Question:
Check this out:
Rocktron Vendetta 100w all tube half stack w/midi control
-plus-
Rocktron Prophecy modelling signal processor
-plus-
Rocktron Midi-mate controller
http://www.rocktron.com/
Hmmmm... it makes me ponder the possibilities...
Alternately, I'd probably add an inline wah between the amp and the guitar, add my Ensoniq DP/4+ and my Digitech DHP-33 harmonizer, and then hook up the Midi-mate for a controller... and then be cooking with gas.
Rocktron/GHS is located a few hours from me, maybe I'll drive over to their factory and check them out.
Answer:
I'm using a Behringer V-amp pro at present but I'm not using it for live work!
Can't beat real tubes though!
Answer:
Originally Posted by sfripp Can't beat real tubes though!
Let's not go there.
I'm the official modelling amp homer around here.
BUT I think the rig I described might be a suitable compromise between both worlds. All the flexibility of a modelling amp, including a modelling processor (the Prophecy) and a tube amp too.
Answer:
If you're going half rack anyway, why not go the whole deal? That is the perfect combo to me. Good preamp with several good tones, good tube power amp, and your effects in parallel with a mixer/splitter setup...all under MIDI control.
Answer:
Originally Posted by LWatford If you're going half rack anyway, why not go the whole deal? That is the perfect combo to me. Good preamp with several good tones, good tube power amp, and your effects in parallel with a mixer/splitter setup...all under MIDI control.
I did that very thing at one point. Just looking for an option now that would include modelling, a tube poweramp, a cabinet and midi control.
I think the rig listed above may be the ticket.
Answer:
what does the midi-control for the amp do? does it just mean that you can use a midi controller board to do channel switching and control your modeling processor? i'm not really sure i'm seeing a great advantage here as you're still going to be using the tube-pre amp which is what you're modeler is generally supposed to be modeling.
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If you've got to switch at lightning-speed between all different styles of playing, then this modeling hybrid is the ticket. I'm pretty big on simple rigs, though, so for me it would be overkill.
...and I'd have to lose my "all-tube-purist" side as well...
Nate
Answer:
great thread.........
i really like the simple peavy classic 30 tube that i have played before-but i own a Johnson JT50 modeling amp. i've heard it's not good to turn the tube amps on and off alot so to me i have stayed with the Johnson for now. a tube amp would be a latter choice since i can use a tubulator effects pedal to get close to what a real tube sounds like-ofcourse i can not run that effects pedal through the johnson because it will not accept it?
i run it thru a solid state acoustic peavy-and it does well.
my 2 cents guys
Answer:
Originally Posted by thesteve what does the midi-control for the amp do? does it just mean that you can use a midi controller board to do channel switching and control your modeling processor?
Yep, along with the intelligent harmonizer too. It can also do light switching, turn on the fog machine, and change the presets on the keyboardist's Alesis... whether she likes it or not...
Originally Posted by thesteve i'm not really sure i'm seeing a great advantage here as you're still going to be using the tube-pre amp which is what you're modeler is generally supposed to be modeling.
Here's the big advantage:
Song "X" has a clean sound for the intro - little chorus, little bit of delay, little bit of reverb, little bit of compression.
Then the verse kicks in to a big old fuzzy over-compressed Mesa-type sound, but the volume drops just a hair to clear the way for the vocalist and the delay and chorus are dropped.
Then the chorus comes and the tone is tightened up to a Marshall-type distortion and the volume pops up a hair to add excitement, along with a really tight delay to add punch.
Then back to the verse tone.
Then we work our way to the solo, which throws a wah over the top of a hot-rodded, heavily compressed Marshall sound. The reverb drops out to let the guitar cut through, but a touch more chorus is added back to add shimmer.
Back to the chorus tone.
Outro solo - like the regular solo but without the way and with harmony in thirds - from one guitar player, so on comes the intelligent harmonizer... BUT there's a key change halfway through it. No problem. Pop the next button and the Midi system tells the harmonizer to change the key but keeps everything else the same.
So watch this:
Just the first tone would take the following gear:
1 amp, reverb on, clean channel
1 chorus pedal
1 delay pedal
1 compressor pedal
To get to the verse sound, you would have to do the following:
Change amp channels
Change volume level
Chorus off
Delay off
Compressor off
DIFFERENT compressor pedal on
Then you have to get to the chorus sound:
***HOPE YOU'VE GOT A 3 or 4 CHANNEL AMP***
Change amp channels again
Chorus on
Delay on - different setting than the intro, so now you need 2 of them...
Now, up comes the solo:
Change amp channels again (that makes for 4 now...)
Compressor on
Wah on
More Chorus on
Reverb off
Now you have to change back and forth a couple of times until you reach... the outro solo...
Back to the solo sound, but with the harmonizer on and then halfway through you've got to change harmonizer presets to accomodate the key change.
The modeller's advantage with having the preamp there also would to be keeping a channel set clean and dead flat and letting the modeller step in and handle duties there from time to time to cause a significant shift in amplifier type, say from a clean twin to a stock Marshall to a Mesa... all on one channel, while leaving the other 3 open for other things.
Answer:
Originally Posted by PacerX Yep, along with the intelligent harmonizer too. It can also do light switching, turn on the fog machine, and change the presets on the keyboardist's Alesis... whether she likes it or not...
Here's the big advantage:
Song "X" has a clean sound for the intro - little chorus, little bit of delay, little bit of reverb, little bit of compression.
Then the verse kicks in to a big old fuzzy over-compressed Mesa-type sound, but the volume drops just a hair to clear the way for the vocalist and the delay and chorus are dropped.
Then the chorus comes and the tone is tightened up to a Marshall-type distortion and the volume pops up a hair to add excitement, along with a really tight delay to add punch.
Then back to the verse tone.
Then we work our way to the solo, which throws a wah over the top of a hot-rodded, heavily compressed Marshall sound. The reverb drops out to let the guitar cut through, but a touch more chorus is added back to add shimmer.
Back to the chorus tone.
Outro solo - like the regular solo but without the way and with harmony in thirds - from one guitar player, so on comes the intelligent harmonizer... BUT there's a key change halfway through it. No problem. Pop the next button and the Midi system tells the harmonizer to change the key but keeps everything else the same.
So watch this:
Just the first tone would take the following gear:
1 amp, reverb on, clean channel
1 chorus pedal
1 delay pedal
1 compressor pedal
To get to the verse sound, you would have to do the following:
Change amp channels
Change volume level
Chorus off
Delay off
Compressor off
DIFFERENT compressor pedal on
Then you have to get to the chorus sound:
***HOPE YOU'VE GOT A 3 or 4 CHANNEL AMP***
Change amp channels again
Chorus on
Delay on - different setting than the intro, so now you need 2 of them...
Now, up comes the solo:
Change amp channels again (that makes for 4 now...)
Compressor on
Wah on
More Chorus on
Reverb off
Now you have to change back and forth a couple of times until you reach... the outro solo...
Back to the solo sound, but with the harmonizer on and then halfway through you've got to change harmonizer presets to accomodate the key change.
The modeller's advantage with having the preamp there also would to be keeping a channel set clean and dead flat and letting the modeller step in and handle duties there from time to time to cause a significant shift in amplifier type, say from a clean twin to a stock Marshall to a Mesa... all on one channel, while leaving the other 3 open for other things.
...this kida reminds me of trying to kill a bunny w/ a browning automatic rifle.
An easier solution would be to learn how to use the volume pots on your guitar and managing ones effects loop.
....same scenarion using my amp (2 channel tube amp w/ footswitch, scoop and effects loop.)
Intro: channel 1, gain 3/4 effects loop engaged(delay and reverb), rythem pup set to 1/2 volume.
Verse: channel 2, gain 3/4, effects loop disengaged, rythem pup 1/2 volume.
Chorus: Channel 2, gain 3/4 effects loop engaged, scoop engaged rythem pup full volume.
Verse: channel 2, gain 3/4, effects loop disengaged, rythem pup 1/2 volume.
while chuggin out rythem, disengage reverb and chorus, engage second chorus.
solo: Channel 2, gain 3/4, effects loop engaged, treble pup full volume, wah engaged
Chorus: Channel 2, gain 3/4 effects loop engaged, scoop engaged rythem pup full volume.
outro solo: Channel 2, gain 3/4 effects loop engaged, treble pup full volume, engage the harmonizer.
1 guy who knows his gear
1 amp
1 guitar
4 stomp boxes
7 stomp steps
total gear cost $1500 including guitar.
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I just use my amps overdrive.....
Answer:
Ya, there are definite advantages to having a MIDI controlled setup. I've got a Marshall JMP-1 preamp running through a tube Peavey Classic 50/50 power amp, and the versatility is nice, and there's no real sacrifice in tone. The problem I have come up with is that it doesn't facilitate improv very much. Lets say the song calls for a certain effect with a certain amp preset. Well, all of the sudden, on the fly, I think of a different effect that would sound much better. With my setup now, I'd have to stop playing, program another patch in the effects, MIDI map it to the preset I want, and then map the preamp setting to that preset too. Now, there is an easier way to facilitate this, but unfortunately that requires twice as much programming and setting up before hand. But once it is set up, then you can treat it all exactly like having stomp boxes, but still have preset changes available. Unfortunately, the MIDI boards that facilitate this tend to be expensive, and I don't have that kind of money right now. I'm planning on getting rid of the MIDI amp setup, but still control rack effects with MIDI.
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sounds compicated.
Answer:
Originally Posted by emo_boy sounds compicated. Ya, it can get that way. The rewards of figuring it out and getting it set up are really nice though. It's just a matter of if you're willing to go through a bit of work off stage (programming presets and MIDI channel) to save yourself work on stage (pedal dancing).
Answer:
Perfect marriage?
Pod XT Live (or XT)
And
Atomic Reactor Amp
They currently have a 1x12, and are releasing a 2x12 next month.
Sounds INCREDIBLE, makes the Pod XT SHINE in a live setting, punch, depth, tube EVERYTHING.