Egnater 100% MIDI Preamp or Head

[3 Mile Stone]

I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

 

[muudrock]

I think it's a great idea, and I think it would be awesome.

I think there are only about three different circuit boards though.

Clean

COD

Dirty

Am I wrong?

I mean, couldn't some midi controlled relays switch a handful of caps to instantly turn an SL2 into an EG 3/4 or EG5? (assuming the pot values are the same) or, a TD into a VX?

Maybe, it should be three rack spaces, and have what looks like 3 sets of knobs, like an M4 with only 3 slots filled, and then use the upper left corner for the buttons, mode, preset select, etc.

I think your more or less right. I have noticed 3 different board layouts on the modules I have.

 

[aeroic]

...If you look at the circuits these modules are emulating, there isn't that much "overlap" in circuitry...

I agree 100% that the circuitry on the boards themselves are vastly different.

...I think Bruce already put as much "common components" in the chassis as he could...

Here is where I have to disagree, I think there was a "choice" made at the time to do it the way it was done. I'm not saying it was the wrong choice, I am saying that there IS a different way that can increase productivity, reduce cost for everyone, maintain all basic functions and possibly add more features.

Similarities between the modules are:
Input, Output, All Controls, and Tube Sockets.

What differs is the signal path and the additional non-similar components that are between the similar components, this is where the vastly different circuitry comes in.

Based on that, the circuit board and additional non-similar components are the ONLY things different between the modules. Question is, would it be to Egnaters advantage or disadvantage to simplify the modules and put more components in the chassis, thus making the product cost less to produce and pass on those savings on to the consumer making it more price-point attractive to some consumers.

-------------

I also thought about your statement about changing the preamp tubes is a really, REALLY valid issue. How about this, Egnater has developed the "tube mixing" thing in their amps, maybe that same idea could be used for the preamp tubes thus giving the consumer the ability to mix and/or switch between two sets of preamp tubes. That might solve that problem.

With all this built into a preamp, my original 1U I believe would be too small, so here is a really quick rendering of a 2U:

Click HERE for full size photo.

I'm not trying to change to world here or say everything is wrong the way it sits, just discussing future possibilities.
Really good discussion going here, how about some more of you reading this topic chime in on the discussion.
Spoons

I think something like this could be really interesting. I like the look and idea of the 2U design over the 1U. It would be rather interesting if you could have a tube to use with your "low - mid gain stuff"...and another "v1 tube" for your high gain stuff. That's the trend for most people here. Like I personally use a 5751 in V1 of my VX, COD, BMAN, DLX, and EG3/4. I use a Chinese for SL2 / EG5. It'd be interesting if you could choose which "v1" you'd want out of a choice of say...let's go with 3 different V1 tubes for "tweakability". That'd give you enough room to tweak...and that'd give you consolidatation.

I think this is a really neat idea, but where I think it could get more espensive than what is designed today, is with the increased level of design it would take to make everything midi, store that information, having something like a relay to route the signal to tubes, etc. which increases complexity, and also adds more points for general failure. It'd definitely be something very interesting if it could be done though!

Eric

 

[SilverSpoons]

I think something like this could be really interesting. I like the look and idea of the 2U design over the 1U. It would be rather interesting if you could have a tube to use with your "low - mid gain stuff"...and another "v1 tube" for your high gain stuff. That's the trend for most people here. Like I personally use a 5751 in V1 of my VX, COD, BMAN, DLX, and EG3/4. I use a Chinese for SL2 / EG5. It'd be interesting if you could choose which "v1" you'd want out of a choice of say...let's go with 3 different V1 tubes for "tweakability". That'd give you enough room to tweak...and that'd give you consolidatation.

I think this is a really neat idea, but where I think it could get more expensive than what is designed today, is with the increased level of design it would take to make everything midi, store that information, having something like a relay to route the signal to tubes, etc. which increases complexity, and also adds more points for general failure. It'd definitely be something very interesting if it could be done though!

Eric

Choose between three different preamp tubes, I bet no one has done that one before in a production preamp/amp - INTERESTING IDEA!!! My guess is that would probably not be able to be "mixed" it would probably have to be just be a choice of one of the three. That would mean that there would be three preamp tube choices available for every channel on every module. So with nine modules, two channels choices per module, four EQ settings, three tube choices - that becomes 216 different tonal possibilities without even touching the Presence, Treble, Mid, Bass, Drive knobs out of a 2U chassis. WOW, that really is approaching the "Infinite" tonal possibilities implied in the proposed name. I would trash every preamp I currently have and pay big bucks for a unit like that!!

I agree that the initial investment in making the whole thing 100% MIDI with one set of controls and one set of tubes would be certainly be a time consuming investment, but it is certainly "doable" and think of tonal the possibilities. If anyone could pull this one off it would certainly be Bruce. This kind of unit would be totally unique across the world!!

 

[guitarslinger]

Do you guys agree that everything related to Egnater is exciting and awesome.

I guess it's no surprise when it sounds better than EVERYTHING else.

 

[SilverSpoons]

Do you guys agree that everything related to Egnater is exciting and awesome.

I guess it's no surprise when it sounds better than EVERYTHING else.

You bet!!

I have a friend that has turned me on to the Egnater line, he is hooked for life and loaded with equipment. Once I plugged into it, I was sold too. Now I gotta begin the switch over too. I'm gonna wait for the E2 and start there, in the mean time - I borrow.

 

[aeroic]

Do you guys agree that everything related to Egnater is exciting and awesome.

I guess it's no surprise when it sounds better than EVERYTHING else.

You bet!!

I have a friend that has turned me on to the Egnater line, he is hooked for life and loaded with equipment. Once I plugged into it, I was sold too. Now I gotta begin the switch over too. I'm gonna wait for the E2 and start there, in the mean time - I borrow.

Dude...just go get a M4 . Down the road, you'll want one anyways!!!! I LOVE my M4. It's THE UNIT I could NOT sell out of all of my gear. But that's me

Eric

 

[aeroic]

I think something like this could be really interesting. I like the look and idea of the 2U design over the 1U. It would be rather interesting if you could have a tube to use with your "low - mid gain stuff"...and another "v1 tube" for your high gain stuff. That's the trend for most people here. Like I personally use a 5751 in V1 of my VX, COD, BMAN, DLX, and EG3/4. I use a Chinese for SL2 / EG5. It'd be interesting if you could choose which "v1" you'd want out of a choice of say...let's go with 3 different V1 tubes for "tweakability". That'd give you enough room to tweak...and that'd give you consolidatation.

I think this is a really neat idea, but where I think it could get more expensive than what is designed today, is with the increased level of design it would take to make everything midi, store that information, having something like a relay to route the signal to tubes, etc. which increases complexity, and also adds more points for general failure. It'd definitely be something very interesting if it could be done though!

Eric

Choose between three different preamp tubes, I bet no one has done that one before in a production preamp/amp - INTERESTING IDEA!!! My guess is that would probably not be able to be "mixed" it would probably have to be just be a choice of one of the three. That would mean that there would be three preamp tube choices available for every channel on every module. So with nine modules, two channels choices per module, four EQ settings, three tube choices - that becomes 216 different tonal possibilities without even touching the Presence, Treble, Mid, Bass, Drive knobs out of a 2U chassis. WOW, that really is approaching the "Infinite" tonal possibilities implied in the proposed name. I would trash every preamp I currently have and pay big bucks for a unit like that!!

I agree that the initial investment in making the whole thing 100% MIDI with one set of controls and one set of tubes would be certainly be a time consuming investment, but it is certainly "doable" and think of tonal the possibilities. If anyone could pull this one off it would certainly be Bruce. This kind of unit would be totally unique across the world!!

Yeah...the tubes in V1 wouldn't need to be mixed honestly, plus it wouldn't make sense for them to be. It'd make more sense, if you could run (like on the AxeFX) a VX w/ a SL for example. Be able to choose (in a stereo rig as an example) L is VX...right is SL.

I'm all for it...but I doubt we'll see it in Bruce's lifetime unfortunately

Eric

 

[SilverSpoons]

Dude...just go get a M4 . Down the road, you'll want one anyways!!!! I LOVE my M4. It's THE UNIT I could NOT sell out of all of my gear. But that's me...

Would be nice but, I have space constraints right now with the custom rack box I built that prevent me from getting a M4 without loosing something that I'm not ready to let go of just yet.

 

[SilverSpoons]

Updated photos to reflect the tube choice instead of tube mix. Man would something like this be nice and sooooo easy to use!!!

Click HERE for full size photo.

You may need to refresh your browser to get new photos.
Spoons

 

[SilverSpoons]

You know this would probably be better being called something like the "Ultimate MIDI Preamp". This would certainly be the Ultimate and really nice, but I guess that Egnater is kinda busy right now with the E2 and the 1U Power Amp.

First things first!

 

[jlbaxe]

Dude...just go get a M4 . Down the road, you'll want one anyways!!!! I LOVE my M4. It's THE UNIT I could NOT sell out of all of my gear. But that's me...

Would be nice but, I have space constraints right now with the custom rack box I built that prevent me from getting a M4 without loosing something that I'm not ready to let go of just yet.

I had space issues...thats why im building a 48sp (24 per side) side by side rack like David Gilmour. But I dont have to move it out of the cave either.

 

[Fallout Labs]

i've been watchin this thread for awhile now.. are you trying to build this, or are you hoping to get egnater to build them?

 

[SilverSpoons]

I've been watchin this thread for awhile now.. are you trying to build this, or are you hoping to get Egnater to build them?

Just discussing inspirational future ideas for Egnater to build. It wouldn't be right for me to assume I can take Bruce's modular idea and go off building something; I am a Manufacturing/Design Engineer and I would never ever think of doing something like that.

 

[SilverSpoons]

Well the topic has died. No one else have anything to say about it? After they get done with the E2 and a 1U power amp they gotta have something else to keep them busy in the design department.

 

[SilverSpoons]

Click HERE for full size photo.

Bump...

I still think if anyone on the planet could actually achieve this kind of 100% midi controlled tube amp/preamp I bet it would be Bruce Egnater! State of the art tube amp versatility that absolutely no one has really tried to tackle in a user friendly manner.

One can always dream, right?!

 

[Len Rabinowitz]

Wouldn't the E2 be something similar although modular? Don't know if that has MIDI or not.

 

[SilverSpoons]

Wouldn't the E2 be something similar although modular? Don't know if that has MIDI or not.

Nope, not even in the ballpark.

 

[Len Rabinowitz]

I must be misunderstanding then. What is the idea here? Like a modeler or something?

 

[SilverSpoons]

Not a modeler at all. Read through the comments in this topic starting at the top and working your way down you will find that it is a 100% midi controlled tube amp/preamp.