All user reviews for the Mesa Boogie TriAxis

Pramplification all lamps: 5 12AX7 lamps
connectors etc ... see website mesa / boogie

USE

Very simple, we regret the absence of the pots

SONORITS

For THE sound mesa, it is imperative add to it a 2:90 amp and cabinet Mesa Recto 4x12, otherwise you may be the.
The clean sounds are amazing and you must add a good multi dnaturer not sound (type TC or Lexicon CForce ...).
For sound metal, this is the stuff you need

NOTICE GLOBAL

I use it for 2 years, I have tried a lot of amps / pramplis rack before and I'll try not others.
If I knew rather, I would have bought had since the beginning.
on the other hand, be careful what you put him in the ass: 2:90 and absolutely one-sided mesa 4x12!

Mom and Pop type music shop (castle music) in Santa Barbara California, in approximately 1989. Price paid, about $1,000 new, whatever full retail was at the time.

I bought this unit to finish the stereo rack half stack I was putting together.

My Rack:
Space 1: Furman Power Conditioner/pwr strip
Space 2: 1/2 space korg tuner, 1/2 space Boss compression/limiter
Space 3: 1/2 space dbx stereo noise gate, sholtz midi octopuss w/2 loops
Space 4: Rocktron Intelliflex
Space 5: AKG Uhf Wireless Mic
Space 6: Mesa Boogie Triaxis
Space 7/8: Mesa Boogie Simul Class 2:90

Cabinet: Stereo Mesa Boogie 4-12

The triaxis nicely complimented the Boogie Simul Class 2:90 power section, and also supports real time midi control which allowed me to make full use of my Art expression pedal unit. On a particular channel I can assign either of two pedals to control a triaxis parameter in real time. I.e., a volume pedal that effects master volume, hence absolutely no change in tonal qualities, and a second pedal which simultaneously brings gain up, bass down, trebel up, 5 band eq up, presence down...for example... These pedals are also used to control real time parameters on the Intelliflex, and the midi octopuss serves to switch non-midi modules as well simultaneously.

Conceptually, to have 90 channels of tube preamp, midi switchable, well what can I say...that's like having 45 two channel tube heads all set at different tones at your command by channel switching! In practice you end up settling on say 10-20 different tones, but duplicating these settings on some channels and using different intelliflex settings to create a different sounding channel. The key is your in charge of what your 20 differnt tones sound like as opposed to say a modelling amp like line 6 or vox in which they tell you what your 20 different tones must sound like. With a Triaxis you can do way better, and have total control over your sound.

I did extensive comparison between the Triaxis and the Marshall JMP midi preamp, taking both units home and playing them for days. I have always been a Marshall man at heart, having owned JCM 800's at three different times. I had also owned a Boogie Mark IV, and that is how I got into Boogie as well. In the end, the Triaxis not only sounded better, was more versatile sound wise, and had superior options for real time midi expression.

HOw does it sound? Well, I won't spend much time here...it sounds as good as any boogie sounds...this unit is able to reproduce most any boogie product that has come out. There are about 8-9 different amp modes to choose from that you can assign to any of the 90 banks. Combined with the three different modes on the Simulclass 2:90 that gives alot of combinations. I can find any sound I want here from the cleanest cleans to the heaviest type triple rectifier type sounds (not sure if it is actually a triple rect, but it sounds as intense as one). The thing I really love is that I can have controlled third harmonic feedback (the good kind of feedback) at will.... reminds me of why I loved my Marshalls. Find the right spot on the stage and your Triaxis/2:90 is singing for as long as you want.

Now here is the deal....I enjoyed this setup for many years...and 6 months ago was considering selling it all in favor of a more simplistic rig...my hair is shorter now, and I'm not doing the heavy rock thing any more...natural evolution to the blues thing, so I was in favor of getting a combo of some sort. Well after researching many rigs and settling on a Fender Hot Rod Deville 410,... I decided to try an experiment on my triaxis that I had never done... the midi dump and upload! I found some websites with artist settings that could be downloaded to my computer, and uploaded to the triaxis automatically via the midi cables.

Damn!

This thing sounds so frigging good now..what great blues tones that I had never dialed in! I guess it makes sense that these artists with their roadies can really play with these units and dial in fantastic different sounds. So much better than what I had found. I want a do over..want to go back to my heavy rock days and re gig with these new settings. Now I have files saved on my computer with my original settings and my new settings..and I can reload and alternate between the two at will. Hmm what gig tonight? Jazz..upload the file...tonight, OzzFest? Upload the file....





With so many parameters to dial in ... I would say that the only part of the triaxis that I can comment on in any negative sense would be the interface for parameter changes....there are no knobs to twist...there are left and right arrows....This makes it slightly more cumbersome than a simple twist of a knob.

This is no longer important to me since I now use the shareware software I found in order to make paramter changes from my computer. A simple slider exists for each paramter...and as you slide the know on your cpu, the parameter is changing on your triaxis and available for a sound check. But for many years I did not use this feature.

Knobs would make this unit a little easier to dial in..but keep in mind this is a very minor complaint....in practice it is easy enought to make minor tweeks to sounds....i.e. at a practice or gig need a little more or a little less? No problem to dial this in.

For initial setup of channel parameters, I guess I am saying this is a time consuming effort if you don't have the use of the shareware and a computer....

The unit does come with some very nice factory presets..so in reality one need not do any extensive setup.

I have owned this stack I put together for over ten years. I have gigged out with it exptensively....I have never had to change the tubes! Never had a technical difficulty with it. It's rock solid. It loks sharp in the rack! Probably because there are no knobs...very cool look.



So..I had loved my triaxis..was considering selling it for a blues specific sounding amp..and now have fallen in love with it all over again. I am getting better tones and response out of it than any other blues amp I have tried. Some have critisized the clean sounds saying they don't compare to some of the Fender's with lots of headroom and sparkle...that is not my experience but the key is to use a simulclass 2:90 in the "full" mode not the half mode. It is absolutely the best sounding, most versatile, most feature rich rig I have ever played with.

Meanwhile, if I get a fender hot rod deville..it will only be a practice amp for watching tv in the living room and for going to practice...my stack is big and heavy for moving around for anything less than a gig.


This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Go, hop me glue together ... I will try to make it more comprehensive, after a year of use!

- Preamp tube (12AX7 five Mesa / Boogie) 19 "1 unit, is the depth of an SKB flight (it's not far from the 50cm guy!)
- 8 channels: two clean RHYTHM (which can cruncher), and 4 LEAD1 LEAD2 crunch (which can grow strong enough to gain level, we can already address the large metal pushing the beast) and 2 red lead and LEAD1 LEAD2 red (which grow very strong).
- Everything that goes into MIDI version 2.0 (serial number T75 **)
- 90 user banks (more than enough to do).
- 1 input jack on the back (no front entrance)
- A mono effects loop send / return stereo
- 2 output jack L / R
- 2 output jack left / right "RECORDING" (4x12 HP emulation mouaif ...)
- MIDI In / Out / Through
- An output power to crank ghost
- 4 midi switcher.
- SETUP gain, treble, mid, bass, drive 1 and 2 master volume, presence and dynamic voice (emulation 5-band graphic EQ).
-The Voice Dynamic EQ works on frequencies 80 Hz, 240 Hz, 750 Hz, 2200 Hz and 6600 Hz A 0, the curve is flat, at 10, large safety pin (hollow in the meds, bass and treble boosted )
- Stereo master volume knob.

UTILIZATION

- Sounds can not have a name, instead of multiple digital streams, just a number.

- Very simple in spirit, all settings are directly accessible on the front. We can add live bass, treble off, etc..

- To be sound at first, it is better from the 10 factory presets and tweak. All parameters are highly sensitive and affect each other. For example, push the Dynamic voice from August to October the sound changes a lot, and acts on the parameters treble / mid / bass, as well as the master volume.

- Find the sound of the job application, it may be boiled with the sound quickly, so fine in the settings! When one understands that, he is awesome!

-It is imperative to read the manual for getting started!

SOUNDS

Rhythm:

Rhythm-Green: vintage sound in the style "Black Face" very sensitive to med, somewhat crystalline in the beginning, acting on subtle EQ, you end up with a creamy tone. By pushing the gain slightly and cutting highs towards the Mississippi Delta! Yes mister!

Rhythm-Yellow: narrower frequency range, grain totally different, but nice for casseroles funky. He is described as being in the line of Mark IV and Mark IIc ... By pushing the gain, treble are cut, the sound is really on the edge of the clean and crunch, although rock, and pushing the gain slightly more, ditto and mediums, we are left with a wonderful crunch.

-The sounds can be changed with the damn Dynamic Voice.

Lead 1:

-Lead a Green channel as directed to the Santana sound. A round, warm, sensitive to the gain of the guitar. Lowering the "gain" and increasing "drive1," you end up with even more sounds, round and warm toujuors, with varying degrees of crunch. In short, nothing that this channel can still go from clean to heavy overdrive! And they all are!

-Lead 1 Yellow: More gain and more mids than the Lead channel 1. More "fat". While remaining subtle and more sensitive to volume knob on the guitar! This sound has a grain somewhat "dark", a typical Mesa. The great big rock in sight!

-Lead 1 Red: my favorite sound Recto not nice! This channel has a separate circuit, and uses its chtite lampounettes just for him, the V1 (and pure vice, I replaced with Ei Elite, while the rest is 12AX7LP Sovtek). Mesa sound grain, so dark, aggressive desire: welcome to the joyful parts of the metal! An aggressive, certainly, but always very precise, slamming bass (a big "bottom end"), without excessive digging mediums. Add to this a Dynamic Voice between 7 and 10, and there, because it totally extreme metal (Mitch Harris hello!). And yet, the gain remains to 8 (dynamic voice to 7 or 8, anyway). In short, this is the first preamp which I do not knock the gain (if not, then it starts to do too much and his hand quickly boiled). Yep, I love that channel!

-Again, Eq Dynamic Voice and have a radical influence on the sounds (yes, I do not defer to have an EQ as effective!)

Lead 2:

2-Lead Green bean to Mesa with a bump on a frequency other than the media Lead1 equivalent. Excellent again for bluesy solos and rock.

-Lead 2 Yellow: the brown sound seen by Boogie! That says it all!

Red-Lead 2: grain similar but more aggressive, full of harmonics, still slamming bass, but less dark, less hyper typed the Lead 1 Red.

A big snag recording outputs ... real bad. Ultimately, I am better with my VAMP2 ... too much! So mandatory direct box connected to play live on a sound system ...

Added 23/05/2004: I was finally able to compare the TriAxis / 2:90 with a Dual Rectifier, all on the same cabinet, a Mesa Rectifier Standard. B'en there's no twist in the grain is similar to the crunch and lead the front. The front left over fat, TriAxis sharper, more precise. And both have much momentum.

OVERALL OPINION

The sound is really working, there was nothing the first time, it is clear. And he needs space to be, this standard: a power amplifier and at least one HP 4x12 or nothing! Or even a Mesa 2:90, developed to sublimate the Triaxis. With 2:90, it's the slap!

The TriAxis preserves the grain of the guitar, his microphone, there is "only" the sublime. I already tried to play with two different guitars but with identical microphones, the sound is different. Same two different mics on the same guitar, the sound is different again. It's silly, but I have to play on the preamp where the difference was just too subtle to be seen!

In short, once again, I am delighted, thrilled-filled!

Mesa Powâââââ

Note: At present, the production version is still 2.0, there is no version 2.1, let alone version 3.0.
Version 1.0 was produced from 1992 to 1993, serial number T0001 T1700 about. Version 2.0 followed immediately, the difference is just software (more features MIDI).
Then, in 1997, to the serial number T5000, the phat mode (slight bump to upper mid-range on channel LEAD1 Red only) has been implemented as standard.
Mesa / Boogie TriAxis

Addition, 24/12/2005: sold there over a year for a head + speaker config easier to manage for my neurons. But I always regret sounds TriAxis.

5 lamps format 12AX7
switchable effects loop ...
... Etc ... good!

UTILIZATION

Not very intuitive ... but once you know how to make copies and others will ...

SOUNDS

Heummm ...
Clear that good quality sounds almost as good as audio Custum 3 + SE (well There's still a walking, even when ...)
Distorted sounds of good quality, if you like grain mesa. Personally, I'm not a fan, I also prefried the 3 + SE (largement!). The saturation of TriAxis prenneur find for those who love fat and dark. I put the 6 because I like the clear, but the grain loadings will suit me at all (not enough prcises and less natural than other pramp ...)

OVERALL OPINION

A product too expensive for what is !!!!!
I bought it by reputation. I have used for 2 years. I have used with power amps MESA (20/20, 50/50, 2:90) and VHT (2/90/2). The light is good. The lack of natural saturation.
Defines the TriAxis is a Marshall JMP-1, but not extmement more! To compare, I find the grain of saturation Marshall more friendly ... it's got a story.
A purchase that I will not go. CAE 3 + SE meillieur CLEARLY!

Everything has been said in the characteristics of corny!

UTILIZATION

Just a little look at my silly, and it's pretty simple (if you can read!)

SOUNDS

I had the opportunity to test several days at home (with a slanted 4x12 Carvin 400W)
simultaneously with the couple ninety 2x90 class.
I have been scotch ... . but really stuck to the wall!

the power and dynamics .. it's amazing ....
especially with the 2:90 class simultaneously, we can still have different colors.
Indeed, the Triax,; by simple jack ass of 2:90, can drive the power amp in selecting him how "deep", "half 1 / 2", "modern" in the power amp, giving it a hell of a watermelon in addition to modify the sounds of Triax. And that's cool!
So we can divide the power of 2x90, and you use traixis via the "half"
ca does, and very strong. how the "deep" and "modern" hypermarkets are interrssants to add "warmth" to sound clear.
mode in yellow. SACRED nice and crunchy in the frequencies, although couillues ..
for mode distortion from rock to metal, (red, green and different mode) according to the mode amp ca Debouche just a shithouse. all possibilities are possible, and that's AWESOME! It allows to have a bike Pro, the Pro stuff (it was said not to play because I wankers of Mesa, but put things in order, the Big Mesa is the stuff Pro, which lasts, which is made to turn, to play for s'exsprimer on stage / studio with no galleys of shit stuff that can peter anytime)
couillu of gear at your side when you play and that sounds like you want. most important to me.
it is mandatory that this bug works with the 2x90, I insist on this point.
Then, I think the choice of a cab is a matter of taste.

all sounds are possible, the beautiful clear sound for ballads, to funky slamming, the crunchy, crunchy to the big greasy, rock, hard, metal, death. It includes all the possibilities of sound, with its own grain,
basically, you can play in a group of funk, blues and death, the TriAxis will be with you!

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it? loan from a friend
- What is so special that you like most and least? I love everything
- Have you tried many other models before buying it? rather yes
- How would you rate the quality / price? expensive, but the quality at all levels .. (build quality, sound
- With experience, you do again this choice? .. if not before I die, I bought one!

Prampli dowry of five lamps (12 ax 7).
Effects loop.
Good connections.
Everything is on paramtrable prampli. There is even a feature "dynamic voice", enabling you to format (qualiser) sound all other APRS rglages. In distortion, it allows for both low level and fMeasure lev overdrive while retaining its own.
As you can see, the TriAxis is to give you the sound you want. Grip effective temperatures requiring many hours of testing.

UTILIZATION

The manual (fifty pages) is more than clear. Rarely has so prcises indications of an audio product. It explains how each of the eight channels, and how to ragissent rglages.
To the question "do you get a good sound easy?" The rponse is: YES. In Ralite Mesa had the good FDI prrgler sound factory. As the designer connate his gear, sounds "sound" right away. There are ten MODELS dclins ten times each. It's impressive range of dj prrglages.
We must insist on one point: rglages are hyper sensitive, and sometimes interact Manir important to each other. For the settings should be envisaged separately. The night excs the quality of the whole. So modration ...

SOUNDS

I play violin with guitar (Seymour Duncan humbuckers and Di Marzio).
The sound of Triaxis, everything t said. I want to emphasize the quality of modes Lead 1 Lead 2 Yellow and yellow, which are kind distos 80s. These sounds are really trs own, had to sustain and compression, and allow dtach every note of all the others. Bravo for having the precision and the potato is not always easy. We can say that these sounds are "liquid".
Modes Lead 2 Lead 1 red and red are powerful distos trs. Lovers of the metal will find their taste.
For the rest, it is clear and sounds somewhat saturated. This will sound clear and clean trsdpouill (Mark IV) in the (lgrement) saturated genre Vox AC 30 pushed back. It's somewhat reminiscent of AC / DC its beginners, in the studio.

OVERALL OPINION

With exprience, I would do this choice, especially since I bought it for 700 euros.
I play with a 30 F, and the experience is Mesa each time an enchantment. I met her once a ing that said "We do not know when a sound is bad, but we know when it is good." With Triaxis, we feel that the sounds are really high. In addition, the benefits of prampli are indisputable: you can play on all custom settings, while more than one hundred IMMEDIATE sounds available. This may be questioning the NCESS to buy a combo.
APRS eight months of use, I can say that the triaixs vritable is a marvel. Be careful to choose the power section on which you will get ...
Because triaxix prmapli is, it can grow without fear of too much Dcibel. Submitted this a great advantage in distortion modes (lead 1 and 2) because you may get a TRS and saturated homogne (tapping Research), which, with a combo , is possible only with the volume level indcent.

See description for other opinions, or mesa site!

UTILIZATION

The configuration is it simple?
then the talk must be:
it says much about the bcp TriAxis: gas plant ... hyper complicated ...
not agree!
for those who do not know: we must understand that this is a preamp rack: up to the ok, but the particularity is that the different modes should not be seen as 'channels' different but as completely separate preamps ...

is in black and white in the user manual Mesa ... I think bcp do not see as a a!

So, no, it is not so complicated:
if you operate a mode (so a preamp), and you have the buttons (except that they are displays) normal:
gain, volume ... and a standard equalizer (treble, medium, bass)
that when touching a button dergle everything else ... probably not, has an influence, of course ... as any preamp pots ... nothing new ...
I would say a car I am not musicos ing his or pro, and so no computer that I am still looking how to turn on my computer ... and triax, I succeed very well ...
especially as there bcp presets in memory or on the internet ... the coup with the display is very easy to bite sounds!
Do you get a good sound easy?
see above
yes of course

The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
the manual is very complete, it is found on the Internet in French, humorous ... these guys know what they are talking
APRS I do not spend a lot of time ... I am also looking for sound alone;
However manual binding pr me MIDI and stuff as a scholarly

SOUNDS

Is it your style of music?
tt can do I think;
for me blues and clean sounds, distortion metal
With what (s) guitar (s) / low (s) or effect (s) do you play?
bcp
ah yes: it's pro stuff, so each guitar spring thoroughly, its peculiarities ... was weird
the coup; SET after a few different guitars ...
you can not make a Start, and esp with a EMG and play live, just need to review the equalization to each guitar (and back, as was impeccable!)
I have with me jou seymour jackson, ibanez Di Marzio, strat us, esp emg
top
What are the sounds you prfrez, you dtest?

I love everything but I have not toured the amp more ...
Attention can also create sounds shit, it's the mesa but it can also do so rotten vs evil sound ADJUST

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it?
2 years
What is the particular feature you like best and least?
1U format, the displays that can find the settings, to the spinning several ... ...
the fact that it is noon, it is infinite, you can settle as many sounds as necessary ...

particularity of the "good" stuff: brought out all the defects of games! and therefore all the qualities as (a people do not speak often): it's alive, touch spring, attacks ... breads too! and then some!

Have you tried many other models before acqurir?
mesa recto preamp, line 6 (sisi) brunetti; marshall ... question of taste: the stuff today is good enough to choose!

How do you report qualitprix?
occas of right, I would not buy new ... too expensive (in France!) the US's not the same

Exprience with, you will do again this choice? ...
yes

5 preamp tubes. 8 channels. 90 presets. midi. fx loop. And most any routing you could need. In terms of tube preamps, this is a fairly modern unit in terms of features. It's made to be used in conjuction with the most modern gear. Most mesa stuff follows this design concept, which is kind of a no corners cut philosophy. While it is technically a digital unit, the audio path is still all tube. This is really mesa's best effort to cram all its best amps into one preamp unit. And when paired with a good mesa power amp, this should theoretically get you all those sounds.

UTILIZATION

One thing I really like about this unit is the ease of control. Every parameter is controllable in real time just like a real amp and Mesa has taken every effort to make it feel like a real amp. There aren't any crazy menus to wade around in for hours. This isn't the easiest preamp to use, but given all it can do, it sure could be a lot more complicated. The manual is great, like most Mesa manuals. There's a lot of sounds in here and the literature reflects that.

SOUNDS

I'm using this preamp in a rig right now with a Mesa Strategy power amp and a VHT fat bottom 4x12. It's quite loud, obviously. But I reserve this rig for really big shows. I control the Triaxis with a Ground Control Pro.

I feel like I should just go through each channel.

R Green - This is really Mesa's shot at a blackface clean. They tend to do this very well, however while I really like this channel, I feel like the clean channel on the Studio preamp they make is better.

R Yellow - Not a fan of this one. If you've played the Mark IV clean channel you know what I mean. It's just meh.

Lead 1 - This is your early santana and overdriven fender sounds. You can get some good clean sounds out of it though. I play a lot of santana covers and this channel gets that tone in spades.

Lead 2 - The Green and yellow channel are basically your Mark II through Mark IV sounds. Metallica and Dream Theater is your tonal pallete here. In my opinion this is the best sounds in the box right here. The high gain sounds of the Mark series are delivered with a vengeance.

Lead 2 red - Recto tone. Plain and simple. And it's actually done pretty well. Although for anyone who's never played an older Recto, this does not sound like the new ones. This is based on revision 1 so it has more mid action going on.


OVERALL OPINION

The cleans on the triaxis are pretty good but not insane. The mid gain and high gain sounds range from great to amazing. Value is good but not cheap. This is not really a budget preamp and I would rather recommend the Studio preamp for people on short change. That said I really love this thing. It has the classic mesa sounds and does most of them really well. Unfortunately if you are looking for something other than mesa/blackface tones this will NOT do it. Forget about it. Go get a JMP preamp or something else. Otherwise, this is your guy.

Thank you for the other users who, by their descriptions, did the job for me

UTILIZATION

To the question "do you get a good sound easy?" Is true we would tend to find that perfect preamp, but the answer is no, not 100X, dixit manual: "... and we find that a single master TriAxis already represents quite a challenge for anyone. "
Let me explain: The TRIAX filled with good things but to really master it and get the best from the camera, you have to spend much time on it.
It's been 10 years that I have and I discover or rediscover the sound. As my tastes change, the way I deal with them too.
The settings on the TRIAX are very subtle. We will immediately correct sound with the factory presets to get the sound but it looks you really have to take the lead.
The manual helps a bit, especially to understand the different modes, but once you understand their philosophy, it must be close and use his ears.
Users of the TRIAX often limited to its "Petrucci" but there is so much more versatile than that!
Also, a small flaw: when one uses the methods of 2:90 or effects loop, press a button 24 times and go through all modes to return to its base. It's pretty tedious when you just wanted to test a new combination.
Good point for the phantom power (but not usable with all cranks noon).

SOUNDS

RHY GREEN mode "Blackface" (with lots of bass then) but far from the trunk of a Fender. The twinamp I got rid sounded better. That said, it is widely usable. With the gain in depth and ES 335, it was very warm blues. Not bad but not particularly remarkable.

RHY YELLOW: The clean channel of the MARK IV: very clear sound right, cold or frozen, that does not saturate. The sound we like to call "crystalline." Very effective because it shows live better than the green channel.

GREEN UPDATE 1: The sound of the Mark I. THE MESA its origins (Fender hot lapped), very 70's, very hot, like Santana when he told Randall Smith: "Shit man. That little thing really Boogies!"

YELLOW UPDATE 1: The same but more saturated. Just as hot. Personally, I prefer to GREEN.

1 RED LEAD: According to the manual, "This mode is by far the most aggressive of the 6 modes. The favorite of many users, at least my favorite for years. High Gain saturation really drooling a little, just enough to hide the bread
It seems that it is the channel Vintage / Orange Dual Rectifier Solo head. I call it an attempt Marshallian rather successful. With the gain and drive at least we have a very nice crunch.
Effective for rock in general and its derivatives (hard, metal ...)


LD 2 GREEN: The channel midgain of MARK IV, many mediums, the opposite of Marshall. The other feature of its mark, AMERICAN MODERN SOUND. I was not really hooked early, perhaps because he does not forgive mistakes, I was not technical enough, and it was not dug enough for me. Since I've matured and I can say this is by far my favorite. And it is not only good for extreme music but for virtually all styles.

LD 2 YELLOW: The overdrive channel of the Mark II C + (amp fetish Metallica hehehe ...). It is the channel dedicated to the metal. More bass than the LD 2 GREEN but not really over. I confess I do not really feel the difference, besides Metallica was using both on the Black Album. With the voicings of 2:90 was a sound very close, very metal but that does not saturate that much, do not expect the ultra high gain, this is not the case.

RED LD 2: The channel of saturated Mark III, one of which apparently John Petrucci uses for his solos. I confess that the only way that I program ever. I can not find it natural, it was too "chemical". It has many acute, it is right but there is nothing to do, I do not really like it. Tastes and colors ...

I should mention here that the younger TRIAX when it was a preamp output, really bad, especially with the 2:90 voicings and deep, half and modern. It is always a little biensur but is now rolling through Diezel heads or Engl.

To have tried with several guitars, I think it looks better with those equipped with humbuckers Les Paul type guitars or active pickups ESP types.



OVERALL OPINION

To summarize, this is the best preamp rack market. Simply because other brands have stopped production or that competitors are too cheap. In any case, there is not as comprehensive and versatile, whatever the price range.

It is not perfect biensur:
- In addition to that button must be pressed 24 times (see above) we feel a brief change in volume, about one second between two distinct modes (not between two modes LD1 LD1 but between a mode and a mode LD2 example). And frankly it audible.
- When registering a preset, if the unit is old, sometimes the buttons "freezent. It must then restart the Triax. This is apparently not a problem of software but a mechanical problem.
- The price ... When we buy the Triax, it is essential to couple it to a 2:90. I use it sometimes with a 20/20, that's fine too but it's mate, is objectively not as well with a 2:90, they are inseparable. And acquiring the two is quite a sum of pay. That said, people get tired easily from a rack and I've seen it used, almost new, 700 euros.
- Maintenance, change lights and TRIAX and 2:90 is quite expensive.
- The output RECORDING does absolutely nothing. It's ugly.

Pros:
- The incredible range of sounds. I defy anyone to find more complete preamp "tube.
- It has been designed for the professional, with lots of space to store its presets can be assured with any great variety of styles.
- The clarity and brightness settings on the front, we know them right away, even in the dark.
- The DYNAMIC VOICE EQ V, which can transform a sound.
- The Phantom Power
- The possibility of using MIDI continuous controller messages with version 2.0, which allows for example to increase the settings for that diminishes others with an expression pedal (for example, when you press pedal, and the gain is increased while reducing the mids and bass master).

If I could improve it ... I already ask MESA BOOGIE have an email address to get started
Then I ask them to reduce the size of the triax half full to put in my bag, to make a real exit emulation HP, adding reverb and put automated knobs instead of buttons, c ' is still much simpler in concert.

I've had 10 years (I bought secondhand, it was easy 15). He did not always let go, it really is quality construction.
I have 4 amps and this one I know best and the only one I will probably not sell.
Despite its price, if it is still a best seller (and if Metallica always comes back in the studio) is that there is a reason. To think

This is an all in one Mesa Boogie bonanza! This preamp is covering a lot of history with Mesa's tones throughout the years. Though it does have a slight limitation of the feel of each of the offerings such as the early Mark l series or the Mark llc+, it still comes very close to those original tones.

FEATURES:

Handbuilt in Petaluma, California

5x12AX7

8 Modes (MK I / Vintage Fat Clean, MK IV / Hyper-Clean, MK I / Lead, MK I / Gain Boost,Classic British Lead, MK IV / Medium Gain, MK IIC+/ Classic High Gain & MK III / Searing Gain)

90 User Preset Locations/128 Midi Program Locations

Midi In/Out/Thru

Midi Continuous Control (any or all parameters)

Midi Data Transfer

Phantom Power (for Footcontroller)

Programmable FX Loop w/Stereo Returns

4 Programmable Function Switches (Controls Smart Power™ “Deep, Half Drive or Modern” on select MESA Power amps or controls other outboard gear)

Stereo Main & Recording Outputs
Available as:

TriAxis Pre-Amp • 1 Rack Space

UTILIZATION

Eight Preamp Modes

Rhythm
Green
Vintage Fat Rhythm (Mark I, Black-face)

Rhythm Yellow
Modern hyper-clean Rhythm (Mark IV)

Lead 1 Green
Vintage Mark I Lead

Lead 1 Yellow
Mark 1 Gain Boost

Lead 1
Red
Classic Boogie Lead

Lead 2 Green
Medium Gain Boogie Lead

Lead 2 Yellow
Classic Boogie Lead (Mark IIC+/Mark IV)

Lead 2
Red
Searing Boogie Lead

SOUNDS

This unit can produce some searing Mesa sounds in a one space preamp rack unit. Couple this with one of Mesa's power amps and you will have nice arsenal of Mesa flavors at your disposal.

I know that some people aren't a fan of the early Mark series amps but the ones they have simulated in this unit are amazing. However, if you are going to do this unit any justice you will have to play it on the Lead 2 red mode. Here you will hear what this thing was made to do and that is balls to the walls Mesa heavy riffing. Couple this with one of mesa's 4x12 cab with Vintage 30 Celestion speakers and the mesa power amp and you will be good to go. Deep rich chunky rhythm is what makes Mesa so unique and all of that sweet tone-age is pronounced in this unit.

OVERALL OPINION

I would recommend this unit to any Mesa Boogie lover and especially the Mark llC+ users who don't want to put out the money for a real one or simply can't find one. At new these units come in at around $2000 which is kind of high for a preamp you would think. However, this unit does cover a ton of ground. Why should you buy this over a Mark V which is less money and comes with a power amp....well this is midi function able.

My personal preference is to buy a used Dual Recto or a Mark lll which is my favorite two amps that Mesa ever produced. For the price of those two you could probably come close to one of these new.