Randall Diavlo 100 Review & Demo! (CHUG Monster??!!)

[@SonicDriveStudio]

What do you guys think of this amp?? Let me know!

[@kinglord5163]

My friend uses one and it's definitely a good amp and has it's perkz, good solid usable metal tones in my opinion. Can you please deeply review the Blackstar Ht metal 100 if you can get your hands on one?

[@t_separator]

I played it with a Seymour Duncan 805 in front + boost on. This sounded killer

[@ctld5266]

NICE ! LOL

[@cornfilledscreamer614]

Doesn't sound too bad, but I'm still going to go with the Invective that you sold me on. :)

[@spooky3120]

Sounds like a fart machine.

[@giominor88]

You should make a video on how exactly you approach mixing and mastering for these demos since you always have good sound imho.

[@flprmn9448]

Yesssssss please

[@mjbdough7920]

IR’s

[@andrewmvenegas]

Maybe he should just use only the head so we actually know how it sounds?

[@mjlagerwerf]

HA!! FIRST!!! It was very nice meeting you and seeing the wall of amps in real life! You really managed to capture the character of this amp. Just as I remembered it from the time I played it live through a cabinet. Very good review! Now if you will excuse me, I'm off jamming through your ex-Ironball ;-D

[@damico529]

The diavlos were an already existing amp line before Mike Fortin got involved with Randall, but Mike did mod the original diavlo design into what it is now. I pre-ordered the 45 watt head back in 2013 and its been my main amp since. Love the thing.

[@ivanbailon7161]

I love this mine. It's a awesome Amp.

[@natethompson1257]

Sounds great! Glad to hear that Randall still makes kickass metal amps for all budgets and playing styles.

[@ivanbailon7161]

I recently got a 45h and it is a beast! And the best, for home, very usable. Great demo. Good work🔝🤘🏻

[@ordohereticus3427]

One of Randall's best offerings, even without the excellent price point as a consideration factor. High gain, but with tightness and a rounded tone that also doesn't compromise on the mids, making for great low end (even at lower tunings -- apparent from the 7 and 9 string demonstrations), when it comes to cutting in a mix. This is actually a great high gain amp and with its distinct voicing and dryer gain, it can also pair well with other boost and distortion pedals.

[@thephoenixcycle8854]

Price isn't excellent now. New these things are going for $1800. Crazy high

[@SonicDriveStudio]

There's one for sale here for around 500 euros

[@ordohereticus3427]

@@thephoenixcycle8854 Is this official retail or opportunistic scalpers? Because the official retail for what people are getting with this amp was an excellent bargain. And if John’s find is still available, it’s a steal. The issue here is that there aren’t many of them around in stock now and that’s down to Randall being in a slump. Quite a shame because it is a damn fine amp.

[@lexvogelaar834]

Awesome! Great tones and great playing! I own the 45 watt version of this amp and love it. In my opinion this amp is highly underrated. For a high gain 6l6 amp, the presence is actually really nice and silky compared to most 6l6 amps I know. But, as Jon said, you have to turn the presence knob up quite a bit. I like to boost this amp with a treble booster instead of a regular overdrive. I then tame the presence overload with a celestion K100 loaded cab. Man... That sound has teeth! Thanx for another great video 👍

[@matthiaslerch307]

Man, those riffs are getting out of hand, incredible work and great sounding amp. keep it up🤘

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thank you!

[@AkiraSpectrum]

this sounds ridiculously good.

[@tubeaddicted485]

For me this was one of the best sounds you ever had. I prefer those more dynamic sounds that don't drown in that pre-gain fizziness.

[@timeshock1255]

Solid video, great tones. The Diavlos are great, also the smaller ones. Often overlooked though. Rock on, mate!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Cheers mate!

[@ricardobrasil20]

Nice amp, liked the clean channel… and the dirt sound was nice too… another great video, by the way.

[@dickieradd]

I have the 5 watt version. Randall has never let me down. A very unique dry brutal gain tone.

[@peterrovaniemi138]

Such an underrated amp. I had the 45w and the 20w, the 45 is perfect. If I ever run into one of those again I will probably snag it :) Great Video @Sonic Drive Studio as always!

[@ivanbailon7161]

Got a 45h on the second hand market, and I'm hooked on this Amp. I love it

[@peterrovaniemi138]

@@ivanbailon7161 It is really nice and "dry", I have to find one once again :) congrats on getting one

[@monstruonegro05]

Best quality guitar clips in YT, period!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thank you!

[@RobinErhage]

I have used a rd100 for about 8 years now and its great! Sure i have a prs mt15 and a dual rec but the randall has its own sound really, if you dial down the gain on channel one you have a great clean with alot of headroom

[@thomasmorey5512]

How would you compare it to the dual rectifier? I'm thinking about getting one of these soon for a very metal tone, but I didn't know if it would actually make the cut

[@AIBCustomFx]

I agree on the "not really high gain" part. I own this amp and it was rather underwhelming. However, I noticed that the presence control was quite uneffective on 80% of the rotation. I modified the presence circuit and all the harsh frequencies were gone, letting the gain and compression reveal themselves. All in all, it is a good high gain amp but suffers from an ineffective factory presence control that drown high mids in a low mid harshness soup.

[@thephoenixcycle8854]

What did you do to modify the presence circuit?

[@AIBCustomFx]

@@thephoenixcycle8854 The presence control is a passive low pass filter. I basically changed the values of the cap to ground and the pot. stock, the presence doesn't do anything from 0 to 80%, then damps the tone very quick. By changing the values, you make something very progressive and linear. Filtering more has been the way to go for me as it balances the overall tone and lets more upper mids through (more modern). Have in mind that filtering more reduces the output volume though. Also, if you're not acustomed to operate in a high voltage environment, don't try. It's very dangerous

[@mauricesanguinette8178]

Awesome review!! I own this amp and i love it, and it sounds great in a stereo setup with my Solid State Randall 1503!! Almost a year ago i got an 2-channel Rectifier and of course i love that one to, but because of this video i want to play trough the Randall again!

[@FEAROWNAGE]

Absolutely love crystal clear string attack.

[@shadoraeveon9312]

I usually dial my rd45 exactly like that except the treble equal to the presence. I have an attenuator as well, gives me extremely tight and brutal tones! With the right pedals this amp really can do just about anything if you fiddle with the knobs long enough. The 45w is a steal for some reason coming in at almost half the 20 watt head every time I checked.

[@shadoraeveon9312]

Boss sd-1/asymmetrical is also the preferred boost tone as well from my experience

[@DevelopFiles]

8:04 Rock n' roll! Yeeeeaaaahhh!

[@SashaGarcia]

Great sound! Any noticeable difference between using a loadbox and the xlr emulated out? Thanks!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I wouldn't know with this amp but IMHO a good reactive load will always sound better

[@kadestorm]

I can’t speak for Jon and his excellent work, however, I have used this amp extensively for a good while. Generally speaking, I microphone the cabinet, but have used the XLR on a few occasions. I’d say it’s okay; not bad but not great, either, especially given the emulated cabinet EQ and the presence. It’s serviceable, but there can be limitations. As such, if you really want to dial up the presence and capture the power amp aspect, a good reactive load box will be the better option. Alternatively, if you want to brighten up the amp via XLR, then any moderate EQ in the signal chain will help.

[@antonkarpov4262]

Super amp!

[@tetanusforbreakfast3500]

i had the 45w version. I was going back and forth between using a boost front of it or not, for death metal. Most of the time it was fine without any external help. In a band it did cut through and was articulate. The gain structure is not as "Hairy", Fuzzy" or "saturated" like other high-gain amps, however it did cut through the mix better, had better note separation and was more articulate... So... i loved it.

[@kuzWich]

This is the first actual tube amp I've tried, so I guess there's always some sentiment value kickin' in and biasing me anytime I see one)

[@maxb7561]

Hi, nice review man ! Would you recommend the 100W or the 45W ? There’s not so much a diffference in price , just on the tone perspective? Thank you in advance!!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Definitely the 100w as it has an extra channel, which happens to be the best channel on the amp

[@ivanbailon7161]

But the way... With an EQ in the Loop it turn out to be amazing. You can multiply its tones. I recommend it. 👌🏻

[@flooptydoo1178]

I have the 45 and run my MXR 15-band EQ through the fx loop. It turns heads.

[@ivanbailon7161]

Yeeeeees totally agree.🔝

[@SaberToothGary]

I love this head (the 100 watt)... then I blew up three of them on the same month long tour. (and always on a Friday, argh.) I dig the tone, and the volumes... it just couldn't take the day-in-day-out rigors of touring. Bummed me right out.

[@Turbo-D]

cool amp, even better sounding as the 667, not too impressed by the fortin designed stuff at all but the rd100 is a killer amp for sure

[@CraigCrider]

Man, all that clean tone needed was Myles Kennedy singing over the top, just lovely. I hereby request an Orange Crush Super 100 amp review!

[@gripphillips]

9 string for the win

[@Venemoth666]

Today i owned 45watt version, its awsome!

[@MatthiasBuesing]

Great amop, played it for a longer time when it came out! But Jon, do us a favour and let us hear the amp on its own...in a mix a OK but nothing beats the amp as raw it is meant to! \m/

[@SonicDriveStudio]

If an amp doesn't work in a mix, it's not really a good amp! Imho amps are there to make music and I like music with a band. Having said that, there are plenty of vids on the channel with isolated bits. Stay tuned for one with this amop! :)

[@hooliganstreet]

Some of the rock tones and riffs reminded me of Archetype era Fear Factory. Absolutely killer!

[@borhksalduero9259]

very nice amp!! quite versatile mean thing!!

[@eellox]

I have the 45, it’s a great amp. Is it a Powerball or Dual Rec? No, but I got it new for 500 bucks and really enjoy it.

[@nikolayew]

aaaaaand thats how we end up with high prices for used gear

[@briandeckard6566]

i love my RD100 it is a beast..i wont sell it...ever

[@terrywhitejr9574]

I have the mini, great for a bedroom amp.

[@chrisgettman]

Glad someone else is on the York train

[@pavlepopovic4996]

I need help with biasing this amp if anyone has changed tubes on it... don't tell me to get a tech i need info about from where to where should i bias it

[@wrede4447]

That's an incredible tone. If this is not the best high gain amp for you, which one is your favourite then? Also, how much EQ on the guitar tone did you apply when mixing?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

No eq on the guitars when mixing. Just a low cut at 80hz usually

[@Sound_Stable]

The mix on the metal(6 string) part was fantastic.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thank you!

[@LucasLeCompteMusic]

Sounds great for Dj0nt!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Yup! Djiddlydjiddlydj0nt!

[@rcknrbno9172]

Back to the roots baby....I remember it

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Jaman

[@brianembree]

I'm confused how the clean tone sounded so good. I have the 45 version and I love the dirt channel but the clean channel is so harsh it's almost unusable unless you're using the neck pickup on any guitar I've used with it. The only way I've got it to be somewhat ok on both channels is to crank the bass on the EQ and use a Fortin 33 set up to channel switch when boosting to cut the extra bass out of the dirt channel.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I don't know? I didn't do anything special tbh

[@user-sx6ht9iq5n]

wow, real metal sound!!!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Hell yeah

[@jetvanderkrogt679]

Killer!

[@jasoncrump1886]

Appreciate the vids brother. Have you tried out that Dirty Tree pedal yet? Just got me one and its brutal.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I haven't no... People seem to rave about it

[@nicopoppe4838]

When did you stop using own hammer? I stopped when I discovered the ML ones, I checked the York audio yesterday and they may be even better!

[@Grim_owl]

so, great demo of engl ironball se is coming...

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Maybe...

[@piratesofthefoodfungi5161]

Nice Jaws-Shirt Bro !

[@Venemoth666]

Randal rd45 please.. :)

[@KevenOGreen]

My God ! Nine strings 😅 I thought that was stopping at height !

[@ChasingJordanK]

Curious on why you're going through a York Audio phase. Are there plans to experiment with other brands

[@patriknessboLemoran]

Hey! I want to get the VH4-2 pedal. What is the best way to use it ? And is it worth the money? I am planing on running it with my boogie mark IV on the rythm/crunch channel (that channel has no gain)

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Great pedal! I thought it sounded best up front into a good even clean channel.

[@Dandrok]

I miss an Isolated track in this review, that's the only way to know how it truly sounds.

[@RobertMurphy-wm3ge]

See my comment above. I am with you 100 percent

[@ordohereticus3427]

Yeah, because when it’s clear and good solo, then you people complain about the mix, but if the amp works great in the mix, which is where the amp will have its greatest application, then you complain about no isolated nonsense.. until and unless you’re all looking to do some guitar track only high gain stunt, the mix is the best shot. But hey, he has another high gain shoot out video with the amp, and only the tracks. Muddy ain’t a feature. Get a grip.

[@danuwisnuwardhana4173]

Great amp from almost non-existence brand. Seriously what happened to them? Last time i heard news about Randall is when Ola promote Satan 50W, and then they gone dark

[@SonicDriveStudio]

No idea tbh

[@danuwisnuwardhana4173]

@@SonicDriveStudio have you tried Thrasher series?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

@@danuwisnuwardhana4173 I have not

[@Middlestepofficial]

It has similar sound to Engl, still different and lacks that boxy chug that the Engl has.

[@scootscoot97warlock90]

soubnds good, but like a bunch of recordings & just showing the amp. I was hoping a simple plug in & play kinda video. I already knew the amp sounds killer.

[@mathieugaron3428]

Why is mine super dark until treble and presence knobs are past 8 o clock :(

[@lalnuntluangachhakchhuak5767]

Please make a music that I could listen while driving.

[@Matt007Vr]

Hello, is there a différence of sound between the 45 and 100 versions ?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Hi! I don't think so but the 100 version has the additional gain 2 channel

[@Endsmouth1349]

JCM 800 isn’t a high gain amp now? lol

[@stephenchow5161]

i think mike fortin helped to design these.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Yup

[@jhonpasquez6145]

It's an ok amplifier that needs lots of tweaking and eq and a boost pedal to tighten those frequencies because it tends to get a bit muddy.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Hmm just crank the presence and it really isn't that muddy

[@ordohereticus3427]

Needs a lot of tweaking? Not really. Needs an EQ? Not really but can benefit from one, as do the wide majority of industry standard amps. Needs a boost? Laughable given the countless videos of this amp being dry and tight with its one gain and boost. Sure, a tube screamer can also bring its own benefits, just as it would to other high gain amps. Muddy? Lol. This?! Yeah. Let’s watch this video again.

[@lukebutton9634]

The only amp I want yet can't get my hands on. Doesn't exist down under.

[@JN-qj9gf]

Not sure about the 100 but I've seen an RD50 head, RD1 Combo and a Diavlo cab for sale recently (I'm looking out for one of the small heads). Annoyingly most OS models aren't compatible here because they don't have a switchable power supply.

[@lukebutton9634]

@@JN-qj9gf ah right. Yeah I would be interested in a RDH45 but never see them local to Australia. Ideally a Satan but they are like goldust

[@diezelvh4133]

Toss everything, buy a Diezel.

[@kingfisher7960]

is this Hsmmetts new amp?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

No

[@markolivares6943]

This amp is ok but not the greatest. Even with a boost the tone is thinned out so much.

[@FEAROWNAGE]

The playing is fantastic, but this amp is nothing spectacular in my opinion.

[@LightCyrus]

Meh, the FIreball's better than the Ironball anyway.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

The Fireball is awesome, love it too but the Ironball is killer too. Just differently voiced. The Ironball is a bit more tight by default.

[@RobertMurphy-wm3ge]

imo demoing an amp with all these IR plugins and then mixing it in stereo is just not real world scenario for people looking for a simple review. I have the RD20 and it sounds NOTHING at like this. It's fairly muddy actually and the EQ available is less than desirable. Overproduction of review videos need to stop

[@SonicDriveStudio]

The guitars are NOT mixed. Fwiw. This is exactly how my amp sounds

[@ordohereticus3427]

@@BloodTributary not even that. Many raw demos of the RD20 amp still show a similar tone and voicing to the RD100. Muddy isn’t something this family of amps is about, at all. Something’s clearly up with his particular amp, or his broader setup.

[@tedmich]

Just rhythm playing pretty much doubling the bass? Meh.

[@srh361]

Those Randall's are some of the cheapest made amps I've seen.