Sean Ashe
Power User
So, for the first time since Firmware 8, I decided to see if I could match my (well, now my Dad's) Mark V.
I decided to try the IIC+ mode as it's definitely a more usable sound for my purposes, and after setting up a sound I really enjoyed with the Amp (Slave out, into axe FX, for IR consistency) I then tried matching up the knobs and 5 band EQ sliders (thanks for that Cliff!) with FW11 IIC+ Bright model.
I also made sure to do some research in regards to the original IIC+ model compared to the Mark V model, which according to them the knobs 'should' match up.
I hate to say it, but it wasn't even remotely close. The biggest difference was the feel. Now before anyone says anything about 'amp in the room', I had the speaker absolutely drowned out with pillows/blankets (Poor mans isolation ftw!) and the only noise I was hearing was the lower end rumble transferring through the floor. The Axe felt REALLY plasticy in attack, while the Mesa was very fluid and natural. The closest I was able to get it, still was fairly off, and was with the fat and saturation switches engaged. The notes just weren't distorting similarly.
I also felt that with the Axe, the notes were not as '3D' as with the amp, the overtones didn't seem to blossom as much.
If anyone here knows me, you know I'm not going to be one to bash the axe so don't take it as that, and honestly out of this I'm just trying to see if I'm doing something wrong so that way I can refine my tweaking methods for the future. I know that Matt had worked with JP matching his Mark V and his IIC+, so I have a feeling I might be doing something wrong.
I didn't take any soundclips as it's getting fairly late and I don't want the low end rumble from the Mark V to disturb anyone else in the house but would of course be willing to try this again if anyone has any suggestions and tips.
I decided to try the IIC+ mode as it's definitely a more usable sound for my purposes, and after setting up a sound I really enjoyed with the Amp (Slave out, into axe FX, for IR consistency) I then tried matching up the knobs and 5 band EQ sliders (thanks for that Cliff!) with FW11 IIC+ Bright model.
I also made sure to do some research in regards to the original IIC+ model compared to the Mark V model, which according to them the knobs 'should' match up.
I hate to say it, but it wasn't even remotely close. The biggest difference was the feel. Now before anyone says anything about 'amp in the room', I had the speaker absolutely drowned out with pillows/blankets (Poor mans isolation ftw!) and the only noise I was hearing was the lower end rumble transferring through the floor. The Axe felt REALLY plasticy in attack, while the Mesa was very fluid and natural. The closest I was able to get it, still was fairly off, and was with the fat and saturation switches engaged. The notes just weren't distorting similarly.
I also felt that with the Axe, the notes were not as '3D' as with the amp, the overtones didn't seem to blossom as much.
If anyone here knows me, you know I'm not going to be one to bash the axe so don't take it as that, and honestly out of this I'm just trying to see if I'm doing something wrong so that way I can refine my tweaking methods for the future. I know that Matt had worked with JP matching his Mark V and his IIC+, so I have a feeling I might be doing something wrong.
I didn't take any soundclips as it's getting fairly late and I don't want the low end rumble from the Mark V to disturb anyone else in the house but would of course be willing to try this again if anyone has any suggestions and tips.