NUX MG-300MKII Tutorial
For your convenience, the following anchor points are set:
1. Basic operations and interface introduction
1. I/O interface
INPUT: Connect the guitar output 1/4" (6.35mm) lead to the input interface of the effector.
OUTPUT(STEREO): The 1/4" (6.35mm) output of MG-300MKII is stereo. You can use a TS mono lead or a TRS stereo lead to connect this output.
AUX IN: Connect an external 1/8" (3.5mm) lead to the player to play the accompaniment.
PHONES(TRRS): 1/8" (3.5mm) headphone output, supports TRRS headphones. (Can be used for live broadcast)
USB: USB-C port, supports computer-side "firmware update", computer-side editing software QuickTone™, USB Audio (recording interface), USB OTG.
DC 9V: 2.1mm external positive internal negative / 500mA or above transformer.
*Note: I will specifically talk about the use of PHONES (TRRS) with headphones and OTG to connect the phone for video recording. This is one of the great selling points of this machine!
*Note: The editor took a special photo of the MG-300MKII expression pedal switch. The MKII version has been changed to a physical Toe Switch. Compared to the previous version of the electronic switch, which often requires "expression pedal calibration", this version is relatively easy to use, and it has a "switching feeling" when you step on it!
*Note: Firmware update is a very common step when using a multi-effects pedal. Press and hold the lower and upper pedals of the MG-300MKII, connect the USB cable to the computer, turn on the machine and enter DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode. Use the DFU Updater software downloaded from the official website of the original manufacturer and the downloaded Firmware (.bin file) to perform the firmware update.
In addition, the manufacturer has created an MG-300MKII group on Facebook, where you can communicate, share sounds, give feedback on issues, etc.
If your MG-300MKII cannot connect to QuickTone™ under Windows operating system, please make sure that the QT editing software you downloaded and the firmware on the machine are the latest versions. If it still cannot connect, please make sure there are no other USB devices on the PC, such as USB Interface. If it still cannot connect, please download USB View to check the USB connection status.
2. Basic Operations
The manual has already described the operating logic in great detail, so I will just highlight some of the special points for explanation.
(1) In PRESET mode, turn Knob 1 / 2 to adjust the PHONES volume (Knob 1) and OUTPUT volume (Knob 2) in real time. This can quickly solve the need to temporarily adjust the output volume when you are playing live.
(2) MIC & USB under GLOBAL SETTING: Turn on LOOPBACK, and you can upload "Computer System Playback", "AUX IN", "MIC", "DRUM & LOOP", etc. via USB AUDIO (IN). This is very convenient for live broadcasting or recording short videos with microphones.
(3)FS under GLOBAL SETTING:
Let's first explain the concepts of PRESET and SCENE:
PRESET = A complete set of effect signal chains.
SCENE = A snapshot of a specific set of effect signal chains, including the switches of effect modules and the setting changes of parameters.
So SCENE can be imagined as the effect switches and timbre changes you will need to use in a song. For example, the verse S1, the chorus S2, and the interlude S3.
The advantage of doing this is that your naming is in one PRESET. Since the effect signal chain is fixed, there will be lower switching noise and delay when the effector switches the scene. Another secret is to select the same model to switch the delay when setting the scene, so as to achieve the function of "retaining the tail sound".
(4) In EDIT mode, change the module tone:
There are three modules that can change the tone: CMP-> EFX, EFX-> MOD, RVB-> DLY
CMP-> EFX, now you can have two OD/DIST to push more fierce distortion sound, or you can set one of the EFX to Boost to push overdrive.
EFX-> MOD, you can turn on the octave sound and match it with ROTARY to get a sound very similar to Organ.
RVB-> DLY, turn on two Delay effects to stack interesting Delay sounds.
2. Tone recognition and parameter adjustment
1-1. PRE EFX: CMP / EFX
Compressor 壓縮效果器
The main purpose of a compressor is to compress the signal to make it sound fuller and neater. There are two main parameters: "Sustain" and "Level". Sustain adjusts the degree of compression, and Level controls the signal size.
OD Overload/Dist Distortion
Common Pre-EFX include "Over Drive", "Distortion" and "Fuzz". The most commonly used effects for electric guitar sound are "overdrive" and "distortion". Let's quickly understand the principles of overdrive and distortion.
The above picture tells us that the concept of "Clean Tone" is that the guitar signal can be fully presented, and it will not hit the upper limit (threshold) of the speaker input, and it still maintains a considerable "headroom". Note: Headroom, as the name suggests, is how much "space" is left before the "head" hits the upper limit, so when we describe the speaker's headroom as large, it means that even if the input signal is amplified very loudly, it will not cause overload or distortion.
The above figure is quite intuitive. When the signal is amplified, it reaches the upper limit and clipping occurs, resulting in "overload" or "distortion". We can also understand it as: Soft Clipping = OD, Hard Clipping = Dist, and when it almost becomes a square wave, it is Fuzz.
Boost
Usually Boost is used to "push" the speaker to make its tone fuller, or to push the "overload/distortion" effect after Boost to make it stronger.
1-2. POST EFX: EQ / MOD / DLY / RVB
EQ Equalizer
The main purpose of equalization is to allow you to modify the frequency of the sound and adjust the frequency band you want to highlight or attenuate.
MOD Modulation
DLY Delay
RVB Reverb
1-3. AMP & CAB(IR)
From this picture, we can understand that the guitar tone we hear includes the following process: guitar-> pickup-> effects-> speakers-> space sound field-> microphone-> mixer (recording interface) = finished sound.
The integrated effects take care of the process of "effects-> speakers-> space sound field-> microphone-> mixer (recording interface)". When we play the "finished" music, we listen to it through "monitor speakers" / "FRFR" speakers / "monitor headphones".
In particular, most modern integrated effects (Modeler) have IR output, so connecting "monitor speakers"/"FRFR" speakers/"monitor headphones" is the best use scenario.
There is no absolute way to adjust the tone using headphones or monitor speakers. If you have a sufficient budget, I recommend using monitor speakers. Monitor speakers are definitely more comfortable than headphones, and you will not feel tired even if you use them for a long time. They can also provide more accurate left-right balance and depth of the sound field. There is a certain transmission distance between the monitor speakers and your ears, and it will be closer to the sound you get when using effects pedals through the Wedge speakers on the stage during live performances. You will be more accustomed to using them when playing.
2-1. Know the Models. (Amp Models, EFX)
Here we will classify speakers based on their tone, using the four concepts of F / V / M & Modern Dist.
Fender style (Cleanish): JAZZ CLEAN, DELUXE RVB, BASSMATE, TWIN RVB, VIBRO KING, SUPER RVB.
VOX style (Edge-of-Breakup): TWEEDY, HIGHWIRE, CALI CRUNCH, CLASS A15, CLASS A30, BUDDA, MR. Z38, BRIT BLUES, MATCH.
Marshall style (British-Crunch): PLEXI 100, PLEXI 45, BRIT 800, 1987 X 50, FIREMAN HBE, BRIT 2000.
Modern Dist (Lead-Distortion): SLO100, DUAL RECT, DIE VH4, UBER.
2-2. Level the volume ｜ "Unity | Volume normalization"
Regarding the integrated effects (Modeler), the first step to adjust the tone is: bypass all effect modules (in MG-300MKII, you can enter TUNER mode BYPASS all effects and turn on the sound.), set the volume of the dry signal to the level you want.
(Level all the GLOBAL EQ parameters in GLOBAL SETTING. At this time, start adjusting the volume of the monitor speaker from the minimum scale until you feel that the volume is loud enough and will not hurt your ears and is comfortable.)
Then start adding effect modules, such as AMP, IR, dynamic effects (Compressor, Pre-efx) and other effects (Post-efx)... and so on.
2-3. Select the AMP model
According to the F / V / M / Modern Dist classification, select the speaker model that suits the song.
After selecting the speaker model, I will do the following: Level the EQ of the speaker model, and then level the GAIN and LEVEL of the speaker model to the same level as the dry signal volume. Make fine adjustments to the EQ, adjusting BASS (low frequency), MID (mid-frequency), TREBLE (high frequency), PRESENCE (presence, also known as ultra-high frequency) in sequence.
When adjusting the bass, I will play the fifth and sixth strings open and turn the BASS knob from the minimum to the low-frequency threshold. At the same time, you will hear the low frequency suddenly rush out, which is the critical point.
The same way to adjust the midrange. When adjusting the midrange, I will play the open third and fourth strings and turn the MID knob from the minimum value to the midrange critical point. At the same time, you will hear the midrange suddenly rush out.
The same way to adjust the high frequency. When adjusting the high frequency, I will play the first and second strings open string sound, and turn the TREBLE knob from the minimum value to the high frequency critical point. At the same time, you will hear the high frequency suddenly rush out.
The same way to adjust the presence. When adjusting the presence, I will play the first and second strings open, and turn the PRESENCE knob from the minimum value to the presence critical point. At the same time, you will hear the presence super high frequency suddenly rush out.
*Note: The VOX type speaker model uses the CUT knob, and I will adjust it counterclockwise.
Then I will adjust the GAIN and LEVEL again to find the sweet spot of the AMP model.
2-4. Select "Cab Model" | Impulse Response
After choosing the speakers, the next step is to select the cabinet IR and microphone type and position. The MG-300MKII preset speaker model has a bound IR, you can also switch your favorite model or use a third-party IR. Here I share an important trick, that is High Cut and Low Cut.
Since the real electric guitar speaker is a mid-frequency speaker, the frequencies above 10K can basically be ignored. Use High Cut and Low Cut to adjust, and use your ears to find the point where the tone changes and the frequency is concentrated in the mid-frequency. This will help your guitar tone be closer to the real state and clearer when mixing.
2-5. Add "Dynamic Effects" (Dynamic Effects)
Depending on the needs, I will add a Compressor effect to the "Clean AMP Model"; add an Overdrive effect to the "Overdrive Edge AMP" or "British Overdrive AMP". Sometimes adding a Compressor to the "Distortion AMP" can increase the gain of the high-position notes.
If there is too much gain accompanied by noise, then add a Noise Gate as appropriate.
Threshold (Sensitivity) is the threshold value, which sets the noise level at which the signal is cut off. Decay is used to adjust the speed at which the signal is cut off. The larger the value, the slower it is.
Note: I suggest you adjust the Threshold first, starting from the minimum value, touch the guitar strings with your left hand, and start turning the Threshold with your right hand until the background noise is eliminated. Then adjust the Decay, also starting from the minimum value, and decide the natural degree of staccato when you play.
2-6. Use Time-based or Modulation to embellish your sound
For Chorus, I often add it to the "clean AMP" to play the broken chord accompaniment of pop songs. As for Phaser or Tremolo, I like to put it in front of the "British overdrive AMP" to make it sound fatter or more three-dimensional.
There are several types of delay effects. Using the delay tone and duration is an advanced technique that I will not discuss here. If you are interested in this topic, please refer to my previous article:
延遲效果｜Delay Category
https://monkcustom.blogspot.com/2021/10/NUX-MG-30-ToneTweaking.html#DelayCategory
延遲時長應用 ｜ Delay Time
https://monkcustom.blogspot.com/2021/10/NUX-MG-30-ToneTweaking.html#DelayTime
I usually add a delay effect to the solo part. If I want the sound to have a more spatial feel, I will add a reverb. The same is true for the reverb effect. Using the reverb's timbre and decay is an advanced technique that I will not discuss here. If you are interested in this topic, please refer to my previous article:
創建你的三維音色 | Build Your Sound in 3 Dimensions
https://monkcustom.blogspot.com/2021/10/NUX-MG-30-ToneTweaking.html#3D_TONE
Here I want to mention a "delay effect" technique, Sub-Division. You can select the desired "time signature" in "SUB D." in the DLY effect module, and then press the TAP button several times to make a "TAP TEMPO". At the same time, the TIME parameter of the delay effect will depend on the speed (BPM) of the TAP TEMPO and the SUB-DIVISION. If you turn the TIME knob (parameter), the TIME parameter of the delay effect will depend on the TIME knob.
For solo parts of songs, I like to set the delay effect Sub-Division to "DOTTED EIGHT" (3/4 time). This makes your solo sound more melodic and musical.
But when I play a song, if I find that the default tone is not "front" enough in the song, I will use EQ to modify it.
In fact, I don't use it. If you follow the "Adjusting the Tone" steps correctly, you won't need it.
For me, it is a spare but not used. But I will use the P.L module to set the position order of the volume pedal. I often put it after AMP & IR and before MOD/DLY/RVB. When I reduce the volume, the tone can be kept at the end.
三、Recording Tutorial
1. Mobile phone OTG recording
What I like about MG-300MKII is that it supports OTG recording on mobile phones, and the headphone amplifier driving capability of MG-300MKII is quite good. I use Audio-Technica ATH-G1 myself and it sounds quite clear, and the conversation through the microphone is also quite clear.
I tried two mobile phones, iPhone16Pro, which can be directly connected with a USB-C to USB-C cable. For iPhone13, I used the original Lightning to USB OTG and then connected it to a USB-C cable.
Remember to set USB AUDIO to NORMAL / LOOPBACK ON in MIC & USB in GLOBAL SETTING. This way you can record the accompaniment from AUX IN.
2. Computer DAW Recording
I use a MAC computer, so I will use Logic Pro to do the recording tutorial demonstration.
Here I will demonstrate how to record the MG-300MKII guitar track with the accompaniment of the "NUX Electric Guitar Warm-up Exercise" provided by "No Spirit Time House".
Accompaniment tracks and music sheet demonstration:
I recorded the video using the mobile phone OTG and the audio using the MG-300MKII as a USB recording interface. You can listen to it and the sound quality is basically the same.
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