Description
IMPORTANT NOTES
1. CROSS PLATFORM: These .WAV impulse responses can be used in any hardware or application that supports IR’s. This includes products by Line 6 (Helix, HX Stomp, HX Effects, etc), Kemper, Axe-FX, etc.
2. EXPERIMENT: We’ve included multiple options in this IR pack (more details below). The best idea is just to start experimenting and find the IR or combinations of IR’s that sound the best.
THE CAB/SPEAKER
These IR’s were created from a vintage 1976 Marshall 1960A 4×12 cab, loaded with original Celestion BlackBack speakers. This cab pairs extremely well with a huge variety of cabs. We love it with amps like Plexi’s, JCM800’s, etc
THE MICROPHONES
To create this IR pack we used a variety of microphones, including dynamic, ribbon, and condenser mics. In the file names you’ll see microphone codes. Here is what they mean:
In the file names you’ll see microphone codes. Here is what they mean:
- ‘121’ – This is a Royer 121. The 121 is a classic ribbon mic used on countless hit records. Pairs well with dynamic mics.
- ‘160’ This is the Beyerdynamic M160. It’s a ribbon mic that is a popular alternative to the Royer 121. It’ offers the warmth of a classic ribbon mic but with the punch and midrange often found in dynamic mics. Pairs well with dynamic mics.
- ‘SR25’ – This is the Earthworks SR25. A small diaphragm condenser that works extremely well on a wide variety of instruments, and surprisingly well on guitar cabs. It’s very articulate and bright without being harsh, but has a ton of warmth and character as well. We love pairing this with the 160. Pairs well with ribbon mics.
- ’57’ – The Shure SM57. You’ve heard it a million times on a million guitar tones. Tried and true. The midrange of this mic is perfect for guitar tones, but on it’s own it can be somewhat bright and harsh. Pairs well with ribbon mics.
- ’TF51’ – This is a Telefunken TF51 tube large diaphragm condenser microphone. This mic captures everything – big bottom end with all the mids and highs as well. It stays bright and smooth in the upper midrange and highs without getting harsh. Pair this one with either ribbons or dynamics – it goes great with everything.
- ‘421’ – This is a Sennheiser MD421. It is a dynamic microphone well known for its use with guitar cabinets. We think it excels when being paired with ribbon microphones in a dual mic situation, or on it’s own for higher gain tones.
‘EQ VERSIONS’
We’ve included two separate EQ options for each individual IR – one is unlabeled and the other is labeled ‘EQ’.
Regular: The unlabeled option is minimally processed. We created these IR’s by running the microphones through Neve 1073 DPX with on-board EQ. We’ve slightly EQ’d the mic’s on the preamp itself, but these IR’s include minimal processing from this point.
We find these IR’s sound fuller and rounder and work well inside of units like the Helix or Axe-FX where you can apply more complicated processing to your signal with EQ’s and other effects.
EQ: The ‘EQ’ options have further equalization refinements applied to them. These sound a bit brighter and more refined – think of them as more ‘mix ready’. We find the ‘EQ’ versions sound better in units like the Stymon Iridium and Walrus ACS1
INCLUDED DOWNLOADS
The IR’s are available in WAV format in three different sample rates: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, and 96 kHz (all at 24 bit). This ensures these IR’s are compatible with a wide variety of hardware and software options.
Jim Harradine (verified owner) –
I purchased 76 MARS 1960A IR Cab pack and loaded into my Boss IR200. I primarily play tube amps and purchased the Boss IR 200 simply to try out modelling and IR’s a while back. I used the pedal on and off before buying the MARS Cab Pack but didn’t really dive into the programming required to set it up to sound good through my PA. So after reading up on the requirements to eq digital guitar signals to sound good through a full range PA and learning how to program the pedal’s powerful onboard EQs, I now have sounds that I was looking for and am quite pleased with. I have since gone back and tried the pedals built in IR’s which include Boss and Celestion IR’s. I prefer the MARS CAB Pack particularly with the 121/57 mic’s and the EQ’d version. Note, I didn’t go back and re EQ the built in IR’s which may have allowed me to get closer to the MARS but why bother as I found the sound I was looking for for with the MARS. Note, I play older rock such as AC/DC with a Les Paul.