Blue Mesa (22.11.99)
How to adjust the TF with the CM in front
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In your ncase where you want to put the compressor first, try the following.
You and I run similar rigs except I use two combo amps and run extention
amps off them for the bigger shows.
Plug your guitar straight into you amp with nothing in the loop. Adjust you
volume as close to stage volume as you can within reason.  If you're going
to use the TF to generate your onerdrive,  Get your tone worked out so that
its clean. I'll walk you through the clean sounds first. Now plug  the TF
into the front of your amp  and use a left or right out of the TF going to
the amps front input. Edit a patch so you have CM only. Still nothing in the
loop.  adjust the compressor to what you like and then match the volume of
the guitar/TF to the volume of your amp without ther TF. You'll have to
unplug and swith back and fourth from straight guitar/amp to Guitar/TF/amp
but this step is very important in optimizing input gain.  Now you have the
clean compressed tone you want. Further edit the patch adding FX to the
chain.  now Change the TF out from the left or right you're using, to the
loop out and take that to the front of the amp. Now here we go again
adjusting volume, This time the volume must match the volume you achieved
before adding the loop. Unfortunately, My rig is onstage and I don't have
access to it at the moment.  I hope I can get you close. UsIf memory serves
me right, Edit the FX and turn up the direct  level all the way and the send
level till you get the right volume. I think you also have to turn the
summer on, but experiment with it till it works right.  Now hopefully you've
achieved the desired results and it's sounding great. Now from your effects
send of the amp, go to the effects return of the TF, and wire the TF's left
or right out to the amps Effecte return.  Guess what?  Yes, Volume
adjustments again.  Edit the FX and turn the "return" up til you get the
right volume. Now assuming all is well and you're getting what you want,
STORE THAT PATCH!!!!  It's worth gold at this point because of the time it
took to get it. Right? Now, copy the patch to another location and add what
you want. Lets go with a distortion or overdrive after the compressor, But
before the loop.  Tip: I use compression, distortion, TB, and overdrive in
front of the amp, And all mod's and delays in the loop. Also, I've said this
many times and I absolutly live by the following rule.
If I were only allowed one guitar effect for the rest of my life, Take them
all away but my compressor!!  For 20 years a compressor has been in my chain
no matter what rig I ran.  It'll make your drives and distortions as well as
you TB, multi dimentional.  Just ask Fellow TF lister Greg Scot about what
it's done for him. Try it. Anyway, You can experiment with the gate but mine
works well right after the loop. It gates the TF's noise, and the amps noise
when placed there.  If you need further assistance, feel fre to use this
forum or contact me personally. Meanwhile I'll try to rmember to check my
settings after tonight show and inform you of any changes that need to be
made.  Also Nelson,  I'm not currently using any Boogie stuff although I
never met a Mesa Product I didn't like. I'm with Carvin Gear, Using Their
vintage tube stuff and It Rocks!!  Good luck and happy tone.