Question:
I love playing around and stuff and play a good bit at home, but in front of any crowd where I play at different churches it's always through a sound system so would it jsut be better to buy pedals to run through the sound system, or would getting an amp actually do anything for my life
Answer:
Originally Posted by svtrackdude I love playing around and stuff and play a good bit at home, but in front of any crowd where I play at different churches it's always through a sound system so would it jsut be better to buy pedals to run through the sound system, or would getting an amp actually do anything for my life probably the best thing you could do is get a modeling floorboard like a POD xtLive or Digitech GNX series processor.
of course, there's no telling if/when you'll need an amp. They're certainly not bad to have around.
Answer:
ok, see, we have an ok but not great digitech modeling thing but we find it kind of tedious to switch from all the effects while we play hence the thought of getting pedals coming to my head in the first place, I was just gonna get like one nice overdrive, one nice chorus, and one nice wah, since those are the main 3 I use, but I dunno if the higher end modeling products are more organized or not
Answer:
i think you should listen to whatever thesteve says cuz he knows!
Answer:
Originally Posted by svtrackdude ok, see, we have an ok but not great digitech modeling thing but we find it kind of tedious to switch from all the effects while we play hence the thought of getting pedals coming to my head in the first place, I was just gonna get like one nice overdrive, one nice chorus, and one nice wah, since those are the main 3 I use, but I dunno if the higher end modeling products are more organized or not the more important thing that higher-end modelers have are amp and speaker simulators, as well as improved line-outs. This makes the guitar signal sound more similar to that of a guitar played through an actual guitar amp than through a hi-fidelity system.
The primary drawback of plugging your guitar directly into the house system is that it's taking a raw guitar signal and amplifying it directly. You might have the benefit of a mixer's EQ, but otherwise you're getting a hi-fidelity reproduction of the guitar's sound. The "traditional" rock 'n' roll clean sound gets it's "warm" reputation because it isn't going through a hi-fidelity system. Most guitar amps have a relatively low-fidelity sound when compared to church sound systems. Hi-fi systems are built to amplify your tone without adding any color. Guitar amps are designed to amplify your guitar's tone and color it with it's own circuitry and speakers. A good digital modeler is designed to emulate this "lo-fi" guitar amp sound.
I'll let some of the other guys here go through the run-down of modelers. I know the POD xtLive is one of the more popular ones, but there are some others out there that may be worthy of a look.
Answer:
I certainly can tell you that guitar->OD pedal->board->house sounds like poop. don't do it, you'll regret it.
There are some good modelers out there. The one that I own and can vouch for is the POD Xt Live. A guitar sounds the way it does live and on a recording because of the signal path of going through an amp's circuitry and very importantly, guitar speakers. In fact, I encourage you to go ahead and try the distortion pedal straight to the board to the house thing, just do it when no one is in there. That'll give you an idea of what I mean.
Answer:
Get an amp. Get the sound you want and have them mic it.
Answer:
I would suggest you to get something small. A very popular amp is the 5-watt Epiphone Valve Jr.
Its totally tube, and would be perfect for micing...Especially if you couple it with some pedals for tone shaping (as the VJ has only 1 knob).
The combo runs around $140..cheaper than many higher end pedals...thats for sure.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/pro...60&src=4WFRWXX
Answer:
After watching our sound guy pitch a fit this past week about having to mike an extra amp (besides mine) rather than just have the acoustic guitar player plug directly into a DI box, and then seeing that it took essentially no more time to set up the mike for the amp than it does to plug in the DI box, I was reminded again that: (1) I'm always amazed at why people get more freaked out about miking an amp versus having a guitar player plug in directly; and
(2) it is not hard to mike an amp! No harder than plugging in directly!
Having said all that, I would opt for the amp versus going direct to the board, even through a modeler. There have been times when I have played somewhere with no sound system other than a small portable for vocals (like the college ministry house at our church), and I would far rather have my sound coming out of my amp rather than attempting to put it through the same small portable system as the vocals.
To me, an amp is a more versatile option. That's just me, though, and I know others will disagree. But just don't let the "mic an amp vs. plugging direct" be a consideration.
Answer:
I vote for an amp also. A small one to mic is probably the best option. The Crate 15W tube amp is a good option. Guitar Center sells them as the Palamino with a light tan color.
I played next to another guitarist going direct to the board through a POD XT this past Sunday. I used my Peavey Classic with stompboxes. My tone is thicker and has more character than the other guitarist's tone. Modeled tube overdrive doesn't compare to the real deal in my opinion.
Db
Answer:
Get an amp and see what happens. In my situation we're not allowed to use amps and we really, really, really wish we could. All electric players and the bass player have to go through digital processors. One of our piano players also plays bass and when he subs as a bass player, he has to hook up a couple of foot pedals and D/I into the board.
We can barely he him. At least the main bass player (and his processor) has a little more control, but very little.
For what it's worth we all use Boss GT-6's and the bass player uses a GT-6B.
I have a Marshall AVT150 that has a place on the back that can be hooked up and D/Ied into the board, but they don't allow that anymore.
Rip had a good suggestion in getting a small amp and try that. Personally I don't like them but Crate makes (or used to make) a small amp that looked like a floor monitor. They were called Taxis, Limos or both.
Get an amp and try that first.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Jaymze13 Rip had a good suggestion in getting a small amp and try that. Personally I don't like them but Crate makes (or used to make) a small amp that looked like a floor monitor. They were called Taxis, Limos or both.
Get an amp and try that first. Crate still makes them. I'd avoid them though. It'd be better to just get a small amp and design a system to allow you to tilt it back. The primary seling point of the Crate Taxi series is the fact that they're a battery powered amp.
Answer:
When I was looking for a small(er) amp I tried the Taxi a few times and I just didn't like it. I don't think the Limo was out when I was looking for an amp.
I really wanted a Fender, but got the Marshall at a pretty good price. I just wish I could use it.
Answer:
You can use individual pedals in conjunction with a modeler if you wanted to. Most modelers do have effects built in, but yes, there is a significant learning curve to use them effectively. The main thing is that you need something to simulate what a guitar amp does - it processes the sound from an electric guitar and makes it sound like an electric guitar. Most of us prefer using a "real" amp, but in the real world of P & W music situations, and having to keep the volume way down, many find the modelers a better solution.
Answer:
If you are playing from church to church, I'd recommend a modeler. Normally I'd say get an amp, but for your purposes a modeler would be best. Some churches frown upon amps in their sanctuary.