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Audiofanzine FR
Published on 11/29/08 at 07:49
(Originally written by Millido/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
Tube preamp
Nine 12AX7 tubes (changing the tubes is expensive)
Four channels (two clean, one crunch, one lead)
Reverb
Noise gate
5-band graphic EQ
Speaker simulation for direct recording
Bright switch
Boost switch (if the source signal is too low). I don't hear any difference between the active and passive pickups...
Mono master
Stereo master
CH1: volume, low, mid, high
CH2/CH3: both channels use the same circuitry, that is low and high EQs (I miss a mid filter!) and a control labeled "cloaking". Even the user's manual is imprecise regarding this control and instead of describing it, it recommends you to try it out. It's an envelope or tone control that allows you to adjust the response from metallic to round and damped. It works a bit like the voicing control other brands use... Each channel has its own dedicated volume control. Channel 3 adds an overdrive setting that allows you to adjust the crunch intensity.
CH4: volume, overdrive, low, mid, high
The rear panel provides several FX loops you can assign to each channel or to the master, a L/R output, Midi connections, an additional input connector, a special loop for the reverb effect.
Carvin made it very comprehensive. They packed everything possible into it. It's clearly the opposite of a Soldano amp for example.
This preamp is conceived for people who like all-in-one solutions.
Personally, I don't use all connections provided by the preamp. But I like knowing I have many possibilities.
UTILIZATION
Setting it is not simple considering all the options.
But it's easy if you concentrate on the EQ of each channel. The EQ controls are very effective in their respective frequency range. For example, extreme mid settings won't influence a lot the low-end.
It's a totally different concept from a Mesa where all controls interact. With this amp you can make extreme settings with each control, and you'll have to do that if you want a unique sound. And that won't alter the sound's clarity.
In short, it's a very effective and versatile EQ.
On the contrary, avoid extreme settings with the cloaking control, they are worthless.
Notice: the FS-77 footboard included allows you to control all four channels, the reverb, the FX loop and the graphic EQ. It has a memory function that recalls the reverb setting on each channel for example. It also works with the effects and the EQ. Very powerful!
The very clear user's manual with setting examples.
SOUNDS
I use this preamp with a Marshall 20/20 amp and an ENGL speaker cabinet equipped with Celestion V30 speakers.
I find that this Carvin has a slight lack of lows so I always enable the Deep switch on the Marshall amp. It enhances the low frequency response and allows me to get a Mesa sound for example.
My settings:
CH1: Fender-type twangy sound
CH2: round clean sound
CH3: big crunch sound (think Marshall JCM)
CH4: Mesa lead and rhythm sound.
In the beginning I thought the versatility would be compromised by the fact that CH2 and CH3 use the same circuitry, but that's not the case at all. I first set CH3 to get a big AC/DC crunch sound and when I switched back to CH2 I noticed that it gave me a great jazzy, round and dynamic clean sound.
The clean channel sounds always clear (it doesn't saturate) and it belongs to the nicest clean channels I know (it's Carvin's trademark). The spring reverb enhances the clean sound.
CH3 sounds dirty like a Marshall (drive set to max).
CH4 provides an endless sustain. It's response is compressed like with a Mesa Mark. With an amazing precision. The sound is not muddy, even though you get a lot of lows. Some might say it resembles too much an FM. I think you can remove the aseptic sound character with the right settings.
As a summary, it sounds perfect! It's exactly what I was looking for. I play rock, hard rock and heavy metal. So I need both Marshall and Mesa. And I get both with this Carvin. It doesn't sound like modern VHT or ENGL amps. The graphic EQ allows you to shape the sound to play black or death metal but it's certainly not the best preamp for that.
OVERALL OPINION
This preamp is a versatility monster. I've been using (and studying) it for over six months. It's easy to find your own sound. The sound cuts through the mix, which is an important thing.
The response is very accurate and provides classic sounds (Fender, Marshall, Mesa) without losing its own character.
Until now I haven't found a better product in this price range.
For this review I compared it to classic products from Marshall (JCM 800, 2000), Mesa (Rectifier, DC, F Series, Mark), Fender (Hot Rod, Twin), ENGL (Powerball), Orange (Tiny terror => very assertive compact amp!).
If you read reviews about Carvin products it will be clear that their quality is very high (made in the USA), their prices very appealing and their sound very rich. People tend to forget this brand because it's not visible enough in certain markets. Don't hesitate to buy a Carvin, you won't get ripped off or be disappointed.
To understand how they manage to offer such low prices take a look at their factories. You'll quickly understand that the production process is well thought out and that the use of state-of-the-art machines allows them to reduce costs dramatically. Compare that to Mesa, which still uses an old production facility without optimization and sell their products at very high prices in order to have a nice profit margin. So don't worry, you get high quality at an affordable price.
Tube preamp
Nine 12AX7 tubes (changing the tubes is expensive)
Four channels (two clean, one crunch, one lead)
Reverb
Noise gate
5-band graphic EQ
Speaker simulation for direct recording
Bright switch
Boost switch (if the source signal is too low). I don't hear any difference between the active and passive pickups...
Mono master
Stereo master
CH1: volume, low, mid, high
CH2/CH3: both channels use the same circuitry, that is low and high EQs (I miss a mid filter!) and a control labeled "cloaking". Even the user's manual is imprecise regarding this control and instead of describing it, it recommends you to try it out. It's an envelope or tone control that allows you to adjust the response from metallic to round and damped. It works a bit like the voicing control other brands use... Each channel has its own dedicated volume control. Channel 3 adds an overdrive setting that allows you to adjust the crunch intensity.
CH4: volume, overdrive, low, mid, high
The rear panel provides several FX loops you can assign to each channel or to the master, a L/R output, Midi connections, an additional input connector, a special loop for the reverb effect.
Carvin made it very comprehensive. They packed everything possible into it. It's clearly the opposite of a Soldano amp for example.
This preamp is conceived for people who like all-in-one solutions.
Personally, I don't use all connections provided by the preamp. But I like knowing I have many possibilities.
UTILIZATION
Setting it is not simple considering all the options.
But it's easy if you concentrate on the EQ of each channel. The EQ controls are very effective in their respective frequency range. For example, extreme mid settings won't influence a lot the low-end.
It's a totally different concept from a Mesa where all controls interact. With this amp you can make extreme settings with each control, and you'll have to do that if you want a unique sound. And that won't alter the sound's clarity.
In short, it's a very effective and versatile EQ.
On the contrary, avoid extreme settings with the cloaking control, they are worthless.
Notice: the FS-77 footboard included allows you to control all four channels, the reverb, the FX loop and the graphic EQ. It has a memory function that recalls the reverb setting on each channel for example. It also works with the effects and the EQ. Very powerful!
The very clear user's manual with setting examples.
SOUNDS
I use this preamp with a Marshall 20/20 amp and an ENGL speaker cabinet equipped with Celestion V30 speakers.
I find that this Carvin has a slight lack of lows so I always enable the Deep switch on the Marshall amp. It enhances the low frequency response and allows me to get a Mesa sound for example.
My settings:
CH1: Fender-type twangy sound
CH2: round clean sound
CH3: big crunch sound (think Marshall JCM)
CH4: Mesa lead and rhythm sound.
In the beginning I thought the versatility would be compromised by the fact that CH2 and CH3 use the same circuitry, but that's not the case at all. I first set CH3 to get a big AC/DC crunch sound and when I switched back to CH2 I noticed that it gave me a great jazzy, round and dynamic clean sound.
The clean channel sounds always clear (it doesn't saturate) and it belongs to the nicest clean channels I know (it's Carvin's trademark). The spring reverb enhances the clean sound.
CH3 sounds dirty like a Marshall (drive set to max).
CH4 provides an endless sustain. It's response is compressed like with a Mesa Mark. With an amazing precision. The sound is not muddy, even though you get a lot of lows. Some might say it resembles too much an FM. I think you can remove the aseptic sound character with the right settings.
As a summary, it sounds perfect! It's exactly what I was looking for. I play rock, hard rock and heavy metal. So I need both Marshall and Mesa. And I get both with this Carvin. It doesn't sound like modern VHT or ENGL amps. The graphic EQ allows you to shape the sound to play black or death metal but it's certainly not the best preamp for that.
OVERALL OPINION
This preamp is a versatility monster. I've been using (and studying) it for over six months. It's easy to find your own sound. The sound cuts through the mix, which is an important thing.
The response is very accurate and provides classic sounds (Fender, Marshall, Mesa) without losing its own character.
Until now I haven't found a better product in this price range.
For this review I compared it to classic products from Marshall (JCM 800, 2000), Mesa (Rectifier, DC, F Series, Mark), Fender (Hot Rod, Twin), ENGL (Powerball), Orange (Tiny terror => very assertive compact amp!).
If you read reviews about Carvin products it will be clear that their quality is very high (made in the USA), their prices very appealing and their sound very rich. People tend to forget this brand because it's not visible enough in certain markets. Don't hesitate to buy a Carvin, you won't get ripped off or be disappointed.
To understand how they manage to offer such low prices take a look at their factories. You'll quickly understand that the production process is well thought out and that the use of state-of-the-art machines allows them to reduce costs dramatically. Compare that to Mesa, which still uses an old production facility without optimization and sell their products at very high prices in order to have a nice profit margin. So don't worry, you get high quality at an affordable price.