Sequis Motherload Mk2 (long post)

[preben]

I have just returned from Jules' place where Jules and I have been conducting a 'guitar-d.i.-test-session' with the creator of the Motherload, Rick from Sequis.

Avid readers may remember that we did a similar test some time ago where the result was that neither Jules nor I were particularly impressed with the Motherload. This was mainly because we both found that it had far to much hiss and fizz going as soon as the amp that was used with it was pushed into overdrive/distortion. When compared directly to the old original Palmer PDI-03 we both preferred the Palmer by a long way, and personally I much preferred the sound of my iso-cab/SM-57 combination - even at lower volume.

At the time Rick told us he would try and make some changes to the filtering of the Motherload and then return with a 'refined' version. In all honesty I didn't think much of it, thinking that the Motherload was just another lost cause and that it would never work properly - people have raved about it but hearing it, it just didn't do much for me.

Well, much to my surprise the Motherload Mk2 IS radically different and first impressions using an Engl Savage and a Mexico Telecaster and Jules' '72 Les Paul Standard were very good indeed. This thing now sounds AND FEELS really rather like a miked up guitar cab..!! The nasty fizz seems to be gone and it hasn't 'closed' the amp down - the sound is still open and present, it's just not tinny and rattling in the top end.

In direct comparison with the Palmer PDI-03, which to me still is the one to beat when it comes to d.i. guitar sounds, the Motherload Mk2 sounds more real and is capable of loads more sonic scope using the controls on the front panel. It's got much more bottom than the Palmer, but the low end can easily be dialed out if you prefer a leaner bottom end (so to speak). The high end is more open than Palmer, but in a nice way which is more present rather than sizzling, and where the Palmer has got a very forgiving feel to it - a bit like playing through a guitar amp with loads of effects - the Motherload feels much more like playing a non-master volume amp: if you make a mistake you'll know about it. Just like you would with a speaker. So mush to my surprise I actually believe the Motherload Mk2 has surpassed the Palmer PDI-03 as a direct injection tool. Which took some doing..!!

As you can tell by my ramblings I am excited by the this piece of gear. Very excited. IF this thing works as well in a 'real' track as it seemed to indicate in today's test, it just might represent a solution to a problem I myself as a guitarist have been hoping somebody would solve for the past 7-8 years: how to get good guitar tones directly onto hard disk without using a speaker and a microphone (or even and iso-box).

I know the obvious way to go is to hire a bigger studio and do my guitars there but it is just not a practical solution for me. And believe me, I have had ALL the different pieces of gear that promised to solve this problem in the past... in fact the list is quite scary: Sansamp, JD10 Sessionmaster, JD20 Sessionmaster, Hughes & Kettner Cream Machine, Hughes & Kettner Crunch Master, Hughes & Kettner Red Box, Groove Tubes STPD Studio Preamp, Marshall SE-100, Palmer PDI-03, Pod, Pod XT, Johnson J-station, Behringer V-amp and on and on and on...

So yes, I am impressed and excited. In fact so much so that Jules and I struck a bit of a deal with Rick: He agreed to leave the Mk2 Motherload behind for us to try out properly and we then agreed to document our testing of it in a series of short demos using it in a full track. These will be posted as mp3's on Gearslutz when they're ready. We've both got schedules to keep but will attempt to get this done as quickly as possible.

Speaking for myself (and Jules as well, actually) and just to clarify: although I REALLY would love this thing to sound utterly fantastic I am in no way associated with Rick or Sequis. I am excited but that's as far as it goes. I am personally doing this primarily because it gives me a great chance to check out the Motherload Mk2 properly before buying it - I don't remember the price off hand but it ain't cheap and I have been down the road before thinking that something would 'do the trick' and then finding after a week or so that it didn't. Secondly I think it might be interesting particularly for fellow guitaring Slutz in similar predicaments to myself to hear the Motherload before buying as it is not exactly and item you're likely to be able to try out at your local Banjo-Mart prior to getting the plastic out.

So all in all: Sorry for rambling on and stay tuned for some clips...

[laser]

Excellent post, thank you.

I was looking into the Motherload for a low-volume stage set up, but the Slutz on this site gave me what I felt was the most unbiased and fair assessment (it also saved me considerable time and shipping costs when I decided to take a pass on it).

In light of the superlative reviews and testimonies on the Sequis website on the previous version, it was extremely helpful to get the straight scoop from fellow g-slutz.

Very much look forward to your follow up.

Laser

[Jules]

Briefly, months ago, as well as logging Peben & my disapointment regarding the fizz control on overdriven heavy gtr sounds, Rick also noticed that we were, frustrated somewhat by a lack of extremeness in the tone controls (twist? twist? twist?) Rick has addressed this in the revised model and there is now a LARGE range of tone shaping. AC30 "tubbyness' / & "fat Strat" low end etc are my words to describe some of the settings possible...

Vintage Palmer anyone?

[Jules]

We had Brit rock ax smith Ace from the multi platinum selling band SKUNK ANANSIE in last weekend.

He was producing a new band.

He is a Motherload owner already, and I think he liked the updated version (he used it for the whole session)

In house engineer Tom Stubbs was digging it too, he said it sounded amazingly like a speaker cabinet - right down to the low end 'chug' / sub frequencies...

We feel it goes a long distance past the discontinued Palmer unit and is a bold step forward for cab simulation..

It's been fun to be involved in the R&D and physically be twisting knobs on a unit we made suggestion for!

[Tim L]

Excellent reviews guys!

Are these updated units "on the street" yet?

[chrisgraff]

I'm also interested in this. Any word how much, and when the new version will be available?

[Jules]

They have been made like this for about 2 months now I think.

Fully in production, nothing 'special' to ask for.

I am asking Rick to figure out the serial numbers..

[motherloadusa]

Hello
I am the distributor for the Sequis Motherload in the USA. Thank you Preben and Jules for the time you have taken to review the Motherload and the input that you have contributed to the further development of the Motherload. I have been following your posts for some time and I know that your interest in the development of the Motherload is really appreciated, especially by Rick at Sequis.

Just wanted to post a response to Tim L and chrisgraff.

Yes, the updated units are available in the USA but for the time being, we have very limited quantities. Most have been already allocated to various publications for review purposes, but we do have a couple of them available.
They sell for $869.00 US dollars plus shipping.

If it is not in breech of any regualtions that govern the forum, I would be happy to answer any questions that I can regarding the Sequis line of products and the Motherload specifically.

Best regards,
R. Sansalone
Motherload USA

[Dangerous Dave]

Does anyone know if Rick is planning an upgrade path from the Mk 1 (I have one) to the Mk 2 or is the difference so significant it can't be done ??

Peace

DD

[preben]

Yes, you can upgrade from the Mk1 to the Mk2. Rick told us it he would do it for (if memory serves and I thnik it does) £25 for the single channel unit and £60 for the dual channel version plus postage and packaging.

The price difference between the single and dual channel versions is due to the dual channel being physically a little bit tougher to work on because you can't just take the lid off it and get to all the components he needs to - the top print has to come out as well.

I have started work on the demos here and I must say that my first impressions seem to be right. This is a very serious option for anyone recording guitar direct to disk.

Another thing I'd like to say is that if couldn't care less about d.i.-ing guitars (then you're probably not reading this but still) but you need an attenuator for your valve amp you really should check out the attenuator from the Motherload. Rick makes a seperate unit called 'The Richter' and it is BY FAR the best load I have ever tried - (in comparison to the Powerbrake and Hot Plate).

Sorry if this sounds like an add for Sequis but it really IS that good.

[Jules]

Is that the SAME power attenuator then at the back of the Motherload?

[preben]

The Motherload puts out less power on the speaker out than the Richter (not a problem unless you want to attenuate just a little bit) but Rick assures me that the load and the sound is the same.

Because the load attenuates 100%, i.e. loads the amp totally at any given time the sound doesn't change when you turn the attenuator output down - as far as the amp is concerned there is no difference. From that point onwards it's just a question how much you decide to tap out on 'the other side' of the load.

This is very different to the way the Hotplate or Powerbrake work, where the load that's presented to the amp is a combination of the load AND the speaker, and thus changes as you attenuate more or less.

As little as 2-3 nothes on my Powerbrake means quite a pronounced change in sound. This may be a good or a bad thing depending on the sound you want but personally I find it very hard to go beyond 4 steps down on the powerbrake before it gets thin, buzzing and 'papery'.

[Tim L]

Originally posted by preben
... As little as 2-3 nothes on my Powerbrake means quite a pronounced change in sound. This may be a good or a bad thing depending on the sound you want but personally I find it very hard to go beyond 4 steps down on the powerbrake before it gets thin, buzzing and 'papery'.

I found it very similar with the Hotplate I used to have. Anything beyond -8dB of attenuation was damn near unusable for my liking.

Originally posted by motherloadusa
Just wanted to post a response to Tim L...

Thanks very much for the response motherloadusa and welcome to the forum.

[chrisgraff]

Originally posted by motherloadusa

They sell for $869.00 US dollars plus shipping.

How much is the single channel version?

[Rick at Sequis]

there are pics of the motherload now on the new gear forum

[tuna]

I have keeping my eyes on the motherload for about a year, keep visiting their website but looks like its dead, never find anything new and any related information about it, I never know there's a single channel until reading this post


preben, did you try pod xt on the motherload? is it good? do you need to turn off cab sim when using pod xt with motherload?
I only have a marshall avt100 combo, pod xt & tonelab, so it's a big plus if these sims can creat good results with motherload.

thanks

[preben]

No, I didn't try out the Motherload with a pod xt (or any other of the digital emulators) as I don't have access to one.

[tuna]

oops, that's too bad...

but thanks for the reply anyway

[magnetic]

Rick/Preben/jules

i'm glad to hear about the mark II.

I had also run the gamut of cab simulation devices including the palmer devices such as the pga-04(?). I tried out a motherload mk I and was also disappointed with the fizziness on distorted gtr- I couldn't dial it out. If that issue has been addressed, I will happily try the MK 2.


How do I get a hold of a motherload mk2 to demo in Los Angeles? I'd be willing to buy one if I can try it for a week or two and return it if I don't dig it.

[Rick at Sequis]

to try a motherload in the US contact 'motherloadusa@yahoo.com' Rio will sort it out for you!

[tinpig]

What's the score on the MP3's of the Motherload Mk2?

Anyone else got hold the MK2 and how are you digging it for Direct recording?

Cheers,

TP

[preben]

The score is that I have been working my little Danish butt off to try and get these done whilst trying to keep my shop going. I am very sorry for the delay but TRUST me: The End is Nigh..!!

[tinpig]

Sounds good to me mate, I'll look foward to them whenever you get a chance.

Thanks,

TP

[Rick at Sequis]

Hi all, there are some of Prebens' demo mp3s on the Motherload website - really good too! look at http://www.motherload.co.uk/sounds.html

[nick kemp]

I heard about the Motherload in Sound on Sound and was initially suspicious, having tried all manner of DI and simulated devices for getting a decent guitar sound to hard disc without using a mic. To my absolute amazement this device works perfectly and now I can finally use all my tube amounts without having to blow away the neighbours!
Highly recommended and way better than the pod...