Two Notes Audio User Group

[John D Harris]

First off, I'm a big fan of the Opus and bought it pretty much as soon as it came out. It hasn't left my board since then. Second, though, is my current question. I usually lean towards dirty, overdriven tones. The Opus definitely has those in spades. I've struggled with getting a good clean tone though. I'm talking something really clean...like you'd hear from a lot of the jazzier players. Has anyone found good settings in the Opus to get this sort of tone?

FWIW my main bass is an Ibanez BTB865SC with a Lusithand Double NFP preamp.

Here is the link to a clean Preset - Foundry preamp, no power amp, and Fridge cab with minimal EQ:

IBJDSMNPFRIDGE

 

[Ross Davies]

Very cool, so effectively if I run my bass into my interface into genome (trial) it will be the same processing as if it were done solely on the opus, just my Mac playing the role for compute?

Pretty cool if so. I will have to do some fiddling and check it out. Great avenue for you guys to get more hands on demos up and going, as well!

No problem - please note however that there are FX and Amps in GENOME That are not in OPUS so it does not offer 1:1 parity - but it can be quite nice for getting a feel of what OPUS can offer in terms of the TSM Amps and the DynIR engine!

 

[Ross Davies]

Sorry for being unclear. I meant that after updating I saw it as version 5.45.

While I had it hooked up to update I took some of the other cabs for a spin and decided to purchase the Subway 1x15. So far I'm making good progress on a clean tone with the Foundry preamp and the Subway 1x15. I might leave the power amp stage turned off for this preset though...but I need to keep experimenting. Thanks for your help and input.

Awesome! So pleased to hear you are up and running now and always happy to help!

 

[Ross Davies]

@Ross Davies I feel like a dunce asking, but I cannot seem to get genome trial to work on my Mac. Audio interface works fine with other software such as garage band, but when connected to Genome, I get no input audio. Test output button works just fine through the interface output.

Any ideas?

Thanks so much for getting back to me. Are you using the standalone application - if so, have you configured your input in the Audio Settings pane?

 

[lucas303]

Give this a try:

Opus Preset - Aviator with no power amp and Standard Powerhouse 1000 cab.

It might at least get you in the neighborhood of where you want to be, but the cab has to be purchased off Two Notes website.

I'd suggest you start off with either your bass in passive mode or with the onboard EQ flat.

Keep in mind I'm using a Cort B5 Element in passive and it has Ernie Ball Cobalt Flatwounds that are about 7 months old.
I'm just using the Opus with a pair of decent headphones.

Below is a straight Fridge preset.

Opus Preset - no pre, no power amp, Fridge with minimal EQ.

If you need one like the first one, but with an included cab, let me know what cab and I'll see what I can cook up for you.

Here is the link to a clean Preset - Foundry preamp, no power amp, and Fridge cab with minimal EQ:

IBJDSMNPFRIDGE

Thank you very much for this!

 

[meisi]

Thanks so much for getting back to me. Are you using the standalone application - if so, have you configured your input in the Audio Settings pane?

Yes, standalone app. I had it selected in the drop down for both input and output devices, both inputs selected, neither saw signal. Tried with built in and iPhone mic just to see and no signal either. Output test tones was fine out of my interface.

No issues loading through garage band, however. All plugins worked as expected.

 

[MrDinsdale]

@Ross Davies is there a way to independently set output levels for headphones? Had a scan through the menus and on remote but can't see anything.

 

[Ross Davies]

@Ross Davies is there a way to independently set output levels for headphones? Had a scan through the menus and on remote but can't see anything.

Thanks for getting back to me. No the headphone volume mirrors the main out volumes. However, if I need a separate headphone volume control, I use a headphone amp - although this is very rare that I do this as I am either going via XLR or headphones and not simultaneously.

 

[Ross Davies]

Yes, standalone app. I had it selected in the drop down for both input and output devices, both inputs selected, neither saw signal. Tried with built in and iPhone mic just to see and no signal either. Output test tones was fine out of my interface.

No issues loading through garage band, however. All plugins worked as expected.

Ah! I think I know what is going on here! If you head into your Sound Preferences, can you enable the onboard mic on your mac and see if this lets the interface signal pass?

 

[MrDinsdale]

Thanks for getting back to me. No the headphone volume mirrors the main out volumes. However, if I need a separate headphone volume control, I use a headphone amp - although this is very rare that I do this as I am either going via XLR or headphones and not simultaneously.

Ahh that's a shame, would make for a nice QOL update. Having individual control over XLR, Lineout and Headphone out is super helpful for different setups.

Another suggestion for a future hardware revision would be a top or left-mounted USB, I/O on the right side is pretty hard to access when on a board.

Other than minor niggles though really impressed so far, board is spounding excellent.

 

[Ross Davies]

Ahh that's a shame, would make for a nice QOL update. Having individual control over XLR, Lineout and Headphone out is super helpful for different setups.

Another suggestion for a future hardware revision would be a top or left-mounted USB, I/O on the right side is pretty hard to access when on a board.

Other than minor niggles though really impressed so far, board is spounding excellent.

Thanks so much for the feedback! Consider it sent to our dev team now!

 

[superheavyfunk]

Looks like TwoNotes is starting their spring sale… 40% off DynIRs and such.

I’m hoping to buy one or two, so I just wanted to ask what everyone’s favourite (read: most versatile) cabs were? I play across many genres, so not looking for “Best for Metal” or anything like that.

 

[meisi]

Ah! I think I know what is going on here! If you head into your Sound Preferences, can you enable the onboard mic on your mac and see if this lets the interface signal pass?

Privacy & Security, it did the trick. Thank you!

 

[John D Harris]

Looks like TwoNotes is starting their spring sale… 40% off DynIRs and such.

I'm hoping to buy one or two, so I just wanted to ask what everyone's favourite (read: most versatile) cabs were? I play across many genres, so not looking for "Best for Metal" or anything like that.

Standard Powerhouse 1000 - good balanced bass tones.
Don Bronco Evo 115 Neo - a bit huskier tone than above.
REA One - very transparent cabinet.

 

[superheavyfunk]

Standard Powerhouse 1000 - good balanced bass tones.
Don Bronco Evo 115 Neo - a bit huskier tone than above.
REA One - very transparent cabinet.

Thanks so much for the tips! I’ll have a look at these. Which amp do you usually pair them up with? I’m a newb with TwoNotes. I’ve used the Wall of Sound before but I only just got an Opus, so still figuring things out.

 

[John D Harris]

Thanks so much for the tips! I'll have a look at these. Which amp do you usually pair them up with? I'm a newb with TwoNotes. I've used the Wall of Sound before but I only just got an Opus, so still figuring things out.

I prefer mostly clean tones and I like the Foundry and the Foundry Bass preamps, and at low gain settings I like the Aviator preamp.
You can vary the tubey-ness somewhat by varying the Gain (if you dig in at some of the medium settings, depending on you bass and your attack, you'll start getting some hair on the notes, so adjust to taste).

You don't have to use a power amp to get great tone, but I often use the 6L6 in Pentode mode, usually keeping the Contour and Depth fairly close to 12 o'clock + or - a little. Add more or less of each for a more colored tone which can be great for certain genres.

For more of an overdriven tone, I like both the Aviator and the Peggy. Used with the Blonde 63 (Guitar 2x12) or the Tanger 30C (Guitar 4x12) you can get pretty nasty, but I really don't use that type of tone much.

Start off simple and if you use a cab model, start off just with the cab and nothing else - tweak the mics until you like the tone, then you can add some EQ or preamp or power amp.

I almost always use the Custom EQ and almost never use the Enhancer or the Reverb.

Good luck and happy tweaking!

 

[meisi]

Have to say, couple hours noodling around with genome, some time on bass and guitar -

Spiffy little program. All you need is your guitar and an interface. No opus required. Amazing how good the sounds are.

Wish it came with more than the fridge 810 to mess around with in the demo.

 

[John D Harris]

Have to say, couple hours noodling around with genome, some time on bass and guitar -

Spiffy little program. All you need is your guitar and an interface. No opus required. Amazing how good the sounds are.

Wish it came with more than the fridge 810 to mess around with in the demo.

If I were into recording, I would definitely use Genome - looks pretty cool!

 

[Ross Davies]

Have to say, couple hours noodling around with genome, some time on bass and guitar -

Spiffy little program. All you need is your guitar and an interface. No opus required. Amazing how good the sounds are.

Wish it came with more than the fridge 810 to mess around with in the demo.

Awesome! Am I right in thinking you are all set now?

 

[meisi]

Awesome! Am I right in thinking you are all set now?

Yessir! The blocked microphone was the trick. Appreciate the quick support!