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Section 14
Preamps
Turning on the Speaker Simulator gives some
interesting results. A high -pass filter cuts in
sharply at 100Hz dropping off the lower
frequencies quite drastically. There is a notch cut
at 1.5kHz extending out to 1kHz and 2kHz. The
2kHz—7kHz region is boosted and looks like a
two pole 'Big Top' tent with the peaks at 2.5kHz
and 6.3kHz. Above 6.3kHz there is another drastic
drop off from a low-pass filter down to 10kHz
where there is a minor recovery at 12kHz before
dropping completely by 16kHz.
[GTx-PRE-CleanTWIN-Gain.jpg]
This amp reacts in a very similar manner to the JC-
120; the gap between low and middle is greater
than middle—high, and as the gain increases the
mid scoop lessens. However, unlike the JC-120,
the scoop still remains a prominent feature because
it was so acute to start with. It can also be seen that
low->middle is fairly flat but middle -> high sees
only a very small boost to low frequencies whilst
although the higher frequencies are boost the
whole mid-high structure is flattened significantly.
Problems
Right, now let's take a look at some problems we might hit
with the clean preamps. There are two types of noise to
watch out for on this unit. First is distortion and the second
is a horrible 'someone tuning a radio' type underlying
harmonic type thingyme type noise—and it is YUK! I
explain this second noise in the section 16 Digital Aliasing
(YUK Noise).
Distortion:
You shouldn't be getting any distortion from
clipping providing you have matched the levels
properly. However, you will get distortion by
driving the preamp sims hard. By this I mean on
Middle gain anything with Volume>60 (Master
Volume is irrelevant). Go above this level and
things will start to take on a slight-medium crunch.
Clean Sounds From Other Preamps
It is possible to get clean sounds from other preamps,
although you need to use low gain in preference to middle
gain to obtain a completely/almost completely clean sound.
I haven't gone into the tone characteristics in this section but
if you look at the preamp distortions below you will find
these descriptions.
When trying to use these preamps you will find that you
need to keep the Volume down even on Low Gain. Here are
some rough figures to get you started:
Middle Gain:
Crunch
Match Drive
© Copyright 2000-2002 Barry S. Pearce et al.
<= 40
<= 30
Low Gain:
Crunch
MATCH Drive
VOXY Drive
Blues
BG Lead
MS1959 (I)
MS1959 (II)
MS1959 (I+II)
SLDN
Metal 5150
Metal Drive
Clean Preamp Presets
Now I'm not going to present any further patches to you
here. The preamps on their own are pretty flat and are for
the most part, dull. However, we will look at some the
presets, which as you will see use other effects to brighten
up and colour the basic tone provided by the preamp. I
won't be examining every clean preset but a selection of
them.
64-3/PG3-3-4 MILD SOLO
This is an interesting patch that uses a Crunch
preamp and keeps the volume down to 34 to limit
any overdrive. It is a good example of using one
the dirtier preamps in a cleaner mode.
66-2/PG3-2-1 JC120
A slightly barer JC-120 but shows the JC-120 off
at its nicest.
68-3/PG-3-2-2 BLACK PANEL
This is basically the same as CLEAN TWIN and
Roland have re-used it to show off the tremolo!
68-4/PG3-2-3 CUTTING
Again a copy of JC120 with limiting and EQ.
69-1/PG3-2-4 ARPEGGIO
This is probably one of the heaviest processed
clean patches but it's great isn't it. Using a JC-120
straight with no funnies, except for the EQ and a
host of other effects. Great patch Roland.
69-2/PG-3-3-2 MELLOW COMP
Another great patch, very similar to ARPEGGIO
but using a Clean TWIN.
37-2 CLEAN JC120
Nice good clean patch. Chords sound dull with a
bridge humbucker but liven up with a neck single.
Single notes sound good on both; open, although a
bit tinny. Here Roland have used a Limiter, Chorus
<= 60
<= 50
<= 40
<= 20
<= 25
<= 20
<= 55
<= 45
Forget It!
Forget It!
Forget It!
70
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