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Post by frankie on Mar 14, 2017 12:18:20 GMT -7
Here's the next installment of our Maz 8 vs Cure comparison:
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Post by dcarver on Mar 14, 2017 14:34:38 GMT -7
Frankie, thanks for the comparison. One thing, the graphic showed the HI input highlighted on the Maz 8. The overdriven bridge pickup on the Maz 8 sounded a bit harsh on my little computer speakers. Was wondering why you didn't use the LO input. Thanks for the effort. Looking forward to more of these match ups.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Mar 14, 2017 17:12:44 GMT -7
FWIW, IMHO,ETC., the Maz 8 sounded more ice-picky than the Cure.
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Post by dcarver on Mar 14, 2017 19:12:24 GMT -7
Yeah... I've been thinking about the way the test was done... especially the distortion part. I don't want to cast any negative criticism. I understand there are a lot of things to take into account, like amp and guitar settings for starters. Suffice to say my Maz 8 doesn't sound like the test amp, especially when overdriven.
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Post by frankie on Mar 14, 2017 19:13:17 GMT -7
A lot of the harsher treble comes from the fact that the H30 has a smaller dust cap and more treble and using the same mic in the same position on both amps will accentuate different parts of the spectrum.
This is an attempt to be have as few variables as possible. A single 57 on a single point on the speaker is only one variable in the greater picture. As I noted on the other videos, the H30 has multiple sweet spots, and can be a hard speaker to mic only using one source. However, for direct comparisons I have to keep he variables to a minimum.
When we sampled the clips, I did mix down the close mic with the room sound. We preferred this sound on the Maz 8. But if we would have used it, we would have people asking "why is there room sound on the Maz and not the Cure?"
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Post by frankie on Mar 14, 2017 19:22:29 GMT -7
I encourage people to search out a particular blind shootout between 3 popular microphones on guitar. It's made its rounds on YouTube. The video does not reveal which microphone is which and encouraged people to guess.
When the answers are revealed you discover the microphone that was used was a 57, moved on different positions on the source, positioned to mimic what most people relate to being the "signature" characteristics of the other microphone. It shows how your perception can be changed by altering the "angle (both literally and figuratively) at which you listen to something.
Finally I want to note, this is a solo guitar recording. If you listen back to back, particularly the last sample, try to image both of those tracks being overlaid with each other, in a full mix. If you asked me, the accentuated treble of the Maz 8 would really compliment the warmer beefiness of the Cure, with Cure providing the body and the Maz providing the cut. A very massive guitar sound. This is also why our Maz series is so beloved by live musicians. He handles its own on the stage, as it is voiced for the stage.
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Post by Don on Mar 14, 2017 19:38:45 GMT -7
FWIW, IMHO,ETC., the Maz 8 sounded more ice-picky than the Cure. I heard the same thing, although the Maz 8 was going through a G12H30 with a higher frequency response.
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Post by Don on Mar 14, 2017 19:45:39 GMT -7
For what it's worth, when I'm comparing 2 amps side-by-side, and I really want to hear the difference between the amps themselves, I use a Radial Headbone so I can switch the amps on the fly through the same speaker/cabinet so I'm not being biased by different speakers mounted in different cabinets.
Marshall 1960 stereo cabs are good for this also as you can run one amp through the left 2 speakers, and another amp through the right 2 speakers.
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Post by zpilot on Mar 14, 2017 21:04:04 GMT -7
I realize that some players are concerned with how a speaker mics and therefore want to hear those sweet spots. However I'm more interested in how an amp and it's speaker sounds in a room so those spots aren't a factor. In other words how it sounds to my ear at a live gig. I think I would like to hear the mic away from the cone. Say 3 feet or so. That way the the room wouldn't be that much of a factor. I know you can't please everyone.
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Post by frankie on Mar 14, 2017 22:49:27 GMT -7
I realize that some players are concerned with how a speaker mics and therefore want to hear those sweet spots. However I'm more interested in how an amp and it's speaker sounds in a room so those spots aren't a factor. In other words how it sounds to my ear at a live gig. I think I would like to hear the mic away from the cone. Say 3 feet or so. That way the the room wouldn't be that much of a factor. I know you can't please everyone. All due respect, your ear is not a 57 and your ear is not 3 feet from the your amp, on axis or off axis. Every microphone will impart it's own response on a recording, and every monitor (the speakers your are listening from) will influence what your are hearing. There are so many variables involved in these comparisons and we are trying to single them down to very few. If I told you we adjusted the microphone for the Maz 8 for the Strat demo, and it was not in the same position as the Cure's microphone, that would be another variable. Because we did indeed do that. The fact is, the Maz in the room sounded nothing like the recording in some cases and the same goes for the Cure. I actually liked the Maz in the room more, in many cases, while we were recording. In the recordings, the Cure presented itself with its strengths and I prefer it's cleans sounds miced up. In the room, I liked the Maz better distorted. On "tape" I prefer the Cure. One thing I've learned from being an amateur recording engineer, professional live sound engineer, and spending he last decade playing music in live bands, 90% of the time, live does not translate to the studio. And vice versa. In fact good studio sounds almost NEVER translate to live practice. There is literally no way for us to capture what an amp sounds like in the room to your ears. You have to experience it yourself. The question ultimately, in terms of these comparisons, do you present the amp in its best light (at least how your ears hear it) or do you keep it totally consistent with as few variables as possible? Thank you for your input, because we are still exploring the best way to present these amps. The room itself has a huge impact on the sound. Beyond just a choice of microphone, you can also say "how big was the room? What were the walls made of? Angled at? How far was the mic off source?" You can't include all situations in these comparisons. But you can pare down as many variables as possible, and for a fair comparison, this is what we are attempting to do.
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Post by doctorice on Mar 15, 2017 6:08:22 GMT -7
There is literally no way for us to capture what an amp sounds like in the room to your ears. You have to experience it yourself. The question ultimately, in terms of these comparisons, do you present the amp in its best light (at least how your ears hear it) or do you keep it totally consistent with as few variables as possible? Thank you for your input, because we are still exploring the best way to present these amps. The room itself has a huge impact on the sound. Beyond just a choice of microphone, you can also say "how big was the room? What were the walls made of? Angled at? How far was the mic off source?" You can't include all situations in these comparisons. But you can pare down as many variables as possible, and for a fair comparison, this is what we are attempting to do. This may explain why I am compelled to own so many amps
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Post by Don on Mar 15, 2017 7:27:58 GMT -7
There is literally no way for us to capture what an amp sounds like in the room to your ears. You have to experience it yourself. The question ultimately, in terms of these comparisons, do you present the amp in its best light (at least how your ears hear it) or do you keep it totally consistent with as few variables as possible? Thank you for your input, because we are still exploring the best way to present these amps. The room itself has a huge impact on the sound. Beyond just a choice of microphone, you can also say "how big was the room? What were the walls made of? Angled at? How far was the mic off source?" You can't include all situations in these comparisons. But you can pare down as many variables as possible, and for a fair comparison, this is what we are attempting to do. This may explain why I am compelled to own so many amps Is that the explanation that you offer to your wife?
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Mar 15, 2017 7:35:42 GMT -7
This may explain why I am compelled to own so many amps Is that the explanation that you offer to your wife? That's exactly what I tell Pam!! (and of course she doesn't buy it - )
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Post by doctorice on Mar 15, 2017 7:58:45 GMT -7
This may explain why I am compelled to own so many amps Is that the explanation that you offer to your wife? Depends on the day of the week
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