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mooseherman mooseherman
Published on 03/24/10 at 16:55
This is a digital amp modeler. I don't think that it can be edited through a Mac or a PC. It's also not MIDI-controllable. The device isn't rackable, the knobs are all on top. It's a completely digital technology. there are basic 1/4" connections.

UTILIZATION

These digital amp modelers have gotten easier and easier to use over the years, and this one isn't really an exception. It's pretty easy to find the tone you're looking for, as they are all pretty easily labeled. Even if you're not a hundred percent sure, it's easy to surf through all of the tones pretty quickly. Using the effects isn't too hard either, it seems like there is an intimidating number of knobs but closer inspection reveals that they are all pretty basic. The manual will explain everything to anyone who doesn't fully grasp what the modeler is capable of doing.

SOUND QUALITY

I have a bit of a problem with these types of machines, but I'm not sure that my views are shared. I'd heard that this was a good amp modeler for clean tones. When I tried it, I hated it. I realized that most people who say that are probably looking for a supremely clean sound, and not a hint of dirt or overdrive. I like to get at least a little bit of those things from my clean tones, as I play R&B and blues. I was disappointed with this modeler for that reason, there wasn't an acceptable compromise for the clean tones. They all ended up being either too clean or too dirty. As for the dirty tones, I wasn't getting goosebumps the way that I do when really rocking a tube or solid state amp, or even a good digital amp. They imitate classic amp sounds like the Marshall Stack, or the Mesa/Boogie rectifier. I think they do a rather cheap imitation at that, they aren't really capable of delivering the goods.

OVERALL OPINION

I'm not sure why I keep buying these things, maybe because I'm a college student and can't record acoustically very much. I certainly can't crank up my amp and let it rip. Therefore, I must say that if you're in my situation and you aren't a complete tone freak like me, you might be happy with this. Realize, though, that you'll be more than likely to get frustrated with it. These things don't necessarily improve with age. In fact, they're constantly being updated. So be cautious when purchasing.