Author Topic: Pre vs Power Distortion (Read 10612 times)

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #15 on:** November 26, 2006, 02:08:28 PM »

what few people realise is the effect that the speakers have on your tone when driven hard - that tone you get with the amp cranked is a sum of the speakers being driven hard AND the whole amp distorting. An oversimplification, but it's not 'just' about overdriving the output stage.

:twisted:

dave_mc · « **Reply #16 on:** November 26, 2006, 03:34:32 PM »

Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL

what few people realise is the effect that the speakers have on your tone when driven hard - that tone you get with the amp cranked is a sum of the speakers being driven hard AND the whole amp distorting. An oversimplification, but it's not 'just' about overdriving the output stage.

:twisted:

seconded. the difference in tone between my engl maxxed out and my valve junior through my 4 vintage 30's is startling!

Davey · « **Reply #17 on:** November 26, 2006, 04:09:21 PM »

Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL

what few people realise is the effect that the speakers have on your tone when driven hard - that tone you get with the amp cranked is a sum of the speakers being driven hard AND the whole amp distorting. An oversimplification, but it's not 'just' about overdriving the output stage.

:twisted:

thirded

screamingdaisy · « **Reply #18 on:** November 26, 2006, 05:02:21 PM »

Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL

what few people realise is the effect that the speakers have on your tone when driven hard - that tone you get with the amp cranked is a sum of the speakers being driven hard AND the whole amp distorting. An oversimplification, but it's not 'just' about overdriving the output stage.

:twisted:

In some ways this is just as important as the amp itself.

I don't use much in the way of gain anymore as I've found that sheer sound pressure level usually trumps gain in terms of achieving 'heavy'.

Me = Orange amp, gain 3, master volume 10 -> 6x Vintage 30s.

Davey · « **Reply #19 on:** November 26, 2006, 06:18:11 PM »

it's as ben said

50% amp

50% pickups

50% cab

50% your fingers

Jonesy · « **Reply #20 on:** November 27, 2006, 07:28:13 PM »

Quote

Jonesy wrote:
you cant use a hotplate witha combo though can you

Why not??!

I thought you had to place them between a head and the cab...quess not...thats amazing...im getting one :P

blue · « **Reply #21 on:** November 27, 2006, 08:54:20 PM »

as long as there's a jack output from the back of the amp to the speaker, it's no problem. it's the same as a head and cab, just the head happens to be mounted in the same enclosure as the speaker. only works with valve power amps mind, plugging it into a solid state power amp will potentially destroy both the amp and the attenuator. (i have no idea why, it's just what i've been warned about)

Joe Dorcia · « **Reply #22 on:** November 29, 2006, 10:49:54 AM »

Quote from: Davey

it's as ben said

50% amp

50% pickups

50% cab

50% your fingers

200% tone. I LOVE IT!

stuckin93 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 01, 2006, 09:42:49 PM »

remember though that you can only use attenuators on amps with a valve power section

i use a hot plate & the difference in sound is massive even at fairly low volumes.

OD-Black_Fire · « **Reply #24 on:** December 01, 2006, 09:56:03 PM »

I don't think poweramp distortion is overated, but preamp and speaker distortion are underated. I like the RIP YOUR FACE OFF from the preamp, the I AM SO BIG I EAT EMO FOR BREAKFACE from the power amp, and the IM BANGING HARDER THAN YOUR SLUT WIFE from the speakers. :D

everton_fc · « **Reply #25 on:** January 04, 2007, 01:45:43 PM »

Am tempted to get a Hotplate - but is the volume difference actually that reduced? Would love to play with the amps volume cranked on 10 all the time... so does the Hotplate allow me to do this at reasonable volumes?

Thanks

gwEm · « **Reply #26 on:** January 04, 2007, 06:29:43 PM »

i guess power amp distortion is overrated by some people... a little at least is needed i think. decent preamp distortion and EQ can make up for alot. i have a 50w amp, but dont feel the need for a hotplate at very loud bedroom levels.

agreed that speaker distortion is certinally underrated.

BigK · « **Reply #27 on:** January 04, 2007, 09:39:27 PM »

Yeah sorry to hijack but how much volume difference can you get with an attenuator/hotplate? cause im currently saving to get an engl powerball or fireball (cant diecide at the mo) and i was thinking about getting and attenuator at the same time so i dont kill the neighbors/housemates.

fps_dean · « **Reply #28 on:** January 05, 2007, 02:58:19 AM »

Quote from: dave_mc

yeah, a mixture is good. for anything modern (and by modern I mean 80's or later), for the shreddy solos at least, you need a little pre-amp dirt to help the pinch harmonics etc. come out.

Preamp distortion has a harsher more compressed sound as well which you will need to pull of some tones.

Me personally I try to get as much power side distortion as my ears and neighbors can stand.

Neemo · « **Reply #29 on:** January 05, 2007, 08:14:59 AM »

I play mostly metal and like a tight sound no matter what I'm playing. I like fast thrashy riffs and the last thing you need is power tube saturation. I use a VHT 2/90/2 power amp to minimize the power tube distortion, it may work for rock but definately not for metal. Notes will turn into a mush and fast riffs sound like static noise pollution. So preamp distortion for me TYVM.