Favorite 11R Amp + Cab + Mic combinations

[Guitar Vilain]

The cab sim + mic combinations in the 11R are probably impulse response files, still I find the mics' feel and response consistent across cabinet combinations, did anyone else notice this?

So far I'm finding that I really like the 409 for warm and detailed mid response, and the 57 when a brighter and edgier tone is what I want to achieve. The 87 seems to work well for metal and the 121 seems to retain punch when going for darker tones. That's what I've noticed so far, I'm looking for some confirmation as I have no real life experience with any of those mics except for the 57. BTW a question for the studio engineers and producers out there, how do you think the mics in the 11R sound compared to the real thing?

I should say that I haven't even scratched the surface on the subject since I've had y 11R for less than 2 weeks, so your opinions are very much appreciated.

I confess I've been playing around mostly with different mics and keep my "matching cabinet" user preference on for now, I'll start experimenting with the cabs as soon as I become more familiar with the mics.

[Mazrim]

A nice tip for huge open powerful rhythm is going with the 1x15 open back cab.
Doesnt work so well for muting (understandable as its a bass cab essentially, but if you want a huge sound, oh boy!

The B30 cab gives a nice fat sound too.

[Guitar Vilain]

A nice tip for huge open powerful rhythm is going with the 1x15 open back cab.
Doesnt work so well for muting (understandable as its a bass cab essentially, but if you want a huge sound, oh boy!

The B30 cab gives a nice fat sound too.

Cool tip, will give it a try :)

Speaking of palm muting, I was messing with a JCM800 patch the other day and decided to take a look at the level meters. Even though I heard nothing really wrong with the patch as it was, I was surprised to find that it was clipping at the amp output. Rolled back the amp out volume and the improvement in tone was definitely noticeable so you might want to check your levels every now and then.

[Mazrim]

I use the PEQ to back off some of the low end boom for palm muting too.
On axis mics give it more cut.

I spent last night trying to really nail some 80s thrash tones (Anthrax Among the Living, Exodus Bonded by Blood, Metallica Ride the Lightning etc..) and I was getting very close to what I'd call perfect. I'll be putting some settings up soon including these and lots of other tones Ive found amazing.
Lots of sweet noises (I think).

[Guitar Vilain]

Here's another precious find, last night I was tweaking a plexi patch and decided to set the speaker breakup a little higher than usual (normally I never go over 3), and by the time I reached 4.3 I felt I had pretty much nailed Richie Kotzen's live tone, just like that.

This is something about the 11R that never ceases to amaze me, a lot of the time all I need for it to sound incredible is *one amp*. No effects, no compression, no dirtbox, no nothing - just the amp sounds amazing. Good times :)

[Mazrim]

Yeah, real world tones are not going to be too far away from the amps natural tone. Therefore if the modelling is nailed on, it's not too much of a stretch to get what you want.

I accidentally nailed the Criss Oliva Savatage tone from Hall of the Mountain King last night.
I wasn't looking for it but bang, there it was. :)

[Chadley]

I really like the 414 off axis for most of what I do. It seems to have a great combination of highs, mids and just the right amount of lows to my ears. I also really, really like the new Bogner 2x12 cab.

[jhall]

Funny, with all this excellent tone I've spent nearly all the time on it using the JCM-800 sim (IMHO the pinnicle of Plexi design) with that very mic and the V-30 4x12 cab at 40% breakup. I have my HD-500 set to toggle the Multi chorus on and off, The Stereo Reverb on and off, The Green Boost distortion on and off, the Stereo Reverb on and off, I have the Dyna-comp set to toggle on and off too. The wah is mapped to the HDs Expression pedal. The only Effect I don't have mapped to toggle on nad off is the Parametric EQ as I prefer to leave it on at all times as a global bass tamer of sorts.
With this one rig and my JB-Jazz equipt Les Paul I havent even had the desire to try another set up yet it is just amazing.

[jlynnb1]

Yeah, the jcm has become my fav as well, it's pretty versatile as well

[Guitar Vilain]

I find it interesting that people's favorite amp(s) in the 11R vary according to the ones they like playing in real life. I don't have a favorite yet, I feel like I haven't even scratched the surface yet and I've been playing my 11R non-stop every single minute I can.

And this just in: the 11R absolutely LOVES my brand new AmStd Tele :love:

Man, what an amazing combination Tele+TS+Plexi is!!! Instant Richie Kotzen tone :D

[Mazrim]

Getting some great results with Mesa MkII, 4X12 20w cab and Dynamic 87 mic (on axis) with a bit of Tube screamer in front and Eleven reverb (early reflect 2).

Really nailing the Scott Ian tone from the mid 80s. Or my interpretation of it. Ive even called it Sgt D! :)
Really sharp attack on the low e string which I was looking for to cut through in the mix. But it also sounds huge.
Its not a million miles away from the Ride the Lightning guitar tone either, which I think was Metallica's best.

[darkknight91]

Haven't updated to the exp pack yet, but I really like the Vox amp. That was the one I was fearful that they didn't get right after playing through a Hayseed the past 4 years. I'm really impressed with it. I wish they would do an EF86 channel though.

I'm not too impressed with the fx so far. The reverb is fantastic and gain pedals are good. I don't like the chorus at all, but I don't like CE1 pedals either. The other mod pedals are too slick sounding. The delay is a nightmare for me. I can always use my Intellifex or D Two in the loop for that. Maybe after the update I'll see some improvements.

[Mazrim]

You most definitely will.

The multichorus and Dynamic delay are outstanding.

[jlynnb1]

Haven't updated to the exp pack yet, but I really like the Vox amp. That was the one I was fearful that they didn't get right after playing through a Hayseed the past 4 years. I'm really impressed with it. I wish they would do an EF86 channel though.

I'm not too impressed with the fx so far. The reverb is fantastic and gain pedals are good. I don't like the chorus at all, but I don't like CE1 pedals either. The other mod pedals are too slick sounding. The delay is a nightmare for me. I can always use my Intellifex or D Two in the loop for that. Maybe after the update I'll see some improvements.

I love the delays...different strokes...

[Rich5150]

Ive been so stuck on the Bogner Models+the bog cab that i havent dug into any of the other models yet

[Hackubus]

The Blue Bogner + V30cab & Ribbon 121 mic combo is glorious.

[Mazrim]

Its nice to see we're all finding different stuff to dig on. The mark of a truly excellent unit.
I swore the MkII with Black Duo cab was the way to get a sound I was after and then last night I played around with the JCM800 Lead and Tube screamer and found another way of doing it.

I also thought I had the sweetest lead tone Ive ever heard and then I changed the cab to the SR 4x10 and it got better still.


This thing is a... tonemine?