Conference napalm::guitar

> Is it stereo ?
    
    No.
    
> Is it cheap ?
    
    About $300 list.
    
> Is it loud ?  ;)
    
    As an *amp* it only puts out about a watt.
    
    							Brian

    Sounds like a pre-amp with a headphone jack !  A quiet Rockman maybe ?
    
    Scary

Gimmick maybe, but Lynch was saying he really liked it, and he's a
devote Marshall Maniac, like our own wjb.  Right Buck ?

Now, someone track one down and see if it wails (as a preamp especially)!
;)

    Ok dudes, anyone out there know who the UK distributor of 
    
    HUGHS & KETTNER (SP?) amplifiers...
    
    I want to know more about these machines after trying one out last
    night, the problem being it was a second hand version, and therefor
    hhad no manuals...
    
    
    HELP.....
    
    
    Bob Irvine

    My trusty copy of Guitarist comes to the rescue...
    
    Hughes and Kettner are distributed in the UK by good old John Hornby   
    Skewes. Their address is:
    
    Salem House,
    Garforth
    Leeds LS25 1PX
    
    
    Nick

    Cheers dude....
    
    All I gotta do know is get to Leeds from Aberdeen   8*)
    
    
    Bob

    Read a cool little ditty in Guitar World this month:
    
    Access Guitar Preamplifier
         Reprinter without permission
    
    Tired of dark and dreary  black mat rack units?  Make a splashy
    statement a la Donald Trump with Hughes & Kettner's gold-faced Access
    Preamplifier.  along with it's flashy face-plae, the Access features 
    three individual preamps, a fully programmable 4 band EQ with Mid and
    High boost, a comprehensable MIDI looping system, two switching outputs
    and 128 sound preset memories.
    
    The units user-friendly control panel continuously displays each
    function and each parameter, thus eliminating any need to laborously
    step thru menus to reach hidden levels.
    (Now get this- ed.)
    
    Price: $2,499 
           $2,728 (With controller)
    
    Yeowwwwch !  Must be a hell of a preamp to bring that price to the
    table !
    
    

      So Coop.....  - didja order one?
    
    

 
    
      Just when I thought I'd heard it all about top-end tube preamps!
    
    							-BooM-

Hi folks !

Since Hughes & Kettner is German company (despite the sounding of the name)
I have to counter the sarcasm in the previous reply.....  :-)

I've seen a demonstration at the Musikmesse Frankfurt, I have demo tape, I read
several articles in various magazines and I must admit it's a superb box !!!
The magazines rated the price/performance ration as "fair" taking into account
that it's more than a preamp, it contains a fully programmable looper, a stage
board and a few other things (I just forgot) and the big advantage that only
very few cables are needed. However, I share most people concern that the
ABSOLUTE price is still very high, much higher that I'm willing to spend.

It's funny however, that it's cheaper in the States than over here (4000,-DM).

However, the Access sounds really great..........

	Richard

    MAJOR Bucks !
    
    I bet it wails though...
    
    jc (Who'd like to try one!)

      The ACCESS preamp will set you back $1350 from Factory music.
    List price was dropped to *only* $1999. If you want the matching
    tube power amp (VF-250) that'll run you $979. Whatta rig that would be
    for the MRPs. 
      Hey Coop - wanna trade-up? 
    
    						-B()()M-

    The VF-250 rooolz, and the ACCESS preamp makes the Mp-1 look like a
    kids toy!!  I like the assignable loops, where you can put your
    favorite preamp/amp just in case you need access to 'that sound'.
    
    One would require *Major GTS* for this rig!
    

>   <<< Note 1793.12 by CAVLRY::BUCK "I've got ocean front property in AZ" >>>
    
    do you know something that the rest of AZ should know? 

      ..wait for the big quake! I was thinking about that while on top of the 
    250 Sky Tower at Magic Mountain (that already looks top heavy!).
    
      The power amp is a VS-250 and is a all tuber! Combined with an ACCESS
    it's a top flight set up. Maybe I should qualify that, I'm basing my
    opinions on the product reviews and H&K's German engineering
    reputation. They also produce a bass tube preamp called FORTRESS. I
    don't think it's programmable though. Not cheap either.
      
      Let me see, I could keep one TR and PB, sell my other two KH preamps
    and PB's......   Nope, still wouldn't be enough for an ACCESS! Maybe
    it should be spelled EXCESS.
    
    							-B()()M-

>Hey Coop...

NOT!

If I ever "traded up" my Mp1, it'd be to a mega-rack from hell
with TC FX, Boogie power, a rack full of Marshalls and BedRocks,
and a Bradshaw swithing system. 

:)

    
     ..but Coop - the ACCESS has LEDs out the wazoo! Hey isn't it scary
    that I would even consider something built by a company that isn't
    in defunct city, then again I guess KH is sort of alive.
      A Bedrock? Didn't they move from Nashua to Southboro last year.
    Are they trying to outrun the creditors? I dunno, nobody sell them 
    around here!
    
    							-B()()M-

    
>     ..but Coop - the ACCESS has LEDs out the wazoo! Hey isn't it scary
>    that I would even consider something built by a company that isn't
>    in defunct city, ...
    
    	It's probably the kiss of death!     *8')
    

    re: Coop
    
    You could probably get one of those Marlboro amps fixed and it'd be a
    trade UP from the Mp-1...
    
    ;^)

RE: Greg

Yar-right... 
:)

LED's.  The Mp1 only has four LEDS...If I wanted LEDS I'd do an SGX !!

Tell me more about the new preamp...

jc

     
    
     I can't remember EVERYTHING about the ACCESS. It has three modes that 
    are programmable: clean (transistor), tube1, and tube2. All of the
    other controls: gain, volume, EQ's are LED ladders that each have their 
    own increment/decrement control. Neat thing about the EQ, they mention
    the filter frequency is narrower as the control is increased. I'd have
    to play it to check it out. Another comment from the review was that
    the low end doesn't get mushy, even when pushed. I really have to be
    careful of that with my TR's. It takes some tweaking to keep the bass
    punchy. It has the speaker simulator out, and three assignable loops.
    One of the loops doesn't cut off the output everytime a program is 
    changed, just the input. That way your delay still sounds natural
    during the transition ( I agree, great idea!).
      If the new band starts rolling in dough or something else materializes 
    (like our stock splits, imagine that) I might look seriously into one of
    these. Or if my KH gear gets ripped off or blows up. One of a dozen
    scenarios. Then I'd have "access" to some new gear.
    
    							-B()()M-

    The ACCESS is similar to the MP-1 in design, re: the three voices. It
    has a 4 band active EQ, along with treble and bass boosts.  It has 3
    assignable loops, for any kind of effect and/or amplifier (Don't wanna
    give up your plexi sound?  Plug the pliexi into the  ACCESS and
    voila!).  FULL MIDI implementation and routing is available, and this
    thing is built like a tank.
    
    Kinda like a "pro" Mp-1

    PS - The power amp has TWO presence controls...one for the vintage
    British sound, and one for the more contemporary voicing!!

How many memory slots ??

PS - Three is the wrong answer... :)

jc

    
    ....actually I'm waiting for the Alpha version-
    
    						-B()()M-

    
       ..to satisfy my curiosity H & K is sending me the product spec
    sheets on the ACCESS and VS-250. They have had quite an interest
    in the product since the price dropped a little closer to Earth.
    Maybe they looked at what M/B was charging for the Tri-Axis. 
      Oh Yeah - The U.S. distributor has a good stock of them in.
    
    							_B()()M_

    >   ..to satisfy my curiosity H & K is sending me the product spec
    >sheets on the ACCESS and VS-250. They have had quite an interest
    
    
    Specs sheets in the mail to Boom usually seal the fate of said company!
    8^)

    
      RE: -.1
    
        Then I have to get the timing right on getting the clearance
      prices. Remember the M1 difference? $1100 before/$350 after!!!
      
    						_B()()M-

No problem...

So someone tell me more about this ACCESS thing...  How much ??

    Since this now a generic H&K note, does anyone have experience with
    either the other H&K pre-amps?  I think there's one called the
    "Cream Machine" that's supposed to have a classic British crunch,
    and another that's supposed to have a vintage Fender tone.
    
    Jim

There are three half rackers...  

1) Metal Shredder (the original topic)
2) Cream Machine
3) Blue Machine (I think)

FWIW - I heard that George Lynch used the Metal Shredder on Dokkens "Back From 
The Attack" - a wicked guitar tone me thinks...

jc

>There are three half rackers...  

    Actually four...
    
>2) Cream Machine
     
    This has volume controls only, no tone.  Supposed to be "classic"
    British sound.
    
>1) Metal Shredder (the original topic)
    
    This has 3 band EQ, supposed ot be "modern" British sound.
    
>3) Blue Machine (I think)
    
    Also 3 band EQ, but has "vintage Fender" sound.
    
    4) BATT
    
    For bass.  Single tone control but three boost switches.
    
    All of them have both tube preamp *and* tube power amp (you can actually
    hook up a speaker, although output is only 1 watt).  Like a Pignose on
    steroids.
    			
    							Brian

      And there's the ATS-60 combo that's relatively inexpensive. I don't
    know a lot other that it's 60 watts, dual channel, and borrows some
    circuitry from the Cream Machine.
      They also have a ATS-120 amp head, I don't know a lot other than the 
    obvious, 120 watts. And they have 2X12 and 4X12 speaker cabs.
      More on the ACCESS when the info hits my mailbox.
    
    							-B()()M-
      p.s. good idea on the note title.

    ALSO...
    
    H&K have come out with a super-sturdy, Super-LOUD, but
    SUPER-light-weight series of cabinets!!!
    
    Their 1x12 weighs all of 10lbs, but cranks out mega watts!  Their
    4x12 is a not-so-back-breaking 50lbs.  They actually sound really
    good, too!  Celestion equipped.

Yeah, I heard about H&K's 4x12...  Grenback-celestion equiped.

jc (Who likes the big-watt celestions better tho)

>    They have had quite an interest in the product since the price dropped
>    a little closer to Earth.
    
    How much *is* an Earth amp going for these days?

    On the more serious side...
    
    Re: the half rack pre/power amps
    
    As I recall, they all have speaker emulators in them too.  Seems like
    one of those could be just the ticket for low volume recording
    sessions.  
    
    Has anyone actually heard any of 'em?  
    
    gh (who might be especially interested in the BATT)

Hi Greg (and other interested noters) !

The Metal Shredder is called Metal Master over here (the others are Cream
Master, Crunch Maste and Bass Master). The reviews said that the Metal Master
can generate almost every tone that the Cream and Crunch Masters could do.

All xxxx Masters have a built in Red Box MkII, which some of you might know as
a good DI-Box. So the reviews praise this feature too.

And yes I played one at last years Musik Messe. Nothing to complain about, but
difficult (for me) to compare. So I use the statements from the magazine
reviews and in English you would propably say "BIG bang for the buck".

The only negative point was that the master gain is on the back (due to space
limitations on the front panel).

For the Access H&K recently announced a new board which impacts the sounds. I
think it's a curcuitry that influences how the tubes are driven. It is
described as an option for those that look for different sounds.
In addition they announced a V2.0 operating system, which offers more comfort.
Besides improved SysEx capabilities, they provide some intelligence that
smoothly changes settings from one patch to the other. Imagine the overdrive of
tube being cranked up from 2 to 10 with the patch change. With the V2 it is
raised within a few 10th of a second or so.
There's also an ATARI dumper (editor ?) for the Access from H&K now.

	best regards

		Richard

      That makes two options for the ACCESS. I wonder if there will be info
    included in my H&K package. The ACCESS has a foot controller that runs 
    around $250. Gotta wait for the mail.
    
    						-B()()M-

    
       
       This was a tough one to choke down! I'm used to warehouse blowouts
    and other international specials. But I got the ACCESS down to a price
    that I could access. Skipping the sales tax was the final hurdle 
    (out of state shipping!). 
       So - Buck's in 5150 (half)stack zone, and I'm still the rack-puke,
    but now I've upped the ante in the rack value/versatility. Two to three
    weeks before I get my hands on it though, I hate waiting. I'll be
    dealing on the KH Quattro, Patch Bayette 1, and one Testarossa. I'll be
    keeping one KH rack set up, one REXX rack, and the KH all-tubers M1/M5.
    
    							-B()()M- 

    GTS runs rampant!!  Who'll be it's next victim?!?!?

BOOMer !!  you sly dog !!

I MUST have a full review of this peice when it comes in !!

jc

    
    
      DAMN! - that was some quick replies! Did you have my order timed or
    what?
     
      I think this is the icing on the rack! Because of the ticket price 
    ($1350!) I'm gonna stick to strings and picks for awhile!!!
    
    							-GTStoDEATH-
    							  -B()()M-
      

    I think Glh should go for Bernard's 50wt Marshall head and one of my
    cabs!!  Hell, he only has *3* Marshall heads...that is such an ODD
    number, why don't you even the score, Greg???
    
    
    8^)

    
       If H & K goes under now.... 
    
    
    
    
       ....then it IS ME! I'm a disaster waiting to happen to any company I
    buy from. Then the ACCESS would cost half of what I paid!!! 
       I can't wait - can't wait - can't wait 
    
    							-B()()M-

Greg - three heads - one cab (minus baffle board)

Yeah Buck! I like your idea - and maybe we can get a bulk rate to
ship BOTH cabs out  - cuz Greg *needs* the top, and I *need* the 
bottom !!

jc

    
    There ya go!

    Yo Buck, then I could run one speaker off each head in the single
    working cab I'd have.
    
    glh

    
      Hey!!!! This is my note now!!
    
    
    				Agagagag -     
    
    							_B()()M_

    
      The recent Musicians Friend catalog listed the ATS-60 amp in its
    "specials" section near the end of the catalog. They also had two or 
    three different H & K speaker cabs, I'm not ready for those yet.
    
      Scary to think that I'm letting two KH preamps and two KH patch
    bayettes go just to get the ACCESS. That coupled with an unexpected
    $500 that is dispensable made me make the plunge. The ACCESS will help
    my set up time if the recording out section works as well as they say
    it does. That will get my H & K Red Box assigned to backup duty. 
    Another nice feature of the ACCESS is the stage volume master doesn't
    affect the record out level. In other words, the record out stays
    consistent with the original patch parameters regardless of the size of
    the room you are playing. All these little goodies along with
    intelligent audio engineering helped in my decision. Oh Yeah - and
    Buck said the ACCESS was cool even though he's a stacker, not a racker! 
    
    
    							-B()()M-

    >even though he's a stacker, not a racker! 
    
    Hey, that's a neat saying...(tm) that baby!

    
    
    
               OK

			      - ACCESS - 

- programmable * stereo * MIDI * real time access * guitar preamplifier -

-from the H&K info pack:
 
  "The design concept of the circuitry, the positioning and size of the 
conductive paths, the characteristics of each electrical component,
however, apparently insignificant: the combination of all these elements
determines dynamics, harmonic balance, projection, and sensitivity.
  Every single component in the signal path used in the ACCESS has been
painstakingly examined by its developement team for its positive or negative
influence in the overall sound - and only no-compromise solutions have been
allowed in developing the ACCESS. The results are audible: exemplary dynamics
and a vibrant, yet subtle range of overtones - the vital fundamentals for
superior guitar sound.

  The tuning of pre-filters and the combination of components in any circuit
design results in a closely defined basic sound character. To satisfy the 
demands of todays guitarists for a wide range of authentic basic sounds, 
the ACCESS offers three independant and very individual preamplifiers:
Clean, Tube 1, and Tube 2. The seperate integral External Preamp Loop
allows an external guitar preamp to be incorporated within the ACCESS
sound programming facilities."



 - overview:

  Layout from left to right with definitions. Programmable parameters are
displayed in general values on LED "ladders". The numeric LED display gives 
you a more accurate value of the specifc parameter being altered. In addition
to the ladders there are two sliders that are non-programmable since they
adjust an overall level. Then there are the function buttons for specific
like effects loops, switches, store, and display options.

  the leftmost on the front panel is the 1/4" input jack and headphone out.
Next is the slider controlling just the headphone level. 

  LED ladder controls w/ inc/dec buttons for each:

  	Gain / Master / Balance (true stereo!)

  (slider for stage volume)

  	Bass / Mid / Treble / Presence

  Function buttons (on/off, in/out):
	
	Treble boost / Mid boost

        preamp select: Clean (s.s.) / Tube 1 / Tube 2

  	Up/Down for Midi controls: Midi Channel / Midi Program / Midi Receive

        Switch 1 / Switch 2  (controlling outboard devices with shorting relays)

        Effects Loops : FX A / FX B / FX C
   
        Main AC Switch

        
   Tubes: 2 X 12AX7

   Effects Loops:
 
	FX A: series mono effects loop for use with "classic" floor effects.

 	FX B: parallel loop with stereo switched returns.

    	FX C: parallel loop/ stereo sends and returns/only sends switched
	      (this allows a delay or reverb to decay naturally instead of
	      the return being switched off during a program change).

   Denoiser circuit - switchable / reacts dynamically to the preamp status
	      and degree of overdrive selected.

   MIDI connections: in & out

   Optional stageboard: standard patch select 0-9/bank up/down. Connected
 	      via DB25 connector at rear of ACCESS. No AC power required.

				List Price: $1999

>Clean, Tube 1, and Tube 2. The seperate integral External Preamp Loop
>allows an external guitar preamp to be incorporated within the ACCESS
    
    Holy smoke !  You mean I can use this *and* my Mp1 in the same rig??
    
>				List Price: $1999
    
    Ouch!
    
> 	      via DB25 connector at rear of ACCESS. No AC power required.
    
    Nice touch - no wall bug to contend with!
    
    Gee BooM, this thing sounds nice - must have a review when you get
    yours !!
    
    jc
    
    

Al got a brochure on teh access in the store last week and I checked it out.

When they blow these out for $300 I'm definately gonna get one :-)

dbii double midi rack puke

    		
    		---- VS-250 Stereo Valve Power Amplifier ----
    
      Output: 		2 X 50 Watts R.M.S.
      Valves (tubes):   Power - 4 X EL84 per channel
    			Driver- 1 ECC83, 1 ECC84 per channel
      Size:		2U 19" rack (3-1/2"H , 11-1/2" deep)
      Cooling:		Constant flow heat exchanger and fan
      
      Controls:         standby switch
    			volume knob
    			pentode/triode switch for full/half power (rear)
    			presence 1 knob
    			presence 2 knob
      			presence select switch
    
        The twin presence controls can be selected via the front panel or 
    remote footswitch/programmable switch. The ACCESS preamplifier has 
    switch functions to facilitate this feature. Presence 1 is of the
    American type that boosts or cuts the mid-high response, presence 2 is
    the English type used to boost the very highest frequencies.
    
    							-B()()M-

    
    
      VS-250 list price - $1399
    
    							-B-

Hi BooM !

I don't want to make you nervous, but H&K announced a new preamp which also
starts with A (maybe Attack, Accept or something), which is supposed to include
multi effects. I saw a small note in one of the magazines. No replacement of
Access of course, maybe be lower or higher (hard to imagine given the price of
the Access).

I'll let you know, Thursday and Friday I'm at the Musikmesse to see and hear
all these new toys. H&K is on my list.....

	Richard

    
      I think you are referring to the ATTAX which is written up in the 
    H & K pricelist as a 3 channel Tube Preamp w/MIDI option. The price
    is a $599 in the U.S. which is (obviously) a lot lower than the ACCESS.
      The H & K product line has come a long way from a few years back
    where the only thing I saw by them was the Red Box and Cream Machine.
    As far as making me nervous, I'm not worried. As in computers, these
    manufacturers are always coming out with new things to make my VISA
    balance stay away from $0!
      I should be getting the ACCESS later this week!!!!! Until then I've
    been plugged into the REXX 610S and it is trying to be my contender for 
    my favorite backup amp. 
    
    							-B()()M-

    
      ....the ACCESS should be here tomorrow!!!!!!! I think I'm gonna
    go home sick from work. 
    
      I'll be ready to put it through it's paces! Tonight it'll be the 
    REXX 610s again before it gets shifted for the mega-preamp!
    
    						-psyched!-
    
    						 -B()()M-

    I think there will be a strange blue glow around 303 Maplewood Ave!

    
    
      Aack! The ACCESS beat me home. Actually I called the wife to make
    sure my new GTS trophy wasn't sitting out in the cold. It was! B-{.
    
      Review coming soon..... 
    
    							-B()()M-

    
    
    Round 1 w/ the ACCESS:
    
         Fire it up, it works! There's a start. Position it into the rack
    and it fits, well barely. This unit goes all the way to the back of my
    rack! Time for some right angle MIDI cables and patch cords. Then I
    cable the Intellifex into FX loop C, and get the rest of the signal
    path done. 
         Documentation? Plenty of it. And even though the front panel is 
    fairly easy to figure out, I had to go the manual numerous times, then
    after playing I got in to it in depth. So I managed to get the MIDI
    receive channel doing its thing and whatever. So what about the sound?
    
    
         It's great (better be for that price). It did take me an hour to
    get *close* to having a working set in the first bank. The three preamp
    modes all seem to be right-on. The clean channel is crystal clear as 
    expected. The Tube 1 was the trickiest for me, I used it for both my
    vintage patch and my Rhythm Crunch 1. I still have to tweak to get the 
    "Vintage Twin" patch sounding as good as my KH rack. There's enough room
    in the parameters to make that work out. The Tube 2 (British) is the
    killer preamp. I had VERY good luck with my "Sizzle on 6" patch and 
    "Kick A$$ Kat" lead patch. You can send this preamp into endless
    feedback by pushing the gain, master, and boost buttons aall at max
    (just like somebody mentioned recently in the ADA topic). But there's
    enough adjustment in each parameter to pull back out of the
    over-saturation point. Keep in mind that all programmable parameters 
    have 128 step resolution!
      Tone Controls from He!! No doubt that the tone controls are very
    responsive. The bass response is especially impressive. It doesn't 
    mud-out at all, my speakers will die first! It'll take some time
    to re-work my patches (and set up a second bank!) and report on my 
    success rate.
      The slider controls come in handy. I cranked up the SP-1000 to the
    top and used the stage master for overall volume. This was the best was
    to keep the signal to noise ratio at a minimum.  And it is a very quiet
    preamp to start with. Also the seperate headphone volume is a handy
    control and the internal preset EQ for the headphones is the best I've
    heard. 
      Another plus for H&K. The version 2.0 firmware makes the patch
    changes work very smoothly. Apparently the engineers calculated all the 
    switching times of various components and compensated the timing so
    that within 10 msec the transitions are made without glitches. I
    actually programmed a null patch (clean channel, every programmable 
    parameter on zero) and made a switch to the hot patches. Instead of
    going click or making weird electronic non-musical noises, the ACCESS
    reacted just like somebody had their hand on a knob and twisted it
    quickly. Like a quick fade-in. I like it!!!
      I need to spend the whole weekend with my new computer/preamp. 
    It doesn't do everything I want it to yet, but I don't think I'll
    have a problem getting there.
    
    						-B()()M- 

    
    
       FWIW - My first impressions of the ACCESS was pretty good, but
    something was missing. I couldn't get the Tube 2 preamp to go all
    the way up in the gain department without the sound starting to 
    fade and sound wimpy. Design flaw?
       NOPE - just a sh!t 12AX7 biting me! Since I've got an ample supply
    I popped a new one in, and voila--- mucho better. Then I had a blast 
    with the ACCESS. Both tube modes sound better. I've got my vintage
    patch back (mid-boost did it!). And I can gain the he!! out of the
    both Tube preamps without it puking on me. I'm a little bummed that 
    I got a crappy 12AX7, but at least they are easy to change and not
    expensive. I could tell it was microphonic from the buzzy sound
    during some high-gain settings. Happy again!
    
    							-B()()M-

    
       Would somebody else in here buy an ACCESS so we can trade patches.
    
       "I'll give you a Stevie Ray for a George Lynch"
    
       Didn't anyone get a big tax refund?
    
    	 New patches: "Texas Blues" and "In the Gutter"
    
         Working on:  "Lead from Hell" (TM by WJB)
    
    							-B()()M-

    I have a "Lead from Hell" *patch* on the 5150:
    
    
       N/A        10      10   10   10     N/A      10     10     10
    Rhy gain  Lead gain  bass mid treb  rhy vol  lead vol  res   pres
    

    Sick!

    re .70,..
    
    
    	Hmm lesse,. yep,. everythings on 10. Thats the standard
    Buckley patch isn't it?
    
    	That begs the question... " Whats the difference between
    a 'lead from hell' pathc and the standard 'Bill Buckley from Maynard'
    patch?"... not much from what I can tell.
    
    						/Bill_who_had_to_turn_lots_
    						of_knobs_down_after_lending
    						_his_new_(and_abused)_
    						Marshall_to_Buck

    RE: Marshalls and knobs on 10
    
    
    There is any other way?!?!?

    
    
        The ACCESS has got the knobs on 10 beat all over the place -
    
        The equivalent would be gain and master on 128! Each programmable
    parameter has 128 step resolution. I'm finding out that even being 10
    steps away, especially on the presence and treble, cause some
    significant changes to the sound.  The frequency band is narrower as
    these two controls are increased and broader as they are cut.
         When using the Tube 2 preamp I don't have to get the gain much
    over 90 to get a nice sustain, it's a matter of using the mid-boost,
    which is pre-gain, and judicious EQing to get the sound you're after.
    
     ...Oh yeah - the power amp shoud have it's master on 10 as well!!!
    
    							-B()()M-
     

    
    
        Another weekend workout with Mr. ACCESS. I'm really getting into
    the quality sounds of this unit. A lot of the presets gave me more
    insight as to how to get this thing smokin'. 
        In my literature that came with the ACCESS was a Software v. 2.0
    update bood and a Soundmodule B information pack. What the optional
    soundmodule does is add some new features (soft-click and low volume
    treble corrector) and change the voicing of the preamp. This means that
    previous presets would have to be re-worked. I've seen where the sound
    module plugs in and it's not tough at all to change. They want an
    authorized H&K dealer to do it but I think I could convince them that
    with my background (Hey, I've installed vector processors!) I could do
    it, And I have a static ESD mat! 
      I'd not gonna jump on anything new for awhile though. I gotta see 
    what they charge for one! For now I'm happy with Soundmodule A! 
    Of course if I bought Soundmodule B, they'd come out with Soundmodule C
    the next week.
    
    						-B()()M-

    
      The most recent issues of Guitar World and Guitar Player each 
    have advertisements for the ACCESS. The GP ad is a two color column
    type of ad, essentially just listing the features under an "Instant
    Payback" heading. The GW ad is full color and more informative, also 
    more hypeish. I like the play on our old Digital slogan, it states:
    "You CAN have it all, you can have it NOW!".
      I did a late nighter with the ACCESS last night through headphones.
    No doubt the quality of the unit comes through in this aspect as well. 
    I could set up a bank of patches (probably will) that are optimized for 
    headphone practice. It helps to add a little 'verb to these so it
    doesn't sound as dry. My main playing patches have little or no reverb.
    
    							-B()()M-

    
    
       All right! I *might* have somebody to trade ACCESS patches with in
    here. I shouldn't jump the gun though. I'd say the ACCESS is 80% of
    my playing time, with the rest going to the REXX 610s (using the 1602's
    power amp). 
       But after hearing the GN v4 Mikey Heiser's tone, I gotta plug back
    into my M1 and go a few rounds. 
    
    							-B()()M-

    So who's the mystery noter with the Access preamp?
    
    Greg

He didn't buy one yet, but I may....

dbii

    Hey dbii, you followed suit with Boom on the KH QT & TR preamps, now
    this?  8^)

    
    
       ...and there was nothing wrong with those either!! My Testarossa
    that was in the rack for two years more than earned it's keep and was
    reliable too! That's why I'm keeping that one TR. 
       ...hey BUCK! If it wasn't for your checking around and getting 
    prices on the REXXcess gear, I'd just have the 1602. I'm REAL glad
    you told me about the 610s (mega B-}'s)
    
    						-B()()M-

    >   ...hey BUCK! If it wasn't for your checking around and getting 
    >prices on the REXXcess gear, I'd just have the 1602. I'm REAL glad
    >you told me about the 610s (mega B-}'s)
    
    Really, the one time *I* find something rare, and I tell someone else
    about it!!  8^)  That's ok, you're a rack puke, and I'm not.  'sides,
    I know where you live if I want it.  ;')

Well My rack has gotten too heavy. Somthing has to give...

So I may (big may an access is big bucks even at dealer cost [god I love being 
in a band with a store owner!]) look into dumping some unused gear, and 
getting into a smaller lighter rack with an access and the intellifex and
the korg tuner and the power filter...and then I could get a rack mount wireless
and a....thump!! (sound of the wifeling thumping the dbii)


sigh

dbii

I want a new rack.  My 8 space is full, and I have a want...
:)
I want one of dem ATA Boogie racks with shockmounting and CASTERS !
jc

    
      Did an audition yesterday with the ACCESS rig. It was with a couple
    of the musicians from GLYFIX when I played with them, so it really
    wasn't an audition. They just said "Ya gonna join?" They like my 
    "squeals and squacks" B-}. (sorry Tom).
      This is the first chance I've had to put the ACCESS into a real band 
    situation. Not only was the band real impressed (they obviously heard
    the old rig, which wasn't bad), but there was something about the
    sounds I was crankin out yesterday that they liked. I'm effectively
    bumping another guitar player out of the band (don't make me feel bad,
    OK?). I caught them playing out last Friday night with the old guitar 
    player and I can see why they want him out. The drummer said to me:
    "He's getting worse instead of better". It's unanimous here, EVERYBODY
    in the band wants this guy gone. To make it real easy on me, the other
    guitar player comes up to me during the gig and say's "Hi John". He
    knows I used to play with three members of the band. Then he tells me
    he's getting a $4,500 settlement in two weeks and he's gonna buy a 
    Marshall rack system. What do I tell him? "Save your money!???".
    
      ... anyway, me and the new rig will be out and gigging in three
    weeks! I liked the four months of not gigging, but I knew it couldn't
    last long. I started with four other guys last month, but the bass
    player and other guitarist couldn't agree (not even compromise) on
    material. I'm more comfortable in this new situation.
    
    							-B()()M-

    
    
      Check this out for verstility. I had mentioning the great sounds I
    got out of the ACCESS going into the M1's power section. Well, I
    decided to take it a step further. You have the choice of three preamps
    AND an external preamp that is implemented thru a transformer isolated
    loop. When programming a patch you have the three buttons: clean, 
    Tube 1, Tube 2. If you press the clean button twice you engage the
    external preamp loop. I could always patch a REXX or KH preamp in
    there, but WTF - I'm already using the M1's power section for this
    little tone exploration session. Since the ACCESS is feeding the
    effects return of the M1, I can use the external preamp loop into the 
    M1's main preamp input and out of the M1's effects send. The way the
    KH M1's preamp section is configured this works fine, the master volume
    on the ACCESS is still the master volume. 
      Then I get to decide which preamp mode I'm gonna use on the M1. How
    about:
    
      ALL OF THEM!!! I have the two programmable relay switches embedded
    into the ACCESS (they function just like the switching function of my
    KH patch bayettes). This is maximum flexibility in a rack config IMHO.
    I'm surprised I didn't think of this sooner. I can have all my ACCESS
    sounds and my original KH M1 settings all integrated into one package.
    Makes for a great A/B set-up when trying to duplicate patches.
    
      Hey Coop - If you got an ACCESS you could switch all four channels
    of the SOHO and still have the programmable preamp. You gotta try one
    of these sometime. And it is the greatest for quiet practice in two
    different modes: Either direct into the preamp and out the headphone
    jack of the ACCESS (with it's own independant volume control) OR
    into a multitrack using the two stereo recording outs (twin Red Boxes
    in stereo!) then monitoring through headphones, that's how I've been
    learning new songs without bothering the family!.
    
    							-B()()M-

I tried a H&K ATS 60 this weekend. It's a:

combo with a single 12"
solid state preamp
tube preamp (based on one ECC83/12AX7)
solid state power amp 65W (so why is it a ATS60?)

This amp screams. I cannot believe how good it sounds.

This amp may have sold me on an Access. If the access sounds this good there's
gonna be one in my rack.

sigh

dbii

    
      ...and the ACCESS has twin 12AX7's! I think you aughta check it 
    out. Keep one KH preamp and slave it into the external effects 
    loop! H & K IS a happening company that seems to have done a lot of
    tone R & D!
    
    							-B()()M-

      
      One ACCESS stageboard for me. On its way to me just as a M/B rack
    (that would be PERFECT for an ACCESS BTW!) is on its way out to
    Colorado Springs. 
      I decided the stageboard was worth getting since the ACCESS is my 
    primary tone source and is more convenient. Powered from the ACCESS 
    it uses a good old DB25 connector on the back. Gee, where could I get 
    an extension for a connector like that?   B-}!
    
    							-B()()M-
    								
    

Continuous Control dood ??

jc

    
        Although the ACCESS supports continuous control, the Stageboard
    is your basic program change type (patch select, bank up/down). 
    The big plus for me is that I don't need a seperate power cord
    running to the front of the stage.
        If you really need the continuous control, then I guess you'd
    have to consider the Lake Butler Midi Mitigator, ART X-15, or maybe
    the new Digital Music "Ground Control" unit. I don't really need it.
    
        During this past week on vacation I managed to re-wire my rack
    since I don't contemplate any changes to the components. I used quality
    cable and right angle jacks (to keep rear clearance to a minimum) while 
    buiding my own "custom length" cables. 
        Everything is at a minimum length and tie wrapped anywhere there is more
    than one cable. I actually think this may have improved the sonic quality of
    the rack because during last nights practice I had a really smokin' tone
    (actually about ten of 'em). 
    
    
    							-B()()M-

    shorter/more well organized cables would almost certainly improve
    tone by eliminating attenuation/impedance/resistance and also
    by decreasing noise susceptability (shorter/smaller antennae)...
    
    Hell,. I noticed a difference by going from a 20 ft patch chord
    to a 10 footer...
    
    Have fun
    
    						/Bill_who_says_Bucks_on
    						Vacation_so_while_the_Bucks
    						away_lets_all_us_cats_play!
    
    

    
       One of the improvements I perceived has in the high end response,
    probably due to the reduced capacitance in the entire audio path.
    It's just one of those stupid things that I meant to do, and didn't get
    around to it until last week. I had the longer cables in there ever
    since I converted to the ACCESS. I did have the cables fairly neat when
    the KH Testarossa was in the rack, but now I'm using better quality
    cable it made a noticable difference.
       
    
       (willing to bet Buck is on a roller coaster right now!)
    
    							-B()()M-

    
      OK - now the ACCESS is stageboard controlled. Very straightforward
    stuff. It uses the big metal buttons (that are easy to replace when
    they get worn out) and easy to read numbers. I used it twice for
    practice and there are three things I really like i about it over my
    KH controller.
    
      1) ONE cable to the stageboard. It gets its power from the ACCESS
    	 so set up is easier. Multiply that by how many times I set up and
     	 tear down my equipment and it adds up.
    
      2) It is smaller than my KH controller, actually about 1/3 the size.
    	 Amazingly enough it is laid out so well that it doesn't negatively
    	 impact the operation of the it.
    
      3) Patches are 1 for 1. My KH used 0 thru 9 and the ACCESS (and
    	 (Rocktron for that matter) starts its patches at 1. I had my 
    	 MIDI mapping going on for my HK controller to keep the numbers
    	 straight. I had to re-map everything back to normal for the H&K
         stageboard.
    
        I had to set up the MIDI routing section on the ACCESS for the
    first time. Before, my Intellifex was first and the ACCESS was last 
    in the MIDI chain. Now the ACCESS is the MIDI controller it was
    intended to be. The MIDI capabilities controlling effects devices
    attached to the ACCESS is AMAZING. I honestly think the ACCESS 
    replaces a sh!tload of other MIDI devices. You don't need a ton of 
    cable and MIDI switchers because the ACCESS has so much built into it.
        The other big plus is the ease of use of the ACCESS. Since each 
    programmable parameter has its own increment/decrement controls, making 
    adjustments is a piece of cake! I (still) love the ACCESS!!!
    
    							-B()()M-

Does the access power the stageboard via a 7pin midi or similar?

dbii

    
      The ACCESS powers the stageboard by a 25 pin DB25 connector (familiar
    to us DECCIES as an RS232 type of connector). The end is a metal casing
    with the long knurled screw-ins, so its easy to attach by hand and
    won't come out accidently. Like I mentioned - just the one cable. 
      Even though I make a big deal about all the features of the ACCESS,
    the big thing is that it really has some impressive sounds. I really
    notice the tone quality improvement with the ACCESS. All in all,  an
    exceptionally well engineered and researched product!
    
    							_B()()M_

    
       Anyone with a "need to know" can write (or call) H & K using the
    info I posted in 1421.51. Hopefully they still have the ACCESS
    brochures available. They send out a nice info pack. According to 
    Factory Music the recent advertising and "good press" has increased 
    the demand substantially.
       Just TRY to resist after getting the info! Better yet - plug into
    one!
    
    							-B()()M- 

B()()M,

Just got off the phone with H&K in PA.  A *very* pleasant woman (If she told me
her name I missed it.) took my call and gave me the names of several dealers in
central MA, southern NH and central ME.  Said she recognized your name.

dbii's drummer, Al, at Capitol City Music in Augusta just became a H&K dealer.

Can't wait for the info package to show up at my house.

Chuck

    
    
      ..not like the original LPMG secretary from HELL. Gee- this woman from 
    H & K doesn't know the power of a network. I'll never forget the
    respect I got from LP Music Group after I posted their fire sale.
    They were shocked that the day after Josh told me about it that they 
    got so many calls from all over the country. And I never got a 
    commission! (That would be illegal use of the net anyway!). 
    
       Seriously the girl is pleasant. Just mention my name! B-}!
    
       Oh Yeah - being in a band with a music store owner or worker always
    helps sweeten the deal! 
    
    							-B()()M-
    

    
    
    
    			- MINE MINE MINE -

    Go see Rob at Performance Music in Woburn,.. good guy and he's
    into H&K,.. 
    
    								/Bill
    PS Rob is a friend of Buck's from Bezerklee,..

Yeah Al just added the line and has a ATS60 and some 30W combo in stock. He's
also doing a booming business in red boxes, can't seem to keep them in stock.
H&K is supposed to come up and demo an access for me one of these days. He's
also expecting a tri-axis or whatever the other rack mount unit is.

dbii

    
      I noticed a Hughes & Kettner ATS-120 head sitting on top of one of their
    new 4 X 12's at the House of Guitars in Rochester. This thing is loaded
    with features. I would have liked to check it out, betcha it sounds
    real nice!
    
    							_B()()M_
    								

    
      This weekends outdoor gig rig:
    
      The ACCESS rack powering two KH 4 X 12's !!!!
    
         This is a BIG outdoor gig so we're bringing out the artillery.
    
    								-B()()M-

    Never mind the power, what git will be getting the airtime...Strat?

    
    The axe will be the Les Paul - It is my current favorite of my three
    electrics. Sometimes I miss the whammy - sometimes I don't.
    
    Les Paul thru the H & K Access = Ecstasy!
    
    							-B()()M-   

    
       ACCESS info pack on the way to GTS sufferer (and fellow guit noter)- 
    
       Oh Yeah - the gig went great last weekend. I'm real happy with the
    band and my gear. Now to really move it up a level (my playing and
    the band as a whole, not my equipment!)
    
    							-B()()M-

    -1
    
    How did the ACCESS sound thru the BIG RIG?

Yeah - perspiring minds wanna know!

jc (GTS Suffererrrrrr)

    
       -----------------------B I G !------------------------
    
    
    
    							-RFB!-
    
    							-B()()M-

    Does it make more sense to learn how to play first, then go out and buy
    the toys?

    -1
    
    You directing that question at Cooper?!?

>    Does it make more sense to learn how to play first, then go out and buy
>    the toys?
    
    Not for me, I'd never get any toys.
    
    Greg

    
    
      That reminds me of all these special order Hamer guitars I used to
    see coming in to a local music store. They'd have things like
    holographic skulls and initials at the twelfth fret. Prices were
    like $2700 and up for these axes! After seeing about five of these
    guitars going to DJM I asked the owner, Chuck, what band he plays in?
    Chuck tell me the guy can barely play. He just likes to collect
    guitars! 
      I can honestly say I've made enough money playing to cover my 
    nasty GTS habit. I HAVE slowed down. A few REXXes last year, and the 
    ACCESS/stageboard this year. My Intellifex, DT1-pro tuner, and SP-1000
    power amp are rack veterans at this stage.
    
    							-B()()M-

RE:  Mikey & Buck

I play as well as I'm ever gonna play, so...
jc

    Wish I could say the same.  I think there's always room for growth.
    
    Mike

    Not for me...  I feel like I'm not gonna get any better...
    At least not playing wise...   :)

    RE: -1
    
    That's equestrian feces ....
    
    The Hardball demo showed me that you *have* improved !  When you and I
    used to jam together, we were always trying to go for speed and tricks.
    Since then, you've settled into your style, which is *not* speed
    oriented, and it sounds really nice.  I have gone to a blusier
    approach, and am having a BLAST doing country these days.  I'm
    comfortable, so I play a lot better.  
    
    NEVER say you won't get better ... better in who's eyes ?  You'll never
    be another Marty Friedman, but who needs one of those anyway ?  The
    more you play, the better you get, you can't help it.  One thing I
    found out last night after not playing with a band for a while is, "if
    you don't use it you loose it".  There were a few times where the old
    fingers just wouldn't do what I wanted 'em to, and it's all from not
    playing as much.
    
    Jerry
    

    
    Jeff, I agree with Jerry.  Your playing has definitely gotten better.
    I was impressed with your band's demo tape as well.
    
    -pat

Thanks you guys - I guess what I meant was that I will never be a 
Marty Friedman...I sure would LIKE to be.  Any improvement in my playing 
is just a clean up sstyle thing - what I'd LIKE to do is speed up to warp 
speed while keeping some taste.  :)  That'll never happen though...

jc (Who tries not to get carried away with his wiggle stick)

    The wiggle stick is sorta like training wheels on a bike.  The more you
    PRACTICE at the faster licks, you will use it less.  If you practice
    enough, and practice the *right* stuff, you can learn to burn too. 
    It's all in how you wanna allocate your time.  I know I could do it,
    but I'd rather spend my time doing other stuff.  So, I don't gripe
    about not being a speed demon - it's my own fault.  Besides, I'm too
    old to do all that fast stuff ... I might implode ...
    
    Jerry

    
       Hey !! What's all this gabbing in the H & K topic. I don't want this
    one to go over .1000 unless they do a LPMG type blow out. Of course
    that would mean I paid too much for my ACCESS!!! I doubt that will
    happen cuz H & K has a lot more going for it product wise and seems to
    have built up a great reputation in Europe and the U.S. 
       Take it away - anyone get their ACCESS info package yet???
    
    							-B()()M-

    >                       -< like I OWN this topic right? >-
    
    This one, 1103.*, 1714.* ... maybe a few others...
    
    Def. NOT 1655.* tho...
    8^)

    
    
       ...just call me Ross - I BOUGHT my topics!!!!
    
    					-B()$()M-

B()()M,

    Got my package a few days after I called.  Looked at the price list
    and:
    
    	my wallet screamed,
    	my AmEx card went into cardiac arrest,
    	my wife threatened felonious assault if I even CONSIDERED spending
    	that kind of money on GTS.
    
    But I enjoyed reading the literature, salivating on the bass amps, etc.
    
Chuck (hoping for LPMG/H&K blowout or a MegaBucks win)

I got the glossy on the ACCESS that BOOM has.

Wow.  That unit sounds hot.  The price tag (for a preamp) is $1999.
What does one REALLY pay, BOOM ??

FWIW - I don't think I'd trade my Mp1 in, I'd just run it in the External
       preamp look !!

Very nice lookin unit - I wanna play one.

jc 

    
      The $1999 list includes a sizable dealer markup. I paid $1350
    and I'm still quite happy with it. The amazing thing is the
    flexibility. Put an old MXR phase 90 or Blue Box in FX A loop and 
    only have the audio go through it on the selected patches. Use a 
    Quadraverb, multiverb, Intellifex or whatever (or Both!) in 
    FX Loops B & C and set up the MIDI sends on the ACCESS for the
    appropriate programs out for the specific device. It would be real easy
    to use the MP-1 in the external preamp loop (xformer isolated), or the 
    SOHO for that matter (and you could switch SOHO channels with the
    two programmable switches on the ACCESS. Anyway if you come up to 
    Syracuse, you can plug into mine. Didn't they send you a dealer list?
    
    							-B()()M-

NO - no dealer list...

I'm kinda glad they didn't.
:)

That thang sounds good on paper, thats  for DAMN sure !!!
jc 

PS - BTW, Larry Larson said I wouldn't be "fickle" as long as I wired
the Mp1 in the PreAmp loop.   :)  

    
    
    Don't even know if this is a good deal, but Elderly Instruments has a
    used H+K ATS60 combo advertised in the May flier for $325.  1-12,
    60watt combo, tube driver stage for hot channel, reverb.
    
    
    Just FYI
    
    Kevin
    

		I gotta warn people...

DO NOT SEND FOR HUGHES AND KETTNER'S GLOSSY ON THE ACCESS !!

    >DO NOT SEND FOR HUGHES AND KETTNER'S GLOSSY ON THE ACCESS !!
    
    ...and the  VS-250 power amp -- drool!

    
    
      Oh Yeah - Add the VS-250 to my Lottery wish list. But for now it
    sounds just fine with the Metaltronix/PC SP-1000. My only gripe
    wiht the VS-250 is the 50/50 watt per channel (I like 100) and the 
    added weight over others. Oh yeah - and the eventual cost of re-tubing
    with eight EL-84s!
      Hey Coop - why the warning? Just whip out the VISA card! Ask H & K 
    where the dealers are in CO. 
    
    							-B()()M-

The warning because it looks so killer on paper that some people
might just be tempted to do just that (with their Visa)...

That power amp looks like it humps too, but I think I'd be happy with 
my SP1000.   It may only be a 50wt amp, but it's 50wts of TUBE, so I bet
it's as loud as the Metaltonix is...

jc

    Imagine --
    
    * ACCESS Preamp
    * Intellifex FX unit
    * VS-250 power amp
    * (2) Marshall Cabs loaded with Vintage 30's
    
    
    Go ahead, CHARGE IT!

Imagine THIS:

Access Preamp
TC 2290
Boogie Tube (295??) amp
(2) JCM900 DR's (racked of course, switched from ACCESS :)
(6) Marshall cabs

    Imagine --
    
    * ACCESS Preamp
    * Intellifex FX unit
    * VS-250 power amp
    * (2) Marshall Cabs loaded with Vintage 30's
    
    
    Go ahead, CHARGE IT!

Yeah the glossy is killer!

As a matter of fact I'm working on an access now, got an interested potential
Rivera buyer off Usenet!


FWIW Dealer cost is 50% of list.

IMHO they blew it though, you can't name your patches on the access...cheez!

Even cheap rocktron preamps let you name the patches...

Won't change my intentions though...


dbii

Oh yeah..That ATS 60 for $300muble is a great deal! And they sound very
good, Gree-Vee-King bought one a couple of weeks ago, and one of my 
studii has one...nice amp, it sold me on an access!

dbii

So name your patches on your Quadraverb - thats what I do with Mp1 (there is no 
ability to name patches there either).

Besides that, I can never come up with a name thats socially acceptable, so...

    Who needs a name when it has a NUMBER!
    ;^)

      Actually - if the effects unit has a name, why repeat it on the
    preamp. I let the Intellifex tell me what the patch name is, The ACCESS
    tells the Intellifex where to go, so everything should add up without
    being redundant. As long as at least one effects unit has a patch name,
    and the others are showing their numbers, you should be in business!
      When the KH Testarossa was in the rack, the Intellifex was also the 
    indicator of the patch name, that hasn't changed even though the ACCESS
    is the master unit of the rack these days. Without knocking KH, I'd say
    my overall sound has improved by quite a bit with the ACCESS. I really
    can't think of ANYTHING on the market today to replace the ACCESS and do 
    all the functions it is capable of.
    
    
    							-B()()M-

    >                 -< C'mon Coop, let's trade patches! >-
    
    Don't get me started BOOM!  You know how I am...
    :)
    
    Like I just said in another topic, I'm curious what Jim Marshall found
    with his MIDI development too...  Even if it doesn't do the things the
    ACCESS does...
    :)

    But Coop, Marshall's sound sucks and they don't have enough gain,
    remember?
    
>      Actually - if the effects unit has a name, why repeat it on the
>    preamp.
    
    Maybe because you want to use the same effects patch with different
    preamp sounds?  
    
    Greg

Copy the patch to the desired location...

Greg - dood - I never said that Marshall sounds' suck.  It just ain't 
for me..

jc

    
      Last nights gig went real well. A rebooking and a $100 raise next
    time in the club was all it took to convince me of that. THe place was 
    called JAMMERS and it lived up to its name. Altogether, a night that
    reminds you why you play in the first place.
      We used a well known sound man that does a lot of national acts when
    they come into town and he was curious about my set up. I told him to
    just give me an XLR and my rig will take care of the rest. I did get
    the questions like "If it's coming off your preamp are the effects
    gonna be there?". I told him that my stage volume out and compensated
    recording out were two different outputs, the stage volume control on
    my ACCESS doesn't affect his DI level, and that both outputs were 
    post effects. I just plugged my Red Box into the recording out of the
    ACCESS. He said the sound check went real well with it. 
      After the first set I asked if there were any problems. He said
    "Yeah, try to get the other guitar player to get a sound like yours."
    He told me my guitar sounded real warm and fat compared to John (the
    other guitar player). And he didn't have to boost my leads at all,
    must've been something to do with that button I hit on the ACCESS
    stageboard. 
      Oh Yeah the guitar player I replaced when I joined this band came out
    to heckle us, got real drunk and obnoxious, told a lot of people that
    we sucked (not that they took him serious). He ended up getting in a
    fight after the second set and thrown out of the bar. Broke our hearts.
    
    						-B()()M-

    
    
    
         1793 calling Cooper - It's lonely in here!
    
    						-B()()M-

    Won't be lonely for long ... saw db_II last night, and he was drooling
    over the ACCESS in person!!  I think he's obsessed, and know that it is
    only a matter of time before he owns one!

db trading his boogie for an ACCESS ?
Nhaaaa...
jc

    >db trading his boogie for an ACCESS ?
    
    No dude, *db_II* -- trading his Rivera for an ACCESS!

Now that I could see...

(Brain-gas-cramp)

    
      	I'm off to gig with GLYFIX. Since I've been in this band (six
    weeks) all I've played is the ACCESS. And I do have a few other things
    hanging around. THe other guitar player will be using my REXX 610S
    again, which should make him happy (it SMOKES his Fender M-80).
        
    								-B()()M-

    
      Friday's gig went so-so. Not great, not bad - one of those.
    
      Yesterday just about every musician I've ever known in this city
    (Syracuse) came out to a big memorial benefit. It was for a local
    guitar player that passed away about a month ago, the proceeds went
    toward the funeral costs for the family. There were six bands playing
    for the cause, we were the third band to play. A LOT of musicians
    checked out my rig. I got a some great complements on the sound of my 
    guitar (Les Paul thru the ACCESS) from musicians. A few of them had
    heard my old rig (yeah Buck, the one you played through), and said my
    sound had really improved a lot since then.
      It is a little un-nerving having to play in front of that many
    musicians (I'd guess maybe a third to a half of the crowd). All in
    all a great gig that got my band out in front of a lot of others that
    hadn't heard us yet. 
      FWIW - I think the other guitar player in my band is gonna get the
    ART SGX-2000. He loves my ACCESS but it's too big $ for him. I played
    through the SGX-2000 and found it to be a lot better than I expected.
    The band that followed us had one and I thought it sounded decent.
    It is a lot of bang for the buck. I did tell my other guitar player to
    stay clear of the GSP-21 (YUCK).
    
    							-B()()M-

yeah I'd like an access...totally programmable that's the ticket for me!

I used my brandi-new red box for the 4th gig, the soundman (freshly off
the Frampton tour as main sound man) wanted to know what kind of f-ing 
direct box I had. I told him and he bought two the next Monday from Al.

dbii

    
      That's the same reaction I've gotten from skeptical soundmen when I
    told them I was going DI. Trust me, they know it's not some cheapo
    DOD direct box just from the sound. I know you can do a lot with
    various mike placements/mike types, but the ACCESS/Red Box is
    consistent night after night. 
    
      So you did buy something from H & K! Gee - that's how I started with
    them, had the Red Box two years before the ACCESS! 
      
      Buck said you liked the 5150 a lot, but I guess your last reply says
    where your at as far as what you want. 
      
      ACCESSorize!!!
    
    						-B()()M-

    
      Hey!! Anybody wana do some smokin'!!!!!!
    
    
      My ACCESS smokes (not literally). Great guitar tone!
    
    
      Saw the H & K ATTAX guitar preamp listed for $479 in the latest AMS
    catalog, three channel w/ MIDI switching option available.
    
    							-B()()M-

Boom,

 You mentioned something about a sound module, was that for  the access??

dbii

    
      Yup - the ACCESS comes w/ sound module A. My documentation included
    the specifications for both sound module A, firmware version 2.0, and
    the optional sound module B. At first I wasn't too hot on the fact that
    after spending that much money that they'd try to entice you into an
    optional modification. Now I'm kind of glad that I have an option
    available to me that is inexpensive and also keeps my original
    investment intact. If I remember right, Factory Music said the sound
    module would run around $100. Then again, I'm pretty happy with the
    way it is. I can wait to see if sound module B ends up being the 
    one of choice and exactly how it justifies the expense.
      You can't have both modules installed at one. Hey - this isn't a
    XMI bus we're talking about.
    
    							-B()()M-

    What sounds does the B module offer over the A?
    
    gh

    
      I'll bring in the spec sheet. A couple things I remember are the 
    H&K soft-click circuit for crunch rhythm, a treble corrector for 
    lower gain settings, and different voicing (as in frequency centers)
    for the EQ controls. Gee - I'm happy with the way it sounds NOW. 

    
    
      Hey, has anyone plugged into a H&K ATS 120 amp head out there?
    
    							-B{}{}M-

    
      In the recent Guitar World issue (Sept) there is a short blurb on
    page 17 with Reb Beach and Andy Timmons doing a Ibanez clinic at
    NYC's China Club. Of course, we know what the axes are but...
    ..the background clearly shows two amps. One of them has a "50" on
    it and the left half is obscured (hint - 51), the other amp has
    Hughes & Kettner across the head. My guess on that is it's the
    ATS-120 cuz a 60 watter ain't gonna stand up to a 5150!
      Andy Timmons has been a Peavey endorser for awhile, and Reb Beach
    has endorsed every musical product known to man - possibly adding 
    H & K to his expanding list.
    
    							-B{}{}M-

    Hi all !
    
    H&K has introduced a new product called the Tubeman. It is floor type
    unit that can be used as a preamp, booster, practicing amp (with
    phones). It consists of a patented ECC83-based circuitry, which
    emulates the sound of multiple chained tubes. It has 4 basic sounds
    (the usual crunch, blues....). There's a line out, direct out (with
    speaker emulation) and boost out (for input to a power amp).
    The unit can be switched to bypass with a (built-in) foot switch.
    
    The review claims that the sound is very good and the unit seems to be
    a mixture between the Cream/Metal Master and the Attack.
    
    The price is announced to be 560DM, which is 380$ (with the current LOW
    dollar rate).
    
    	best regards
    
    		Richard
    

    
    
      RE: Coops reply in 1655.1148 (the M-word topic)
    
          I don't think H & K "failed miserably". I think the 
      ACCESS can outperform both of the preamps listed in this 
      month's Guitar Player product review (JMP-1 and Tri-Axis).
      There's even mention of it in the article!!!
    
    							-John R-

For that kind of money (over twice the price), it *should* out 
perform a $500 preamp.  :)  Different market, dood.  :)

jc

    FWIW, The TriAxis is quite a bit more then $500.
    
    gh

Yeah...

....BUT IT'S A BOOGIE !
:)

    
      RE: different market? It all depend on what the M/B Tri-Axis and 
    Marshall JMP-1 *really* sell for. Yeah the ACCESS lists at $1999, but
    the realistic price is in the $1200-$1500 range. I know the Boogie
    margins aren't that high, they could pretty much run real close to
    $1200. As for the Marshall, I'll wait to see if anyone prices them
    for me (not that I'm going for it, just inquisitive).
    	
    							-B{}{}M-
    

    
      I was all set to write this as my first H & K bummer note, but it 
    was more like one of those gig war stories. It goes like this:
    
      We're doing a gig last night with an opening band, the PA arrived 
    a little enough time to get the show on by 10 or so. I fire up the
    ACCESS rig to tune my guitars and make sure everything is ready.
    I don't play a lot after tuning, usually just a quick volume check on
    each channel. So I plug the Les Paul in, tune it, turn up the power
    amp and out comes these popping and crackling noises. Just what I
    needed. Then it comes time to play technician, It's not the guitar,
    it's not the cables (there's a sh!tload of them), not a speaker 
    problem.... So I power off the ACCESS and the noise goes away.
    I get the intellifex and the Korg tuner completely out of the circuit
    as well, just ACCESS to power amp to speaker. Still snap, crackel, pop.
      The keyboard player has his KB300 amp in the same circuit as me with
    no problems. Still I try another outlet just for the heck of it.
    No luck (and my luck is running out!)
      Luckily the REXX 1602/601 is a ready backup unit. It freakin works 
    fine. I used the ACCESS's programmable switch outs to control the 
    REXX's channel switching and the MIDI out still for the Intellifex, but
    the audio section was strictly the REXX and the Intellifex. 
      THEN:
    
      After I'm all set up with the REXX, my bass player fires up his
    Peavey Pro-bass preamp that feeds a Mark VIII head. And he gets the
    same noise I got. Exactly the same noise.DANG! Then he bypasses his 
    preamp and goes into just the head and it works just fine. So I get
    through the gig on the REXX (it earns its keep!).
      I try the ACCESS rig today at home and everythings in working 
    order. Guess what? This club has one of those "moving" neon displays
    out front, and I'll betcha it was on both of the circuits that I tried.
    Hmm - I wonder if one of those fancy Furman line conditioners would've
    helped? Naww - I'm on a GTS break these days, just new picks and
    strings!
    							-John R-
    
    

    
    
      Attention sweepstakes freaks (and MIDI rack puke wannabes!):
    
      I got a postcard from GFTPM (Guitar for the Practicing Musician)
    announcing their new promotion. It's a giveaway of a "dream guitar
    rig".
      
      So why did I put this in the H & K topic? (Why ask why?)
    
      The heart of this killer system is the ACCESS preamp and the
    VS250 tube power amp. {drool, slobber}. On top of that there's 
    four (!) H & K 4X12 cabinets, a nice rack for the rack gear, and
    a bunch of Digitech gear like a DSP-256XL and their new MIDI foot
    controller, a Juice Goose power distribution, and some other misc gear.
    
      Looks like a killer system, even though I can only vouch for the 
    ACCESS personally.
    
    							-B{}{}M-
        

    
      HINT:  GL212 & AR-117
    
      soon to arrive..
    
    							-B{}{}M-

    
    
    
    
    
    One at a time, dude - you've got to learn to enjoy each toy before
    starting on the next - otherwise, it's the binge & purge syndrome...
    
    

Whats a GL212 ??

The AR117 is the Furman conditioner?

    
    
      The AR-117 is the Furman line conditioner/regulator. I got a good
    deal trading in some old P.A. gear (that's another story altogether). 
    In any case, power into the rack system will never be a problem anymore
    and if it is the display  will tell me it the voltage is out of
    tolerance.
    
      The GL212 is the H & K 2X12 guitar cabinet. I'm gonna sell off my
    Marshall 4X10 (with KH logo) when the new cabinet arrives. The new
    cabinet uses Celestion Vintage 30's and are really built solid! 
    
      My P.A. rig has gotten smaller while my guitar rig has a little bit
    of a boost.
    
    							-B{}{}M-

    >              -< it figures Coop would know the AR-117! >-
    
    I am ALL KNOWING, my son...Especially if its got rack ears on it.  :)

    
    
       Because I feel lucky (sometimes), I entered the GFTPM contest for
    the $15,000 rack rig. Here's the prize list:
    
    	Hughes & Kettner -ACCESS preamp
    			 -VS0250 tube power amp
    		 	 -four(!) 4 X 12 cabs
    	
    	Ibanez		 -542R guitar
    			 -RBM1CA guitar (Reb Beach model)
    	
    	DOD elec.	 -DSP-256XL multieffects
    			 -PMC-10 MIDI foot controller
    			 -MEQ14 MIDI EQ
    			 -RDS-8000 time machine
    			 -FX17 Wah/Volume
    			 -FX25 Envelope Filter
    		
    	Juice Goose	 -Rackpower 300 pwr dist
    
    	Uptown Tech 	 -Flash audio switcher
    			 -Great Divide channel sw
    
    	Samson Tech	 -Concert series II wireless
    
    	--and D'Addario strings, whirlwind cables,Intimidator road cases!--
    
          A few things in this rig I'm not sure what I'd do with. I don't
    know why the Uptown Technologies MIDI switcher stuff is in there
    because the ACCESS does all that stuff for you. Maybe it could be set up
    to switch to different guitars allowing both to stay hooked up?
    
    	  Did anyone else get this sweepstakes flyer?
    
    								-B{}{}M-

    
    
    
    Yeah, I got the flyer & Ed McMahon autographed it!  He said I was
    already a winner, too...so anyone wanna buy some H&K stuff cheap?
    
    

    
      Got my GL212 cabinet yesterday and used it on last nights gig.
    That's right, a Tuesday night gig! The cabinet smokes. Celestion
    Vintage 30's that bring out the best in a guitar! The cabinet is built
    like a rock!
      BTW - last night's gig was the finals for the S.A.M.A. awards,
    (Syracuse Amateur Music Awards). We won the contest and gladly took
    the prize money. It was one of those audience noise meter type of
    things.
    
    							-B{}{}M-

Congrats BoOmEr - glad you like the new cab too!!

jc (Waiting for GTS (MIDI-itis) to strike BoOm so he can snarf an ACCESS for
    cheap :)

    
    
      Coop - WTF would I ever replace the ACCESS with? You have a better
    chance of getting an ACCESS cheap from me if I win a new one from GFPM!
    Then maybe we can talk!
    
    							-B{}{}M-

    
    
      We had a band open up for us last Saturday. These guys were eligible
    for the MIDI rack puke club. The Bass player used a ART SGX-2000
    Nightbass preamp/effects into a Ashley FET-2000 power amp. The guitar 
    player had a SGX-2000 going into a Laney AOR 100 stack. They were
    a decent band, actually I'm surprised they wanted to open up for us.
    They have a big local job coming up and we'll probably check them 
    out. 
      Why is this note here? Well, because the guitar player in the opening
    band was way impressed by the ACCESS rack. I think he got a case of the
    "I wants" real bad. When I showed him how the rack fits into the
    road case and how the H&K speaker cab and rack sit nicely on top, he
    thought that was real convenient.  I really have got the sounds I need
    most out of this package.
    
    							-B{}{}M- 

    Re:.179
    
    In the interest of making sure that every note in here deviates from
    the base subject: what didja think of the Nightbass?
    
    I know lotsa people who are droolin' over it but have the usual concerns
    about ART's reliability.  I'm still confused why a bassist would need so
    much processing power, so am wondering what kind of sounds did he get
    (i.e. what kind of FX did he use, was he getting a different tone every
    song, within a song, etc.) and how was the tone overall?
    
    >They were a decent band, actually I'm surprised they wanted to open up
    >for us.
    
    Freudian slip here, Boom?
    
    						Brian

    
    
      Actually you have a point Brian! The bass player didn't use a MIDI
    foot controller but I did notice a lot of the "effect active" LED's
    were on. My guess would be compression, chorus, and ?. Most bass
    players I know aren't real effects heavies either. Our bass player
    plugs into a tuner and an amp, that's it!
      Now that we're COMPLETELY off the H & K subject, I'll get back on 
    it. Has any bass players out there tried the H & K Fortress Bass preamp
    or BASSbase combo's?
    
      							-B{}{}M-
    

    Has anyone here tried out that (relatively new) H&K TubeMan?  It's a
    preamp/effects box/recording amp type device.  I'm interested in
    something that gets a superior sound for recording direct and this
    looks interesting, especially considering the favorable response I've
    heard on the Red Box.
    
    Greg

    Re: .181
    
    I'll try one as soon as I see one...high end bass gear is harder to
    find in stores than high end guitar gear because less of it gets sold.
    
    Re: .182
    
    Just saw an ad for it.  Trying to figure out what makes the Tubeman
    different than the Cream Machine and its cousins.  I noticed it had a
    switch marked "Jazz/Funk/Rock"...sheesh, the last time I saw one of
    those was on a Polytone and a late sixties solid-state Fender (the
    mother of all dog amps)!  Looks like a stomp box, but is conspicuously
    missing a bypass switch in the photo I saw.
    
    As far as the Red Box, seems a new trend is active direct boxes with
    tubes in them, or tube emulation.  SansAmp, Demeter and others are
    starting to sell these beasts, targeted mostly at bassists...real
    guitarists don't use direct boxes  8^)  8^)  The Demeter is $500, so
    I doubt Whirlwind is worrying about sales of the $29.95 Imp2 being
    affected  8^)  8^)
    
    						Brian

    re: -1
    
    Brian,
    
    $29.95 Imp2....what's that?  
    
    Steve

    Re:.184
    
    The Imp2 is a bottom-of-the-line passive direct box.
    
    						Brian

re .128

Last month's Guitar Player (Eric Johnson on cover) had a review of the
Tubeman - quite favorable as I recall.  BTW - the Tubeman includes all of the
features of the Red Box.  Guitar Player felt that its ~ $350 price tag was
worth it for the set of boxes it would replace (assuming, of course, that
you NEED those functions AND haven't bought them yet - the same problem I
have when I look at multi-effects processors and then at the money I've sunk
into stomp boxes!)

    
    
    
      I've been playing around with the Korg A-4 into various amps lately
    (KittyHawk M1/REXX RIG/5150) and have had a lot of success matching
    up patch sounds with the Access rack. But this isn't a cut on the 
    rack rig.
      One thing is that the A-4/amp head combination is noticeably noisier
    that the ACCESS/Intellifex when on high gain settings. It's not that 
    the Korg is that noisy, it's more like the rack is amazingly quiet
    in comparison. On regular crunch rhythm settings and clean stuff
    there's no problem with either system. Just thought I'd point that out.
      Of course the ACCESS has more variety to it's tone palette than
    any of the amp heads. I do some workaround with the amp heads by using 
    the three band semi-parametric EQ on A-4 to get some variation.
    
    							-B{}{}M-

    
    
       Word has it that somebody wimped out and bought a ACCESS wannabee
    preamp!!!!!!!
    
    
    
         -----------just kidding Coop!---------- 
    
       I've never heard a Tri-Axis, but if John Patrucci can get his tone out of
    one, it's got to be more that just decent. I feel the same way about my 
    KH Testarossa a you did with the MP-1, it got me through a lot of gigs
    for about two years before I went with the ACCESS!
    
    
    							-B{}{}M-

Yep - The Mp1 MORE than paid for itself in reliability and performance, and I 
STILL get compliments about the tone.  I think of the boogie as an Mp1+ (with 
the speaker emulators, stereo FX loop, NOT needing a Hush, CC of all the params
etc...).  The boogie does all the sounds, plus it's got some "grind" voices that 
will blow the Mp1 away, while still doing the trade-mark Mp1 "Super Saturation"
thing, and crystal clean stuff...

    
    
       Give it time Coop - you WILL forget about the MP-1. I sort of wished
    you had bought an ACCESS. I don't have anyone in notes to swap patches
    with. As a matter of fact neither do you now either Coop.
       Crap - I can't even trade 5150 settings with Buck anymore!
    
    							-B{}{}M-

    Nobody around here had an access for me to try dood!!  I tried to find
    one!
    
    jc

    
    RE: ACCESS access
      They aren't that common to find in dealer stores (Hey Buck - didn't
    you check one out in a store?). H & K tried getting into a local store
    here and one of the people I deal with let me check out the info
    pack for signing on with H & K. I'm not sure if he wanted me to see the
    sheet labeled "dealer cost", but it's too late now! The ACCESS lists at
    $1999 and dealer cost is $1049, but they drop it to a grand if you buy
    five! Other H & K products are similarly margined. I'm sure if H & K
    had stock to move, then incentives are offered to dealers.
      
      Sounds like the Tri-Axis was a decent deal though Coop!
    
    								-B{}{}M-

Boom you wanna swap patches, how about a  decent chorus for an intellifex?

dbii whose midi mate/intellifex is now acting up....

    
    
      OK dbii - I'll try to remember to write down my main "clean chorus"
    patch. I probably should do it anyway in case my user programs ever
    give me the "User data cleared" that my GSP-21 did to me ten minutes
    before a gig. Talk about quick programming!
    
      I'll have to update my equipment list since I've been hacking up my M5
    combo (purists will shoot me for that one!) and I just, as in ten
    minutes ago, ordered the ADA microCAB speaker emulation system. That
    along with an upgrade to my wireless (looks like it's gonna be a
    Shure L4 guitar system) is all I have planned in the near future!
    
      BTW - it's a "snow day" here in Syracuse, NY. I'm reachable via pager
    all day even though the office is officially closed. And Digital isn't
    alone, most businesses in Syracuse said the heck with it. Hospitals
    here were sending out snowmobiles to bring in relief personnel! 
    I know a lot of you other eastcoasters got a lot of snow, but we just
    broke a seasons record snowfall (ever!) as well as the most in a 24
    hour period (>41"!). On top of the storm that  hit everyone we have this
    great thing called "lake-effect" that pretty much says it can snow in 
    Syracuse whenever it wants to!
    
    							-B{}{}M-

    Hey, B{}{}M, I was born and raised in Syracuse (Allen St., off East
    Genesee), and I can relate.  A friend on the West Coast called to ask
    if we survived OK here in NH; I just said, "This is nothing, we got
    this all the time when I was a kid."  (Well, maybe...)
    
    Syracuse made the ABC news last night for its record snowfall; Peter
    Jennings' comment was, "But of course, they're used to snow there.  Now
    in Birmigham, Alabama, they're not..."
    
    I read somewhere that of all US cities the size of Syracuse and
    bigger, the top three for average yearly snowfall are: Syracuse,
    Buffalo and Rochester.
    
    Ah, Upstate.  Maybe I'll go back for a visit.  In July, after most of
    it melts.
    
    Dave

    Hey, I used to live on East Genesee Street in Syracuse!
    
    NOTE: This is *not* a rat hole because I shared my East Genesee
    Street apartment with my friend Bill who had a Marshall half-stack, a
    Strat, a Les Paul, a Firefird, and a Martin.  Of course, I had a Ludwig
    double-bass drum kit set up there too.

    
       Ok - You qualified the rat hole! 
    
       I've probably jammed with half the musicians in this middle size
    city. There's about six decent sized music stores, and four of them
    know me quite well!
    
       Even at that I had to mail order for my ACCESS, since no one in town
    carries H & K at this time. Then again I can always drive down to NYC
    in a bout 4 hours and get any knid of gear in the world!
    
    							-B{}{}M-

    
    
      I looked over Greg's note on the Marshall 4 X 10 and figured I'd
    comment on the one I had and why I went with a different cab.
    I bought the 4 X 10 because it sounded decent and was the perfect size
    for putting rack mount gear on top. The 4 X 10 was probably one inch
    wider total (1/2" per side) than the outside of my rack. It worked well
    and I used it for two years. 
      I went with the H & K GL212 for much the same reasons as the 4 X 10 
    Marshall cab (size and weight). But the H & K came with two 12"
    Celestion vintage speakers in a ported enclosure. What this gave me was 
    a much better and well defined bottom. I really get a nice chunck out
    of the H & K cab and they are extremely well built. AND like the
    Marshall it is a perfect fit for the rack system. HIGHLY RECOMMEMDED!
    
    							-B{}{}M-

    I have to agree with Boom.  The 4x10 didn't seem to round out on the
    bottom end unless you had two of 'em in there.  It was a little thin
    with just one.  Racks and Kitty Hawk heads both sat on 'em great
    though...
    
    Greg

    
    
       .200! Far from a KittyHawk topic! I saw a picture in a recent Guitar
    World of the Ibanez guitar jam at last January's NAMM show. I only 
    recognized two brands of amps for this event. One was Mahshall and the 
    other was Hughes & Kettner. All the guitars were Ibanez pointy things.
    
        I have to have my low-end because the other guitar player in my 
    band carts around a 4 X 12 and fires it up with the EVH 5150 that I
    sold him. He's real happy with that amp and is gettign the Korg A-4
    this week after using mine for the last couple of gigs. That pair
    of pieces can do it all and well too!
    
       							-B{}{}M-

	I have Boom's 4x10. I love it. My rack's power stage is a late-60's
	Bassman 50 with the Normal channel jumpered to the Bass channel. The
	Bass channel volume rolls in an amazing low end....

    
        Two new H & K developments:
    
    	The ATTAX rack preamp is now available in a 100 watt combo called
    the ATTAX 100. Somewhat of a high-end MIDI combo. My guess is that an
    floor multieffects w/MIDI could do a decent job of controlling this
    combo very effectively.
    
    	The ACCESS MIDI preamp is still the same as far as I know, but now
    it is being referred to as a guitar workstation (must be a gimmick
    taken from the keyboard trade!).
    
    
    

    
    
      OOOPS - The MIDI is an option on the ATTAX series and I think it is 
    only available of the upper end of the line (60 and 100?). I thought
    it was too good of a price!
    
    								-B-

We've found a real wierd problem with our two red boxes.

essentially the problem is:

when we plug into the pa snake the amp begins to squeel...

we tried:

a new mike cable from the red box to the snake
a different channel on the snake (including the one that worked for the other 
   red box!)
a new battery
new cables to the red box
a different red box (swapped mine with Andy, the squeel stayed with the amp
   it started with)

This has happened twice, once to andy and once to me. In both cases we ended up
with a mike on the amp as the red box just wouldn't work.

I called H&K, they never heard of the problem and were no help at all.

Any  other red box owners ever see this?

If so did you figure  it out?

dbii

>a different red box (swapped mine with Andy, the squeel stayed with the amp
>   it started with)

     This suggests that the problem may be because of the amp, not to
     say there's anything wrong with the amp, but I've had problems
     using certain kinds of direct boxes on amps where the EXT SPKR jack
     is a SERIES connection with the SPKR jack. What make and model amp
     are you sing the red box with?

     Neal

I'm driving mine from a metaltronix sp-1000, stereo solid state...

Andy's driving his with a mosvalve, stereo solid state...

It only happens once in a great while...

dbii

    
      I'm driving mine from a Rocktron Velocity 300 - no problemo.
    
      I've had my Red Box Mk II for about three years now.
    
    							-B{}{}M-

    
    
      I'm back to using the Hughes & Kettner ACCESS as my primary pre-amp.
    A weekend of A/B tests with the DIgitech GSP-2101 proved to me that
    the ACCESS is the way to go. The GSP-2101 may be cool in features and 
    a lot of bang for the buck, but tonewise I'll stick with the 
    ACCESS/INTELLIFEX combination. 
      I still think that H & K makes some of the best gear out there. I've
    heard good comments from other musicians about their ATTAX combos and
    heads. 
    
    								-B{}{}M-

    Saw an Access preamp in the want-ad (The Boston Version) for $500.
    Hmmm....
    

    
    
    
      Awwww... Don't tell me THAT! It would make the PERFECT back-up for my 
    ACCESS rig! Sounds too good to be true! Either that or the owner has a
    serious retro-fetish.
    
      I just passed the three year mark with the ACCESS, and it's a keeper!
    Other things just come and go. Like I said, I like H&K (immensely) and
    Rocktron (gaining).
    
    							-=B{}{}M=-

    I tried out one of the small, all solid state Attax 50 combos at Mr C's
    over lunch.  Interesting little unit; solid state technology has come a
    long way recently.  The Peavey Transtube (or whatever it was called)
    was supposed to be a big deal in tube-like tone, but to my ears this
    Attax really comes a lot closer.  40 watts, single Celestion 12, three
    band EQ, reverb, clean and lead channels.  Light as a feather and
    suprisingly loud for it's modest rating.  The lead channel had separate
    gain and master.  Most of gain settings were more over-the-top than
    I would use, but suprisingly I found a number of very usuable
    "vintage style" overdrive tones at the low settings; usually the
    high gain amps tend to sound crappy when you try to get more moderate
    drive out of em, but not here.
    
    /rick
    

    
    The ATTAX series are actually hybrid amps, they use a single 12AX7 in
    the preamp stage. I have an older model ATTAX 100 which I still love
    for it's flexibility.  The new ones supposedly have a slightly better
    sound because (got this from the tech in Germany):
    
    - They eliminated the blue flocked covering 
    - switched to a custom designed Celestion speaker,
    - There were minor internal changes, but the biggest improvement came
      from the 2 items above.
    
    Lot's of different sounds available from this amp. The design goal as
    stated to me by H&K was a Fender style clean channel, and a Marshall
    plexi style overdrive channel.  The ATTAX 100 is actually a 3 channel
    amp - clean, crunch, and overdrive.  Cool amps, I'd buy another in a
    heartbeat.  They also make a line of pure tube amps now.  The Tube 100
    has 4 EL34's and 3 ECC83's.  Their new homepage can be found at:
    
    http://www.hughes-and-kettner.com/
    
      Larry

    The Attax 50 and Attax 80 may be new additions to the line; these are
    all solid state, pre-amps included.
    
    Mr C's had one of the newer Attax 100 models in stock as well (this one
    with the tube pre-amp).  In a side by side, I actually like the cheaper,
    all solid state one better.  Go figure.
    
    /rick
    

    
    The 50 & 80 aren't new models, but you're right, they are solid state
    preamp stages. I didn't realize that. What's wierd is the numbers 
    associated, for instance, the ATTAX 100 is 90 watts, where the ATTAX 80
    is 100 watts.  The ATTAX 100's tone can vary depending upon the 
    characteristics of the particular 12AX7 that's in the amp.  I'm quite
    happy with mine.
    
      Lv