volts and that is what the Puma 900 effects return wants to see (0dbu). So theoretically it should work, and I know there are players here that have been using it that way. In fact, that is what I intend to do when my Monique arrives.
My Dove Cage is one made before Jule put the push pull knob for increased gain.It works perfect into the front end of a amp but I dont get enough volume for me sent into the effects return of my Puma 900 and even tried into the effects return on a Glock Blue Soul.It does work perfect into my Berg IP 112 though.I need to send back to Jule for a upgrade I would guess.
 
Jule said I could send it back to him for a update.Mine does not have the push pull on the Line out so I guess I may send it back.Im just confused about you not pulling out the Line out and getting very much volume unless you play at lower volumes?

I've used it on gigs with a full band. I set the Line Out at 3-5:00 and the master on the Puma was well below 12:00. That was using the effects return.

If you max the Line Out on Monique and play at a set volume with the Puma master, then remove Monique and plug into the input on the Puma is there much difference in volume (assuming the gain is noon or below - that's where I tend to run the Puma if I'm just using that)?
 
Jule said I could send it back to him for a update.Mine does not have the push pull on the Line out so I guess I may send it back.Im just confused about you not pulling out the Line out and getting very much volume unless you play at lower volumes?


That's cool. I'd do the same, if I wanted to let it out of my hands (its already been across the country a few times, and its had the top off more than I can count).

In its 'non-updated' form if you have an amp that wants to see .775v, you're in good shape. The preamp will do that with the Line knob at about 85-90% of its throw. If you're using an amp that. 1.4 or 1.5, I'm guessing having that +4db option would be a nice thing to have.
 
I've used it on gigs with a full band. I set the Line Out at 3-5:00 and the master on the Puma was well below 12:00. That was using the effects return.

If you max the Line Out on Monique and play at a set volume with the Puma master, then remove Monique and plug into the input on the Puma is there much difference in volume (assuming the gain is noon or below - that's where I tend to run the Puma if I'm just using that)?
Ill take more time tomorrow and check it out again but there is a very noticeable difference in volume between the two.I had Monique into the Return on the 900 the Sens was pulled out the Line out Maxed and Puma 900 maxed and was not ;loud enough to play on a gig for me and I don't play super loud.Had in running into a TC 212.Also tried the same way with a Glock Blue Soul and had same results.I would think Tecamp use the same power amps? Ice I would think?Ill send you a PM tomorrow and let you know what happens.Jule said I can send it back any time Im ready too for any hop dates.I would like if it had a mute on it that when when using the XLR you can mute it in order to tune without going to main board??
 
Well I figured out what was going on!!!I have a early Monique Dove Cage that does not have the updated Push/Pull Line out for more gain.When I hooked it up yesterday for the first time like a damn fool since i have had it over six months and haven,t ran into effects loop return I had the Bass a Sadowsky NYC and was trying in Passive!!!! So I hooked it up again tonight and ran bass in Active and it works fine!!! I did like nostatic does by running Line Out all the way up and used volume on Puma 900.So it works fine on a active bass but have found with a Passive bass you are at least I am not getting enough Gain to drive Monique DC to drive Effects Return input on my Puma 900.I would think after a upgrade to the Line Out Push Pull it will work with a bass in Passive mode perfectly??!!!
 
There are two push/pull knobs. One is for the output level, the other is for the input. The one you'd most benefit from is the input gain. From the manual:

"The Sensitivity knob is a push/pull knob. The push/pull function was originally designed to accommodate the lightest wound passive bass guitars pickups (pulled out) and very high output active pickups (pushed in) with one knob. When that Sensitivity knob is pulled out, you are adding 4db to the overall headroom of the front end of Monique.

Even though Monique was designed to work with active pickups with the Sensitivity knob pushed in. The truth is she can work well in both positions for both types of pickups. All that matters is what you prefer. Remember the tone monster idea."
 
Well, I did find this in the M6 users' manual:

WARNING: Always make sure proper load is connected before operating the amplifier. Failure to do so could pose a
shock hazard and may result in damage to the amplifier.

But I found the exact same precaution in the MPulse manual and I know for a fact that amp can be run without a load, so...

I guess it would be better to heed the warnings of the manufacturer, even if it doesn't really make much sense - I even looked at the block diagram of the amps in question and they do not use heavy iron for the output which REALLY makes me wonder why they would require a load - honestly, my belief is that they simply used the same precautions page in most of their amp manuals, but it IS in the manual.

Bottom line - if I had a SS Mesa under warranty, and running it without a load would cause the warranty to be void, I'd think twice - even though common sense tells me otherwise - it's a weird one - I just don't see how a direct coupled output would need a load.

Maybe Jule can offer his insight into this.

That refers to a speaker load of specified ohms, not input voltage.

Proper input voltage causes an amp to give you wonderful performance. Give it less, your experience and volume/response/tone are not optimal.
 
This was in response to someone else' question about whether a load was required with a solid state amp - my response to that was no, not to my knowledge however I looked at the Mesa manual and found that what the person had said about Mesa telling them otherwise for their amps was indeed in the manual.

I am well aware of the difference between a speaker load and output sensitivity of preamp vs input sensitivity required by a power amp. My question about that was answered by BurningSkies (I believe) when he told me that the push/pull knob increases the output of the pre to 1.45v (+4db)

I appreciate the help though :cool:

That refers to a speaker load of specified ohms, not input voltage.

Proper input voltage causes an amp to give you wonderful performance. Give it less, your experience and volume/response/tone are not optimal.
 
This was in response to someone else' question about whether a load was required with a solid state amp - my response to that was no, not to my knowledge however I looked at the Mesa manual and found that what the person had said about Mesa telling them otherwise for their amps was indeed in the manual.

I appreciate the help though :cool:

Yup, he was responding to my point.

Nice sleuthing.
 
My Dove Cage is one made before Jule put the push pull knob for increased gain.It works perfect into the front end of a amp but I dont get enough volume for me sent into the effects return of my Puma 900 and even tried into the effects return on a Glock Blue Soul.It does work perfect into my Berg IP 112 though.I need to send back to Jule for a upgrade I would guess.

Yes, we can get that Puma effects return to peg with the additional level that comes with the Push/Pull Line Out feature. The real issue is that their input impedance is "unusual," but it doesn't matter because we can more than handle it with the additional Line Out Level.

And, when the Line Out Level control is pushed in, all is exactly has you have it now. So you do not lose anything.

Whenever you have time, and you think it is something you want.
 
Can the De-Monique Tardis be run without a dummy load if you want to use it strictly as a DI-into-the-board for recording?

Anyone know how much the Tardis weighs incl. the power supply?

You can run the Tardis or Rack Mount De-Monique (including the Demeter 800-D power amp) without any speaker load. The idea James Demeter and I have been working with from the beginning is to keep all of the operational features of Monique intact while we "discretely" add 800 watts of optional amplification. ;)

Many have asked if they can still use the DI and Line Out of Monique while they are using the Demeter 800-D Power Amp. The answer is, "yes, definitely."

Tardis without the amp is 9 pounds. The Rack Mount is three additional pounds (all steel). The Demeter 800-D amp adds less than three pounds to either the Tardis or the Rack Mount Monique.
 
That refers to a speaker load of specified ohms, not input voltage.

Proper input voltage causes an amp to give you wonderful performance. Give it less, your experience and volume/response/tone are not optimal.

I can't explain why Mesa would need a speaker load, but I am sure they can clear up the issue. In the mean time I'd follow their manual directions.

In the tube world, it is necessary to have a speaker load or the output transformer can literally burn up. I've seen it. It is not pretty. It is a function of the requirements of any Power Output transformer.

There is no Power Output Transformer in a solid state power amplifier.

In the Class D Solid State world an un-used (volume down) speaker load only serves to draw continuous power and generate unwanted heat. This is part of the answer to the question from several customers who were concerned that their De-Monique was running "too cold" to have 800 available watts. "Is she dead?" She only draws current (power) when there is a speaker attached. Otherwise the 800-D Power Amp can be ignored.

She isn't dead 'cause she is cold. :)
 
There are two push/pull knobs. One is for the output level, the other is for the input. The one you'd most benefit from is the input gain. From the manual:

"The Sensitivity knob is a push/pull knob. The push/pull function was originally designed to accommodate the lightest wound passive bass guitars pickups (pulled out) and very high output active pickups (pushed in) with one knob. When that Sensitivity knob is pulled out, you are adding 4db to the overall headroom of the front end of Monique.

Even though Monique was designed to work with active pickups with the Sensitivity knob pushed in. The truth is she can work well in both positions for both types of pickups. All that matters is what you prefer. Remember the tone monster idea."

Absolutely true. Both types of pickups work in both positions. Even on-board (Double Bass) pickups seem to react nicely in both positions. The idea of Passive = Pulled Out, Active = Pushed In is a general reference. It is not for me to decide what is optimal.

The first live demo (over four years ago) of the Sensitivity Push/Pull feature of Monique went just as you describe. I was all puffed up with pride because I had drawn a line for both Active and Passive. Took the player about thirty seconds to jump past me and discover another layer of tones and playing characteristics out of his Sadowskys by pulling the Sensitivity Knob out.

The good ideas come from customers.
 
Absolutely true. Both types of pickups work in both positions. Even on-board (Double Bass) pickups seem to react nicely in both positions. The idea of Passive = Pulled Out, Active = Pushed In is a general reference. It is not for me to decide what is optimal.

The first live demo (over four years ago) of the Sensitivity Push/Pull feature of Monique went just as you describe. I was all puffed up with pride because I had drawn a line for both Active and Passive. Took the player about thirty seconds to jump past me and discover another layer of tones and playing characteristics out of his Sadowskys by pulling the Sensitivity Knob out.

The good ideas come from customers.

I must admit, I've used both depending on how hard I want to hit the front end of the Monique's gain stages.
 
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