How's the Randall MTS series?

[kselbee]

I'm not really in the market, but just discovered their swappable preamp technology based on an ad in a magazine and after reading about it and hearing the clips it sounds like the best thing since sliced bread. Anyone with experience care to comment?

 

[elambo]

They sound great! Better than that, they sound incredible. If you could have heard the tone I was getting today you would trade all of your amps and go with this system. But I'm not cutting any corners and it's taken me a year to get there. I'm coming out of the MTS into a Palmer cab simulator, which is VERY good, then directly into a Neve 1072 preamp, then into ProTools. It's COMPLETELY legit. It's taken a little while to get the best out of the MTS - mostly using the right gear and creating a proper gain structure - but now that I have it nailed it's wonderful to be able to switch between all these amps at the press of a button.

 

[Souled Out]

I am a big fan, You could do a search and read some my of the posts over last year or so. I justed posted this morning in the sleeper amp thread.

 

[sabbath90]

i agree. these totally suprised me when i heard them. very solid amps.

 

[Orren]

I was given an RM4 by a friend to check out. I liked it so much, I bought my own RM100S, heading my way as we speak.

Keep in mind that the amps and modules were designed by longtime custom amp builder Bruce Egnater, so even though they are "Randall" products, they are really Egnater designs. He actually sells the same amps, but with dual channel models and handmade vs. factory made (and for triple the price, of course!)

Seriously, the preamp models based on existing amp circuits sound extremely close, the original modules are often good, sometimes great, and you have so much choice, you can't go wrong. And you can also get the preamp modules modded, just like a real amp--Bruce Egnater can mod them, or there are some mods for various caps floating around the Internet.

Anyway, I've already got two excellent amps, the THD Flexi and Soldano Avenger, and I'm very impressed with the Randall MTS system.

Orren

 

[duffyguitarman]

You should check out Bruce's own version, it is even better and the new design has more flexiblility. It has an extra gain and volume for each channel. www.egnater.com

Peace,
Duffy King

 

[pfrischmann]

These are real sleepers IMHO.

 

[covert]

Depends to some degree on the modules, but on the whole excellent.

www.gearslutz.com has a thread about the recording of the most recent Kings X record, which used them extensively, and another spawned by that thread from people that bought them as a result.

They probably won't appeal to the geekiest boutiue types.

I also suspect that they won't be around much longer, unless they suddenly start selling much faster than they seem to be. I got mine at a very deep discount, from a store that had it for a very long time unsold. They are far more expensive than the usual stuff in the Randall line, and Randall has had a spotty rep over the years.

 

[Orren]

Originally posted by covert
I also suspect that they won't be around much longer, unless they suddenly start selling much faster than they seem to be.

Actually, they're doing better than you think they are.

The real profit is in selling a lot of modules, which they are. That's why most stores are sold out, waiting for more. I believe (based on very educated guessing) that the MTS system has been a slow sales build, partially because of Randall's rep as a "metal" amplifier company. It's not been easy for them to get others to take the fact that they are selling an Egnater boutique design seriously. But their sales have been consistent, and improving--that's why there's new combos available this year, and new modules released in the last 6 months (XTC module, for example).

But I predict that as more and more studios and serious musicians see the potential in this (Randall's A&R guy has been going to studios to gague needs, etc), it will continue to grow. This system may not be the "flavor of the month" but it has legs, and I'll bet that's what Randall is counting on. More than the metal or SS lines, this will give them staying power.

Orren

 

[Souled Out]

Originally posted by Orren
Actually, they're doing better than you think they are.

The real profit is in selling a lot of modules, which they are. That's why most stores are sold out, waiting for more. I believe (based on very educated guessing) that the MTS system has been a slow sales build, partially because of Randall's rep as a "metal" amplifier company. It's not been easy for them to get others to take the fact that they are selling an Egnater boutique design seriously. But their sales have been consistent, and improving--that's why there's new combos available this year, and new modules released in the last 6 months (XTC module, for example).

But I predict that as more and more studios and serious musicians see the potential in this (Randall's A&R guy has been going to studios to gague needs, etc), it will continue to grow. This system may not be the "flavor of the month" but it has legs, and I'll bet that's what Randall is counting on. More than the metal or SS lines, this will give them staying power.

Orren

Orren, I will be ordering your books. I am getting the new version of Logic installed when my studio is completed shortly. The learning curve of software always gets me frustrated and I am hoping your books can ease some of the pain. Thanks

 

[Orren]

Originally posted by Santana Brazilian
Orren, I will be ordering your books. I am getting the new version of Logic installed when my studio is completed shortly. The learning curve of software always gets me frustrated and I am hoping your books can ease some of the pain. Thanks

Thanks for the support! And I think you'll find the books will help.

Orren

 

[IPlayHamers]

A good indicator that people are digging these is that you rarely see them on Ebay, unless it's a dealer.

The ideal situation would be to have all of the modules and various power amps and cabs/speakers. In the long run, you'd save alot of money and have some great sounding amps.

 

[Speed_Racer71]

clips??????

 

[Orren]

Originally posted by Speed_Racer71
clips??????

Short factory clips (recorded by Michael Wagener) at:
http://www.randallamplifiers.com/products/amplifiers/mts/modules.asp

You can listen to clips of each module, through different power tubes, with different guitar/pickup combinations as well. Not the best, but very well laid out.

Orren

 

[DigitalTube]

I'd only get the Egnater modular, a friend of mine has the Randall, and has lot's of trouble with it on the road, but they sound very decent.
E.B.

 

[covert]

Originally posted by Orren
Actually, they're doing better than you think they are.

The real profit is in selling a lot of modules, which they are. That's why most stores are sold out, waiting for more. I believe (based on very educated guessing) that the MTS system has been a slow sales build, partially because of Randall's rep as a "metal" amplifier company. It's not been easy for them to get others to take the fact that they are selling an Egnater boutique design seriously. But their sales have been consistent, and improving--that's why there's new combos available this year, and new modules released in the last 6 months (XTC module, for example).

But I predict that as more and more studios and serious musicians see the potential in this (Randall's A&R guy has been going to studios to gague needs, etc), it will continue to grow. This system may not be the "flavor of the month" but it has legs, and I'll bet that's what Randall is counting on. More than the metal or SS lines, this will give them staying power.

Orren

I certainly hope you are correct, since that would make it easier to get modules as time goes by. My local place had to ebay their heads, and has a decent stock of modules, except a couple that I'd like to try. XTC anyone?

 

[IPlayHamers]

Having tried them out resently, I'm putting together a rig for my top 40/small club gigs. I like the fact that you can swap the modules for different sounds and the companion power amp is awesome too with it's ability to switch between 6L6 & EL34 tubes. You can also bridge the power amp to combine both tube types.

I also plan on picking up a used Mesa 20/20 power amp to get more realistic Vox tones as well. Should be a cool rig.