Rane MPE 28 MIDI Programmable Equalizer

[El Chiguete]

Marshall is there a way to mod that HP out so its without the cab sim for my need???

[MarshallJMP]

Yes just remove C51 and C52.

[El Chiguete]

Really? That simple? then that will be a great mod to add an additional stereo out with chorus to expand the MP-1 connectivity with other gear!

[MarshallJMP]

Just be carefull with the output level,the headphone out has more output so keep the level pot of headphone down so you won't overload the next in line.

[rnolan]

So it seems the 2 caps are used to wind back the top end (simple but effective). This means you could use the headphone out into line inputs to record/PA etc, I suspect not as good as a full cab sim as they do other stuff as well but would be usable (and cheap LOL). I'll experiment with MikeB and compare to his GCS-3 tone. Again heed MJMP's warning re levels, IIRC the headphone out can do +17dB above internal signal level and max out +12dB (and you want ~+4dB for line level). Lots of patch variations are "possible" but you need to keep the gain structure in mind when you try them so you don't under drive (= more noise) or overdrive (= not nice distortion (clipping)) the next gadget.

[El Chiguete]

Update: on friday it got delivered to my forwarder in Miami so it's on the way here... can't wait!!!

[El Chiguete]

So after a few delays its here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I played with it a little bit yesterday so I cant comment on the unit yet, all I know is that I wish the Input and Output where reversed because my other rack gear (MP-1 and Lexicon) have the Input and Outputs on the same order (looking from the back the Inputs are on the right and the Outputs on the left BUT this RANE has it reversed)...

Anyway how would you advise to go play around with it? Should I do somewhat of a wave to on the freqs surrounding the one I want to boost or cut (like if I want to boost 80hz +8db would you boost +4 the freq to the right and left of 8hz and maybe +2 the ones after that) or would you just boost or cut the specific freq you are after?

I guess my question is on a normal amp (Marshall) how wide are the Q that affect surrounding freqs?

[rnolan]

Hey El  :thumb-up: . In my view you don't need an EQ with MP1/2, but some remark the bottom end eq in the MP1 is in the wrong spot (centre freq). Personally I never had an issue with bottom end in my MP1, but each to their own. Also I'm a minimalist, less is better, each gadget brings noise.

There are some fundamentals that are good to stick to with EQ (and any gadget really). The need to stay unity gain so overall level doesn't change from going through them. With EQ that means if you boost a bit then cut a bit, but this can be adjusted for with the EQ's input and out put levels (if it has them). So that's to preserve your gain structure which is the most important.

Where to boost or cut depends on the sound you are going for. Again less (subtle) is better. What about your tone do you want to improve ? Does it need more bottom end ? (80Hz), does it need more sparkle (8KHz). Remember these will change at different volumes, if you are adjusting for low (bed room) levels, do a loudness curve (boost 80Hz, make a nice "smile" curve to a boost at 8KHz with centre of the curve cutting). At volume, add what you want a bit more selectively, e.g. just add some 80Hz to fatten it up.

[El Chiguete]

For me I do belive that it needed a bit of bottom end and maybe the RANE MPE 28 is a bit of overdoing it but I got a REALLY good offer for one and in the future I will be abble to use this when tone OCD kicks inn for a particular part! jeje

[rnolan]

No worries, a good eq is always worth having around  :thumb-up:

[El Chiguete]

So I have to make a quick comment: I decided to try out plugging the headphone out (carefully watching the levels) without taking out the two "cab sim" caps that are in there and I have to say that maybe because I'm running a full wet signal  -or I'm just deaf- but the delay tone seamed fine to me... Any logic behind it? Maybe since its just taking away the highs if no problem?

[rnolan]

hey El, yeah there's logic behind it. if you make a cab simmed tone and feed that through your FX, it will work fine. So if you take the HP out, it has major tops removed (to emulate what some (all) 12" speakers will do to the sound i.e. not reproduce the highs (coz they cant). When I record with MP2 from its cab sim outs I just use the same FX settings but now they apply to the less top end and then I direct record the signal. No Problem!

Cab sims do a few things.. the first is they tone down the top end to emulate what a 12" speaker can/can't do. (so basically what you get from HP out jack)
Then they have other thingamajigs to emulate different mic orientations etc. And it gets more complicated..Sophisticated etc.

[MarshallJMP]

Well i guess R is right.You will only hear it if you use full range speakers.

[El Chiguete]

Everyone just learned something new today in this forum!

[MarshallJMP]

Well that's the whole point being on a forum  :lol: