11 rack - does it still work for you?

[Sf Audio]

I just got one of these so cheap I couldn't pass on it (pre expansion pack version). I'm running it from the master out into a marshall 6100 poweramp input and a mesa 4x12 with a mix of greenbacks and gt12-75's.

1st thing I noticed is that you need to bypass the amp cab/speakers/mic emulation as of course I've got that going already. And I've had to tweak the 11 rack amp model settings and graphic EQ to get the sounds more usable with my setup.

In comparison to using the preamp of the marshall, I find the 11 rack is a bit colder/less immediate and than the going through seven preamp tubes...that's to be expected. The marshall by itself is just more live and "there" for lack of a better word.

There are definitely some usable sounds in the 11 rack. What other things can you do - if anything - to make it sound more real? It seams about 90% there but that last 10%.....is the expansion pack really worth getting?

Thanks

[Jay_uk]

Guys are trying out various techniques over at 'eleven rack user group"
here is one example
http://www.elevenrackpresets.com/for...5041#Post45041

[DonaldR]

Expansion pack just new amp models, effects and speaker reactance but I think it's a must.

My Marshall patches don't sound cold/lifeless at all. You have to take into account that amp models in 11R are not preamp models, they are preamp+poweramp. So going from preamp+poweramp into you Marshall poweramp might color it a bit or might cancel/boost some frequencies. My 11R goes -> Peavey Classic 60/60 -> 4x12" Celestion G12K-85 cab and it sounds stellar.

One thing to consider, the preamp and poweramp in your Marshall head as been optimized to work together. 11R with your setup don't, you have to do it yourself.

Also note that modeling is there for convenience and most player will have all those amps if they had money/space/isolation/weight/roadies/whatever.
I bought my 11R to only have to carry a 2u rack + small midi foot controller and plug directly into FOH. Weigths 10lbs and takes 5 minutes to setup/unsetup.

And last thing, Avid modeled one of the head they have, yours might sounds better

[BCnSTL]

Yes. It still works for me.

[guitarded]

I haven't had mine very long. Bought NOS a few months ago, but it is superb!
I like it better than the POD HD500 by a long shot. I used to have a 1st gen AXEFX, and I like the 11r better than that.
I got to play through the Helix a while back... meh... 11r could still hold it's own.

[Jay_uk]

Originally Posted by guitarded

I haven't had mine very long. Bought NOS a few months ago, but it is superb!
I like it better than the POD HD500 by a long shot. I used to have a 1st gen AXEFX, and I like the 11r better than that.
I got to play through the Helix a while back... meh... 11r could still hold it's own.

Thanks for affirming the 11r is still holding it own, long may it continue.

[JoelG]

I'm still loving mine. I use it more for live use then as a recording device though. It would be nice if there were some new developments for it, but at the end of the day it still does great things for the price (I bought mine used for a song).

Joel

[Jay_uk]

What speaker cab (if any) are you using Joel?

[rob wots]

yup it's still working for me too, i don't gig these days so mine is used for home recording.

do you have speaker break up without the expansion pack? i bought mine with it already installed so i'm not sure but i think it's part of the expansion pack. that might help you get closer to the sounds you're after.

[JoelG]

Originally Posted by Jay_uk

What speaker cab (if any) are you using Joel?

I'm not running an ideal setup - I'd prefer to have a FRFR. But I'm running an ART SLA-1 amp to a Fender Mustang V V.2 412. It fit my price range and is plenty loud, plus 4x12 cabs look cooler :)

Joel