Quick Metal Clip (Mike Morin Preamp/VHT 2502 Rack Rig)

[Snave]

Trying out some tones with my recently re-assembled rack rig. Let me know what you guys think! Any feedback appreciated (tone, mix, etc).

https://soundcloud.com/mattevans/morin- ... al-demo-v3

Recording chain for this is EBMM JP6 into my rack, consisting of the Mike Morin preamp and VHT 2502 power amp.

Torpedo Live digital loadbox with ENGL V30/SM57 cab and mic sim. Some mild EQ and Slate FG-Stress (EL Distressor plugin), mastered with Slate Virtual Tape Machines and FG-X.

 

[Beyond Black]

Savagely brutal.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Sounds cool man

 

[SpiderWars]

That sounds really nice Snave. Can you share any details of the Morin pre? I'm assembling a rack and only have an MP1 right now. Interested in pieces I should be looking for.

 

[Snave]

Thanks for the feedback, guys.

That sounds really nice Snave. Can you share any details of the Morin pre? I'm assembling a rack and only have an MP1 right now. Interested in pieces I should be looking for.

Mike Morin is part of the LA modder scene from the late 80s/early-mid 90s. He handbuilt some one channel rack preamps back in the day which go from stock plexi-like tones to SLO/5150. There aren't many around and they usually sell for $1k+. I was lucky enough to pick two up about 10 years ago. Sold the other and kept this one. I know someone who was selling a 1.5U prototype not long ago but I'm not sure if he still has it.

 

[JTyson]

Sounds great, really not that unlike a Langner. Its got that "compressed in a good way" thing going on that the Langner has in spades
Well done!

 

[paulyc]

Thanks for the feedback, guys.

That sounds really nice Snave. Can you share any details of the Morin pre? I'm assembling a rack and only have an MP1 right now. Interested in pieces I should be looking for.

Mike Morin is part of the LA modder scene from the late 80s/early-mid 90s. He handbuilt some one channel rack preamps back in the day which go from stock plexi-like tones to SLO/5150. There aren't many around and they usually sell for $1k+. I was lucky enough to pick two up about 10 years ago. Sold the other and kept this one. I know someone who was selling a 1.5U prototype not long ago but I'm not sure if he still has it.

Here's an example of his circuit and wiring style:

Is that goop on the upper left on two components on that perfboard ?

 

[rottingcorpse]

Sounds bad ass!

 

[SpiderWars]

Thanks for the feedback, guys.

That sounds really nice Snave. Can you share any details of the Morin pre? I'm assembling a rack and only have an MP1 right now. Interested in pieces I should be looking for.

Mike Morin is part of the LA modder scene from the late 80s/early-mid 90s. He handbuilt some one channel rack preamps back in the day which go from stock plexi-like tones to SLO/5150. There aren't many around and they usually sell for $1k+. I was lucky enough to pick two up about 10 years ago. Sold the other and kept this one. I know someone who was selling a 1.5U prototype not long ago but I'm not sure if he still has it.

Here's an example of his circuit and wiring style:

Cool! I've been thinking I might build something, and that pic makes it even more likely. A 2space enclosure is only like $60 or something. Maybe an X88r or more likely a 2-channel X88r.

 

[Snave]

Sounds bad ass!

Thanks man. It's got those Beijing square getters in it.

Cool! I've been thinking I might build something, and that pic makes it even more likely. A 2space enclosure is only like $60 or something. Maybe an X88r or more likely a 2-channel X88r.

X88R is a nice platform. Might even be able to squeeze it in 1U if you style it more like the SLO (shared EQ and clean/crunch switch)? Considering how empty the SP77 is, it should be possible. The SP77 is actually closer to the SLO in that it has the clean channel running at all times and it's just blended/drowned out by the lead signal. On the X88R, all channels are discrete.

One must-have tweak is a bright switch on the lead channel like Lukather's. I've had a couple X88Rs and the one modded by Soldano with a bright switch added the tight low end necessary to get optimal rhythm tones on the lead channel.

 

[Racerxrated]

Thanks for the feedback, guys.

That sounds really nice Snave. Can you share any details of the Morin pre? I'm assembling a rack and only have an MP1 right now. Interested in pieces I should be looking for.

Mike Morin is part of the LA modder scene from the late 80s/early-mid 90s. He handbuilt some one channel rack preamps back in the day which go from stock plexi-like tones to SLO/5150. There aren't many around and they usually sell for $1k+. I was lucky enough to pick two up about 10 years ago. Sold the other and kept this one. I know someone who was selling a 1.5U prototype not long ago but I'm not sure if he still has it.

Here's an example of his circuit and wiring style:

Sounds great! I've almost had a Morin Marshall a couple times, that's one I haven't had the pleasure. I actually contacted him on FB a few yrs back and he's retired....

 

[Snave]

Sounds great! I've almost had a Morin Marshall a couple times, that's one I haven't had the pleasure. I actually contacted him on FB a few yrs back and he's retired....

I owned one of his Marshall mods (late JCM800 2204 w/ EL34s) and played another (JMP 1959 w/ 6550s) and they were quite different. Called Mike about 5 years ago to discuss modding the 2204 and he filled me in on the specifics and made sure my expectations were realistic (i.e. his modded Marshalls sound like modded Marshalls, not the same as his original designs).

At the time he offered two tiers of mod (both had the extra preamp tube gain stage, the pricier one involved revamping the tonestack and push-pull gain pots). He also offered a tube driven effects loop. I opted for the full mod without loop and was very happy with the tone. The feel was basically the same as the preamp but the tone did have that signature JCM800 brightness/grit. Here's a demo of that amp before I sold it:

The JMP 1959 was a different story entirely. I think it was the cheaper mod since it lacked dual push-pull gain controls and the gain maxed out at roughly boosted JCM800 levels (even after I replaced the 12AU7 someone put in V3). I returned it to the studio I bought it from since it had various issues.

My ideal Morin mod would be the same as the Jay Baumgardner/NRG Studios amp--early JCM800 2203 with full mod. Tons of big albums were tracked with that head. I could only name 2 or 3 records with original Morin amps on them.