Torpedo High Gain Tutorial (for dummies)

[redstone-rt]

Torpedo High Gain Tutorial (for dummies)


When you switch on your Torpedo for the first time, you might be disappointed with the way it simulates a mic'd speaker, especially as you crank the amp gain up. The first tones you hear are too dark, fizzy or cardboard-like, overly tight and focused. If you have any trouble fixing those issues, here are five tips that should help you to clear up, balance and fatten your guitars.


So let's start with the terrible by-default settings : 1x12 2notes CSG and an sm57 pointing towards the cap.

https://soundcloud.com/humanseeming/torpedo-tutorial-prt1



TIP 1 : Start with the EQs at -10db

Most cabs are much more mid-focused than what you can expect from a natural response. However, turning the virtual EQ potentiometers down don't only result in lowering the overall level. It also corrects that focus. Furthermore, you have now a great range of top end in reserve to compensate for the darkest, fatest mics.

https://soundcloud.com/humanseeming/torpedo-tutorial-part-2

Here's the effect on your tone. First flat EQ, then all -10db, then all +10db.




TIP 2 : Avoid the dynamic mics

If you have a limited number of mics, don't lose your time messing with the dynamics. They won't be fat or smooth enough to loosen the cabs. Try the available ribbon and condenser mics, facing the cap, then use mainly the 2khz and 6khz pots to see how far you can balance the top end.

https://soundcloud.com/humanseeming/torpedo-tutorial-part-3

Here I demonstrate all the non-dynamic mics, EQs at -10db vs top-end-enhanced. Starting with the Knightfall and finishing with the 160. The 121 and 87 shown the best results (samples 4 and 6). I'll keep the 87 from now on.




TIP 3 : Don't let the mics facing the cap.

Moving the mic towards the cone also fattens up your cab. In many cases, it will be preferable to off-center the mic and rectify the top-end accordingly. Try moving the mic towards the cone up to 60-70% and compensate with the EQ.

No sample here, I didn't found the 87 gained much in the process for this cab and kept it at 10% off-center.



TIP 4 : Use the exciter (with your eyes).

Once your front mic is balanced, you might want to use the exciter if it's part of your options. Most of the time, you'll find the exciter is the most useful at 1Khz. However, if your mids are already balanced, I strongly recommend to experiment in the 6-10kHz area, using your eyes and a spectrum analyzer to quickly seal the main crack in your top end, if any.

https://soundcloud.com/humanseeming/torpedo-tutorial-part-4

Here you can hear the action of the exciter on the top end. With, wihtout, with. Pay great attention, the effect is subtle in this preset and soundcloud compression doesn't help.



TIP 5 : Another mic available ? Place it behind the cab.

Now that your front cab sounds nice, it's still far from being perfect. The top end lacks some density and the overall tone is too dry, 2-dimentional. Put the 2nd mic behind the cab and move it away. Start with the EQ pots at -10db, raise the top-end, overload and excite the result until you get a nice hissy, thumpy in-the-room sound. Then blend it with your front cab, using the variphy to attune them. Problem solved !

https://soundcloud.com/humanseeming/torpedo-tutorial-part-5

Here you can hear the back mic alone, then blended with the front mic. And voilà, your tone is pretty much balanced. Not bad for a 1x12 ! I hope this will help you to find your grail. No more excuse for a bad tone.




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The full preset :

 

[Rusted7cl]

excellent tutorial!

 

[PBGas]

Well done! You can also knock that 120 Hz down even further if using higher gain and a lower tuning. During the summer when I was completing a contract in the studio, we found that the guitars sat in the mix better with that as they didn't compete as much with the bass drum and bass. Pretty basic mixing principle but it works.

 

[guillaume_pille]

Hi redstone, thank you very much for that tutorial. I don't think I would follow the same path but the final result is definitely interesting.

You should share your preset here:

http://exchange.two-notes.com/index.php



A little history: the TN CSG is an open back 1X12 cabinet built in the early 90s. There were 2 units built, and they toured for 10 years with a pro guitarist playing in stereo. I purchased them in 2003 or something and used them for rehearsals because the EVM12L has a HUGE mid-frequency presence. So even my crazy drummer of that time could hear me despite trying to beat the sh.t out of his drums. ^^

But for recording purpose I would never use them for high gain rhythm tones, but they are perfect for a high gain solo.

 

[imran5000]

Quick question why wouldn't you just dial up a 4 X 12 for high gain

 

[redstone-rt]

I used the first cab in the list to remain impartial. It's not a cab I was used to tweak and as said Guillaume it wasn't predisposed to high gain riffage... By the way, the 4x12s aren't necessarily the best cabs available, there are gems in all genres of cabs, this would be the 6th tip I guess, try them all, even the bass ones (I love the 4x6 New York for instance).


Guillaume, I was wondering, can the Live and Cab users read a two mic preset ? Would they still get the cab 1 parameters (minus overload variphi etc) ?

 

[guillaume_pille]

Guillaume, I was wondering, can the Live and Cab users read a two mic preset ? Would they still get the cab 1 parameters (minus overload variphi etc) ?

Yes, they can load any Torpedo Studio or WoS III preset, in that case only the settings the Live and CAB can read are used (the channel 1 left cabinet, no Overload, no Variphi, no Post FX).