Mesa M9 mega thread

[daflores]

I'm hoping one of my learned colleagues can clarify the mid control for me. The manual states:

"MID:
This is the only passive style control in the string of rotary tone controls. This scheme was chosen for its inherently musical blend and for the way the passive style midrange control, with its wide spread and smooth taper, fills in the holes. Unlike the BASS, this control is a boost only, and while it can competently remove this broad spectrum of midrange from the mix, it cannot provide the extreme attenuation of an active style control."

I obviously can hear a tone change when I fiddle with the knob but I'm not exactly sure what the above means. For example, is it set at flat with the control completely counter-clockwise or at 12:00? That's the kind of clarification I'm looking for. Thanks.

 

[bassjam]

The first time I tried a Carbine M6 it was in the mesa 212 cab on the dolly-thing. I was actually testing Road Worn Basses. Although the focus was on the basses, I left with a very clear and positive impression of the amp.

The second time was when I schlepped my CA6/Art pre-amp rack, a 4 ohm Epfani UL1 410 and an 8 ohm Epifani NYC 210 into the North Dallas GC and A/B'd my rack with an M6. Within 5 notes, it had me—I was using a bone stock 2003 Skyline 55-01D.



F BN5? Totally awesome!

A couple of comments that I hope help: As you probably have observed, depending on the direction you turn the knob, the voice setting changes the contour in opposite ways from straight up 3 (AKA flat). To the left (1 and 2) bumps low mids and lows, and to the right (4 and 5) bumps high-mids and highs. The Mesa folks have selected the 4 "non-flat" contours pretty well, IMHO.

I find something a bit confusing in your description of voice preference vs. your earlier observation about persistent high mids. It seems you were wanting to cut high mids, yet you selected contours that don't cut or even enhance high mids (3 and 5). I might try the lower numbers and try cutting the lows.

Also, If you didn't try this, I'd recommend starting with the TMB control knobs at noon and GEQ off. Select a voice, and then tweak by cutting, either on the knobs, or with the GEQ. Yes, then bump things up, if needed. Good luck with your next test!

Thanks Jim,Ill try all of this.Heck I see you are in Dallas,Ill meet you there and buy you lunch for your trouble

As for the contours-Thats where I was having trouble.I tried 1 and 2 and thats where it felt like it lost its edge for me.It cut the mids,but maybe too much.I didnt hear a boost in the low mids at all.Going to 5 brought back that thump but also the mids you describe.Looked to me like 3 was flat so guess I was correct there.But I did it backwards to what you described.I eq'ed before I got to the contours,spending most of the time in the flat position(3) and cut the upper mids before I got there.

The BN5-love it.Ill never sell this bass!

 

[bassjam]

My favorite setting is voice 2 (bumps some lows and highs, cuts some mids...at least that's how it seems to me) with some mids pushed back in, and some bass trimmed a bit.
Very full range and clean, great shimmer on top.

Im going to try this.Heck I may try to get back over there today.

 

[Chef]

On the M9, I trim the lowest two sliders on the GEQ.
On the M6. you gotta do this with the bass knob.

From there, if You're not feeling the mids the way you want, push in some 400hz at the geq...

The Mesa cabs are kinda there own thing.

 

[Jim Carr]

Im going to try this.Heck I may try to get back over there today.

Where are you testing the M9?

 

[bassjam]

Where are you testing the M9?

I went to The Guitar Sanctuary in McKinney.Its a brand new store-found out about it through the Mesa rep.Cool place,pretty much all Mesa.They are expecting more Mesa gear too.

I didnt make it out there today-bummer I have a gig in Frisco tonight too,but dont have the time to swing by.Im free next Tues and Wed if you are in the area.

 

[cbass1]

I was at the guitar sanctuary today, I can confirm they are a mesa dealer and have a few heads and cabs, they even have a couple (2) of basses to try out They are getting it together, they have a bunch of lulls and sadowskys coming in a few weeks. Looks like they are catering to only the highest end crowd. It is very swank, worth a visit for sure if you are in the area.

 

[babebambi]

Mesa's own literature described voice 1 and 2 as the classic smiley face EQ (aka enhance ...) - mid scooped, bass and treble boost; voice 1 being more so than voice 2. Voice 3 is supposed to be flat, but still sound scooped to my ear. Voice 4 and 5 is a low mid bump, with voice 5 having a higher frequency point and wider Q.

I played with GEQ to mimic and visualize how the five different built-in voice looks like; used the foot switch on voice defeat to A/B.

@BassJam
I would start with the voice knob before the GEQ. If you like V5 for finger style, V3 or V2 might be a good starting point for your slap.

The way you described the tone you are after, I kept thinking about Eden; however, your profile indicated that you had Eden gear before. So am I totally off or you just want gear with more modern designed?

 

[babebambi]

I think the Mid was boosted first (internally with no user control), then with a passive control that only cuts. I mean, how can you passively boost?

I'm hoping one of my learned colleagues can clarify the mid control for me. The manual states:

"MID:
This is the only passive style control in the string of rotary tone controls. This scheme was chosen for its inherently musical blend and for the way the passive style midrange control, with its wide spread and smooth taper, fills in the holes. Unlike the BASS, this control is a boost only, and while it can competently remove this broad spectrum of midrange from the mix, it cannot provide the extreme attenuation of an active style control."

I obviously can hear a tone change when I fiddle with the knob but I'm not exactly sure what the above means. For example, is it set at flat with the control completely counter-clockwise or at 12:00? That's the kind of clarification I'm looking for. Thanks.

 

[Jim Carr]

Mesa's own literature described voice 1 and 2 as the classic smiley face EQ (aka enhance ...) - mid scooped, bass and treble boost; voice 1 being more so than voice 2. Voice 3 is supposed to be flat, but still sound scooped to my ear. Voice 4 and 5 is a low mid bump, with voice 5 having a higher frequency point and wider Q...

+1
I stand corrected, and am grateful for your comment and insights. I wish my M9 were back from Mesa so I could be a little more informed and engaged with it.

I played with GEQ to mimic and visualize how the five different built-in voice looks like; used the foot switch on voice defeat to A/B...

This is a good idea which I will try once mine is home.

 

[daflores]

I played with GEQ to mimic and visualize how the five different built-in voice looks like; used the foot switch on voice defeat to A/B.

I've been experimenting with that too. I'm particularly interested in mimicking V2 so I can switch to that tone via footswitch. I've gotten close but not quite there. Let me know what you come up with, please.

 

[KsPiNeSh]

Mesa's own literature described voice 1 and 2 as the classic smiley face EQ (aka enhance ...) - mid scooped, bass and treble boost; voice 1 being more so than voice 2. Voice 3 is supposed to be flat, but still sound scooped to my ear. Voice 4 and 5 is a low mid bump, with voice 5 having a higher frequency point and wider Q.

Voice 4 has a higher frequency point than 5 - if I remember right, 4 is right around 400 hz and 5 is right around 200 hz. Sounds that way to my ear, anyway

 

[daflores]

I think the Mid was boosted first (internally with no user control), then with a passive control that only cuts. I mean, how can you passively boost?

So with the passive Mid rotary control turned all the way clockwise, I am listening to the internally boosted Mid which I can cut by turning the knob counterclockwise. Much like the tone control on a J or P bass. Am I on the right track?

 

[babebambi]

Voice 4 has a higher frequency point than 5 - if I remember right, 4 is right around 400 hz and 5 is right around 200 hz. Sounds that way to my ear, anyway

You are right, the manual does indicate that 4 has a higher point than 5. I however felt the other way around, but I should have specified that's IMO.

So with the passive Mid rotary control turned all the way clockwise, I am listening to the internally boosted Mid which I can cut by turning the knob counterclockwise. Much like the tone control on a J or P bass. Am I on the right track?

That's how I understand it.

 

[bassjam]

I was at the guitar sanctuary today, I can confirm they are a mesa dealer and have a few heads and cabs, they even have a couple (2) of basses to try out They are getting it together, they have a bunch of lulls and sadowskys coming in a few weeks. Looks like they are catering to only the highest end crowd. It is very swank, worth a visit for sure if you are in the area.

Really nice store.I didnt know they had Sadowskys and Lulls comming.I know they have a bunch more Mesa on the way.Guess Ill go on back next week!

 

[bassjam]

Mesa's own literature described voice 1 and 2 as the classic smiley face EQ (aka enhance ...) - mid scooped, bass and treble boost; voice 1 being more so than voice 2. Voice 3 is supposed to be flat, but still sound scooped to my ear. Voice 4 and 5 is a low mid bump, with voice 5 having a higher frequency point and wider Q.

I played with GEQ to mimic and visualize how the five different built-in voice looks like; used the foot switch on voice defeat to A/B.

@BassJam
I would start with the voice knob before the GEQ. If you like V5 for finger style, V3 or V2 might be a good starting point for your slap.

The way you described the tone you are after, I kept thinking about Eden; however, your profile indicated that you had Eden gear before. So am I totally off or you just want gear with more modern designed?

I will do just that-I pretty much did it the other way around.I guess I just need time to play with it.And it would be nice to have it at my own house instead of a store!

Funny you mention Eden.I loved my Wt800 but was limited for me as I usually only take one cab and all my cabs are 4ohm.So I had to run one side at 400 watts(I never did the upgrade)But yes,I loved the warm punchy eden sound and Id love to get close to that here-so no,you are not totally off at all.

 

[Chef]

i flipped my wt800b to get the M9, and i sure don't regret it.
yeah, the eden was all warm and gooey, but felt very muddy compared to the mesa.

and, i have a walkabout.

 

[Jim Carr]

Here is an update on my M9 in for "thermal update/repair" at Mesa.

The unit arrived with a bent front panel, probably due to my packing job or just maybe the way the Fed-Ex ground folks dropped it on the curb, hardie-har-har.

Anyway, Mesa said that the damage was fixable, might require a new panel, and is probably not claimable. I dig the head, and wish I had it back in working order, bent or not.

 

[Chef]

if you shipped it in the factory packing, that should dang well be good enough, and i'd sure file a claim.
yessir.

 

[Jim Carr]

if you shipped it in the factory packing, that should dang well be good enough, and i'd sure file a claim.
yessir.

+1

Yes. However, I am the third owner, and the packaging is not the original. They said if they can repair the panel, which is likely, they would not charge me. If they replace it, they will.

I am actually OK with it, Just anxious to get my personal dragon back.