Which module for metal

[disasterxpieces]

I own an RM100 running el34's thru emg 81's. I bought the amp cos it's so versatile, I use to use a boss gt8 but after running the RM100, without the gt8 I just cant go back to using the gt8 the randall sounds so warm and real without the 8, that said at the moment I only own the XTC module and I used to use the 8 with the 4cm but its anything but transparent. I play metal ie. Slipknot type stuff so I have a few questions.

Which module would be best for something like slipknot? I really dont want to keep using the gt8's distortion its so digital sounding and ruins the whole point of having a tube amp

I guess I've got to buy just a bunch of stomps and an eq, thru whatever module people suggest.

 

[TheAbomb12]

UltraXL or 1086.

I would definitely recommend the UltraXL first though. Also, you might want to switch to 6L6s for either the 1086 or UltraXL to get a more aggressive tone- unless of course you HAVE to have EL34s.

 

[disasterxpieces]

Thanks, I kinda thought the same myself, kinda figured it would be the UltraXL since I think theirs 3? ultra, ultra lead and ultraXL the XL being the newest as far as I know would have to be the most improved right?

BTW, how well does your G-major work with the RM100, I know its more transparent then the gt8 but is it transparent eough that you could really use the 4cm without the tone that we payed for being lost?

 

[wildwood]

You could also try one of the Rectifier modules. They sound pretty heavy to me. I use a SL+ module, if you add an EQ set in a V pattern (mid cut, low and hi boost), it will provide a pretty heavy sound, 6L6 tubes sound more natuarally mid cut and might be the way to go if it's that sound your after. I use JJ EL34Ls and to me they sound much nicer than the RUBY 6L6s I replaced. On the other hand, my other amp is running JJ 6L6s and it sounds great, myabe the RUBYs just aren't the best. I'm starting to ramble. Better get back to work.

 

[maximus1]

1086 hands down rules. get some 6l6 's biased at 50ma you'll be heavy as hell

 

[axecellent]

I go back and forth between the Ultra and the Recto (w/ C3 = 470).

The Ultra will get you closer to Slipknot I think.

The Recto I didn't like much until I used my Boss GE-7 in front of it with a big mid-boost setting. With the pedal, I like it quite a bit.

Thomas

 

[JKD]

1086 hands down rules. get some 6l6 's biased at 50ma you'll be heavy as hell

50ma !!!!!! Are you mad?

I think they're supposed to be in the 30 to 35ma range ?

 

[Stillgar]

I picked up one of those cheap Behringer EQ pedals, and slamming the front end with the level up makes for some nice juicy heaviness. I have the Grail, Scary, and XTC.

 

[disasterxpieces]

So which one is better considering its down tuned metal I cant decide between the UltraXL and the 1086, I havent played either only heard samples since the music stores wont order any unless I pay first :roll:

 

[axecellent]

I tune D-d and I much preferred the UltraXL to the 1086 when A/B'ed them at the store. To me the XL was tighter in the low end and gave me a 'cleaner' response to fast palmed picking of the chiggity-chuggity variety. However, the 1086 held a slight tone advantage when it came to 'the big chord' type stuff. It seemed to me to have a bit more swell/bloom to it.

Your mileage may vary.

That sucks nads that the store won't order without pre-pay. Are they willing to do even trades if you don't like the one you paid for?

Thomas

 

[maximus1]

jkd, i know it says 34 or whatever for 6l6 but at that setting the amp sounded hollow and underwaterlike or as if it had a blanket on it. then i read somewhere that 6l6 should be set at 50ma for the best tone and wouldn't you know it the amp has never sounded better and with the 1086 it is pretty much unbeatable for metal or anything heavy. i had a peavey xxx and it was the sameway and as a matter of fact i ran those 6l6 around 60ma and it sounded like a totally different amp all the lifeless shrillness and lack of *** was gone and replaced with huge girth and articulation. just my observation and experiences with 6l6's yours may differ

 

[TheAbomb12]

well, it may sound better- but your tubes will wear down much faster; plus you run the risk of damaging your amp.

 

[maximus1]

el34 run at 40 -45 but most experienced tube heads will crank em up high it won't hurt your amp . if you check out eurotubes website you can see a video of bob biasing a marshall that way.

 

[jmgman70]

el34 run at 40 -45 but most experienced tube heads will crank em up into the high 60's to 70's it won't hurt your amp . if you check out eurotubes website you can see a video of bob biasing a marshall that way.

That is for 2 tubes I believe.

 

[JKD]

el34 run at 40 -45 but most experienced tube heads will crank em up into the high 60's to 70's it won't hurt your amp . if you check out eurotubes website you can see a video of bob biasing a marshall that way.

That is for 2 tubes I believe.

I believe you are correct.

When I am checking the bias on a Randall MTS...I am talking per tube. When you're testing on most amps, the supply is usually runnig two tubes ...so supply running 60mA 6L6 pair == 30mA on the MTS

 

[maximus1]

30 ma on the mts for el34 would sound terrible

 

[jmgman70]

30 ma on the mts for el34 would sound terrible

I bias my 6L6s @35mv and E34ls @45mv and they flat kick *** .I showed my buddy how to bias his tsl60 and you bias 2 tubes at once but it shows the reading of two tubes thats why it says 80mv,on the RM you are reading each side so it shows each tube reading,add them together and look what you have,I believe....

 

[maximus1]

i'll try 35ma if you say it is good. i was using kt-77 at 45 when i first got the amp and i hated the way it sounded so i started using a bbe in the parralel loop and it sounded way better but it also had a solid state type sound that defeated the purpose of having such a nice tube amp which made me rethink my purchase then i got 6l6 and set them at 40ma , didn't like it, sounded muddy and muffled with no bass even with everything cranked then i went to 45, samething then i read somewhere that 50ma for 6l6 was great for tone and wouldn't you know it sounded awesome so i immeadiatly ditched the bbe and now i love the amp and with my 1086 have never heard a better sounding amp for metal.

 

[JKD]

30 ma on the mts for el34 would sound terrible

Possibly..I was quoting 6L6 numbers though, sorry for the confusion

 

[jmgman70]

I had an RM100 and it had a couple issues but it was under warranty and I knew the servive guys and it got fixed period.I used E34ls and 6L6gc and ran them at the upper settings that randall suggests and it flat "PEELED"the paint off my walls,awesome amp but 100 watts was ridiculous ,so I sold it and got the MOD50,I'm suprised the tube failure didn't happen sooner.