Greetings and Tone Question

[Sureshot12]

Hey everyone, I'm new and figured I would announce myself. I'm highly interested in purchasing a Randall MTS amp, and I have a couple questions. I have the feeling I need the RM50. I play in a contemporary Christian band, and we cover the spectrum of genres and tend to get decently heavy at times. However, we do play in churches quite frequently and I think that a 100watter would be overkill. I currently own a reprod. '65 Twin that I want to continue to use for clean and OD via a Bluesdriver, so I will primarily use the Randall for rock and heavy rock tones.

1.) Am I still going to get good tone with the 50?

2.) Is there a tone difference in EL34s vs 6l6s?

3.) Obviously if I get the 50w I have space for two mods, so I want one somewhat around an Alter Bridge/Creed tone, and one more akin to Breaking Benjamin tone. Any suggestions?

Basically I want a more standard rock tone, and then a deeper, more Breaking Benjamin-ish tone. I know Breaking Ben. uses the RM amps, but I do not know which mods they use.

 

[TheAbomb12]

I should note that there is very little difference Volume wise between 50 watts and 100 watts (in fact, its only a 3 decibel increase).

1.) Am I still going to get good tone with the 50?

Yes. The only differences you'll notice though, is that a 100 watt power section tends to sound punchier; but 50 watts will have more of that tube saturated distortion at the same volume as 100 watts.

2.) Is there a tone difference in EL34s vs 6l6s?

Yes.

EL34s have great Mid range (which allows them to cut through the mix like a knife through butter- and makes Distortion sound massive), but tend to be looser on the lowend. EL34s are more suited for Marshall Style Modules. You might prefer the EL34s if you're after that Marshall style classic Rock distortion.

6L6s have a natural scooped tone with Great Treble and Bass, but a little less mids. 6L6 is perfect for clean tone- especially for Fender style modules. They are also perfect for High-Gain Modules (ie 1086, UltraXL, Grail etc). You might prefer 6L6s if you play cleans in the style of Jazz, Blues, R&B, Country; or High Gain Distortion especially for Hard Rock/metal.

3.) Obviously if I get the 50w I have space for two mods, so I want one somewhat around an Alter Bridge/Creed tone, and one more akin to Breaking Benjamin tone. Any suggestions?

I haven't listened to any of them enough to give you a truly informed answer; But I think you should be fine with a Blackface (Clean), and 1086 modules ( very versatile distortion )

edit: I just noticed you already have a good clean amp. I would then Recommend the following modules: XTC, GRAIL, 1086.

 

[3 Mile Stone]

+1 to what Abomb12 just said. I think you pretty well covered it!

 

[EWSEthan]

Both Creed/Alter Bridge and Breaking Benjamin use Mesa Rectifiers. Mark Tremonti also uses a Bogner Uberschall but his tone is primarily Rectifier.

Get one of the rectifier modules to cop those tones, I think probably either Grail or Treadplate. I dont think youd need a 1086 if you get one of those because I think those are supposed to be heavier. (Someone please correct me if Im wrong). Since you have good cleans already, maybe the other module should be a plexi-like mid-gain one?

-Matt

 

[TheAbomb12]

I wouldn't recommend the treadplate at all. It tries to get Rectifier tone, but ends up sounding flabby and inarticulate.

The Grail and 1086 will both get you into Rectifier tone territory. The Grail Is specifically modeled after a Rectifier, and the 1086 can sound like a Recto- but also is very versatile and can get other types of tones as well.

 

[Sureshot12]

I know for example that Godsmack uses rectifiers, but I know that Breaking Benjamin's actual webpage specifically lists the MTS series as their amps...Aaron runs the RM100 and Ben uses the RM50.

I was just curious as to the modules that they probably use. I know a lot of that tone comes from tuning to drop Bb, and sometimes using their custom PRS baritones. I've heard a lot of negativity so far about the recta module, and only positives about the Grail and 1086 - especially the 1086.

On another note, about what volume is the sweet spot on the RM50? For good OD sounds on my Twin, I have to have it at at least 4.5, normally 5. That's generally too loud at some of the places I play. Can the RM50 pull good tone at lower than that?

 

[EWSEthan]

Well to me the tones on "We Are Not Alone" and "Phobia" are practically dead-on, straight up Rectifier. Those records are almost benchmarks on what perfectly produced and engineered Rectifier tones should be.

Id be surprised if they didnt use actual Dual Recs in the studio even if they are Randall endorsers.

So, since the consensus is that Treadplate sucks, go with either a 1086 or Grail to get close to that sound. Chances are they are using one of those two on the road if they are the closest thing to the Rectifier.

-Matt

 

[Sureshot12]

Repost of this question:

On another note, about what volume is the sweet spot on the RM50? I know that when I use my BD-2 on my Twin I have to have the volume on about 5 to get the desired effect and dang it's loud! lol I'm curious as to how the RM50 sounds at lower levels