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NicolasD « Finally! »
Published on 06/20/11 at 12:12- Tube preamp (2 x 12AX7)
- 3 channels CLEAN / CRUNCH / LEAD with EQ for CLEAN, and another common CRUNCH and LEAD.
- Mini switch treble shift for the CLEAN (addition of acute and brightness)
- 2 mini switches mid shift for CRUNCH and LEAD (adding media to get out a little more mix).
- An effects loop
- A simulation of HP.
- 2 switches solid metal (not plastic that breaks ugly) that are activated by foot to change channels.
The lamps are very well protected, it's solid. A small problem, the inputs and outputs are made of plastic (such as Marshall JVM on my head), I prefer metal, it unscrews and breaks less easily.
The power supply provided, however, looks quite fragile and it is too short, I found myself embarrassed in concert several times to seek an extension. Since then I always bring one with me, it's a shame, it's something extra to carry.
The big big plus of this preamp is its format, gather all the characteristics I listed in a size too small is a feat and it deserves a "9 - Excellent."
UTILIZATION
No need for a manual is pretty clear like that.
You plug the guitar into the "input", plug the "Output" in a console or a sound card (after enabling the simulation of HP by a switch on the side).
Or it plugs directly into a power amp.
We change the foot. There is a switch to switch to CLEAN or CRUNCH LEAD following the sound you have selected with the second switch.
I have often mistaken the sound is a blow to take. The ideal would be to have a third but I guess the format of the device would have been greatly changed.
There are LED light enough to tell us which channel you are.
SOUNDS
Accurate to size, I SS-11A version is more "vintage" of the unit, I never heard the SS-11B.
I make this preamp professional use. I play with a Classic Rock cover band in bars and I plug it directly into a console with the simulation of HP on. It gives this:
- The CLEAN is very bright, snapping, lens. The agreements are well defined and the chorus out of the mix. I'm not an absolute fan because I think it "puke" almost too much brightness but it does the job I asked.
- The Crunch is excellent, I always feel like a real amp behind me and I am always above to see what's out of such a small pedal. You can play with the gain knob of the race is wide enough and is very accurate. We can then move from a light overdrive to a real saturation. The best channel in my SS11.
- LEAD, the crunch and more saturated. It lacks a little bit of gain for my taste, even with the knob fully. This channel is too specific, I need it a little drool. We can not afford to miss its related ...
I find the simulation of HP a little too dull. So always j'enclenche mid shift and equalization helps me catch it (but I sometimes need to equalize the table ...)
I've never tried it on a sound card but I guess it makes a very similar result.
What I like about the SS-11 is that it's a TRUE preamps, not a distortion warmed by lamps such as the ROCKTRON VOODU VALVE pedal or VOX. He respects the dynamics of the game's guitar (soft or aggressive) and responds accordingly. In addition, if we decrease the volume knob on his guitar, then the sound will be less saturated. It changes my PODXT and other modeling pedal to hamper the expressiveness.
So, I tried several times at home and live in the real role that is his, so as a preamp, a power amp Mesa Boogie 20/20. It takes a whole new dimension. It is infinitely more convincing in this configuration and it is a pleasure to play it. All these qualities really stand and there is no problem of lack of gain or the warped.
I played it with many guitars, this little box is really a sonic character that is still recognized. Some will find it a little too clean.
OVERALL OPINION
I use it for a year.
For small concerts, I always had three requirements: a minimum of space, maximum sound, and the ability to plug into a mixer.
I tried many devices (Voodu Valve, Prophesy, Carl Martin Quattro etc etc ...), the only one to meet these three criteria was PODXT that I used for years.
Yes but that was before I met the AMT SS-11 which is roughly the same job in an even smaller size (smaller than the POD and not have to pedal to control it) and who more sounds terribly better.
This is truly a feat and an achievement to have developed a device that sounds as convenient and as well. Before him, or was one or the other.
The disadvantage compared to PODXT is that there is no built-in effects and presets system. The advantage is that there is an effects loop and can therefore choose its effects and tweak on the fly.
Compared with a real amp like my Mesa Boogie Triaxis, it is as complete by biensur but a sound point of view, it defends itself better than many.
Most:
- The size and light weight
- Sounds (mostly used as a real amp with a power amp)
- Features (effects loop, simulation of HP)
- The strength (one year intensive concert, still no problems)
- Value / Price (a real amp at about 290 euros!)
- Not an ounce of breath
The -:
- The simulation of HP slightly deaf
- Power cord and too short
Until a version with built-in effects, 4 channel, 4 switches, and a simulation of HP even more realistic, it's little box is a REVOLUTION!
- 3 channels CLEAN / CRUNCH / LEAD with EQ for CLEAN, and another common CRUNCH and LEAD.
- Mini switch treble shift for the CLEAN (addition of acute and brightness)
- 2 mini switches mid shift for CRUNCH and LEAD (adding media to get out a little more mix).
- An effects loop
- A simulation of HP.
- 2 switches solid metal (not plastic that breaks ugly) that are activated by foot to change channels.
The lamps are very well protected, it's solid. A small problem, the inputs and outputs are made of plastic (such as Marshall JVM on my head), I prefer metal, it unscrews and breaks less easily.
The power supply provided, however, looks quite fragile and it is too short, I found myself embarrassed in concert several times to seek an extension. Since then I always bring one with me, it's a shame, it's something extra to carry.
The big big plus of this preamp is its format, gather all the characteristics I listed in a size too small is a feat and it deserves a "9 - Excellent."
UTILIZATION
No need for a manual is pretty clear like that.
You plug the guitar into the "input", plug the "Output" in a console or a sound card (after enabling the simulation of HP by a switch on the side).
Or it plugs directly into a power amp.
We change the foot. There is a switch to switch to CLEAN or CRUNCH LEAD following the sound you have selected with the second switch.
I have often mistaken the sound is a blow to take. The ideal would be to have a third but I guess the format of the device would have been greatly changed.
There are LED light enough to tell us which channel you are.
SOUNDS
Accurate to size, I SS-11A version is more "vintage" of the unit, I never heard the SS-11B.
I make this preamp professional use. I play with a Classic Rock cover band in bars and I plug it directly into a console with the simulation of HP on. It gives this:
- The CLEAN is very bright, snapping, lens. The agreements are well defined and the chorus out of the mix. I'm not an absolute fan because I think it "puke" almost too much brightness but it does the job I asked.
- The Crunch is excellent, I always feel like a real amp behind me and I am always above to see what's out of such a small pedal. You can play with the gain knob of the race is wide enough and is very accurate. We can then move from a light overdrive to a real saturation. The best channel in my SS11.
- LEAD, the crunch and more saturated. It lacks a little bit of gain for my taste, even with the knob fully. This channel is too specific, I need it a little drool. We can not afford to miss its related ...
I find the simulation of HP a little too dull. So always j'enclenche mid shift and equalization helps me catch it (but I sometimes need to equalize the table ...)
I've never tried it on a sound card but I guess it makes a very similar result.
What I like about the SS-11 is that it's a TRUE preamps, not a distortion warmed by lamps such as the ROCKTRON VOODU VALVE pedal or VOX. He respects the dynamics of the game's guitar (soft or aggressive) and responds accordingly. In addition, if we decrease the volume knob on his guitar, then the sound will be less saturated. It changes my PODXT and other modeling pedal to hamper the expressiveness.
So, I tried several times at home and live in the real role that is his, so as a preamp, a power amp Mesa Boogie 20/20. It takes a whole new dimension. It is infinitely more convincing in this configuration and it is a pleasure to play it. All these qualities really stand and there is no problem of lack of gain or the warped.
I played it with many guitars, this little box is really a sonic character that is still recognized. Some will find it a little too clean.
OVERALL OPINION
I use it for a year.
For small concerts, I always had three requirements: a minimum of space, maximum sound, and the ability to plug into a mixer.
I tried many devices (Voodu Valve, Prophesy, Carl Martin Quattro etc etc ...), the only one to meet these three criteria was PODXT that I used for years.
Yes but that was before I met the AMT SS-11 which is roughly the same job in an even smaller size (smaller than the POD and not have to pedal to control it) and who more sounds terribly better.
This is truly a feat and an achievement to have developed a device that sounds as convenient and as well. Before him, or was one or the other.
The disadvantage compared to PODXT is that there is no built-in effects and presets system. The advantage is that there is an effects loop and can therefore choose its effects and tweak on the fly.
Compared with a real amp like my Mesa Boogie Triaxis, it is as complete by biensur but a sound point of view, it defends itself better than many.
Most:
- The size and light weight
- Sounds (mostly used as a real amp with a power amp)
- Features (effects loop, simulation of HP)
- The strength (one year intensive concert, still no problems)
- Value / Price (a real amp at about 290 euros!)
- Not an ounce of breath
The -:
- The simulation of HP slightly deaf
- Power cord and too short
Until a version with built-in effects, 4 channel, 4 switches, and a simulation of HP even more realistic, it's little box is a REVOLUTION!