Pre vs. Master?

[Goolash]

I was wondering what everyone else does with their amps. I've always heard that it is better to crank your master volume and use your preamp volume to set your levels. I on the other hand, do the opposite cause I like the way it sounds and gives me better control over the clean channel levels. Just interested what others experiences have been.

[soc_monki]

id crank em both buddy! LOL just my opinion then again, you live in close proximity to other people and would probably kill them with the volume. so scratch that idea...

id just do what you like to do id probably crank the master though.

[Goolash]

It sucks b/c when I crank the master I get a weird humming noise so I have to do the opposite. Which I dont mind cause I've been happy with my tone so far. Probably just cheap tubes causing the humming anyway.

[DumpyWumpy]

Your Pre controls your input gain which equals distortion. I don't use that as a volume control, I use it as a gain control and use the master for my volume. Some people like to do just the opposite with their clean channel though, max the master and use the pre for volume to keep it as clean as possible.

[markD]

+1 that is exaclty what i do with my rivera's. my marshall is a little different. it has gain, volume, master. i set the gain where i want, then turn up the master pretty loud, then control the "loudness" from the volume knob. it seems to sound better that way.

[soc_monki]

Your Pre controls your input gain which equals distortion. I don't use that as a volume control, I use it as a gain control and use the master for my volume. Some people like to do just the opposite with their clean channel though, max the master and use the pre for volume to keep it as clean as possible.

what Goolash means is pre = channel volume and master = global volume. so in his situation he can either crank the channel volumes and use the master as a master volume, or crank the master and use the channel volumes to set levels.

terminology...it can be confusing!

[Goolash]

what Goolash means is pre = channel volume and master = global volume. so in his situation he can either crank the channel volumes and use the master as a master volume, or crank the master and use the channel volumes to set levels.

terminology...it can be confusing!

Sorry, I had a few beers when I posted this

[soc_monki]

Sorry, I had a few beers when I posted this

you always have a few beers...nothing new to me LOL

[hateeternal]

I find you'll notice the difference alot more with tube amps but you'll still hear a slight difference with SS amps. Cranking the master works the power section and pushes the speakers more. In a tube amp it will push the power tubes harder (which is good in most cases). I usually like to find a balance between channel vol. and master.

[mantis]

If your not getting correct performance when running the master volume up and then bringing in the pre levels then get your amp retubed and check the Bias. Even a stuck effects loop also can cause this type of problem. You will get alot of noise and muddy tone.

Whatever the Stock tubes where, use them. Switch ing to different brand tubes may sound better or alot worse. Most amp companies put alot of time into carefully selecting the right tubes. Only if you want to change the factory sound should you ever switch brands.

Good luck with your amp man

Dan

[Chad]

I find you'll notice the difference alot more with tube amps but you'll still hear a slight difference with SS amps. Cranking the master works the power section and pushes the speakers more. In a tube amp it will push the power tubes harder (which is good in most cases). I usually like to find a balance between channel vol. and master.

I used to think this too, but got corrected on another forum. While running master high and channel levels low creates a different sound (and one that I happen to like)......it is not cooking the power section....rather the gain staging is different. The only way to cook the power tubes is to truly crank the amp.

[Goolash]

you always have a few beers...nothing new to me LOL

Yeah you're right, it isnt something I should apologize for is it. Fuck it, no remorse.