Hi all!  I hope you enjoy these presets!  This preset pack includes a cabinet IR and two presets of my favorite amps.  A disclaimer: these tone match presets must be used with the matching IR that I made, otherwise they most likely won't sound right.  When dialing in these patches, I used my Suhr T with mahogany body and neck and maple top, loaded with SSV humbuckers (PAF output).

The impulse response (IR) is of one of my favorite studio cabs, a Divided By 13 2x12" loaded cabinet with nice old worn-in Celestion G12M Greenbacks.  The cabined was mic'ed with an SM57 and an SEVR1, about 1-1/2 inches from the grillecloth and at the "cap edge".  This is my go-to mic positioning, and I usually blend the VR1 in just a bit - so you are primarily hearing the 57, with the VR1 just mixed in a bit for warmth and smoothness.  The mics are running into API preamps and an API A/D converter, and then into Logic.  In Logic I apply a low-end rolloff on the ribbon mic at about 80HZ, with a 2.5db cut at 190hz as well just to clean things up a bit.  I also used the Slate Digital VCC Virtual Console Collection plug-in on the mic channels, to add a bit of "virtual analog console" sound.  Then I bus both mics together through a Waves CLA-76, set with the compression off: I just like what the sound of the plug-in does to the overall guitar sound- it's very subtle, but cool.  So this is truly a unique, custom IR!  I spent some time dialing it in, getting the mics positioned just right so the sound is clear but not ice-picky, and so there's just the right balance of proximity effect without being wooly.

Both presets are what I think of as mid-to-high gain Marshall-flavored tones.  Roll down the guitar volume to get them to clean up, and hit a gain pedal in front to boost for solos!  I purposefully left these patches bone dry: no effects of any kind.  Add effects as you see fit!

The first preset is a tone match of my Suhr SL68.  It's an awesome amp, basically a straight-up 68 Plexi Marshall circuit.  I didn't have it running "flat out", but had it dialed in for a good amount of grind (see the photo for the control settings).  I feel like the preset is uncannily realistic.  Try palm-muting, and listen to the thump, and feel the organic, woody plexi thing that is the stuff of legend.  Enjoy!

The second preset is a tone match of a Friedman BE100,  a great modern hi-gain affair that is essentially Dave Friedman's take on a modded Plexi-type circuit.  It has less bass in the preamp than the SL68 (or old Plexi), and more depth, so it has a different voice.  It feels a bit more "modern" and aggressive.  Once again, hit it with a Drive block (I like the BB pre...) if you want a lead boost!

I hope y'all dig the presets and the IR, if you like what you hear, please check out my solo album "Guitar Nerd", available on iTunes and at CDbaby.com.  Thanks, and now go make some rock!

Pete Thorn