Module Rundown

[JCChicken88]

Hey, I'm new to the whole MTS thing, I'm actually in the process of looking for a head right now. Anyway can someone give a rundown of the modules? Like what they are modeled after or what they sound like.

 

[Mattfig]

Happy New Year!

http://www.bandslink.com/randall.htm

http://www.grailtone.com/guitar-tone-articles/randall-mts-modules.html

 

[Daryl]

Cool link Fig. :lol:

 

[HughJasol]

Before you jump into a Randall head, you might want to consider Egnater. Bruce Egnater designed the MTS system and licensed the technology to Randall. However, Randall uses only the original single-channel implementation. Egnater subsequently came out with a dual-channel MTS implementation. The good thing is that all single-channel modules (Randall and Egnater) work in all Egnater dual-channel MTS amps.

I prefer Egnater because I can use every Randall module out there (stock or modded - doesn't matter), but I also have full use of all the dual-channel modules out there as well (I say "full use" because while you can use Egnater dual-channel modules in a Randall single-channel amp, you will only have the use of Channel A available to you). And now with Salvation Mods unveiling two of his incredible mods on dual-channel modules - with plenty more to come, this opens up whole other realm of options.

The available Egnater MTS amp head options are either the MOD50 or the MOD100 (the dual-channel equivalents of the Randall RM50 and RM100 respectively). If you're looking to buy new, note that Egnater has stopped hand-building his MTS products, except for the last few MOD50s that he's currently finishing up in his shop as we speak. He's moving production "elsewhere" (no word from him where that will be, or even whether it will be in the US or overseas), to startup again in "early 2011". You can see the catalog of available Egnater modules here. Note that in addition to the modules shown at that link, there are several other single-channel modules out there (the EG3 probably being the most highly coveted), as well a couple of other dual-channel modules no longer being produced (the dual-channel TWIN and DLX modules were replaced by the current "T/D" module).

If you want to go with a rack option, the Egnater M4 preamp is the way to go; specifically the M4DC, for "M4 Dual Channel", as there were single-channel M4s before dual-channel came out (I have two M4s - one's marked "M4DC", while the other is marked just "M4", yet they're both dual-channel preamps. MAKE SURE you're getting the dual-channel version before buying one of these!). The Egnater M4 is the dual-channel equivalent of the Randall RM4. Also, Egnater has announced but not released the "E2", which will be a single 1U rack space version of the M4, only with 2 module slots rather than 4. The E2 will more than likely be one of the first products released when Egnater resumes production at its new manufacturing facility in early 2011. If you do decide to go with a rack configuration, you can get rack power amp suggestions here on this forum as well, but probably 85% of us will (wisely) suggest the Randall RT2/50; although if weight is an issue (as it was for me) there are other lighter-weight power amp alternatives for clubs and other smaller venues (Mesa 20/20 stereo tube, ADA MicroTube 200 stereo solid state are two that come to mind).

The biggest drawback of going with Egnater vs. Randall is cost. Used Egnater MOD50s and MOD100 heads will typically cost you more than double that of their Randall counterparts. Although Egnater M4s are only slightly more expensive than Randall RM4s (maybe $100 to $200 more).

Hope this helps . . .

 

[m0jo]

A little addition to hughJasol's post:

Egnater M4's do not have a parallel effects loop, only a series one.
The Randall RM4 has both a series and a parallel loop (in that order).

And a comment on Matt's link:
Those clips are pretty old now, and while they give a reasonable impression of the modules IMO they don't at all show the fidelity that these modules give.

What type of sounds are you after?
With that info we can give you some advice on which modules can be interesting to you!

 

[HughJasol]

Egnater M4's do not have a parallel effects loop, only a series one.
The Randall RM4 has both a series and a parallel loop (in that order).

Ah yes! Thanks for pointing out the other major difference mojo . . . but actually the M4 has neither a serial effects loop nor a parallel effects loop. Your serial "loop" would really just be whatever you want to insert between the M4's output(s) and the power amp's input(s) . . .

 

[crankyrayhanky]

ahh the E2- then we can all play with dual mods. It's been on the boards for years but nothing yet....that would be awesome if it came out soon

 

[Hamner1]

Egnater M4's do not have a parallel effects loop, only a series one.
The Randall RM4 has both a series and a parallel loop (in that order).

. . . but actually the M4 has neither a serial or a parallel effects loop. Your serial "loop" would really just be whatever you want to insert between the M4's output(s) and the power amp's input(s) . . .

I always thought this was a mistake on the M4. It makes sense given the "high" end product it is that it should have a parellel loop.

 

[m0jo]

Egnater M4's do not have a parallel effects loop, only a series one.
The Randall RM4 has both a series and a parallel loop (in that order).

Ah yes! Thanks for pointing out the other major difference mojo . . . but actually the M4 has neither a serial effects loop nor a parallel effects loop. Your serial "loop" would really just be whatever you want to insert between the M4's output(s) and the power amp's input(s) . . .

My mistake, I thought the M4 had a dedicated series loop, turns out it has no loops.

The Randall RM4 has 2 dedicated loops on the back which are both tube-buffered, plus anything you would stick behind the RM4 and your poweramp.
So in flexibility the RM4 wins (the reason why I got one instead of an M4)
It must be said that the loops are line-level, so any instrument level pedals will be hit too hard by the signal (there are some that can handle it, if you want to use pedals, check that out)

 

[nomad100]

the loops would just add weight, i've never found a use for a parallel FX loop.

 

[m0jo]

the loops would just add weight, i've never found a use for a parallel FX loop.

That is your personal experience, I have always used a parallel loop for my delay effects.

 

[Hamner1]

I actually prefer the MF unit in the parallel loop. Prior to putting it there I was running it inline & clipping the hell out of the unit. Now that it is in the loop I can run the master at about 10 o clock & the module volumes at 1-2 oclock before the unit gets to the clipping stage.

 

[wakeguitar]

got the rm100 combo amp. Incredible and versatile system. Some stock modules sound pretty decent and modded modules are big improvent and worthwile imo.... Some modders taking modding very seriously...

Cheap way to have multiple boutique amps sounds at hand. Buy cheap modules for around $100-$130 used and get it modded for around $200. So for $200-400 per module depending what you want.

But if you can get a nice head for around $500 you might be just as happy...(eg tiny terror hehe)

 

[m0jo]

got the rm100 combo amp. Incredible and versatile system. Some stock modules sound pretty decent and modded modules are big improvent and worthwile imo.... Some modders taking modding very seriously...

Cheap way to have multiple boutique amps sounds at hand. Buy cheap modules for around $100-$130 used and get it modded for around $200. So for $200-400 per module depending what you want.

But if you can get a nice head for around $500 you might be just as happy...(eg tiny terror hehe)

A side question: how heavy is that thing? :shock:

 

[wakeguitar]

50lbs or so.

 

[fishstick_kitty]

The biggest drawback of going with Egnater vs. Randall is cost. Used Egnater MOD50s and MOD100 heads will typically cost you more than double that of their Randall counterparts. Although Egnater M4s are only slightly more expensive than Randall RM4s (maybe $100 to $200 more).

Hope this helps . . .

This, to me, is a big drawback. The Randalls are soooo incredibly cheap on the used market I think it's hard to beat that value...even considering that the build quality of the egnator may be better.

 

[HughJasol]

The Randalls are soooo incredibly cheap on the used market I think it's hard to beat that value...

I'd have to agree with you there, not to mention that the available mods for Randall modules by far exceed those available for dual Egnater modules. While I get the flexibility of using both Randall and Egnater modules (single and dual) with the Egnater amps/preamps, I pay a premium for that flexibility and take a bigger hit in my (now empty) wallet.

BTW - love the "fishstick_kitty" handle. I crack up just thinking about Chris Elliott in that scene! :lol: