ENGL E580 Midi Tube Preamp

Well, this info is largely detailed in other reviews ...

The only drawback, due to the age of Bouzin is the printer connection type .... I have an iMac ... it's a shame.

UTILIZATION

The configuration is more than simple. You turn the knobs to get the desired sound, you press the switches to see what it does (usually it's written on it ... hahaha).

We quickly see that it's because the knobs are real knobs. That is, when you move a control, it jumps to the ears!

The manual is relatively clear. Navigation between the factory presets and user presets is still a bit odd. These presets can give an idea of ​​how little the bike. But personally, I preferred to start from scratch and I make my sound according to my ears.

SOUNDS

I play with a US Telecaster with a humbucker at the neck and a Line6 M13 (wired Pre / Post) while waiting for the € € € .... Because honestly, the Line6 does absolutely no justice to the sound of this preamp. It works well but the quality of what comes out of the preamp deserves a much better quality.
All this comes in a Poweramp Engl 840/50 and out of a 2x12 cab E212VH Engl.

Regarding the sounds, to give an idea, I play fusion hiphop with big metallic sounds, sounds funky flashy, especially the big warm sound and very detailed.

When I bought it, given the investment I had no effect at all. I'm me without some effect. Not even a reverb. No. I had absolutely no need ...
I rediscovered my guitar. I felt to have changed. Impressive. Just by tweaking the tone and volume on the guitar, I could create full of different sounds without effects. This preamp is incredibly inspiring. The discovery of each new sound makes you want to play with, to exploit it.

From everything I've tested is the only preamp / head with which I can get a huge sound distortion and clean sounds very fine, crystalline fat, dug, and all shades between crunch the two.

This is also where I do not regret the full noon. I use a lot of different sounds (twenty) and have access to all settings (EQ, Bottom, Bright, Ultra Bright) every sound is a comfort. No compromise sue the EQ between channels that share. No. I can create the sound I want to hear, without worrying about the others.

Watch your bass when you play as a group! This advice also applies to other amps. As sound engineer, I am often very bored with guitar sounds that are encroaching on the bass. Each role, you are guitarists, take your space but do not eat the other.
With this preamp, it is tempting to deal with many low rounds and very present because like everything else, they are very beautiful. Therein lies the trap. In residence with my group, I had to lower all my bass (sounds clear and distos) to keep the clarity in the mix ... It hurts the heart on the spot but it's essential when you're not playing alone.


A word about Section Poweramp + cabinet:
The E580 preamp goes perfectly with the 840/50 and the baffle Poweramp E212VH.
I tested it with a Peavey Poweramp ... pouark!
I tested with the same Poweramp a 4x12 Mesa Boogie ... mediums do not exist and invaded by bass.

In short, E580 + E212 + 840 / 50 VH = the perfect trio.
You may say it's normal, it's the same brand, they had to express. Yes, and they certainly were not wrong.

Obviously, given the sound quality, 10/10. It is necessary.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for almost a year. I do not have to change for at least 10 years .... unless he died in my arms.
I tried lots of amps, preamps, head tube, transistor. This is the best solution I found.
It's expensive (although I do believe qu'Engl manufactures more), it is very expensive. (€ 2,500 nine when I bought used Audiofanzine hahaha ... thank you!)
But frankly, the price / quality ratio is interesting.
Say that you type at the top of the basket of stuff done in series. If you want more, go to machines made by hand, and leave them an arm and a half ...

Yeah its look. It is superficial but when I look at my rack set on a stage, well, every time I have an old beatific smile, with a little drool on the left side ...
The all chrome with all its red LEDs is frankly very class.

I remake that choice, despite my banker, my owner, world hunger and the polar bears disappearing. Too bad there are things we can not resist. This preamp is one of them.

I tried an early rockshop in Karlsruhe, Germany ...

Programmable guitar preamp year featuring all-tube design:
All knob and button settings May Be Stored to 256 MIDI presets Which are located in. Two banks accessible via different MIDI channels.
2 main sound channels:
Clean and (Soft) are expanded to Lead Crunch and Heavy Lead Gain When The IS switched mode.
Two sound modes: Classic and Modern
for a wide range of musical styles Which, combined with the oven channels, eight basic sounds Delivers unrivaled in quality.
Sound-sculpting three buttons: Bright, Ultra Bright and Clean Bottom
for precision shaping of basic sounds and fine-tuning basic sounds of different tone to the guitars.
4-way passive voicing section, Bass, Lo-Mid, Hi-Mid and Treble, passive.
Passive tone controls make the MOST of the fantastic tube amp's tone.
Four different EQ bands grant Greater freedom in shaping tone. The EQ alters icts When The characteristic feature contour IS switched.

Contour function:
Influences of the frequency response voicing section and opens up a whole new world of variations of tone-shaping options and for the basic sounds.
Input Gain, variable, with AFC function (Auto Frequency Correction):
Determines the Amount of preamp saturation for Crunch and Lead modes. AFC and Consistency Guarantees tonal balance over the Entire range of the Gain control knob.
Volume:
Programmable Levels for swift Adjustment and balancing of Overall Levels for all presets.
Master:
Non-programmable Levels May Be remote-controlled via an external MIDI volume pedal.
Stereo FX loop, passive, featuring tube circuitry, from 0 to 100% (parallel to serial)
variable and programmable.
For Enhancing the sound spectrum via external stereo effects devices.

Function Preamp Defeat: The guitar signal routed IS Directly to the Effect Send circuit.
OPTIONALLY, preamps or effects processors SEVERAL May Be Addressed separately.
Recording Stereo outputs with programmable speaker simulation Characteristics;
IS output level variable.
The circuit IS Designed to simulate different loudspeaker systems. Stereo 1 / 4 "output for hard disk recording.
Balanced XLR outputs for feeding signals to simulated stereo PA systems.
2 programmable sound shaping features Treble and Bass

All knobs are rotary encoders (360). Currently Displayed are valid settings via 11 LEDs on EACH
knob (rotary encoder). Every programmable control knob's range included 21 steps.
Direct access to Stored settings, easy editing (Changing settings).
Manual mode, non-programmable
In this operating mode, the preamp handles just like Any Conventional amp. special operation modes of the preamp Can Be accessed while Manual mode IS activated.
OPTIONALLY, presets programmed through May Be Write or Copy:
Can Be Entirely programmed presets from scratch or by editing Stored preset year;
Presets Can Be copied from one slot to Another, manual settings copied to a preset, and factory presets copied or edited at will.

4 factory banks with 10 presets each:
Suggested settings May Be Called up and edited freely.
Memory Status Feature (MSF):
Indicate if the preset setting of a has-been changed - Extremely handy tool for editing presets.
Preset Lock function:
Programmed presets May Be Protected Against inadvertent overwriting or editing.
Preset Trash Box: When an Existing preset IS overwritten, the original setting IS loaded to a
Shadow preset. This enable:
To Be Recalled old settings, and access to 256 presets Additional year in the Shadow Bank.
unit check mode:
Let the preamp Introduce the range of STI control knobs and the sound buttons Automatically!
Remote Interface & Interface Download via Com Port (RS232)
Purposes for recording, the preamp May Be remote-controlled via personal computer with the remote control panel software.
Real time access to the controls preamps via the PC.
You Can store your presets on your PC or send sound files via setting the internet.
The internal program May Also Be updated via PC.
A 9 because a VHT GP3 qualizer type t have one more ...

UTILIZATION

It's no more complicated than a marshall
The factory presets are gniaux dj!
I do not know about the manual ...

SOUNDS

Personally, I'm the big metal, big sound like, but must remain sharp and clear!
On this last point is qu'Engl trs hard ... The sound is really fat but not Bourin for a sub.

I test the pramp with my Jackson DK2 / Dimarzio Fred and Mesa 90/90 power, all on 2 Mesa 4X12 cabinets.

I am looking for an amp that sounds clean me out crystalline and distorted sounds of Meshuggah ...

OVERALL OPINION

This is the best test I prampli all levels. Its much more sharp and aggressive as Mesa Triaxis and VHT GP3.

We could find pictures of ugly, but true, the chrome is nice ... Question gots ...

Rglages Single / The gnial / O rec direct compensation filters / low nickel Aiges studio ...

2390 in Germany, not cheaper in France than it is for German as a mark
It's expensive, but it trs pro, and especially to innovate more than other brand resting on their laurels (Mesa, Marshall, and others).

Only purists s'achteront such that pramp rating 2 wages, but ...
It's excellent, well above what is done elsewhere.

Everything is already said
I put 10 because there is anything on this machine should see even more ...

UTILIZATION

The manual could not be easier, using the same: just turn the knobs to change its sound, and hop on backup / copy
Attention, however, find his sound can be time consuming because the knobs are very sensitive right MMEE

SOUNDS

I play metal to blues through rock and hard rock. it provides in all these areas, with special mention for all that is very big sound!! and yet I put him in the ass one and a marshall 9200 100/100 1960a climbs vintage 30 (There's better!). for other records: the cleans are really great! mesa has its claque. the crunch are beautiful, and it can also fall into the osnorites marshaliennes a JCM800, JMP1 (I had).
-1 Because of my recording output does not support, but I do not care a bit because I do not have the utility so it's really no story to 10

OVERALL OPINION

In short the preamp is super full, incredibly versatile and highest quality. Of course you have to like the sound engl (very aggressive and sharp) I personally am a huge fan even though I love mesa.
musicality impressive if one takes the time to adjust its sound! this is six months that I have and frankly, although I was disappointed in the early days, now that I know use the beast I would not change for anything.
what I like most is the sound clear and large, ennorme, saturates its huge! welcome in the cave of extreme metal.
Edit January 02 2007:
in fact, after a lot of comparative testing with the boogie recto preamp, I perceive that the cleans are neither better nor worse, there are just darker on the boogie and slamming on the engl. for heat is quite similar (depending on the aqualo). However, for large + engl dynamic!
in terms of distorted sounds: they are less fat and less drooling bcp on the front and the gain is higher on the incredibly engl!
Here this is intended to edit nance can be a "slap" I gave the boogie (though I would put even when lol)
for the samples is:
http://www.simonmorrison.com/images/E580.mp3
http://www.simonmorrison.com/images/E580_II.mp3
(For the record the guy uses a recording output and a palmer pga05 evntide eclipse for effects. Reblanace all in his motu sound card)
edit May 2008
Today I play a mesa roadster. I love my amp now but I regret even when my E580!
if you find one of OCCAZ and you like big distos, definitely worth a try!
it appears in personal OCCAZ try to sell my Roadster pronto!
in fact I found that I had a sample of the E580:
https://forums.audiofanzine.com/index%% 2C341192% 2Cidtopic 2Cforum% 2Csample_maison_du_e580.html ( https://forums.audiofanzine.com/index%2Cidtopic%2C341192%2Cforum%2Csample_maison_du_e580.html )

All Tube Preamp Midi 2U rack. 256 Programs (2 banks of 128).
For each program or may choose between 4 modes (clean, crunch, soft lead, lead and heavy tones)
Set by Knob:
- Gain
- 4-band EQ (Bass, Low Mid, High Mid, Treble) that interfere on each other
- The level of external effects loop
- The volume of the preset
Accessible by push buttons:
- A Bass Boost
- A Bottom which boosts the midrange
- A Bright that boosts high frequencies
- An Ultra Bright who acted on high frequencies only cleans modes.
- 2 types of voicing (Modern / Classic)
- A recording Bass out that boosts the bass frequencies only on the output recording.
- A recording that out treble boosts the high frequencies only the output recording.
Finally, a general master controllable via MIDI control 7. Note that you can bypass the preamp Preamp defeat by the function (in fact it disables the 4 modes).
In front there is an LED display that recalls the preset number (program) button to navigate through programs and store. Each function has its LED that illuminates when activated, flashes or it is changed compared to the status of the current preset. Pots around a circular bar graph specifies the corresponding level.
Behind it is an auxiliary input in addition to the front, a stereo effects loop, recording output jack or XLR in adjustable Knob a triplet midi in / out / thru, a switch to select the midi channel, output PC remote RS232 (?!), a power supply for pedals, stereo output to power amp.
So many, many opportunities that make it impossible to casi-not find her. Note that you can find 40 very usable factory presets (10 per mode) are available to guide and show the possibilities of the craft. By opening the hood you realize it's damn good, well mounted. German quality. Note that even when the beast is its weight, 11kg I think. The brushed aluminum cover over the bottom red LED that throws a max preamp side look.

UTILIZATION

Overall the amp is very easy to use. We choose its mode (clean, crunch, soft lead, lead and heavy tones), the gain level, we made the necessary adjustments with the equalizer, correction frequencies (bass boost buttons, Botton Bright, voicing), we rule the level of the outer loop, it adjusts the volume preset and you're done.
What I have regretted. Some features are only accessible by simultaneous pressure on two buttons. It's not very practical but they are not the most frequently used functions. The brushed aluminum front panel, if it is super class, does not facilitate the reading of information that are screen printed in black. This is not legible at all and therefore not practical as it has not registered in his brain function / button on rowing if you're not in full light. The LEDs, they are particularly readable and thorough knowledge of the level of function. The function of a preset recording is simple (sustained pressure on a button) for cons, the copy function of a preset is confusing and I still after all this time to use me to plant. Finally, the master volume is the only function of the preamplifier that operates with a control change (7) turns out to be very workable use. The unit does not seem to handle correctly and quickly enough anyway these messages and / or misinterpreted. Sometimes if I press too quickly or too sharply to the expression pedal on my pedal, the amp just lost his pedals and I find myself without any sound (volume 0) instead of the maximum volume. It is much more serious and eventually I gave more volume management in multi-effects included in the loop. I also liked that the gain control is by control change but nyet. In the end so a preamp MIDI is used but not as good example that really ACCESS full noon they would replace, but I still kept.
We may also regret a display with 3 characters only. So display preset and nothing else. All that is about to be compared with the price of the beast and you realize that this next one is not particularly well served.
The doc is in English only as hell, full of tips and comments and is useful. The E580 also comes with a software for editing on a PC. It is unfortunate that the connection is facing an antiquated RS232 (parallel port) USB but not in the E580 is not a particularly recent device either. The app is pretty screwed up but the device is simple and ultimately I do not use it.
I meant a point on the amp / preamp ENGL. ENGL amps are 2 modes of volumes / Presence relay accessible and jack but the preamps themselves are devoid of this type of output and therefore can not control natively amp from the preamp. You will require additional pass through a box MIDI and then add Pépette. Not terrible for the purchasing power of consumers.
So ultimately if you can say I nitpick on certain points, I see me forced to crack down on other MIDI implementation and therefore deserves punishment (8 / 10).

SOUNDS

There, the E580 will redo the cherry. First, given the number of functions, the possibilities of the device are huge. Therefore impossible to describe all the functions and the repercussions on the sound. It is also impossible not to get to sculpt the sound as desired and do so very quickly. Lethal Weapon is the 4-band EQ (presence is on the amp). I did not find this flexibility on other devices and if I was initially skeptical about the usefulness of the thing, I am ultimately conquered by the flexibility and precision that can be obtained. Here you can also push any parameter to bottom, it's still music. If we add the two voicing (Classic / Modern) is multiplied again by 2 possibilities. So there is not a style, a sound that the E580 will cover. At voicing my preference was largely moderm early on but over time I also learned to appreciate the Classic sounds particularly clear. The saturated, there is no photo of the Modern is far more usable and ... modern.
So the E580 excels in all registers. To complete the picture we must add the accuracy of its dynamics and extraordinary. Is clean, neat, precise, sharp and flawless. One word for that, PRO. In addition, it has its own personality, its grain. He does not try to copy this or that brand. At worst it could blame him for not being able to sound dirty, it's impossible, but for me it is a quality not a fault. Even at a very high saturation level (and gain, there are) the sound is never clear runny.
It must also be coupled this preamp with a multi-effects from the same cloth (in my case a G-Force) to really get the best. App power side I mack with E840 of the same brand and they come together.
A word on simulation. It's not the worst of all I would say what is pretty good. Everyone feels obliged to do that, it's a fad. Do not buy an E580 just for that.

OVERALL OPINION

This is undoubtedly a very good machine, very soft and super versatile. It begs the question what is best? I see it. Following is a question of taste compared to other brands especially when playing in the yard of the very old. I could compare it to other preamps tube (JMP1, Triax, family Rocktron voodu the valve and Phrophesy, HK V2 ACCESS, ADA MP2). To me, he did just that ACCESS to the heel.
Another question, Do we need also to all those sounds? It is clear today that most guitarists are content with 2 or 3 basic sounds and they choose a head on that basis. Because of that and rack systems have more wind in its sails. Anyone who wants the flexibility and versatility, however, keeps a rack.
Afterwards, there is also the new home price around 2400 euros, the price of a good head. Too expensive? It hurts to cognotte when we see the need to add more amps too upscale. It should not be disappointed when you put this money into a unit. Luckily my case. Since I got the E580, I no longer seek other stuff because I found the sound (sounds) and then, somewhere, I saved on various purchases / sales. So somewhere a good investment. In the end, I am very satisfied despite a few side remarks features MIDI. Quality has a price.