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Peavey MiniMega 1000

#2,142
I had one, liked it, but there were some things I didn't like about it, the low headphone volume being a deal breaker. So I returned it and bought an Ampeg PF800. Then I sold my backup head and needed a backup, and since the Ampeg has a good headphone jack I bought another open box MiniMega. Ended up getting my exact same unit back. But after playing the PF800 I find myself trying to get that same tone out of the MM. I can get close, but not quite. I do like the unit, and once I get past New Years shows where I need the Ampeg sound I'll focus on the MM a little more.
 
#2,144
John D Harris said:
I may have missed it, but I did a search on the parent forum & it didn't come up - has any of the MiniMega users tried the Quilter BB800?
Just wondering how the basic tone/feel of the two amps compare.
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I've spent a little time with each.

The MM is more clear up top and very firm feeling. Some would say "stiff." Between that and the very deep (not hyped, necessarily, just deep) low end, I had to adapt my technique a little bit, but it was an adaptation I was able to make without much trouble. To get the mids where I liked them, I had to do a tiny bit of boosting (don't recall exactly where). The Gain, with my passive bass, was more a signal/noise optimization thing until it got up around 3:00, where it got a bit of harmonic edge and took just a little "edge" off the feel. That's about where I liked running it.

The Bass Block, like the Minimega, has more going on in the deep lows than most micros (again, not necessarily hyped -- at least with the EQ at noon -- but deep). The feel is a good deal looser than that of the MM, the tone, relative to the very clear MM, a bit on the wooly side, however I wouldn't call the amp sloppy feeling or wooly. I played it back to back with a very nice and responsive tube amp (a Shaw B-150) run clean and it does have some of that feel -- better executed in that regard than any other "tubey" micro I've tried -- but it didn't have quite the clarity of the Shaw (which had a beautiful, shimmering top end and crystal clear, slightly compressed lows). The EQ on the BB is broad and simple but well-voiced -- I found it to be effective and musical. There is a nice, propulsive bounce to the feel when playing fingerstyle that makes you want to play loping, syncopated bass lines. Again, while I'm far from an expert on tube amps, I wouldn't say "it's a tube amp," but it definitely takes inspiration from them and incorporates that in a natural-feeling way. Gain affects the feel/compression (or limiting) all through its range.

In terms of tone and feel I could use either amp on a gig and be happy. The MM to me felt just a bit on the harsh/stiff side but was certainly workable and I liked that everything I did with my right hand was clearly communicated by the amp. EQ is very flexible. While I liked the "bounce" of the BB -- it's responsive and easy to play overall -- the feel, for my taste, is just a bit on the loose side. Very fast (well, as fast as I can play them) bridge pickup runs would tend to blur a bit. I found myself adapting my technique with the BB, too, but in the opposite direction of the MM. I'd also like a little more edge/air up top, maybe via something like a "bright" switch or a presence control.

The BB is more forgiving in feel and more old-school in its tonal leanings. The MM is more exacting and modern. Each is flexible enough tonally and responsive enough to technique to cover a wide variety of music, but if I had to play in an Otis Redding tribute band I'd pick the BB and if I had to play a night of Mudvayne covers I'd pick the MM.
 
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#2,145
MarkA said:
I've spent a little time with each.

The MM is more clear up top and very firm feeling. Some would say "stiff." Between that and the very deep (not hyped, necessarily, just deep) low end, I had to adapt my technique a little bit, but it was an adaptation I was able to make without much trouble. To get the mids where I liked them, I had to do a tiny bit of boosting (don't recall exactly where). The Gain, with my passive bass, was more a signal/noise optimization thing until it got up around 3:00, where it got a bit of harmonic edge and took just a little "edge" off the feel. That's about where I liked running it.

The Bass Block, like the Minimega, has more going on in the deep lows than most micros (again, not necessarily hyped -- at least with the EQ at noon -- but deep). The feel is a good deal looser than that of the MM, the tone, relative to the very clear MM, a bit on the wooly side, however I wouldn't call the amp sloppy feeling or wooly. I played it back to back with a very nice and responsive tube amp (a Shaw B-150) run clean and it does have some of that feel -- better executed in that regard than any other "tubey" micro I've tried -- but it didn't have quite the clarity of the Shaw (which had a beautiful, shimmering top end and crystal clear, slightly compressed lows). The EQ on the BB is broad and simple but well-voiced -- I found it to be effective and musical. There is a nice, propulsive bounce to the feel when playing fingerstyle that makes you want to play loping, syncopated bass lines. Again, while I'm far from an expert on tube amps, I wouldn't say "it's a tube amp," but it definitely takes inspiration from them and incorporates that in a natural-feeling way. Gain affects the feel/compression (or limiting) all through its range.

In terms of tone and feel I could use either amp on a gig and be happy. The MM to me felt just a bit on the harsh/stiff side but was certainly workable and I liked that everything I did with my right hand was clearly communicated by the amp. EQ is very flexible. While I liked the "bounce" of the BB -- it's responsive and easy to play overall -- the feel, for my taste, is just a bit on the loose side. Very fast (well, as fast as I can play them) bridge pickup runs would tend to blur a bit. I found myself adapting my technique with the BB, too, but in the opposite direction of the MM. I'd also like a little more edge/air up top, maybe via something like a "bright" switch or a presence control.

The BB is more forgiving in feel and more old-school in its tonal leanings. The MM is more exacting and modern. Each is flexible enough tonally and responsive enough to technique to cover a wide variety of music, but if I had to play in an Otis Redding tribute band I'd pick the BB and if I had to play a night of Mudvayne covers I'd pick the MM.
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Mark, great comparison & lots to chew on - thank you so much!
 
#2,146
John D Harris said:
Mark, great comparison & lots to chew on - thank you so much!
Click to expand...
No worries. Glad if you find it helpful.

Everything in the above comparison and contrast between the two amps is relative. BB feels looser than the MM, for instance, and is a bit looser than what I usually shoot for, but many might not find it to be "loose" (or in need of a Bright switch) at all. Similarly, many MM players might not find the amp to be "stiff" or harsh-sounding at all.
 
#2,147
MarkA said:
No worries. Glad if you find it helpful.

Everything in the above comparison and contrast between the two amps is relative. BB feels looser than the MM, for instance, and is a bit looser than what I usually shoot for, but many might not find it to be "loose" (or in need of a Bright switch) at all. Similarly, many MM players might not find the amp to be "stiff" or harsh-sounding at all.
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Yes, I also understand that a lot of how we hear / feel has a lot to do with the other pieces in the sound chain.
 
#2,148
I gave my experience earlier in this thread about trying out one of these amps in a music store and being impressed. I thought I'd look for one after the holidays. I found a used MiniMega about a week and a half ago. I tried it out on a rehearsal this past Sunday. Damn, this little thing killed. I used it with a Euro Spector through a Berg AE410. With all of the knobs at noon and the Punch button pushed in, it sounded incredible. I'm not afraid to turn some knobs or push some sliders, but it is cool to find an amp that truly does sound great with minimal EQing (I find most amps, at the least, sound a bit thin and boxy when "flat"). The one guitarist, who's about as big of an amp hound as I am, couldn't get over how great it sounded. It has plenty of clarity, note separation, and "weight" to the notes, the latter being something I've found lacking in so many micro amps. I don't know how useful the Kosmos function is; sometimes those sub-harmonic frequencies can really busy up the low-end in a mix in a bad way, but it may work in small doses. I like that it's a portable amp, but not so small as to look silly on top of a larger cabinet. It fits in my bag o' cables and other miscellaneous items, so it's always going to be with me on gigs, even ones where I'm not using it as my main amp, therefore, acting as a backup. I'll be using one of my tube amps with a large cab on the gig this Friday, but I'm playing a bit of a crowded stage next week with this and an Aggie GS112. I'm looking forward to it. :bassist:

Kirk Bryant said:
I don't think it has a signature sound. I think it's voice is pretty neutral sounding though I think you can get pretty much what you want out of it.
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That is my experience as well. I find that it's just a very clean, punchy solid-state amp. It doesn't have that horrible impossible-to-dial-out nasal honk that some of the older Peavey bass amps used to have. With that said, I wouldn't call it a particularly warm amp, either. So if someone's looking for warmth, this probably isn't the amp for them.
 
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#2,149
LiquidMidnight said:
I gave my experience earlier in this thread about trying out one of these amps in a music store and being impressed. I thought I'd look for one after the holidays. I found a used MiniMega about a week and a half ago. I tried it out on a rehearsal this past Sunday. Damn, this little thing killed. I used it with a Euro Spector through a Berg AE410. With all of the knobs at noon and the Punch button pushed in, it sounded incredible. I'm not afraid to turn some knobs or push some sliders, but it is cool to find an amp that truly does sound great with minimal EQing (I find most amps, at the least, sound a bit thin and boxy when "flat"). The one guitarist, who's about as big of an amp hound as I am, couldn't get over how great it sounded. It has plenty of clarity, note separation, and "weight" to the notes, the latter being something I've found lacking in so many micro amps. I don't know how useful the Kosmos function is; sometimes those sub-harmonic frequencies can really busy up the low-end in a mix in a bad way, but it may work in small doses. I like that it's a portable amp, but not so small as to look silly on top of a larger cabinet. It fits in my bag o' cables and other miscellaneous items, so it's always going to be with me on gigs, even ones where I'm not using it as my main amp, therefore, acting as a backup. I'll be using one of my tube amps with a large cab on the gig this Friday, but I'm playing a bit of a crowded stage next week with this and an Aggie GS112. I'm looking forward to it. :bassist:



That is my experience as well. I find that it's just a very clean, punchy solid-state amp. It doesn't have that horrible impossible-to-dial-out nasal honk that some of the older Peavey bass amps used to have. With that said, I wouldn't call it a particularly warm amp, either. So if someone's looking for warmth, this probably isn't the amp for them.
Click to expand...
Good review of the amp. I agree with you regarding the weight of the notes. I've gone through a few class d heads in the last year and the Peavey has been the best for me. The others felt a little thin compared to it.

Yes, Spectors sound great through this amp. My Forte 4 kills through it.

I never use the Crunch or Kosmos but the Punch and Bright features are very useful. I've also ran a few different preamps into its FX return just utilizing its stellar power section and to add some grit. I'm really digging it too.

My main rig is a SVT so I was looking for something light that could get me close.
 
#2,150
It really is a fantastic sounding amp.. Kosmos when used very sparingly works great in some settings. when i am at home i will occasionally do a blues gig.. Kosmos in that setting ads a nice pillow below the already nice pillow that is native in this amp..

LiquidMidnight said:
I gave my experience earlier in this thread about trying out one of these amps in a music store and being impressed. I thought I'd look for one after the holidays. I found a used MiniMega about a week and a half ago. I tried it out on a rehearsal this past Sunday. Damn, this little thing killed. I used it with a Euro Spector through a Berg AE410. With all of the knobs at noon and the Punch button pushed in, it sounded incredible. I'm not afraid to turn some knobs or push some sliders, but it is cool to find an amp that truly does sound great with minimal EQing (I find most amps, at the least, sound a bit thin and boxy when "flat"). The one guitarist, who's about as big of an amp hound as I am, couldn't get over how great it sounded. It has plenty of clarity, note separation, and "weight" to the notes, the latter being something I've found lacking in so many micro amps. I don't know how useful the Kosmos function is; sometimes those sub-harmonic frequencies can really busy up the low-end in a mix in a bad way, but it may work in small doses. I like that it's a portable amp, but not so small as to look silly on top of a larger cabinet. It fits in my bag o' cables and other miscellaneous items, so it's always going to be with me on gigs, even ones where I'm not using it as my main amp, therefore, acting as a backup. I'll be using one of my tube amps with a large cab on the gig this Friday, but I'm playing a bit of a crowded stage next week with this and an Aggie GS112. I'm looking forward to it. :bassist:



That is my experience as well. I find that it's just a very clean, punchy solid-state amp. It doesn't have that horrible impossible-to-dial-out nasal honk that some of the older Peavey bass amps used to have. With that said, I wouldn't call it a particularly warm amp, either. So if someone's looking for warmth, this probably isn't the amp for them.
Click to expand...
 
#2,151
LiquidMidnight said:
I gave my experience earlier in this thread about trying out one of these amps in a music store and being impressed. I thought I'd look for one after the holidays. I found a used MiniMega about a week and a half ago. I tried it out on a rehearsal this past Sunday. Damn, this little thing killed. I used it with a Euro Spector through a Berg AE410. With all of the knobs at noon and the Punch button pushed in, it sounded incredible. I'm not afraid to turn some knobs or push some sliders, but it is cool to find an amp that truly does sound great with minimal EQing (I find most amps, at the least, sound a bit thin and boxy when "flat"). The one guitarist, who's about as big of an amp hound as I am, couldn't get over how great it sounded. It has plenty of clarity, note separation, and "weight" to the notes, the latter being something I've found lacking in so many micro amps. I don't know how useful the Kosmos function is; sometimes those sub-harmonic frequencies can really busy up the low-end in a mix in a bad way, but it may work in small doses. I like that it's a portable amp, but not so small as to look silly on top of a larger cabinet. It fits in my bag o' cables and other miscellaneous items, so it's always going to be with me on gigs, even ones where I'm not using it as my main amp, therefore, acting as a backup. I'll be using one of my tube amps with a large cab on the gig this Friday, but I'm playing a bit of a crowded stage next week with this and an Aggie GS112. I'm looking forward to it. :bassist:



That is my experience as well. I find that it's just a very clean, punchy solid-state amp. It doesn't have that horrible impossible-to-dial-out nasal honk that some of the older Peavey bass amps used to have. With that said, I wouldn't call it a particularly warm amp, either. So if someone's looking for warmth, this probably isn't the amp for them.
Click to expand...
Good feedback in general on the amp's response.
I'm a bit curious about the 'warm' comment.
If you had a warm sounding bass guitar, do you think the amp would convey that?
Also, I would think that with a little bit of EQ'ing you could warm up the tone a bit (maybe just a touch of low bass &/or low mids), does this work with the MiniMega?
 
#2,153
John D Harris said:
Good feedback in general on the amp's response.
I'm a bit curious about the 'warm' comment.
If you had a warm sounding bass guitar, do you think the amp would convey that?
Also, I would think that with a little bit of EQ'ing you could warm up the tone a bit (maybe just a touch of low bass &/or low mids), does this work with the MiniMega?
Click to expand...

It's a fairly transparent amp and is quite accurate at reproducing the natural timbre and tonal qualities of different basses; accordingly, if you have a warm bass, such as a nice P-bass, then I'm fairly confident that will be recreated by the MiniMega.
 
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#2,154
LM, Agreed, my RW P sounds warm so I don't think it's specifically lacking in that department. Adding in the para mids does it for me. I'm pretty much always bumping up both low and high mids and using the Punch button. I don't use the bright at all cause that's not the way I roll. I experimented a bit more with the Kosmos and agree a little dab can add fullness. Still digging it a lot but bummed that 2 out of the 5 gigs I have this week have been canceled due to snowmageddon here in Portland. I'm crossing my fingers that this Fri., Sat., and Sun. Don't get bagged.
Come on Portland SALT THE DAMN ROADS !!! Lame!
 
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#2,155
I've experimented with the Bright button, and I'm sort of ambivalent with it at this point. Granted, I've only used it with my Berg AE410 and Aggie GS112. I find that bright switches and boosts often shine when used with tweeterless cabs but can sometimes be a little too much with tweetered cabs. I'm sure it will find its way on top of my NV610 soon enough, so I'll see how I like the Bright button with it.
 
#2,156
I just bought a used miniMEGA, and so far I'm very happy. I was not however happy with the "all knobs at noon" tone. The bass response is nice, but the mids seem muted. Overall the default tone is very "soft" sounding, and not lively at all. The punch and Kosmos just make that even more pronounced. Punch is nice but it makes things a but too bassy with my main bass.

My go-to tone from a small SS amp has been what I've gotten from my KXB500. It's a cheapy with very basic eq, but it sounds great. Not too much low end, nice low mid bump, very clear in the hi mids, a decent amount of highs but almost no glassiness. So I tried to get this basic tone from the MM.

I found a tone I like a lot (in approximate clock terms):
Low: 11:00
LoMid: freq 10:00 level 3:00
HiMid: freq 10:00 level 2:00
High: 12:00
No buttons pushed, no Kosmos.

It's a very present but solid tone that sounds great with my passive PJ5, either fingered or picked (mostly used as a P). It even gets a great slap tone from the P. It's a bit smoother than the KXB500 tone, with a bit more "air" up top, and much more solid in the lows.

Bear in mind I haven't played it with a band yet, and all my tone-shaping has been through my Ampeg SVT212AV, which is not a very flat cabinet (but it is a very nice-sounding one!).

So overall I'm very happy with the amp, I just wonder why the default tone is SO VERY DIFFERENT from the KXB500, which is known (rightly or wrongly) as a pretty flat-response amp.

I even plugged my bass into the effects return on both amps (I assume this is directly into the power amp), and amazingly, each amp still exhibited the same character. The KXB500 had a low-end rolloff and was very clear in the mids and highs. The MM had deep bass, a bit shy in the mids, and somewhat muted highs.

I don't think there's anything wrong with my amp, as I can hear the character I'm talking about in the youtube demos. I just think it's a rather odd voicing (and why is the voicing in the power amp???). As I said, I'm glad the eq is so good, as if it wasn't I wouldn't have gotten what I wanted out of it.

Anybody else experience anything like this?
 
#2,157
Hey Smeet, maybe the tone is more in your bass than in the amp, or not just thinking out loud. Your mid settings are nearly identical To mine. But I usually have the bass more at 12 and the punch on Kosmos off. I usually dial my tone from the bass so I'm not sure where those knob settings are at the moment. And my basses are mostly active although those settings are the same for my RW P bass as well. I've never tried to plug into the Power amp in. Perhaps I'll give it a try this weekend.
 
#2,158
Kirk Bryant said:
Hey Smeet, maybe the tone is more in your bass than in the amp, or not just thinking out loud. Your mid settings are nearly identical To mine. But I usually have the bass more at 12 and the punch on Kosmos off. I usually dial my tone from the bass so I'm not sure where those knob settings are at the moment. And my basses are mostly active although those settings are the same for my RW P bass as well. I've never tried to plug into the Power amp in. Perhaps I'll give it a try this weekend.
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It's not the bass, as I was switching back and forth between two amps, and I've heard it through many other amps and speakers before. I also went direct through a Little Labs direct box for a recording this weekend, and the bass is aggressive and bright.

In any case, still liking the amp a lot.
 
#2,159
I have a KXB 500 and had a MiniMega briefly. I hear the KXB as having a bit of a bump in the mids with knobs at noon and I heard the Minimega as just a bit scooped with knobs at noon. To get the Minimega feeling even to me, I did small mid-boosts on both bands -- mild compared to what you're doing, smeet, but I wouldn't say that you're off-base in what you're hearing. The deeper extension of the MM could also have the effect of masking the mids, somewhat, relative to the KXB.
 
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