How to get faster attack/response time from an amp?

[protest]

I only borrowed one of these amps for a few days, but I can't imagine needing to make it tighter. It sounds like a settings issue or maybe the cab. Are you tuned super low?

 

[Jacksonluvr636]

Thanks for all the replies and too much to quote so I'll try to put it all here.

I'm tuned to A on a 7 string and sometimes drop the low string.

Using an Uberkab with the V30 x 75.

I do actually have torex sharps ordered and arriving today, have an EQ being built and I do plan to test some other pedals. Probably going to get a VFE pinball/Standout which now is eq and boost in 1 enclosure. Also looking at the dirty tree.

My ESP has emg 57/66 I believe. Sounds great although Black Winter are my favorite mass produced pickup. Will those fit in the guitar that was routed for the EMG?

 

[protest]

What channel and mode are you using? What position are all the switches in? Where are the Density and Metamorph knobs set to?

I think the lowest tuning I used was Drop B, so maybe that's as low as it goes? There's a dude on YouTube that plays everything super low, and I know he has Uber Ultra video. Maybe check out his settings?

 

[USMarine75]

You can get tightness with EQ - (boost, EQ, OD, etc in front - or tweaking the knobs on your amp.

But as far as faster attack, that comes from the amp circuit, especially the rectifier and power tubes.

 

[Jacksonluvr636]

What channel and mode are you using? What position are all the switches in? Where are the Density and Metamorph knobs set to?

I think the lowest tuning I used was Drop B, so maybe that's as low as it goes? There's a dude on YouTube that plays everything super low, and I know he has Uber Ultra video. Maybe check out his settings?

Been trying them all and still dialing it in. Haven't had the amp too long.

Depending on which guitar I'm using will determine which channel I like. Currently my favorite is with my ESP, channel 2 on either Uber or Ultra. I'll post a Pic of my current settings below. Channel 1 and 2 are both set where I like but I'm using channel 2 here.

Maybe hard to see but channel 2: Uber switch, tight switch, focus switch.

One comment I forgot to reply to is that yes the metamorph does something but it isn't a huge sweep like most would think.

Another thing is that this amp is LOUD. I haven't been able to really crank it up too much but I've noticed it sounds better at lower volumes and the higher I go the more drastic I have to get with my settings.

I don't think this is one of those crank the master to get the power tubes going type of amp.

 

[Jacksonluvr636]

With the settings above it is the best sound I have been able to get.

Any more presence is too fizzy. Any less depth I cant feel it. Yes if I was with a full band and a bassist I could certainly change things.

The pedals are a tc Sentry in 4CM which doesn't change the feel, response or tone very much at all, very slight Iike any other gate and an SD1 which probably isn't even on, was just testing.

 

[budda]

Most high gain amps dont want the power section working

 

[protest]

Been trying them all and still dialing it in. Haven't had the amp too long.

Depending on which guitar I'm using will determine which channel I like. Currently my favorite is with my ESP, channel 2 on either Uber or Ultra. I'll post a Pic of my current settings below. Channel 1 and 2 are both set where I like but I'm using channel 2 here.

Maybe hard to see but channel 2: Uber switch, tight switch, focus switch.

One comment I forgot to reply to is that yes the metamorph does something but it isn't a huge sweep like most would think.

Another thing is that this amp is LOUD. I haven't been able to really crank it up too much but I've noticed it sounds better at lower volumes and the higher I go the more drastic I have to get with my settings.

I don't think this is one of those crank the master to get the power tubes going type of amp.

I would try Ultra mode with the gain around 9:00-10:00. Bass looks too high in my opinion. Also try Hair or Hair+ instead of Uber on the power amp settings. One of them is super scooped, so probably not that one but you never know.

 

[Kosthrash]

As mentioned above, for fast & tight playing, you need to cut a few dBs from the low frequencies before the amp's preamp with an eq pedal or a tube screamer. The low freq notes (especially those from the 7&8 string guitars) carry a lot of energy, which impacts in the note separation -> "muddy tone". You may compensate the lack of low frequencies with the resonance knob in the poweramp section.

 

[Jacksonluvr636]

I would try Ultra mode with the gain around 9:00-10:00. Bass looks too high in my opinion. Also try Hair or Hair+ instead of Uber on the power amp settings. One of them is super scooped, so probably not that one but you never know.

I forgot to mention, I'm using hair+ that's the one I always like. When I mentioned Uber switch that was referring to Uber or Ultra mode on channel 2

 

[Screamingdaisy]

I've never played an Ubershall, but I'm a long time Recto user and I believe Ubers are in a similar sorta territory.

Anyway, less gain, less bass, more volume. The percussive punch comes from having some headroom. If you oversaturate it just sorta mushes together. I try to figure out the least amount of distortion I can get away with to get the sorta sound I'm going for, particularly in a live mix.

EMG 81s were the most articulate and percussive pickup I used, although I've used a few passive ceramics and also had good results. I generally don't like alnico for rhythm as it's too mushy and A5 is a bit too bloated on the lows when combined with an amp that already has a lot of lows.

I've never used the 57/66, but I have used PAFs that if your goal is tight then PAFs suck for this purpose. PAFs are scooped... which usually means too much low and not enough mid for my tastes.

Everything else is right hand. If you're used to an amp that tracks tight, you need to give your brain a bit to adjust to the attack envelope of a slower tracking amp. After awhile, you'll learn to manipulate the amp's response with your attack, and if the Uber is anything like the Recto you can start to bounce it off itself for faster riffs (don't know how else to describe that... it's a feel thing).

IMO/YMMV

 

[Jacksonluvr636]

I've never played an Ubershall, but I'm a long time Recto user and I believe Ubers are in a similar sorta territory.

Anyway, less gain, less bass, more volume. The percussive punch comes from having some headroom. If you oversaturate it just sorta mushes together. I try to figure out the least amount of distortion I can get away with to get the sorta sound I'm going for, particularly in a live mix.

EMG 81s were the most articulate and percussive pickup I used, although I've used a few passive ceramics and also had good results. I generally don't like alnico for rhythm as it's too mushy and A5 is a bit too bloated on the lows when combined with an amp that already has a lot of lows.

I've never used the 57/66, but I have used PAFs that if your goal is tight then PAFs suck for this purpose. PAFs are scooped... which usually means too much low and not enough mid for my tastes.

Everything else is right hand. If you're used to an amp that tracks tight, you need to give your brain a bit to adjust to the attack envelope of a slower tracking amp. After awhile, you'll learn to manipulate the amp's response with your attack, and if the Uber is anything like the Recto you can start to bounce it off itself for faster riffs (don't know how else to describe that... it's a feel thing).

IMO/YMMV

Honestly that's makes perfect sense

 

[TheInvisibleHand]

I’ve had the 6l6 and the kt88 Uber ultra. I found it’s all about the density control, that had the biggest impact for me on the immediacy of the amp. I ran channel 2 ultra mode, density close to 3 o clock, hair +, presence at noonish. Gain pretty low. I also got better results from running the Mesomorph in tight and turning the knob clockwise (or the lower, in this case) than by going the other way around.

 

[OneTwoThrill]

My former Tube 100 Hugues and Kettner was feeble, too soft, powerless, dynamicless… sorry for my neologisms.
New tubes, an EQ, a boost, an OD… the solution was to sell it.
Good luck in your quest

 

[DECEMBER]

Yeah im just not sure if what I'm looking for is even possible.

Someone mentioned a sonic stomp in the loop. I kind of cringed at first but I'm willing to try anything.

Gain back and add a boost I have tried but I only have one boost and it was not the answer. I will probably try a couple more boots and I do have an eq being built so I'll try that as well.

This might just be one of those, there is no perfect amp scenarios and maybe I do just need a Wizard that is definitely not happening so.

Idk just wanted to throw it out there and see if there was something I could try.

Sonic Stomp at the end of the loop does great things, I can't imagine not having it now. If I ever turn it off I'm like "ew"... all mids without it.
But I don't see how anything in the loop could affect the response time, unless the lag is happening in the power amp.

 

[Mortargag]

Well, was going to come offer advice but it looks like the community has you covered. In my opinion (sorry for the redundancy):

1. EQ
2. Boost
3. Speakers (smaller or higher sensitivity)
4. Solid State
5. More beer

 

[crushingpetal]

Re: Recto

After awhile, you'll learn to manipulate the amp's response with your attack, and if the Uber is anything like the Recto you can start to bounce it off itself for faster riffs (don't know how else to describe that... it's a feel thing).

IMO/YMMV

I really like that desciption, I totally get it.

 

[boltzthrower]

I'm tuned to A on a 7 string and sometimes drop the low string.

Using an Uberkab with the V30 x 75. …

My ESP has emg 57/66 I believe. …

I had a front loaded Uberkab and thought it was kinda boomy. I had to turn the resonance all the way down on the amp and it was still too much. Cab sounded great for simple riffs but wasn’t good for tech low tuned stuff. I tune to G#, so very close to your tuning.

Do you not like EMG 81-7? It’s tight AF.

For tuning to A I would say a 26.5” scale length would be ideal. Thinner, tighter string should sound tighter than a 25.5” setup with the same tuning.

 

[Jacksonluvr636]

I had a front loaded Uberkab and thought it was kinda boomy. I had to turn the resonance all the way down on the amp and it was still too much. Cab sounded great for simple riffs but wasn’t good for tech low tuned stuff. I tune to G#, so very close to your tuning.

Do you not like EMG 81-7? It’s tight AF.

For tuning to A I would say a 26.5” scale length would be ideal. Thinner, tighter string should sound tighter than a 25.5” setup with the same tuning.

My esp is 25.5" with EMG 57/66

My C7 Sls Elite is 26.5" with Fishman modern

EXL120-7 which IMO are fairly thin for my tuning. I only ordered one set, the ESP was an unexpected purchase before the strings showed up and I put them on the ESP but I have another set on the way for the Schecter.

I honestly don't find the Uberkab boomy at all. I have the depth maybe halfway up and it feels great.

 

[eaeolian]

KT88s, maybe? Also, maybe a mid-boost like the Haunting Mids might help you get there.