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Jule Amps Monique

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#581
Cloudy day, but it is always good to meet the people behind the music.
zuma said:
Thanks for the gut shots

Hmmmm...after hearing of these shipping issues I am revisiting the idea of driving up to Santa Cruz and picking up my Monique in the flesh. My V8 can be thirsty though. ;-)
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#582
It appears that the 1804 does not have an effects loop or a 1/4" input that takes instrument level (DI) input. It wants balanced input only, of about 1.2 volts.

The XLR Balanced output of Monique was intended to be a microphone or DI level output, so it is close to a 1:1 output. You get out of the XLR close to what your Bass puts in.

The Line Out of Monique gives us the level increase of 10:1 or more. There are several adapters on the market to convert a 1/4" Line Out to Balanced Out, and I've made several for customers (some overseas) and sent them on to make this conversion.

Bottom line is that with amps that do not have an instrument level input (you can not plug your bass directly in) we may need to use a converter (from Line Out to Balanced Out).

mattyiop said:
Intersting Skies b/c my Monique has the lack of gain. I took it to a gig the other night paired it with a QSC PLX 1804 into a Fearful 15/6. With the gain all the way up on the QSC and level out on the Monique all the way up it wasnt enough volume to use on the gig (good thing I brought a backup...) This is a fusion/funk gig that doesnt get too loud.

I'll have to email Jule and see if he knows whats up. He has the best customer service of any company that I have delt with!!!
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#584
juledude said:
It appears that the 1804 does not have an effects loop or a 1/4" input that takes instrument level (DI) input. It wants balanced input only, of about 1.2 volts.

The XLR Balanced output of Monique was intended to be a microphone or DI level output, so it is close to a 1:1 output. You get out of the XLR close to what your Bass puts in.

The Line Out of Monique gives us the level increase of 10:1 or more. There are several adapters on the market to convert a 1/4" Line Out to Balanced Out, and I've made several for customers (some overseas) and sent them on to make this conversion.

Bottom line is that with amps that do not have an instrument level input (you can not plug your bass directly in) we may need to use a converter (from Line Out to Balanced Out).
Click to expand...

I predict this will come up more and more now, given that players interested in Rack Moniques are for the most part driving power amps, much like myself. Luckily my Peavey has a high input sensitivity (.775) and it seems to work well with both balanced signals and unbalanced (my Kern is an unbalanced 1/4", and I've been using it without any adjustment).

Bongomania has a nice little article about matching preamps and power amps for MI use:
http://www.ovnilab.com/articles/preamp.shtml#power
 
#585
JimmyM said:
Munji, I used to fall for that "it gets eaten up live" hype for a while, but it's untrue. If it weren't untrue, then you would play Behringer amps and cabs and be perfectly happy.
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IMO, your example of going from 'bad' to 'very good' is valid. Munji's point is that there are diminishing (if any) returns in the vast majority of live settings when going from 'very good' to 'even a bit better'. And, as we all know, going from 'very good' to just a touch better costs much money, complexity, size, weight and everything else.

That being said, many (including me) take a more 'what the heck' attitude. If a bunch more money gets my tone a smidge closer to what I like, I usually take the plunge:p
 
#586
The Monique (from what I can tell, given the one I had wasn't quite up to the task), presents something else than just a DI or even just a 'toob tone' preamp. It really FEELS like a tube amp, even when not being driven too hard. Its got a dynamic that is way closer to a classic tube amp. Its got a real punch to the beginning of the note envelope and also can get that 'give' that only seems to come from a tube amp.

Now, that's not going to make it just right for anyone, particularly people looking for a super clean precise solid state sound. But for anyone who's interested in what a B15 does but at louder volumes and a difference convenience factor, or if you push it and want more of an SVT tone, it does it more than just 'convincingly'. It also does it with what appears to be more fidelity, more up high and down low to my ears.

I am keeping the Kern, which basically does the same thing but with the traditional Fender style 12AX7 type tone. Its big and smooth and wide, but doesn't have the 'attack' or the same tube sponge that the Monique has. I really like the Kern, but when recorded it seemed so smooth that I wanted something with a bit more punch to it.

This of course is all my personal take, and given only about 3 days with the unit and probably about 4 or 5 hours playing. Subject to change with more use, live stage use and recording use.
 
#587
KJung said:
IMO, your example of going from 'bad' to 'very good' is valid. Munji's point is that there are diminishing (if any) returns in the vast majority of live settings when going from 'very good' to 'even a bit better'. And, as we all know, going from 'very good' to just a touch better costs much money, complexity, size, weight and everything else.

That being said, many (including me) take a more 'what the heck' attitude. If a bunch more money gets my tone a smidge closer to what I like, I usually take the plunge:p
Click to expand...
Ya Ken, I'm doing that more and more now that my kids are grown, self-sufficient, and I have a little bit more disposable income. And it's paying off in spades. I have never been happier with my stuff than I am now, and while I don't think my sound "suffers" when I use gear that doesn't knock me out as much, the difference is so noticeable, even in lousy tuned rooms with crap PA's, that I can't not use it unless I'm absolutely forced to.
 
#588
BurningSkies said:
The Monique (from what I can tell, given the one I had wasn't quite up to the task), presents something else than just a DI or even just a 'toob tone' preamp. It really FEELS like a tube amp, even when not being driven too hard. Its got a dynamic that is way closer to a classic tube amp. Its got a real punch to the beginning of the note envelope and also can get that 'give' that only seems to come from a tube amp.

Now, that's not going to make it just right for anyone, particularly people looking for a super clean precise solid state sound. But for anyone who's interested in what a B15 does but at louder volumes and a difference convenience factor, or if you push it and want more of an SVT tone, it does it more than just 'convincingly'. It also does it with what appears to be more fidelity, more up high and down low to my ears.

I am keeping the Kern, which basically does the same thing but with the traditional Fender style 12AX7 type tone. Its big and smooth and wide, but doesn't have the 'attack' or the same tube sponge that the Monique has. I really like the Kern, but when recorded it seemed so smooth that I wanted something with a bit more punch to it.

This of course is all my personal take, and given only about 3 days with the unit and probably about 4 or 5 hours playing. Subject to change with more use, live stage use and recording use.
Click to expand...

Looks like a first rate piece of gear!
 
#589
JimmyM said:
Ya Ken, I'm doing that more and more now that my kids are grown, self-sufficient, and I have a little bit more disposable income. And it's paying off in spades. I have never been happier with my stuff than I am now, and while I don't think my sound "suffers" when I use gear that doesn't knock me out as much, the difference is so noticeable, even in lousy tuned rooms with crap PA's, that I can't not use it unless I'm absolutely forced to.
Click to expand...

+1 Remember, you are talking to a guy who insists on paying $3K+ for J and P copies:D I agree with you, that little bit extra (in the case of the boutique instruments, that wonderful attention to detail, perfect playability, and other little bells and whistles) is worth every penny to me.
 
#592
JimmyM said:
Ya Ken, I'm doing that more and more now that my kids are grown, self-sufficient, and I have a little bit more disposable income. And it's paying off in spades. I have never been happier with my stuff than I am now, and while I don't think my sound "suffers" when I use gear that doesn't knock me out as much, the difference is so noticeable, even in lousy tuned rooms with crap PA's, that I can't not use it unless I'm absolutely forced to.
Click to expand...

I hurt my hand when I used a very large loud but unresponsive keyboard amp. In trying to get it to do things it wouldn't do I played too hard even though we weren't loud. I'm used to an pre, amp cab system responding accurately even if it's to do grind and dirt.:)
 
#593
BurningSkies said:
The Monique (from what I can tell, given the one I had wasn't quite up to the task), presents something else than just a DI or even just a 'toob tone' preamp. It really FEELS like a tube amp, even when not being driven too hard. Its got a dynamic that is way closer to a classic tube amp. Its got a real punch to the beginning of the note envelope and also can get that 'give' that only seems to come from a tube amp.

Now, that's not going to make it just right for anyone, particularly people looking for a super clean precise solid state sound. But for anyone who's interested in what a B15 does but at louder volumes and a difference convenience factor, or if you push it and want more of an SVT tone, it does it more than just 'convincingly'. It also does it with what appears to be more fidelity, more up high and down low to my ears.

I am keeping the Kern, which basically does the same thing but with the traditional Fender style 12AX7 type tone. Its big and smooth and wide, but doesn't have the 'attack' or the same tube sponge that the Monique has. I really like the Kern, but when recorded it seemed so smooth that I wanted something with a bit more punch to it.

This of course is all my personal take, and given only about 3 days with the unit and probably about 4 or 5 hours playing. Subject to change with more use, live stage use and recording use.
Click to expand...

Wow well said.
I try to steer somewhat clear of the Ampeg comparisons. (sorry JimmyM, you always hurt the ones you love) :) So often that can mean muddy or gritty. I'm sure, having owned my share of the A----s, that it's due to poor maintenance or exuberant eqing. The Monique does those tones with an ever present accurate reproduction of all the frequencies. That feel let's you make each note musical.
 
#594
chadds said:
Wow well said.
I try to steer somewhat clear of the Ampeg comparisons. (sorry JimmyM, you always hurt the ones you love) :) So often that can mean muddy or gritty. I'm sure, having owned my share of the A----s, that it's due to poor maintenance or exuberant eqing.
Click to expand...
I think it's more because of the internet. Ampeg never really had that reputation of being a dirt-only amp until the internet got big.
 
#596
Well I didn't say it didn't have the reputation of sounding good cranked before the internet ;) I'm just saying that it didn't have the reputation of being the only thing it does like it seems to now.
 
#598
chadds said:
What are you gonna plug it into, Zuma?
Click to expand...

Good question! I think the majority of my Monique time will be in project studios, including my own humble setup. Also, YouTube will be hearing Monique quite often. :)

I've been KIND OF getting the bug to play live again. I've been pretty content to keep myself in the studio. I guess I was always a home-body, not really destined for a proper Rock and Roll life. :smug:

I do have two heads that I would probably run Monique through just for fun - one of the first Ashdown Klystron models they sold in the U.S.A. and an even older Trace Elliot AH200 (loudest 200w I've ever heard). Cabs are the matching Trace 4x10 and 1x15. They are beasts. See why I don't play live? :D
 
#599
The situation is now beginning to make sense.

Today a mis-wiring of this first batch of Rack Mount Moniques was identified. Because of that you are missing about 90% of your level.

I am sorry this happened.

In fighting form, using a passive bass, the Balanced Out of Monique will put out about 3 volts with all the knobs at noon 4db knob pushed in. That is enough to drive any of the .775 or 2 volt input amps amps.

What I am going to do is prepare directions to correct the mis-wiring and get them to everyone involved. It is a very easy correction, so I'd rather have a local tech do the fix than move gear around the country/world.



BurningSkies said:
I predict this will come up more and more now, given that players interested in Rack Moniques are for the most part driving power amps, much like myself. Luckily my Peavey has a high input sensitivity (.775) and it seems to work well with both balanced signals and unbalanced (my Kern is an unbalanced 1/4", and I've been using it without any adjustment).

Bongomania has a nice little article about matching preamps and power amps for MI use:
http://www.ovnilab.com/articles/preamp.shtml#power
Click to expand...
 
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