Crank the Master - Make a Monster

[dboy5150]

One of the module threads evolved into a discussion on master volume impact on tone, and wanted to put out here as a topic to get some opinions.
Playing live, I've been running my master at around 9:30 with module levels between 12-2. I took some of the guys' advice and bumped the master to 12:00, backed the modules down to 9-10 and MERCY!!! The dang thing just became a monster! I can't believe I've had this amp for almost 6 months and just now tried pushing the power section like this. Even the blackface got fatter...but with no distortion.

The other thing I noticed is that the EL34's seemed to dominate the tone more (i.e. got more marshall sounding), even though I'm running along with 6L6's on the outside. Really, it's like a whole new amp.

Anybody else had this experience?

 

[Rellik]

I've been running EL34's in my RM50 combo and cranking the master the whole time. I never really liked to crank the modules above master - I like the complex mids, dynamics, and power I get from the master.

 

[nikki-k]

dboy5150- You are running an integrated quad of EL34 + 6L6 in an RM100?

I am about to load a matched integrated quad of those into my Legacy! Just picked them up from Eurotubes (up the street, basically). How do you like it compared to a full quad of 6L6 or EL34(L)?

 

[6stringgrind]

I've always run my RM100 with the master cranked and the modules at 9 o' clock or so. Sounds much better to my ears to crank the master volume.

 

[tonymustang302]

Ive found this sickest tone is module volume at noon (half way ) and master volume at noon (half).

Although....with the KT88's that might change :twisted: :twisted:

 

[dboy5150]

dboy5150- You are running an integrated quad of EL34 + 6L6 in an RM100?

I am about to load a matched integrated quad of those into my Legacy! Just picked them up from Eurotubes (up the street, basically). How do you like it compared to a full quad of 6L6 or EL34(L)?

Quad 6L6's are a bit dark, but the EL34's add more mid crunch.
Hadn't run quad EL34s tho.

 

[droptrd]

yeah, I tried this for the first time this weekend. I was about to get rid of one my modules. turns out i wasnt running it right. i was running the modules round 9-10 oclock and the master 2-3 oclock. i have practice tomorrow, im going to try pushing the master even more.

 

[Decerto]

Hmm, and here I've been trying to dime out the channel volume and ease in on the master. I really should try it the other way, especially since I have this sweet quad of Groove Tube EL34-M's 8), I should really be pushing them.

 

[Pedro]

Holy Sweet Mary, Jesus and the wee donkey! :shock: :shock: :shock: I couldn't BELIEVE the difference in sound when the master was jacked to 3 and raising the levels on the mods! It was CRAZEEE! :twisted:

Now just need to get my KT88's in there and get myself ready to have the paint come off the walls! :lol: ....the way it should be!

 

[riff man]

question --- how different would the volume settings be from a RM4 set up to a RM 100 set up ....

i don't have a RM 100 .

on my RM4 set up i basically have to deal with 2 !!! master volume's one on the RM4 and 1 on my power amp.


how do you RM 4 players set up your volume's?? from mods all the way to your power amp ...

 

[nikki-k]

Hi!
I run my RM4 (primarily) through my Carvin Legacy, via the Return. The return is post MV, so it is up to the RM4 to regulate I set the RM4 master up around noon to 1, and then used module master to control volume overall.

Don't have an RM100 yet, but compared to the RM100 I played in the store (had 6L6's, my Legacy has EL34L's right now), slamming the power section with the RM4 was brutal. Really nice, definite EL34 power.

 

[Pedro]

Yeah, it would make logical sense to crank the RM4 master and the power amp... 8) ...now that I REALLY think of it :? , the power amp having the tubes, the PA should be jacked around 2-3 o'clock (maybe full to cook the tubes), maybe do the same with the RM4 master (2-3 o'clock) and then set the overall level from the module?