View other reviews for this product:
mooseherman
Published on 03/24/10 at 16:37
This is a digital amp modeler. This thing cannot, unfortunately, be updated through a Mac or PC, however a MIDI controller can be purchased to control it more efficiently. This unit is not rackable. It has MIDI connections as well as a 1/4" input and output, and comes with a power adapter, though I'm not sure off the top of my head what voltage it is. This thing models a wide variety of amplifiers, mostly of the tube variety but with a few solid-state thrown in for good measure.
UTILIZATION
Setting up the sounds on this amp modeler couldn't be much easier. I think that is one of the obvious strengths of these machines. Dial up amp type, punch in volume and gain and EQ settings, and then you are pretty much good to go. I think this would be better used for direct line-in recording, as opposed to through an amplifier. The manual will explain how to run everything pretty well, I don't think anybody will be left confused as to how to work it.
SOUND QUALITY
I don't think that there is much difference in quality between guitars with this guy. This is mainly because I don't think it sounds very good in particular. Of course, it's better than most affordable plug-in amp modelers, and it's better than the average outboard amp modeler also. But I've always felt that those machines were lacking. I would only recommend this for those who, for whatever reason, can only record direct. I still believe that recording direct isn't really the best way to go, unless there are extenuating circumstances (neighbors, family, roomates, finances, etc.) That being said, for all of those whose situations were just described, I'd have to say this thing is worth checking out. The Vox AC15 and AC30 imitations are pretty good. The Marshall stacks are slightly worse, but still impressive. I don't even like the remainder of the amps, nor do I like their real life tube or solid state counterparts. Even still, the imitations are worse.
OVERALL OPINION
I like the ease with which one can find a tone that they like, and I also like a few of the amp imitations as they aren't too bad. But for the most part, this hasn't done anything to shake my stubborn anti-digital amp stance. Only the insanely expensive plugins have really worked for me, and even then, they were only impressive when recorded with other MIDI or digital instruments. If this is what you plan on doing, try it before you buy it, because I'm not sure it's the best way to go.
UTILIZATION
Setting up the sounds on this amp modeler couldn't be much easier. I think that is one of the obvious strengths of these machines. Dial up amp type, punch in volume and gain and EQ settings, and then you are pretty much good to go. I think this would be better used for direct line-in recording, as opposed to through an amplifier. The manual will explain how to run everything pretty well, I don't think anybody will be left confused as to how to work it.
SOUND QUALITY
I don't think that there is much difference in quality between guitars with this guy. This is mainly because I don't think it sounds very good in particular. Of course, it's better than most affordable plug-in amp modelers, and it's better than the average outboard amp modeler also. But I've always felt that those machines were lacking. I would only recommend this for those who, for whatever reason, can only record direct. I still believe that recording direct isn't really the best way to go, unless there are extenuating circumstances (neighbors, family, roomates, finances, etc.) That being said, for all of those whose situations were just described, I'd have to say this thing is worth checking out. The Vox AC15 and AC30 imitations are pretty good. The Marshall stacks are slightly worse, but still impressive. I don't even like the remainder of the amps, nor do I like their real life tube or solid state counterparts. Even still, the imitations are worse.
OVERALL OPINION
I like the ease with which one can find a tone that they like, and I also like a few of the amp imitations as they aren't too bad. But for the most part, this hasn't done anything to shake my stubborn anti-digital amp stance. Only the insanely expensive plugins have really worked for me, and even then, they were only impressive when recorded with other MIDI or digital instruments. If this is what you plan on doing, try it before you buy it, because I'm not sure it's the best way to go.