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Mesa Boogie M9 Megathread: Pt II
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
- Jun 29, 2006
- 5,148
- 3,216
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- President, CEO, CFO, CIO, Chief Engineer, Technician, Janitor - Reiner Amplification
Hey, somebody's gotta take these things to the limits! My "sound lab" is a pretty good size, and things sound pretty nice with all the acoustic treatment, even at stupid volumes, but it tends to make me creep up of the volume dial more than I should... just because I can... 
- Jun 29, 2006
- 5,148
- 3,216
- Disclosures
- President, CEO, CFO, CIO, Chief Engineer, Technician, Janitor - Reiner Amplification
I am playing with the compressor a bit more, and it actually sounds great with the threshold at noon and ratio from ~ten to noon if you run the gain higher, from say 2 o'clock on up. Running EQ flat and voice 4. Smooths the drive out and gives a really nice tubey thickness to the tone.
I really liked the comp on the M9.
On the other hand, I never had any other amp that felt like it needed it.
The M9's super wide non-hpf'd low end, and great dynamic headroom really require it be engaged to keep things "even," IMO, and it does a swell job of doing that rather invisibly.
On the other hand, I never had any other amp that felt like it needed it.
The M9's super wide non-hpf'd low end, and great dynamic headroom really require it be engaged to keep things "even," IMO, and it does a swell job of doing that rather invisibly.
- May 20, 2000
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- Endorsing Artist: Aguilar Amplification, Spector, Dingwall, Tech 21 NYC, Darkglass
svtb15
Inactive
- Mar 22, 2004
- 13,004
- 4,741
- Disclosures
- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
I had an Mpulse 600 years ago. I only used the compressor slightly.. But it was very smooth in operation.. Im looking forward to my M9 coming... That mesa compressor is a nice added feature on a high powered amp.
Personally, I like the non-HP lowed in an amp.. On the m9, i could always active the GEQ and drop the 30Hz fader if i felt i needed it.
Personally, I like the non-HP lowed in an amp.. On the m9, i could always active the GEQ and drop the 30Hz fader if i felt i needed it.
I always had the compressor on set at 9 oclock on both controls, and, always had the GEW on, with the lower two bands cut a bit.
- Jun 29, 2006
- 5,148
- 3,216
- Disclosures
- President, CEO, CFO, CIO, Chief Engineer, Technician, Janitor - Reiner Amplification
Regarding lack of HPF, meant to note that the manual states that with the bass control pushed in, "a cut-off is employed so that below a certain point, sub-low frequencies are not part of the mix." ....the pull deep "allows the entire range of low frequencies to pass...."
I don't know if this is a recent change or unique to the M9, but I'm not hearing any messy low end - things are pretty taught with everything set flat.
I don't know if this is a recent change or unique to the M9, but I'm not hearing any messy low end - things are pretty taught with everything set flat.
- Jun 29, 2006
- 5,148
- 3,216
- Disclosures
- President, CEO, CFO, CIO, Chief Engineer, Technician, Janitor - Reiner Amplification
I was aware of that, was wondering about the HPF when running with it in.
Still playing with the compressor and getting some really nice rock tones. Running in position 4 and cranking the passive mid or mids via the graphic gets some really smooth, warm midrange growl when the comp hits it.
Still playing with the compressor and getting some really nice rock tones. Running in position 4 and cranking the passive mid or mids via the graphic gets some really smooth, warm midrange growl when the comp hits it.
I was using 4 for a while, then realized my Thumb didn't need a midbump, like, at all. Now I'm using 2 and it evens out my fuzz pedals a lot, makes my bass sound huge with effects.
Side note and quick question...
Would I hurt the M9 if I just used the DI out to a mixing board? You know, unplug the speaker cabinet for silent recording. Or does the amp need a speaker load to not blow up... About to email Mesa about this but thought I'd ask here first...
My apologies if this was covered already... I read most of the posts here but got lost...
Side note and quick question...
Would I hurt the M9 if I just used the DI out to a mixing board? You know, unplug the speaker cabinet for silent recording. Or does the amp need a speaker load to not blow up... About to email Mesa about this but thought I'd ask here first...
My apologies if this was covered already... I read most of the posts here but got lost...
svtb15
Inactive
- Mar 22, 2004
- 13,004
- 4,741
- Disclosures
- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
The amp has Solid State Mosfet output devices. The amp should be able to run fine without speakers attached ..
That's what I figured (based on the hundreds of threads I've read about 'solid state vs tube' amps...)
Just looking for practical confirmation on this particular monster.
Thanks!
oh... I suppose the whole thing about needing a load for proper amp reaction doesn't apply here either. ie, one needs a speaker motor (or simulator) moving back and forth to correctly reproduce the same tonal reactions that an amp with a speaker connected does.
Does that make sense, or am I confused again? I think I've read too much online, and now think of the signal from the amps speaker-out like a car's exhaust... needs back pressure or something.
Just looking for practical confirmation on this particular monster.
Thanks!
oh... I suppose the whole thing about needing a load for proper amp reaction doesn't apply here either. ie, one needs a speaker motor (or simulator) moving back and forth to correctly reproduce the same tonal reactions that an amp with a speaker connected does.
Does that make sense, or am I confused again? I think I've read too much online, and now think of the signal from the amps speaker-out like a car's exhaust... needs back pressure or something.
svtb15
Inactive
- Mar 22, 2004
- 13,004
- 4,741
- Disclosures
- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
I think I'm going to let mine go. Its like Lomo says, its a caged dragon! I just don't have a need to use this much power anymore. I play through the amp often at super low volumes but I think the Walkabout is really my go to amp for pretty much everything. I do love the uber quick response of the Carbine series. Lightning speed but never sterile!
