ADA Depot - A Forum To Support Users of ADA Amplification Gear

ADA Preamps => Original MP-1 => Topic started by: gb on January 06, 2014, 04:41:16 AM

Title: ADA mp1 lost in the band
Post by: gb on January 06, 2014, 04:41:16 AM
Ok guys, firstly thank god this site is back up!!

im new to the live band rack scene. (always had heads)

So it consists of an ADA MP1 - appears original (and/or MP2) preamp
VHT 2902 power amp with KT88s
JCM 800 or 900 (i have both) quadboxes

guitars - ibanez rg570ex with stock V pickups, bc rich gunslinger ('87 model) with a trembucker and also another gunslinger ('89) with an EMG (i think 81)

optional bits i have to use are an Ibanez rack EQ GE3101, Rocktron replifex, Rocktron intellifex

Now i sold alllll my heads (boogie dual recto, marshall jcm2000) cause i just LOVED the MP1 and VHT combo .. at room levels .. but now that im in a band the sound just washes out in the mix and my rhythm guitarists DSL50 head just shits all over my config which is very disappointing VERY! so i dont know what im doing wrong or what i should be checking. I got feedback from an outsider muso that im sounding very thin and harsh (which i kinda knew) an not sure where to dial that out or why etc. At low volumes i have an awesome tone but i cant seem to maintain that at loud band volumes it just turns to crap!!

I have an MP2 (thanks marshalljmp) which i love even more but same thing again. I noticed i have to use the MP1 factory setting #1 so that at loud volumes it sounds good but not really the sound im after.

Im after the typical 80s hair metal sound. A good example is firehouse -all she wrote or firehouse - mama didnt raise no fool. Ratt round and round etc..

So i obviously need help with how to set everything up. Im sound thin, fizzy and flat at the moment at loud volumes and im just being washed out by a DSL50.

Perhaps its my power amp?

Every google search says 80s hair glam/metal = ada mp1!! im just not hearing it at decent volumes only at very low.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated!!! Im going to try the patches in the patches section perhaps thats the issue. But as i see it the sound thins out at loud volumes and im lost in the band and if i crank my power amp more im still just not heard. Im not sure if i should be cranking the preamp output but then it clips i think and turning the power amp down. the 2902 is suppose to be a beast of a power amp ..yeah it can get loud if noone else is playing but when everyone is playing geeez i fade away


Thank you!

\m/ ada mp1/2
Title: Re: ADA mp1 lost in the band
Post by: WickedBlade on January 10, 2014, 09:53:20 AM
I am surprised that your MP-1 doesn't cut through the mix. I don't know your particular poweramp, but VHT are generally considered top notch.

Silly question, but could it be that you are using presets that you tweaked at bedroom level? In that case you have to accommodate them for a live situation and raise the mediums a notch or two, it will sound bad at bedroom level but should work fine in a band situation.

I hope this helps a bit.
Title: Re: ADA mp1 lost in the band
Post by: gb on January 10, 2014, 01:28:46 PM
I am surprised that your MP-1 doesn't cut through the mix. I don't know your particular poweramp, but VHT are generally considered top notch.

Silly question, but could it be that you are using presets that you tweaked at bedroom level? In that case you have to accommodate them for a live situation and raise the mediums a notch or two, it will sound bad at bedroom level but should work fine in a band situation.

I hope this helps a bit.

Hi there thanks dor the reply.. yes thats what im thinking and yet to try with the band
Title: Re: ADA mp1 lost in the band
Post by: rnolan on January 12, 2014, 10:35:43 PM
Hey GB, you need to tweak your sounds at stage volume (I did all my MP1 patches at rehearsal and at gigs, I started with the #1 marshall patch but then ran the rest up from scratch).  Start with the #1 marshall patch and move it some where free then modify it until you're happy (when to say stop is the hard part  :D ).  Pick a bank (I use 11) and run up 10 sounds there (eg 110 clean, 111 clean louder, 112 main rhythm, 113 main rhythm louder   effect change (on other midi rack thing), .....114-119 lead sound/master vol/effects combinations).  The Paul Gilbert and Nuno patches should help as staring points that work loud.  I'm not familiar with the VHT either but generally turn you power amp up to at least 3/4s (or full) and adjust the MP1 output volume to suit (much like a PA).
Questions: are you running in stereo with either 2 cabs or a stereo cab (improves your sound instantly) ? I also turn the chorus depth to 100 with the rate 0.0 which adds a nice fattening (very short (ie chorus) delay) in stereo (if your not wanting chorus on that patch obviously).  What tubes are in your MP1 ? how old are they.  The original MP1 tubes were Chinese bottles (and not too shabby), Boogie STR 12AX7s work great in an MP1 and have lovely feedback and very low noise (order some from Pro Audio or Better Music both here in Canberra, Pro Audio is the Boogie distributor in Oz).  For the 80s hair cut sounds I find the MP2 better (but this is a very subjective area  O0 ), the patches I posted for the MP2 are stage volume patches, my old main rhythm will suit the style you're playing but needs the NR (gate) or it squeals when you're not playing.  Give me a ring on the numbers I PM'd you so I can cover more ground with you.
Title: Re: ADA mp1 lost in the band
Post by: Dante on January 13, 2014, 05:45:30 PM
THAT ^^^ Is excellent advice, on all counts.

Set up your 'live' patches at gig volume (I realize this is frustrating, but that's what band practice is for)
Use that chorus setting (very slow, very deep) for a W-I-D-E sound.
Stereo Cabs make a huge difference
Title: Re: ADA mp1 lost in the band
Post by: gb on January 14, 2014, 03:50:46 AM
thanks guys! i had a chat with rnolan and opened up the possibilities for me!! i understand a little more on what midi can do etc.

i think i still have alot more learning to go and im not out of the woods just yet but its exciting that theres more that can be done. I shall continue to post questions as they arise ..

long live ADA! .. i actually found my ADA polo shirt the other day. if theres a new run of ADA tshirts i wouldnt mind getting another!
Title: Re: ADA mp1 lost in the band
Post by: Rodney_g on January 14, 2014, 08:28:32 AM
Stereo Cabs make a huge difference

+1
Nothing beats chorus and reverb in stereo!
Mono chorus just sounds bad to me now...