What's Petrucci playing through on "Suspended Animation"?

Drew · 10-21-2008, 04:15 PM

I was listening on the drive to work again today, and really, he's got some GREAT tone on that album.

The rhythm sound I'm actually pretty close to - it's basically your typical prog-metal Recto sound. Lead, though, I can't quite get. It's a little more middy and "warm" than is really the norm for a Recto, but the things are so fucking tweakable I don't know if that's because he's setting it a particular way, or because he's using somehting else.

My impression was that the whole thing was cut with a Road King, so is what I'm hearing the difference between the stock solid state rectification and "bold" setting on the Rectoverb vs. a Road King in Modern, set to tube rectification and "spongy?" Or is it an altogether different amp?

Petrucci sounds like himself no matter what Mesa he's plugged into, so it's tough to say, but I guess it also shouldn't matter, should it, if he can do it...?

Chris · 10-21-2008, 05:16 PM

I think it's a Mark II/IV.

Drew · 10-21-2008, 05:28 PM

John Petrucci: Information from Answers.com

Hmm. They sort of agree, attributing the recording to a Series 1 Road King and a Mark IIC+.

Drew · 10-21-2008, 05:32 PM

MusicPlayers.com: Features > Guitars > An Evening With Dream Theater’s John Petrucci

Whoah, awesome interview about gear settings.

noodles · 10-21-2008, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew

My impression was that the whole thing was cut with a Road King, so is what I'm hearing the difference between the stock solid state rectification and "bold" setting on the Rectoverb vs. a Road King in Modern, set to tube rectification and "spongy?" Or is it an altogether different amp?

Having owned a Road King, I can vouch for the bewildering array of tones that you can squeeze out of one. Some of the most interesting are the 2x6L6+2/EL-34 blend, which comes off sounding like a Simulclass Mark IV with a Recto preamp. It is a completely unexpected sound, just different enough to make you scratch your head. IIRC Matt Crooks uses it frequently.

I'd be interested in knowing what tubes he is playing around with. In my experience, the 5U4G will give you some of that warmth and sag, but it drops the bias low enough to make the amp fall flat. I am completely unimpressed with those tubes in Rectos. On the other hand, the GZ34 from JJ runs hotter, so you can get that warm sag, but keep the sizzle up top. Maybe Petrucci is doing something like this.

Drew · 10-21-2008, 06:01 PM

I need to suck it up and spring for a Recto with selectable rectification and the bold/spongy switch, don't I?

Sigh...

noodles · 10-21-2008, 06:09 PM

You don't really need the ability to control the rectifier by channel, but yes, you really do want to play with recto tubes. It is unfortunate that the Singles don't have one recto slot, since lower wattage amps sag more.

Drew · 10-21-2008, 06:46 PM

Tell me about it.

Pete · 10-21-2008, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew

MusicPlayers.com: Features > Guitars > An Evening With Dream Theater’s John Petrucci

Whoah, awesome interview about gear settings.

That is a good interview.

Thanks.

"That album [Awake] was a combination of the Mark IIC+ and the Dual Rectifiers. It’s the only album where I actually did quadruple tracking. So, when I recorded, if it was a rhythm part or figure, I played two tracks, left and right, of the IIC+, and two tracks, left and right, of the Dual Rectifier"

I never knew this.... Good stuff.

James · 10-21-2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noodles

Some of the most interesting are the 2x6L6+2/EL-34 blend

I've not messed with a Road King, but I did play a Brunetti Pirata 141 Valvemix which does the same kinda thing. The coolest bit about it is you have a blend control to go from all EL34 to all 6L6 or anything in between. It has some really great sounds, but it's voiced for rock not metal. Of course, if you threw a tubescreamer in front of it that could all change...