Sorry for posting so two topics on nearly the same subject.

I was wondering if it's any good? if it has any good distortions (for death and black metal), and basicly if it's worth buying for 1500 nok, around 230 US dollars.

Any help is highly appreciated.

its entirely digital so it kinda sucks tone...
i find all the distortion really weak... kinda faded back... its saturated and all... but its really thin and lifeless to my ears.
the effects are sweet, and the ability to program every facet of them, save them, and even create some new effects is really cool. The problem i find is that they sound really thin... i... just dont like it. That, and, i have no use for that many effects... i'm a simple man who only needs delay, chorus, tremolo, ring modulation, and an stereo octaver...

see if you can go to a store and try one out, you might like it more than i do.

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You call that simple?

The GT series are the standard in multi-FX pedals, but I really don't think there are any multiFX processors out there with good sounding amp models/distortion. They're going to sound very fake man, I've never been impressed with the sound coming out of a floorboard FX pedal as far as distortion goes.

That's a good price for it(230 bucks), just remember it's not going to give you incredible tones except in the effects department. A preamp/your amp will do that for you.

If what you need is good distortions and stuff then don't get it, invest in a preamp. Search ebay for something like a Digitech 2101(tube pre + rack multiFX, 200 ish), Rocktron GAP(awesome solidstate preamp, 100 bucks or so), or perhaps the Behringer V-Amp Pro(rack preamp + some effects, 170 bucks), because I've heard many samples and am very impressed with the tones coming out of it.

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Thanks, I don't know if a preamp is the right for me just yet (might get a stack of something if I get a summerjob or something though)

I dunno if I'd invest in a solid state one though.

Maybe look at the Boss GT-3 instead, its just an earlier model but with very similar features. I just picked one up for 70 pounds. Can't comment on the sound as it was wrongly sent to my Home address instead of Uni. If you can hold off until Tuesday or so I can give you another opinion. Again though I'm mainly using it to give me Chorus/Reverb/Delay all in a single stomp plus replace things like seperate EQ/Tuner/Noise Suppressor rather than Distortions. IMO there is no better distortion pedal than the Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff, damn that thing sounds sooo good, not digital or processed at all. So if you have to have Distortion in a stomp box, buy one of those and save yourself $130 in the process.

another friend of mine has the g3, its sad in the distortion department (as usual) but the effects are okay.


And yes soeru, i do consider that a simple setup. Gt-6's and especially 8's have effects in them that are insane. Violin emulation... "ethereal" (the only gt8 effect i like) and more envolope filters than you can imagine.... its rediculous how many random things they can do.

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5 effects is a lot man. I'll be damned if I use more than 2. My delay and MXR EVH Phaser are the only things I ever use, mostly the delay.

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I think I'll just buy it, and if I'm not satisfied enough to keep it till summer, I'll just sell it or something online or in a store here (the guy that runs it loves Boss and I would problaby earn a little as well). And then get a distortion (fuzz?) pedal or something.

Whatever suits your fancy, man.

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I'd say its a waste of money, unless you're 100% sure you want it, why spend so much?? Especially if you really want it for distortion, there are a lot better ways to get it and cheaper....

Yeah that's why I suggested those preamps, they'll give you 20x better distortion sounds guaranteed.

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+1

leave multi effects boards for effects, not disto...

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I want it for effects as well, and besides, if I get a summerjob (or something) I'll buy a preamp or stack

Ok like I promised I've now played through the GT-3. As a simple effects box to add live effects/ EQ for solo's etc it'll do it just great. However the distortion and overdrives are some of the worst I've ever heard. I'd highly recommend it as an accessory to your base tone and its intuitive to use but no way would I rely on it for my clean tones and/or distortion. Any high-end SS combo will sound better than this and if you pick wisely (Metal Muff...) most stand-alone distortion pedals will sound better too.

Well I've already told the guy that I'll buy it, but as I'd pick it up rather than have it shipped, I can change my mind (but I always feel guilty when I say and don't hold).

But if it really is that horrible I'd rather not have it.

Might I add, since multi seems to be shit, are the Pod series (Pod II and Pod XT) as shit? I've only tried a pod xt briefly because the store closed 2 minutes after and I didn't get to try out the distortions there very much.

I really don't like to be stuck with single distortions or something, because it gets boring after a while.

Well, firstly I haven't tried a POD myself but I've heard very good things about them, maybe check out harmony-central for reviews. I would have said the POD (unless you bought the floorPOD) is more of a multi-Preamp than FX pedal. Also regarding single stomp boxes as limited, providing that you get one with a full EQ + Gain you can get huge variances in sound. The Metal Muff is pretty much balls-to-the-wall gain, but the EQ section is very powerful! Much more than you'd get on an amp, so I could get very 80's thrash sounds all the way to pretty crazy modern 5150 type-sounds. Or if you want a incredibly tight but digi-fizzy sort of distortion the Boss HM-1/2/3 Heavy Metal pedals are very good and I'd say preferable to the Metal Zone. Again check out Harmony-Central for reviews.

The Pod II sound pretty bad, I've tried one. The PodXT can nail some great sounds for direct recording but allegedly the thing always sounds fizzy and fake to a certain extent, because it is after all digital, and will never sound like a real amp, but is a very useful recording tool. You do need a DI box of some sort to record direct with that thing though, and a decent soundcard/IO interface too. Also, the PodXT doesn't respond too well to EQ'ing so if you're planning to power it into a big amp for a band situation, you may very well have problems trying to get it cut through the mix.

There are many extremely good solidstate or tube pre's that will have a much much better sound in a similar or less price range. Sure they won't have 40 effects but you just want tone, not a load of useless crap right? Don't buy into the trend of getting shit that has a billion effects, because in most cases nearly all of them will suck, and you're only going to end up using 1 or 2.

Suggestions:
Modded ADA MP-1
Peavey Rockmaster
Engl 620(very cheap if you can find em) or E530.
Rocktron GAP.

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I'd say Peavey rockmaster. Price considered it kicks huge amounts of ass. Put out a "Wanted: PV Rockmaster" ad! When i did, i got three calls in 6 hours or something, and they all were in the 1200-1800 NOK price range (1500 for one in a good shape is a reasonable price here in Norway). Reason there's none of these for sale is that people think nobody wants it, and they go dirt cheap so they'd rather keep it i think.. Only played with it for 15 minutes, but the high-gain was very convincing. Don't use bright pickups with this one, it's not real meaty and thick like a 5150 (more like the XXX with a fizzier character). Dimarzio tone zone in the bridge would kick ass with this. Total kickass.

Rocktron GAP / Digitech 2101: Never turns up used in Norway, these were never popular up here.

ADA MP-1: Stock doesn't have the balls, gain and tightness needed for a tight death metal rhythm, and is far off brutal sounds. 80's preamp. MIDI capable. Good clean. A bit noisy, has a processed feeling to it that you might or might not like - a somewhat stompbox-like character, reminds me of a tubescreamer that's always on on the lead sounds..About 2500-3000 NOK used in good / mint condition, turns up often (buyers market).

Modded ADA MP-1: Turns up twice a year in Norway i think, very rare, sellers market. Very much like the engl 530 but with some of the same tendencies of processed tone as the stock version.

Engl 530 (i own this so this is overly biased, but this is the one I've spent the most time with): Sound remains you a lot of the basic character in the MP-1 but with tons more gain and balls, more aggressive and raw, super tightness and clarity, like a gourmet version of the modded MP-1. Hardly any noise. Very tweakable sound, two mid knobs (more like two treble knobs in practice but you can shape your sound in so many different ways it's not even funny). Contour changes this thing from a metal rhythm monster to a sweet solo machine. Clean channel is very convincing but it's not like a twangy country type sound, more like a round jazzy tone. Bright switch does just about nothing with the tone, makes you wonder what the hell they were thinking.. might be that my pickups aren't muddy though. Mid-gain (rock'n'roll) sounds with the crunch channel suck beyond all imagination, these are shittier than a Crate 15w solidstate combo. Lead Channel without high gain switch is pretty cool though, very stock MP-1 like (this would be the best bet for hardrock / 80's metal sounds). Notice: this one is a little brighter than what you'd expect from peavey, mesa and similar high-gainers, the high-mids isn't chopped so don't use overly bright pickups (alarm bells should ring with EMG81 or duncan distortion in a bright bodywood guitar) with this one unless you want a bright type of tone, though it's in no way thin sounding like the rockmaster can be, the distortion is more growling instead of fizzing (no swarm of bees here). Got mine for 3000 NOK in absolutely mint condition. Somewhat rare on the used market (they kick ass so no one wants to sell it), but these aren't too popular among buyers nowadays so it's mostly buyers market (rack setups are uncool nowadays).



... if you even want a preamp. Use effects sparingly. Reverb makes mud and delay just doesn't work for 16th note chug-chug rhythm.

Well I just send the gt-6 a message cancelling the gt-6. I realized myself that I do want great tones more than effects (but I'd like effects in the future because it's mainly fun and violinz guitars windir would sound so grim with violinz YO).

Can I run preamps through a regular amp though like pedals?

I'll problaby put up a wanted add at some site soon.
How is the distortion on the peavey? Is it like fucking black metal noise of hell spawn antichrists or hey hey hey rock and roll star sodom

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I search google for pics of it and I get two different ones.
http://www.warpdrivemusic.com/weekJS/034.jpg
http://www.inseasound.com/merch_fil...Rockmaster2.gif

Is it the first one I would get

Yes, you can use a preamp with any amp. It will work best if you plug your guitar into the pre, and the pre intdo the FX loop return of the amp/amp head instead of the regular guitar input. That way you bypass your amp's own preamp completely. If it doesn't have an FX loop just run the amp clean and keep the EQ on the amp flat and use the pre's EQ(or use the amp's EQ for more shaping).

One is the original rockmaster, the other is the 2nd version, no clue as to their differences. Jopop said it's a sort of shrill sounding preamp, so I'm sure it will do both Sodom and gr1m church burning black metal.

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The amp has Line out, Headphones, Foot switch, external speaker, guitar input and cd input (so I would problaby use the CD input)

So now basicly the only thing I would have to decide between would be if I should get the ENGL 620 or the rockmaster

Read some reviews at harmony central and the rockmaster seems like the wiser choice (as one posted that most others are just bullshit and hasn't actually been comparing it to others)

edit::

So the first one would be a 1984 model? Or is that the 1994? does it even matter?

The CD input would be the best - you'd be running it mostly just like a rack poweramp.

The rockmaster is a very good preamp - one thing to consider is that it has 87.6 FX loops or something which are all tube buffered so if you want to swap tubes (which you do) it'll be expensive..

Anyway as i said the rockmaster is a black metal type distortion, yes - Actually Varg Vikernes (of Burzum fame) used one of these if i recall correctly. Further, if you think the tone is too buzzy and not growly enough I would recommend a retube - there's only two tubes responsible for the "tone" and the others are for the FX loops so replacing those two tubes with JJ's (very fat and growly sound) would be a good idea. If it's still a little buzzy change pickups - a DiMarzio tone zone would be excellent (it would actually be fucking incredible) in this setup.

Just a few questions: What is your current amplifier? Any bands with tones you like? What model guitar(s) do you have and what pickups are in them?

I would get the Engl 620. In fact, I may actually end up trading my Fireball head for the same preamp. Tremendous balls, midrange and overall balanced organic brutal metal sounds. No fizz or hiss to be found.

Btw Jopop, the 620 has 1 tube for the FX loop, why would swapping it be expensive?

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The rockmaster has way more tubes - the 620 wouldn't be expensive to retube.

BTW, for engl gear, instrumente.ebay.de is your best bet

Well duh it's a German company. Actually I already have someone that I'm most likely doing the trade with, thx anyway. How many tubes does the Rockmaster have?

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Only has 4 lol, i thought it had like way more :P

Rofl yeah I couldn't imagine any pre having more than 4-5, even the tube-driven FX loop ones.

Plus preamp tubes are cheap and last ages, how would any pre tubing be expensive?

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Varg used pivee/pivey!!!1!!11!111

I'm not that satisfied with my current guitars they are;;;,
Jackson JSE30KV
BC Rich Bich platinum series

both cheap guitars but kind of ok with the original humbucker pickups.

I'd rather buy a new guitar and sell these (except maybe the jackson)

Uh, the Carvin Quad X has 9, one for each FX loop (the rockmaster has one for the master FX loop and one for the switchable ones).

BTW Virus, what you're trying to do here is cramming shit into a golden box - waste :P Sell the bich and buy some decent pickups for the JSE30KV if you really like it - else sell that too and get a decent guitar.. hehe.

I think it's a good guitar for the price, but I want something better (most is just too expensive though)
I was thinking ESP or maybe Epiphone (though it would have to be either a Explorer or a Les Paul Black Beauty (I'd prefer the Les Paul)

But of course, out of my price range (except if I can get a high enough price on both guitars so I can afford the Les Paul Black Beauty (racist name adds buy-a-bility!!!!1111)
Or just any good normal shaped guitar

Or maybe a Warrior

my amp is A SHITTY KUSTOM DFX35 30 WATT
thanks caps lock

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There's one ad for a rockmaster on musikkweb at 2000, should I post a wanted ad still to see if anyone could underbid that?

You could ask him what condition it's in - if it's mint try 1700 or 1800 or so, ask 1800 incl. shipping - not too bad. Jackson JS30 series aren't that shabby - would do good with a tone zone..

I had a JS30KE. It was my first electric, looking back it wasn't such a nice guitar but it did play very great. It's a shame that the neck joint wasn't tight and lacked some sustain. I had a Dimarzio X2N in it and it absolutely killed.

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I'm thinking of maybe getting a JS series Jackson myself as a second guitar. How does it sound with a pickup upgrade, really worth it?? Mainly worried about the playability and neck etc.

The only problem I've had with my Jackson is that the knobs loosened and fell off, but I just screwed them back on and have been easer to them and haven't had that problem since.
The neck is thin and I've never felt that it's loose so that might be a single problem or something because I haven't had a problem with it.

Can't comment on the pickups though. But overall it's a good series (or atleast mine is).

_

Haven't gotten an answer on the rockmaster's condition yet, but if I don't get an answer in some hours I'll just send the guy a sms.

I feel though as I should put up a wanted ad as I could get more offers then, but doesn't that shit cost money?

_

Also, I think I'll sell my bc rich. And I've been looking around for used guitar ads and there doesn't seem to be very many decent ones, most stratocasters.
Of course at an affordable price.
Found a cheap Epiphone Explorer though at 3000 nok but I don't know if it's on a bidding round or something.

Any recommendations for kind of cheap but good guitars? (around 4000 nok, 640 usd)

Btw the neck itself on the JS30's is awesome, although the neck is VERY flimsy/flexible so it will be very prone to warping over the years. The woods used in the guitar and the overall construction is very 2nd rate, especially for a 300$ guitar.

Bought 2nd hand for 200$ or a bit less and then getting a new pickup makes it more acceptable though.

For 640 USD? MAN! Get yourself the Jackson DK2M from Thomann.de . It kicks monstrous ass, maple fretboard, white finish, black inlays and binding, and REAL Seymour Duncan JB/Jazz pickups. It's like 450 euros or something. Definately not a cheap guitar! There's a handful of great Jackson guitars in that price range(640 USD).

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The fretboard on that one looks hilariously dumb (I just don't think it fits with black inlay lol), but that might just be temporary because these kind of things I seem to like maybe a day or even an hour later.
And it would also depend on if I can get a summerjob, or if my mom is going to ship me down to bulgaria so I can't get a summerjob, great! (but she would problaby buy me a guitar if I went there lol).

So I sent the guy that sells the rockmaster a sms and it even has a footswitch (!!), but one of the gain knobs is missing (but if it's just the knob it shouldn't be a that big problem I think).
So I'll problaby send a sms saying I'll give either 1700 nok, or 1800 nok. I'm not sure which though and I don't know how much shipping would cost either.

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So I told him I'll pay 1700+shipping costs (and if I use postoppkrav (cash-on-delivery) problaby those expenses as well).
He pretty much agrees on it

So it's 1700 plus most likely 120 in shipping and 60 in oppkrav expenses, so all in all 1880 nok

now I am left with around 700-800 nok, and about to sell my BC rich, any suggestions for what I should sell it for? I was thinking maybe 2000 nok as it'd be even less than the half price of it, or even 2500 incase some foolish wannabe thinks it's so cool they get one!! (it costs around 4000-4500 nok retail and I bought it half price but of course that's not something worth mentioning in my ad).

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So a friend of mine just told me that I wouldn't be able to run it through a cabinet without a poweramp, is this true? That would consume even more money, but of course, I'd buy a poweramp later along with some cheap Behringer cabinets (except if I find even cheaper used cabinets)

Let me tell you about a recent finding..

The 530 does excel at thin harsh types of high-gain - think the tr00 kVlt black metal squad - old Mayhem, Darkthrone, Venom, Emperor et cetera - And the newer kinds of chainsaw sounds, i.e. KranK and the like.. and it does a good Death (marshall jcm and valvestate).. although it is complete ass for anything with a bit of growl and low-mid body to it's tone.. I bought a Rocktron Piranha just now after playing it yesterday and i have to tell you it shits all over the 530 for the modern death metal type tones (5150, recto, soldano, you get the idea).. will elaborate later

Thats the main reason I sold my E530, didnt have enough balls in the low mid department.

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Well the rockmaster should arrive today or tomorrow (it's currently in a reloading terminal here in Ålesund so I'll just hope they send it out 5 pm today, and that the retards working in the store/mail office registers it before they close)
I have been wondering if it has a real good death metal tone, heavy palm muting and crushing harmonics? (harmonics might be my shitty stock pickups though, as I've decided I'm either getting Dimarzio x2n, or active emg pickups but I know nothing about pickup matching but I'd put the x2n as bridge pickup and then I don't know what more)

Yeah get yourself the X2N in the bridge and a PAF Pro in the neck or similar.

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Congratulations, you did a hell of a deal. The preamp is mostly the same as the peavey ultra, the predecessor the the Peavey XXX - which is renowed as a kick-ass amp. Death metal tone will be very good, harmonics will fly and palm mutes will kick you in the chest (esp. with a really good power amp).. But its not a very dark sounding amp, rather somewhere in the middle with a little fizzy bite in it. First thing you do now is to order four JJ ECC83 tubes to put in it. Best site to order tubes in Norway: http://demostenes.no - very good prices and excellent service. A little limited selection, but they do have JJ's, so you're good. Then, play the amp for a week, then decide if you think it kicks ass or if there's something you don't like that you can't quite dial out with an EQ (which would mean pickup change) - or if you don't like the tone chatacter altogether (sell it).

Wow, I thought tubes would cost more than 77 nok, is it the JJ ECC83s, or JJ ECC 82. Also, reading on harmony central, it seems to have 5 tubes though.
And is the better investement tubes or pickups?

Do get both, but tubes may have a bigger impact on the sound when you swap em.

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Tubes are by far the best investment to begin with - those tubes are very good and i know it will be a perfect match for the preamp, plus you don't know when they were last replaced, which is probably never, hehe.

You want the JJ ECC83S - The ECC82 is a lower gain version (The ECC83S has a gain of around 100-110, while the ECC82 lies around 80).

Yeah I asked if it still has original tubes, which it does. I'll problaby order some soon (most likely when I get it so I can check if there's 4 or 5 tubes), and then save up for better pickups (excluding the rockmaster, I've got 600-700 nok)

Just picked it up about an half hour ago, been trying it out and I feel it lacks that bass feel (problaby the tubes).
I'll replace the tubes and then cast my final judgement, though atm I really need to find my noise cancelers (because after playing for 10 minutes I get a ringing sound in my head)

Lacking bass (and possibly "bite" in the treble range) is a very common problem when preamp tubes wear out - all left is high mids, and it sounds crappy :P

I think it has 4 tubes in it currently, but they're lined up so it looks like there's room for 5.
It's like
U-U---U-U
I can't be bothered to open it yet though, but if it has space for 5 tubes should I get 4 or 5.

There should be four - the two closest to the input jack are the ones creating distortion and tone, and the two farther away are for FX loops.

BTW i sold my 530 for 2300,- yesterday, that hurt.. nobody else wanted it and driving school is breaking my balls so..

lol opened it, seems to be 4.
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/426/pict0344iw3.jpg

gonna replace them asap, problaby saturday or monday-thuesday depending on how long it will take before I get the new tubes

Tubes are just plug-out, plugin to replace right?

You did order four ECC83S, right?

Yes, preamp tubes are pull out push in. They only fit one way. They might be hard to pull out, hold against the tube sockets and pull out, if you don't hold against the base you might break the PCB. And, it's a bit old, so a good investment would be a can of electrical contact cleaner from Biltema, Clas Ohlson or similar - they are like 50 NOK. Spray every jack full of it and when you yank the tubes spray the tube socket connections (where you put the pin on the tubes in). Let dry for one hour (this is PLENTY, believe me) and put the tubes back in. Also, those capacitors (the cylindric grey parts with two wires on them and the black arrow, i see three in the pic) are probably worn out (or just about to break down), replacing them would mean much more tightness and attack, plus reduced hum. In addition, if the cathode bypass caps are polarized (99% sure they are, could be the black ones) the tone would improve by the thousands if you replaced them.That should be done like every ten years. And, btw, that's one HELL of a power transformer for just a preamp. Fucking huge.. the one in my Engl 530 was half that.. guess they don't make things like they used to.. (Big = good) hehe.

Anyway it should sound good with a tube change, the preamp section in the rockmaster, ultra 120 and XXX is almost exactly the same.. The RM is the most flexible, it's like an Ultra, 5150 and XXX in one box, but with a tad less gain. Else let me know and I'll hook you up with a mod..

Stock rockmaster: http://www.soundclick.com/util/down...&key=8E8C758C-2 plenty chug to my ears.. BTW, pushing the gain knob back in fattens it up a bit.. I remember when i tried one it NAILED the Death tone..

More..

http://www.soundclick.com/util/down...&key=BA505031-4

Rockmaster -> PODXT cab sim, direct recorded

Just placed in my order, says they will be sendt in 2-5 days.

Also, you'll problaby have to mark those things you were refering to as I'm kind of clueless lol.

Also, how do you mod it? (solder in something?)

How's the clips? Your one doesn't sound like that?

I'm just talking about three capactirots, you could wrap them over the ones already there, lol. One 47nF across the bass cap, one 22nF across the mid cap, one 470p across the treble cap. Price < 25 NOK, tone = godly.. hehe

Sounds kinda like that, not exactly but still.
Nailing the death tone, was that the clip or the actual tone of chuckz?

Also for the plugs was this what you were refering to http://www.biltema.no/products/prod...p?iItemId=93537 ?

edit-- I'll record a little clip

http://www.biltema.no/products/prod...3&iItemId=82842

And you think it sounds bad? =/

The preamp does the late Death tones very good IMO..

Play with the mid knob, it does so much to the tone.. Gain 8-9, Bottom on 10, Body on 3-4 or something (a little below middle), pull the gain (ultra mode) and mid knob (ultra-scoop), then adjust the Edge knob till it's good.. Plus, the tubes will do wonders.

No it doesn't sound bad
I played around with the mid alittle, and now something is seriously fucked up.'
When I turn the mid it kinds of gets all retarded now, also when I put it through the cd input it gets extremely loud sound as putting in something fucked up would sound (running it through guitar input though is easier as I can controll the volume on the amp and it kind of sounds better through the amp.

But now it's all fucked up, might be a tube or something, I don't know.

--

Opened it up, nothing visible but it kind of smells burned or something, if I take out the original tubes then find out it's not the tubes that are the problem for this explosion (or whatever) after changing them, I can put in the rockmaster ones right so I can pursue the guy that sold it to me to pay me back.

That's bad. BTW, it will be loud i guess, i didn't think about that - it doesn't have a volume control.. hm.. How does it sound? extreme feedback, super hum, all noise? (tubes bad).. And, use the 1 volt output. the three-volt would fry it.

There's alot of noise when I turn the mid up, and while playing it makes this kind of "blowing on the microphone" sound along with some digital noise

Tubes are worn out.
Did you get the contact cleaner stuff i linked to? Highly recommended.

I'll go buy some when the tubes arrive

Allright, but remember to spray the sockets before you put the new ones in.