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Modified Bluesbreaker-2 for TONEX
Rackspace Template for Gig Performer
Interactive Courses on Synth Programming and Drawbar Organs
Modified Bluesbreaker-2 for TONEX
Marshall Bluesbreaker-2 is an overdrive/boost stompbox released in 2001. Unlike it’s highly sought-after sibling, it never became very popular and can now be acquired in the second hand market for very low prices (I paid 20 euros for mine).
In 2021, MSM Workshop released a modification kit called “Ballbreaker mod”, which promises to give the BB-2 pedal “higher output, better low to mid gain -tone, fuller tone, fuller bass and better definition for notes”.
So I modified my pedal, and was very pleased with the end result. The modified pedal can produce some very pleasant low-gain “edge of breakup” tones with lower drive settings, and anything above 10 o’clock setting will give a nice thick crunch tone without losing definition. Not bad for a 40-euro investment! For comparison: Marshall Bluesbreaker reissue costs 159 euros (4.10.2024, thomann price), and original 90’s pedals can cost anything between 300–500 euros. Even though an unmodified BB-2 can make very, very similar sounds.
I decided to check how accurately the IK Multimedia Tonex Modeler could capture my favorite settings from the pedal, since I couldn’t find any existing models of this particular box from tone.net. I used my Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 2nd generation audio interface and captured four different drive settings with both max and mid “tone”-settings. When comparing the model side-by-side with the original, the end result felt very convincing and I could’ve been easily fooled in a blindfold test.
I uploaded the end results to tone.net and they are freely available for anyone interested. Even users of the free Tonex CS can try out and download these models. They are easy to find within the Tonex app, just search for “Ballbreaker”.
Happy playing!
Rackspace Template for Gig Performer
The exact template Mikko uses when utilizing Gig Performer as a plugin host. On every Jupu Group and Overhead performance, at least half of the keyboard sounds are made with plugins, which run as VST3 inside Gig Performer. This template functions as a quick starting point when building a new setup for new songs or projects. No instrument plugins are included, only some pre-routed EQ ja basic effects which are frequently used.
One plugin is used inside this template file: Melda MEqualizer. If you don’t have that exact EQ plugin installed, feel free to replace the EQ blocks with your favorite EQ plugin. Or just leave it out if you don’t need it! By default I use it for High-Pass filtering my sounds when needed.
I’m also using the free open-stage-control for controlling this rackspace template from a tablet. It requires learning a bit about the OSC-protocol, but once you figure out the basic connection procedure, the OSC-handles are already included inside the rackspace.
Download the Open-Stage-Control template
Interactive Courses on Synth Programming and Drawbar Organs
Mikko has developed and released two interactive entry-level courses:
“7 classic synthesizer sounds and how to program them” and “Crash course to Drawbar Organs” explain step by step and with very practical examples how different parts in classic synthesizers and drawbar organs (Hammond B3, C3, “clonewheels” etc.) work. The courses were designed for beginners but can also be very helpful for intermediate and professional keyboardists.
The courses were built inside Gig Performer, a popular audio plugin-host software designed for live-performance. TAL Noisemaker, a free synth plugin, is used on the synth course. Hanon B70 plugin by LostIn70s is used for the organ sounds, Overloud TH-U amp simulator for Jon Lord -type rock organ sounds. B70 and TH-U are included in Gig Performer as free additions.
Gig Performer is a commercial software, but a free 14 day trial version is also available. The .gig-files including both courses can be downloaded from the community posts where they are introduced: synth course and organ course.
