TEST: Two Notes Revolt Guitar Preamp

The desire to push one's personal sound more and more in the direction of miniaturization and thus to realize a sound as grown-up as possible with minimal means is the big topic of the last years. Even if the official all-tube heads still represent the measure of all things in terms of dynamics and compression, only a few musicians are still willing to take on the extra effort in transportability and only a few artists are able to pay a corresponding crew for such work with their live earnings. The French manufacturer Two Notes, known from the field of loudspeaker emulation, is therefore also preparing to launch a comparatively puristic preamp solution in the form of the Two Notes ReVolt Guitar Preamp, so that a maximum of high-quality sounds can be achieved with small dimensions. 

The concept of the Two Notes ReVolt Guitar Preamp 

The Two Notes ReVolt Guitar Preamp is an analog, three-channel preamp, which has 6 different sounds due to an additional boost circuit, which is activated by pressing the respective channel switch twice. Each of the three channels has its own gain / volume section, with the Clean channel having a two-band tone control, while the Crunch and Lead channels share a common three-band tone control. As always, Two Notes is not allowed to name the models of the three channels for trademark reasons, but judging by the pictograms we have once again the popular combination of Fender for Clean, Plexi for Crunch and Soldano for High Gain at the start. The preamp can be used in live as well as in home studio mode, since you can also go directly into the DAW via a balanced XLR out along with switchable speaker simulation. Sonically, the Two Notes ReVolt Guitar Preamp gets its gain from a 12AX7 tube, which is driven to 200 volts. For better signal management, the Two Notes ReVolt Guitar Preamp has MIDI In / Out, which, however, due to space constraints, have only been implemented in mini-jack. unfortunately, the product only comes with a corresponding adapter, i.e. for a fully comprehensive management, it requires the purchase of an additional adapter. 

To operate the Two Notes ReVolt Guitar Preamp, an external 12V / 600 mA is required, which is included with the preamp. The preamp, manufactured in China, was placed in a very sturdy case, which is a mix of plastic and aluminum. The built-in preamp tube was placed under a transparent plastic window and is thus well protected from external influences. The activation of the boost circuit is visually signaled by an additional activation of a red light inside the tube window. The preamp stands on four soft rubber feet, which even on a glass plate still provide good protection against accidental slipping. To make the Two Notes ReVolt Guitar Preamp audible, there are no less than five different methods, each of which is a useful application in its own right. 

1) Direct Recording to DAW: Using the built-in speaker simulation, you can play directly into the DAW via an appropriate interface. You can also deactivate the simulation via a mini-switch on the front of the cabinet if you prefer a different simulation. 

2) Live via a DI box: The XLR output plus the speaker simulation is also used for this. However, you can only hear yourself via appropriate monitoring using wedges or in-ear systems. A switchable ground lift eliminates any ground loops. 

3) As a preamp before or in the FX loop of the amp: You can switch the Two Notes ReVolt Guitar Preamp either before the clean channel of the amp or for greater neutrality in the return of the FX loop. Here, however, it is essential to make sure that the output level of the preamp and the input sensitivity of the amp match. The preamp also has an internal FX loop to place modulation or room effects at the right loop-in point. 

4) As a headphone amplifier: You can practice silently via a mini-jack output on the front of the case. Conveniently, there is an AUX In, also in mini jack for feeding the playback directly next to it. 

5) Using the 4 Cable method: A detailed description of this method follows this paragraph. 

What is the 4 Cable Wiring? The 4 Cable Wiring is an extended wiring method, if you have a full preamp and an amp each with a serial FX loop available. In contrast to the "simple" wiring of a preamp, the switching before the preamp of the amp or the pure use of the output stage of the amp, with the 4 Cable Wiring method you can use one or more sounds set at the amp in addition to the 6 sounds of the Two Notes ReVolt Guitar Preamp. Especially when used in a MIDI context, as long as the amp and possibly external effects also have a MIDI interface, the sun rises here in terms of sound variety. To make the most of the system, the Two Notes ReVolt Guitar Preamp has a separate activation of the circuit, also to be operated via a mini-switch on the front of the housing. 

 To implement the 4 Cable Wiring, connect the instrument cable (or an appropriate transmitter) to the external preamp, then go via Out of the preamp to the return of the amp, further from the send of the amp to the return of the preamp and finally from the send of the preamp to the input of the amp. If you now deactivate the preamp and switch it to bypass, the amp can be played normally, but if you activate the preamp, only the amp's output stage is used. Provided you get the input and output levels perfectly balanced, you can add several channels of preamp to your amp at once. In other words, the preamp of the amp itself behaves like an FX pedal that you can turn on and off at will. 

The Two Notes ReVolt Guitar Preamp in practice 

To start with, I intentionally recorded all sound files with the internal speaker simulation only, as I believe this signal flow will be the primary application of the Two Notes ReVolt Guitar Preamp. While some users will certainly use a separate speaker simulator to improve the overall sound, just as some friends of the 4 cable method will be happy to have 6 additional channels, in the general "smaller, lighter, simpler" trend the pedal will definitely find its main application in the stand alone variant. First of all, it is noticeable that the preamp produces very little ambient noise, which can also be well controlled with the volume control of the guitar during breaks in the game. This is an even more important point, since the Two Notes ReVolt Guitar Preamp does not have a noise gate. Clean, the preamp convinces all along the line. The tuning is tasteful, the attempt to emulate a Fender clean channel succeeds over long distances. With increasing distortion, however, the Two Notes ReVolt Guitar Preamp's speaker simulation unfortunately also reveals the problem of the signal's lack of dynamics and the sometimes "dull" treble reproduction due to the lack of resolution. Like almost all speaker simulations that I have come across so far, this one is unfortunately only a simulation of what a regular miked speaker is capable of. There will certainly be many users who will use the argument of "doesn't stand out in the overall sound anyway" against the very good workmanship and the successful transportability, but in the A/B comparison, the microphone clearly comes out on top. The whole thing is confirmed, by the way, if you connect the Two Notes ReVolt Guitar Preamp to a high-quality all-tube head using the 4 cable method. In this case, the signal sounds much tastier, better in dynamics, and generally much higher quality. My personal recommendation would therefore be to use a very good single channel head, for example a 2203 or 2204 Marshall, whose basic sound you definitely want to use, and then blow it up to a seven channel using the Two Notes ReVolt Guitar Preamp. Warning, don't forget, some vintage marshalls don't have an FX loop! 

Conclusion 

With the Two Notes ReVolt Guitar Preamp, the French company has a very flexible tool in its portfolio, whose field of application is widely spread and very flexible. Even though the built-in speaker simulation doesn't quite convince me, the preamp in 4 cable wiring delivers a convincing performance, which especially turns a single channel into a multi-channel multifunctional tool. Highly recommended! 

Additional informations: 

- Two Notes Audio Engineering is a French company that specializes in designing and manufacturing high-quality hardware and software solutions for guitar and bass amplifiers. The company was founded in 2008 by Guillaume Pille and Rémy Nhep, two guitarists who were looking for a way to capture the sound of their favorite amps without the need for a large collection of physical equipment. One of Two Notes' most popular products is the Torpedo line of speaker simulators, which allow guitarists to plug their amplifiers directly into recording equipment or PA systems without the need for a physical speaker cabinet. The Torpedo line includes a variety of models, including the Torpedo Live, which is designed for live performance and includes a range of built-in effects, and the Torpedo Studio, which is designed for recording and includes a range of high-end features for capturing the perfect sound. In addition to the Torpedo line, Two Notes also offers a range of other products for guitar and bass players, including preamps, attenuators, and a range of software plugins for digital audio workstations. The company is known for its commitment to quality and innovation, and has won numerous awards for its products, including the Guitar World Platinum Award for the Torpedo Studio. Two Notes is also known for its dedication to customer support, with a team of experts available to assist customers with any questions or issues they may encounter with their products. The company also maintains an active online community, with forums and social media channels where guitarists can connect with each other and share tips and tricks for getting the most out of their Two Notes gear. Overall, Two Notes is a highly respected and innovative company in the guitar and bass amplifier space, with a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction that has helped it build a loyal following of musicians around the world. - Preamp pedals are a type of guitar effect pedal that simulates the sound of a tube preamplifier, typically found in high-end guitar amplifiers. These pedals are designed to provide guitarists with a versatile range of tonal options, allowing them to shape their sound to fit the specific needs of any musical situation. Preamp pedals are especially popular among players who prefer to use a clean or slightly overdriven tone, as they allow for greater control and flexibility over the sound of their guitar. One popular type of preamp pedal is the preamp floor effect pedal, which is designed to be used in conjunction with other effects pedals, such as overdrive, distortion, and modulation pedals. These pedals typically offer a range of tone-shaping options, such as EQ controls, gain settings, and various voicing options. They may also feature built-in effects like delay and reverb. One of the advantages of using a preamp floor effect pedal is that it allows guitarists to shape the tone of their guitar before it enters the signal chain of other effects pedals. This can be especially useful for players who use a lot of distortion or other high-gain effects, as it can help to prevent their tone from becoming muddy or overly saturated. Preamp floor effect pedals are also useful for players who need to switch between different guitar tones quickly and easily, as they allow for instant changes to the tone of the guitar without the need to adjust amp settings or swap out different pedals. This can be especially useful for live performance situations, where the ability to switch between different tones quickly and easily can be the difference between a great performance and a mediocre one. Overall, preamp floor effect pedals are an essential tool for guitarists who value versatility and control over their tone. They offer a range of tonal options that can be tailored to fit the specific needs of any musical situation, and are an essential part of any serious guitarist's rig. 

- Preamp tubes, also known as preamp valves, are a type of vacuum tube used in guitar and bass amplifiers to amplify the guitar signal before it is sent to the power amp section of the amplifier. These tubes are an essential part of the amplifier's signal chain, as they are responsible for shaping the overall tone and character of the sound. Preamp tubes are typically found in the preamp section of the amplifier, which is where the guitar signal is first amplified and processed before being sent to the power amp section. These tubes are responsible for amplifying the signal to a level that is suitable for the power amp section, and they also shape the overall tone of the guitar by adding warmth, harmonics, and distortion. There are several different types of preamp tubes available, each with its own unique characteristics and tonal qualities. Some of the most common types of preamp tubes include the 12AX7, 12AU7, and 12AT7 tubes. The 12AX7 tube is one of the most popular preamp tubes, known for its high gain and ability to add warmth and distortion to the guitar signal. The 12AU7 tube, on the other hand, is known for its lower gain and cleaner tone, making it a popular choice for jazz and clean playing styles. One of the advantages of using preamp tubes in a guitar amplifier is their ability to add warmth and natural harmonics to the guitar sound. Unlike solid-state preamp circuits, which can sound sterile and lifeless, preamp tubes have a natural compression and saturation that adds depth and complexity to the guitar sound. However, preamp tubes do require regular maintenance and replacement, as they are subject to wear and tear over time. It is important to regularly check and replace preamp tubes when necessary to ensure the amplifier is operating at peak performance and producing the best possible sound. Overall, preamp tubes are an essential part of any guitar or bass amplifier, and are responsible for shaping the overall tone and character of the sound. They offer a natural warmth and complexity that cannot be achieved with solid-state circuits, and are an essential component for guitarists looking to achieve a professional-quality sound.