Van Halen I Preset ....

R.D.

R.D.

Fractal Fanatic
I have been obsessing over building a VH I preset that mimics Ed’s set-up from 1978 in the Studio. Between the improvements that @FractalAudio has bestowed on us lately ( especially in firmware 28.02 w/ Plexi Brown tonestack and prior to that the ‘new’ compressors ), …, here’s what I’ve come up with.

But before we get too deep into the preset …, I will caution that even though it sounds spot on ( to me ) through both my Headphones ( corrected w/ jaakkopasanen’s autoEQ – https://autoeq.app/ ) and through my Barefoot 01 monitors. YMMV depending on your playback system. And if you happen to use headphones like I do from time to time ? Do yourself a HUGE favor and go get the autoEQ curve for your specific headphone ! It’s almost magical ! I can’t recommend it enough …. There are two ( 2 ) shunts at the end of the preset where I have my EQ Correction blocks.

Also …, I also have to point out the obvious ..., that the guitar makes one HELL of a difference too ( O.K., Duh ! ). My ‘mutt’ Strat sounds great …, probably because it’s set up like Ed’s # 1 Franky ( Ash body, Roasted Maple Neck, Jalen Guitar’s Fair Warning Pickup, etc; ) …, however my Les Paul w/ ThroBak PAF Replicas does not sound good through it at all !

Anyway …, I’ll run through the blocks and what they’re set up do to ….

Pitch Block –
it’s set up to knock your guitar down to Eb ( if you need it ? ) …. One channel is optimized for chords and the other for single notes. Since most V.H. is equal parts chords and riffs …, if you use it, you’ll need to decide which one works best for you. And you’ll probably need to adjust the tracking for your technique ….

Ed’s Pedalboard ….
Wah Block – it’s set up to respond to FC 1 Pedal 1 ( FC -12 ) – Yeah, I know that Ed didn’t start out w/ a Wah …, but hey it’s fun ! ….
Phaser Block – Ed’s Phase 90 ( I might have changed the settings up a bit, but they started out as matches that @guitarnerdswe did back in 2020 ) ….
Flanger Block – Ed’s Flanger ( see above @guitarnerdswe ) ….
GEQ Block – Ed’s BOSS GE-10 ( from the early, early days ) ….
IR Player # 1 ( EP-3 Preamp ) – James Santiago’s IR of the Preamp from an Echoplex EP-3 …. I have mine loaded in User 1 / Slot 1. But put it wherever is convenient for you ….

* NOTE: @Admin M@ has a pair of PEQs w/ curves set to imitate the Ep-3 as well …, but I’ve tried both and the IR sounds much more detailed to my now 64 year old ears !

Delay Block –
Channel # 1 is set for an Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love EchoPlex type delay that Ed used frequently …, and Channel # 2 is set for the Univox Delay at the end of Eruption, it’s set up to respond to FC 1 Pedal 2 ( FC-12 ) ! ( A.T.B.L is from @guitarnerdswe and Eruption is from @Burgs ) ….

Amp # 1 – Plexi 100W Jumped –
I chose this one after reading through the Wiki ( https://wiki.fractalaudio.com/wiki/index.php?title=Amplifier_models_list#PLEXI_100W_JUMPED ), because of all of Cliff’s Plexis …, this one has some of the same “quirks” as Ed’s # 1, and it has the most sag / bounce of any of the Plexi Amps in the Axe-Fx III. Here’s what I tweaked to take it a little further ….

  1. Dime all the controls, Bass, Mid, Treble, Presence, etc; ( except the Normal Gain, leave that at zero ) ….​
  2. Engage the Cut Switch ( it makes the bass response a little “crisper” ! It’s optional though …, like mounds & almond joy …, sometimes I feel like it, sometimes I don’t 😉 ) ….​
  3. Engage the Fat Switch …, this imitates the “Fat Cap” Mod ( .68uF and a 220uf to 470uf on V2a ) that was done to Ed’s # 1 Plexi ….​
  4. Engage the Bright Switch ( although theoretically it shouldn’t matter …, once the master is dimed, technically any bright cap would no longer be in the circuit ) ….​
  5. Changed the Tonestack to the Plexi Brown and lowered the Frequency to 499.9Hz ( got the tonestack frequency idea from the Duncan tonestack calculator ) ….​
  6. I cut the Negative Feedback in ½ ….​
  7. I changed the tube type to 6CA7 ….​
  8. I raised the Bias to 100% to match what Ed had to do when the Amp was plugged in to a Variac ….​
  9. I doubled the Sag ….​
  10. I lowered the Variac to 70% ….​
  11. I changed the speaker impedance curve to the 4x12 Basketweave ( which is my personal favorite ) ….​
  12. I engaged the Output EQ ( I used the 8-Band Variable Q ) with these settings ( 2,K – 1.00 / 4,K – 1.30 / 8,K – 0.50 ) …, it’s subtle but it emphasizes and brings out the upper-mids.​

Cab Block –
Channel 1 is set up with the same IRs that @Burgs used in his 8 shades of brown patch !
Channel 2 is set up with a combination of Legacy factory cabs that I happen to slightly prefer ( it’s just a touch more mid-forward and has a little less top-end fizz ) ….

* NOTE: My favorite IRs are actually the @York Audio Kerry Wright Cab w/ 25-watt Greenback speakers. I use a combination of the brightest cabs in the pack ….
YA KW 412 M25 57-CNT
YA KW 412 SH 57-9
YA KW 412 M25 RML-3L
YA KW 412 M25 RML-3R

Channel 3 is where I experimented to find what I thought were the best factory cabs …, it’s been reset ….
Channel 4 is set up with a Dyna Cab recipe that @dirtyfingers originally put together for the FM3 …. I found it when I did a general forum search. If you prefer using Dyna Cabs …, this is REALLY GOOD !

Sunset Sound Studios –
IR Player # 2 ( Pultec EQ ) –
This is from @2112 Leon Todd’s Block Library ! He very graciously gave me permission to include it in the preset bundle …, and you can find it, along with the rest of his blocks library here https://leontodd.gumroad.com/l/leonfas ! I have mine loaded in User 1 / Slot 2. But same as w/ the EP-3 IR, put it wherever is convenient for you ….

* NOTE 1: I’ve got both the Cab and IR Player panned ¾ to the left, just like the VH I album.

* NOTE 2: @2112 Leon also has a PEQ Block that does essentially what the IR Block does …, and I don’t know, but to my ears the IR Block just sounds more detailed to me.

Comp Block – ( JFET Studio Compressor ) – this is set up to mimic an 1176 compressor. I have it set for VERY light compression ( like Donn Landee did ), you’ll most likely need to adjust the threshold to keep it around -1dB to -2dB of compression.
Pitch Block – ( Eventide Mirco-Pitch ) –
Channels 1 thru 3 are set up with different mix intensities. Channel 4 is the Mimiq that @Cooper Carter set up w/ John Petrucci. That’s only there because I REALLY like it ….
Reverb Block – ( Sunset Sound Chamber Reverb ) –
I have it panned ¾ to the right, just like VH I and VH II albums.
Delay Block –
I just have this in the preset because I like it …. My favorite is channel B …, Vintage Digital …, I’ve got Pitch modifiers on the Feedback, Input Gain & Level. The delay repeats get louder and more intense as you work your way up the fretboard.
Multi-Delay Block –
same thing with this block …, I just like the 1210 Chorus, the Aurora Delay, the PCM-70 Circular and PCM-70 Panned Delays ….
Filter Block –
This is just set up for a +2.5dB solo boost ….

It runs about 64% on my Axe-Fx III Turbo …, it shouldn’t have any problem running an a standard Axe-Fx III. I have not tried pairing it down for the FM9 or FM3, because I don’t own either of those platforms, but I’m sure that someone would be able to do it ? The IR Player Blocks might be a problem, but that’s why I mentioned that there are PEQ alternatives !
 

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FWIW – My thoughts on the sound –
I think the low-end is pretty darn accurate. If you play some early V.H. riffs that emphasize the low strings ( like Feel Your Love Tonight / Meanstreet / or even the breakdown section in Panama, etc; …. There’s a unique growl in the lows that I feel like this preset really replicates nicely. That said, I’m not as confident and/or proud of the high-end response, so let me know what you think, and any suggestions you might have to improve on it !

Depending on the track I’m trying to emulate, I have to play w/ the Hi-Cut values. Some of the isolated V.H. tracks I found had a lot of fizz in them, some didn’t. Changing up the Hi-Cut was pretty key to making it match each track as close as possible.

One final comment …, some of the more modern delays I included …, the 1210 Chorus, the Mimiq and even the speaker panning can be used if you want to emulate some of the Van-Hagar era stuff. I love those albums too ! In fact, some of those songs are what IMHO is some of Ed’s best work, as well as some of my absolute favorites ! But, for this I just wanted to concentrate on the beginning chapters of Ed’s story ….

And very little of what I’ve done here is original. I begged and borrowed from players who are WAY smarter and more creative than I am, I just tried to bring it altogether in one preset. And I’ve tried to credit everyone I borrowed from ! If I missed anyone, I apologize ! Please check out their profiles and posts and like and support them where you can !

That’s it …. If you’ve read this all the way to the end then you love and respect Eddie’s contribution to Guitar and music in general as much as I do ! I hope this sounds as good on your playback system as it does on mine, and gives you hours and hours of enjoyment noodling around with it !

Long live King Edward :crown: !
 
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Definitely going the check this out asap! Thanks!
One thing I did to improve the upper mid and high end response on my own VH preset is set the gain at 7.5 and the input trim at 2.0. You can then reduce the Low Cut back to 20hz. I also use the 1959SLP model.
 
Thanks, that's a killer preset. Most of it came across to the FM9 (non Turbo) on FW 9.00 beta. The IR loader didn't since FM9 & 3 don't have that block, nor the Compressor. Some of the others were slightly different but with your excellent descriptions, like the Amp block which had EL34s instead of the 6CA7s, it was easy to tweak.

With the Cab block, FM9 only supports a pair of IR's in each channel so I just went the York KW 412 SH 57-9 and KW 412 M25 57v-CNT pair and I agree that the Yorks are best, though the DynaCabs weren't too far off. The preset can run with Ultra-Res IR's, which sounds a bit better IMO, but needs to sacrifice 2-3 blocks to do that. And having a Frankie style axe makes a BIG difference.

Edit: added back the Compressor block following the cab.
 

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Great sounding preset. I dropped the amp block into my main preset. I'm looking forward to hearing it at our next practice.
 
prina said:
Thanks, that's a killer preset. Most of it came across to the FM9 (non Turbo) on FW 9.00 beta. The IR loader didn't since FM9 & 3 don't have that block, nor the Compressor. Some of the others were slightly different but with your excellent descriptions, like the Amp block which had EL34s instead of the 6CA7s, it was easy to tweak.

With the Cab block, FM9 only supports a pair of IR's in each channel so I just went the York KW 412 SH 57-9 and KW 412 M25 57v-CNT pair and I agree that the Yorks are best, though the DynaCabs weren't too far off. The preset can run with Ultra-Res IR's, which sounds a bit better IMO, but needs to sacrifice 2-3 blocks to do that. And having a Frankie style axe makes a BIG difference.

Feel free to see if this FM9 version is close to the original.
Click to expand...
ohhh snap! thank you! hoped someone would adjust for the fm9. credit to both of you for sharing!

.... now i just need the play like eddie setting lol
 
austinbuddy said:
a post-cab compressor, set right will make an amp punch out of a speaker. it’s the sound of 70’s rock. The new JFET studio compressor is perfect for that. 4:1 ratio, aim for -2db average compression - Threahhold in the -33 area +/- to get to avearge -2db… set to Line level (post amp) and you’ll have to put the Output Level at -5 or so. try attack at 30-60ms (let pick attack through) and release between 75ms and 200ms. just a starting place.
Click to expand...

R.D. said:
Comp Block – ( JFET Studio Compressor ) – this is set up to mimic an 1176 compressor. I have it set for VERY light compression ( like Donn Landee did ), you’ll most likely need to adjust the threshold to keep it around -1dB to -2dB of compression.
Click to expand...
I hadn't used the JFET before and was puzzled by the 4:1 ratio, which turned out to be a minimum, but makes sense now; a Urei / Universal Audio 1176 only had 4:1, 8:1, 12:1 & 20:1 options. It definitely punches up the guitar.

I also made one of the JFET blocks using @austinbuddy's attack & release times and reposted the new preset above in post #6.
 
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This is just fantastic! I have tested it with my home built Frankenstrat replica, and it nails the VH brown sound for me. Thanks for creating and sharing this!
 
Dude456 said:
This is just fantastic! I have tested it with my home built Frankenstrat replica, and it nails the VH brown sound for me. Thanks for creating and sharing this!
Click to expand...
I'm so happy it's working for you !

The Axe-Fx is SO GOOD that it really accentuates the differences in a playback system. This patch sounded totally different on my 'old' Adams A7X's vrs my 'new' Barefoot 03's !
 
This is the most comprehensive summary of the specifications of Eddie's # 12301 that I've seen in one place at one time ....

  • Heyboer Transformers (Dagnall clones)
  • 6CA7 Output Tubes
  • Sylvania 12AX7 Preamp Tubes
  • 50K mid-pot
  • Split cathode on V1a (250µF/820Ω) and V1b (.68µF/820Ω)
  • All coupling caps: 0.022µF
  • 470K mixer resistors
  • 500pF red tubular mixer bypass cap
  • Fat Cap mod: .68µF and 250µF on V2a
  • Tone stack: 33k/560pF Lemco combo
  • 100K NFB resistor from 4Ω tap
  • 220K bias splitter resistors
  • 0.1µF cap on presence control
  • 0.022µF output couplers

Power Filtering:
  • [2] 100µF F&T ( mains )
  • [2] 32µF F&T ( screens )
  • [1] 100µF LCR ( phase inverter )
  • [1] Dual 33µF x 33µF F&T ( preamp )
 
R.D. said:
I have been obsessing over building a VH I preset that mimics Ed’s set-up from 1978 in the Studio. Between the improvements that @FractalAudio has bestowed on us lately ( especially in firmware 28.02 w/ Plexi Brown tonestack and prior to that the ‘new’ compressors ), …, here’s what I’ve come up with.

But before we get too deep into the preset …, I will caution that even though it sounds spot on ( to me ) through both my Headphones ( corrected w/ jaakkopasanen’s autoEQ – https://autoeq.app/ ) and through my Barefoot 01 monitors. YMMV depending on your playback system. And if you happen to use headphones like I do from time to time ? Do yourself a HUGE favor and go get the autoEQ curve for your specific headphone ! It’s almost magical ! I can’t recommend it enough …. There are two ( 2 ) shunts at the end of the preset where I have my EQ Correction blocks.

Also …, I also have to point out the obvious ..., that the guitar makes one HELL of a difference too ( O.K., Duh ! ). My ‘mutt’ Strat sounds great …, probably because it’s set up like Ed’s # 1 Franky ( Ash body, Roasted Maple Neck, Jalen Guitar’s Fair Warning Pickup, etc; ) …, however my Les Paul w/ ThroBak PAF Replicas does not sound good through it at all !

Anyway …, I’ll run through the blocks and what they’re set up do to ….

Pitch Block –
it’s set up to knock your guitar down to Eb ( if you need it ? ) …. One channel is optimized for chords and the other for single notes. Since most V.H. is equal parts chords and riffs …, if you use it, you’ll need to decide which one works best for you. And you’ll probably need to adjust the tracking for your technique ….

Ed’s Pedalboard ….
Wah Block – it’s set up to respond to FC 1 Pedal 1 ( FC -12 ) – Yeah, I know that Ed didn’t start out w/ a Wah …, but hey it’s fun ! ….
Phaser Block – Ed’s Phase 90 ( I might have changed the settings up a bit, but they started out as matches that @guitarnerdswe did back in 2020 ) ….
Flanger Block – Ed’s Flanger ( see above @guitarnerdswe ) ….
GEQ Block – Ed’s BOSS GE-10 ( from the early, early days ) ….
IR Player # 1 ( EP-3 Preamp ) – James Santiago’s IR of the Preamp from an Echoplex EP-3 …. I have mine loaded in User 1 / Slot 1. But put it wherever is convenient for you ….

* NOTE: @Admin M@ has a pair of PEQs w/ curves set to imitate the Ep-3 as well …, but I’ve tried both and the IR sounds much more detailed to my now 64 year old ears !

Delay Block –
Channel # 1 is set for an Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love EchoPlex type delay that Ed used frequently …, and Channel # 2 is set for the Univox Delay at the end of Eruption, it’s set up to respond to FC 1 Pedal 2 ( FC-12 ) ! ( A.T.B.L is from @guitarnerdswe and Eruption is from @Burgs ) ….

Amp # 1 – Plexi 100W Jumped –
I chose this one after reading through the Wiki ( https://wiki.fractalaudio.com/wiki/index.php?title=Amplifier_models_list#PLEXI_100W_JUMPED ), because of all of Cliff’s Plexis …, this one has some of the same “quirks” as Ed’s # 1, and it has the most sag / bounce of any of the Plexi Amps in the Axe-Fx III. Here’s what I tweaked to take it a little further ….

  1. Dime all the controls, Bass, Mid, Treble, Presence, etc; ( except the Normal Gain, leave that at zero ) ….​
  2. Engage the Cut Switch ( it makes the bass response a little “crisper” ! It’s optional though …, like mounds & almond joy …, sometimes I feel like it, sometimes I don’t 😉 ) ….​
  3. Engage the Fat Switch …, this imitates the “Fat Cap” Mod ( .68uF and a 220uf to 470uf on V2a ) that was done to Ed’s # 1 Plexi ….​
  4. Engage the Bright Switch ( although theoretically it shouldn’t matter …, once the master is dimed, technically any bright cap would no longer be in the circuit ) ….​
  5. Changed the Tonestack to the Plexi Brown and lowered the Frequency to 499.9Hz ( got the tonestack frequency idea from the Duncan tonestack calculator ) ….​
  6. I cut the Negative Feedback in ½ ….​
  7. I changed the tube type to 6CA7 ….​
  8. I raised the Bias to 100% to match what Ed had to do when the Amp was plugged in to a Variac ….​
  9. I doubled the Sag ….​
  10. I lowered the Variac to 70% ….​
  11. I changed the speaker impedance curve to the 4x12 Basketweave ( which is my personal favorite ) ….​
  12. I engaged the Output EQ ( I used the 8-Band Variable Q ) with these settings ( 2,K – 1.00 / 4,K – 1.30 / 8,K – 0.50 ) …, it’s subtle but it emphasizes and brings out the upper-mids.​

Cab Block –
Channel 1 is set up with the same IRs that @Burgs used in his 8 shades of brown patch !
Channel 2 is set up with a combination of Legacy factory cabs that I happen to slightly prefer ( it’s just a touch more mid-forward and has a little less top-end fizz ) ….

* NOTE: My favorite IRs are actually the @York Audio Kerry Wright Cab w/ 25-watt Greenback speakers. I use a combination of the brightest cabs in the pack ….
YA KW 412 M25 57-CNT
YA KW 412 SH 57-9
YA KW 412 M25 RML-3L
YA KW 412 M25 RML-3R

Channel 3 is where I experimented to find what I thought were the best factory cabs …, it’s been reset ….
Channel 4 is set up with a Dyna Cab recipe that @dirtyfingers originally put together for the FM3 …. I found it when I did a general forum search. If you prefer using Dyna Cabs …, this is REALLY GOOD !

Sunset Sound Studios –
IR Player # 2 ( Pultec EQ ) –
This is from @2112 Leon Todd’s Block Library ! He very graciously gave me permission to include it in the preset bundle …, and you can find it, along with the rest of his blocks library here https://leontodd.gumroad.com/l/leonfas ! I have mine loaded in User 1 / Slot 2. But same as w/ the EP-3 IR, put it wherever is convenient for you ….

* NOTE 1: I’ve got both the Cab and IR Player panned ¾ to the left, just like the VH I album.

* NOTE 2: @2112 Leon also has a PEQ Block that does essentially what the IR Block does …, and I don’t know, but to my ears the IR Block just sounds more detailed to me.

Comp Block – ( JFET Studio Compressor ) – this is set up to mimic an 1176 compressor. I have it set for VERY light compression ( like Donn Landee did ), you’ll most likely need to adjust the threshold to keep it around -1dB to -2dB of compression.
Pitch Block – ( Eventide Mirco-Pitch ) –
Channels 1 thru 3 are set up with different mix intensities. Channel 4 is the Mimiq that @Cooper Carter set up w/ John Petrucci. That’s only there because I REALLY like it ….
Reverb Block – ( Sunset Sound Chamber Reverb ) –
I have it panned ¾ to the right, just like VH I and VH II albums.
Delay Block –
I just have this in the preset because I like it …. My favorite is channel B …, Vintage Digital …, I’ve got Pitch modifiers on the Feedback, Input Gain & Level. The delay repeats get louder and more intense as you work your way up the fretboard.
Multi-Delay Block –
same thing with this block …, I just like the 1210 Chorus, the Aurora Delay, the PCM-70 Circular and PCM-70 Panned Delays ….
Filter Block –
This is just set up for a +2.5dB solo boost ….

It runs about 64% on my Axe-Fx III Turbo …, it shouldn’t have any problem running an a standard Axe-Fx III. I have not tried pairing it down for the FM9 or FM3, because I don’t own either of those platforms, but I’m sure that someone would be able to do it ? The IR Player Blocks might be a problem, but that’s why I mentioned that there are PEQ alternatives !
Click to expand...
It runs about 80.1 on my FM3 and sounds great man. The eruption scene doesn’t work for some reason idk if it’s something I’m doing wrong or what? All I did was add the output block to the end of the chain. Regardless love everything else, good job!
 
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