A heretical question about amp modelers

[HapiCmpur]

This forum seems pretty populated by guitarists who really enjoy tailoring their sounds with computer software so I’m probably going to take a fair amount of abuse for asking a question like this, but here goes:

Let’s say (hypothetically) that I’m not all that interested in having my own unique sound. And let’s also say (hypothetically) that I know I wouldn’t be very good at tailoring guitar sounds to begin with, even if I were using the best software on the market.

Which amp modeler has the most convincing presets right out of the box--no computer required? All I really need is a couple of good clean sounds, another couple of good grungy sounds, another couple of good thin sounds, etc. I want to be able to just plug into my recorder, dial up an appropriate preset, and go. (I know, I know. I’m talking heresy, right?)

I’ve heard good things (and some bad) about Behringer’s V-amp, Digitech’s Genesis, Johnson’s J-station, and Line6’s POD. Should one of these (or something else) stand out above the rest for somebody like me, or are they all pretty much the same unless you’re willing to tweak them on a computer?

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

If you want a convincing amp sound -- BUY A REAL AMP!

Or am I missing something here?

 

[VOXVENDOR]

I like the POD....

Yeah.. I'll stick with my pod....



If you know what your doing and have a good amp and good miking and mixing skills, sure an amp IS the best way to go.... I finally admit that...

But for a regular homewrecker, you can get some pretty decent sounds pretty easily, without having to worry about what exact angle your mic is at, is it pointed at the right spot on the amp..... Stereo Guitar.. oh oh, look out for that killer phase cancellation...

I use the POD on all my stuff.... Why?.. Cause I like the sound, and already have it... Im not into the idea of going out and buying a decent amp... (I only play guitar in the studio.. not live)

www.nowhereradio.com/artists/rockpop/voxvendor/singles

Anyways.. Just my .02

 

[64Firebird]

If you want a convincing amp sound -- BUY A REAL AMP!

Or am I missing something here?

He always says that.

I'd say that the J-Station is about the most for the money.

 

[B.SABBATH]

I agree the J-Station gives you a lot of bang for the buck, but I also have a Pod Pro, and a SansAmp..

The last few songs I recorded were with the J-Station.. It seems to hold up a little better when using extremely high distortion levels..

If you want, you can click my www link and you can hear all three of them used on different songs.. People tell me I get a good guitar sound.. Maybe it will help, maybe not..


good luck!

 

[Kevzmusic]

Hey SABBATH,

I've used the POD 2.0 for a while now on my recordings....and it's certainly not bad at all, especially for the $250 price tag....

I was thinking about upgrading to the POD Pro...but the price difference is quite alot.....

My question to YOU is...

Is the extra $500 (Cdn here in Toronto) really worth it?

and....does the Pro's SPDIF digital connection really give a quieter, cleaner, better signal for RECORDING, over the POD 2.0???

10 - 4, over...

KEV

 

[JR#97]

I don't have much experience with the digital modelers other than store show room... which is not a good listening environment.. they all sounded pretty similar to me. Pretty good overall, but I couldn't get nit picky... plus, I listened to all 3 through a little shit Crate amp they used for demoing all the effects or I listened through headphones.

On the other hand, I have quite a few Sansamp pedals. They kick ass for recording and they kick ass live... I do more live than recording, so that's why I went that route. Anywho, I've paid about the same for 3 Sansamp pedals as I would have for a new pod. Not too shabby!

 

[Fusioninspace]

I vote for the SansAmp GT-2 box and/or Trademark 10 amp. I tried the Beringer and didn't like that. A Friend of mine has the POD and the sounds he's getting out of it sounds slightly digital (to me .

 

[nave]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>All I really need is a couple of good clean sounds, another couple of good grungy sounds, another couple of good thin sounds


I a pod person....but the down side of the pod is that it blows big time for clean sounds man.....it rocks for everything else and far out does anything I would be able to track with my skills if I was using my mics and my tube amp....dat be the truth..first time I used it to track distorted guitars I was amazed...even the presets are awesome..you can really create a wall of sound that's like a stack of f#$king amps pilled to the cieling.....BUT (big but) when you are looking for clean and crisp, 'a couple of clean sounds' is all you are going to get out of it....especially if you don't want to 'taylor' them up.....and they aren't that good either.......Just thought I throw that your way...

 

[B.SABBATH]

Hey SABBATH,

I've used the POD 2.0 for a while now on my recordings....and it's certainly not bad at all, especially for the $250 price tag....

I was thinking about upgrading to the POD Pro...but the price difference is quite alot.....

My question to YOU is...

Is the extra $500 (Cdn here in Toronto) really worth it?

and....does the Pro's SPDIF digital connection really give a quieter, cleaner, better signal for RECORDING, over the POD 2.0???

10 - 4, over...

KEV

hey Kev, I have never used the digital out.. I record with a 24-bit Tascam 788 portastudio and it doesn't have a digital in..


That being said, I spent several hours at my house with the Pod and the Pod Pro.. I definitely can tell you that I was able to get the same sound from both.. The main reason I went with the Pro was, at the time I was more into rack stuff, and I was also using a gift certificate at Guitar Center, so I figured 'why not.'


I don't think going from the Pod to the Pod Pro is necessarily an upgrade because the sounds are the same.. I would pick up a J-Station as an extra tool, instead of an upgrade.. I don't know what type of music yyour playing, but IMHOP when you push the Pod OR Pod Pro to it's distortion limits, it starts to break up.. The distortion is not clean, if that makes any sense.. The J-Station holds up better when your going for a seriously distorted sound, without the woofyness that the Pod gives you.. The Sansamp is better still.. (but doesn't have any extras like effects, tuner etc.) I still like the Pod sometimes, but lately it's been all J-Station or Sansamp..


Sometimes I set the Pod Pro totally clean, and use the distortion from my Sansamp, just using cabinet emulation from the Pod.. That gives it a pretty meaty sound too..

I don't know if I helped at all, but you can ask again if you want and I'll try to answer better..


good luck man..

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

...sounds slightly digital...

What, exactly, does that mean???

Digital has a "sound"??? That's news to me...

 

[guhlenn]

Blue bear,

You're being a dick on purpose in this thread, right?

Just to make sure ...

Guhlenn

 

[HapiCmpur]

If you want a convincing amp sound -- BUY A REAL AMP!

Or am I missing something here?

Well, let's see. I asked a very specific and carefully-worded question about digital modelers, and you gave me an answer about amplifiers. So yes, I'd say you missed something there.

Thanks, though, to the seven other guys who answered the question that was asked--especially to Sabbath who offered up some audio samples to compare. I've been getting so much good advice from these forums lately that I'm starting to spend more time here than with my recording equipment. Kind of ironic.

 

[Kevzmusic]

Thanks SABBATH,

Yeah, I'd heard from others that there wasn't really any difference "sound-wise" between the POD & POD Pro...and your comments here kinda confirm that - although, I do think the SPDIF out would allow for a somewhat "quieter" and possibly "cleaner" signal.

I've used the Digitech Genesis 3 before, and personally I don't care for the 'overly-processed' rock tones - no matter how much ya tweak that unit, everything ends up sounding like Billy Gibbons (raspy) on ACID The clean tones are pretty good tho...and the digital OUT to my OMNI Studio w/delta 66 card was extremely clear, no unwanted "noise" at all.

Same with the BOSS products that I've heard...mostly all over-processed in the rock/hi-gain settings...

I've been reading about the new Rocktron "Replitone MP" modelling pre amp...and by all accounts it's sounds great....all the reviews say it's better than the POD Pro (and 1/2 the price)....but none of the stores here in Toronto carry it, so I haven't been able to demo it - YET! :-(

Yngwie uses quite a bit of Rocktron gear, and considering that he's the best axe man on the planet, I guess it'll be good enuff for ME - LOL!!!!!

"cheers"

KEV

 

[Uladine]

I'm a POD man and all, but I won't use the direct recording feature for any serious recording. Sure it sounds pretty damn good when you consider how little fuss is required to get a decent direct sound vs. micing a real amp, but for any serious recording I preffer to run the POD through an amp and speaker cab and mic it. The POD can simulate a speaker to a usable degree, but theres something about converting the signal to actual sound before recording it that almost automatically makes it sound better than direct recording.

And about the POD 2.0 vs. POD pro thing, I've owned both and I must say I like the POD pro better. Is the pro worth the extra money? Not really when you consider the sound difference is almost non existant, But I mainly bought my POD pro so I could rack mount it for gigging purposes and for the line level input. You can run a lot of things through a POD and it can do some neat things to them, especially vocals.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Blue bear,

You're being a dick on purpose in this thread, right?

Er... no......

Why? Because I wanted someone to explain themselves after making a comment of a unit "sounding digital"????

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Well, let's see. I asked a very specific and carefully-worded question about digital modelers, and you gave me an answer about amplifiers. So yes, I'd say you missed something there.

Well... I'd say I'm giiving you exactly what you expected...

One of the first things you say in your post is "...so I’m probably going to take a fair amount of abuse for asking a question like this, but here goes...", so why are you complaining.....???

 

[smilestoned]

I'm using the pod a lot meanly for songwriting or trying out some things.

But to be honest for a serious recording I would use a combination of amp cabinet and a modeler or at least an amp with speaker and micing it.

 

[Uladine]

I can understand the "digital sound" thing. Thats why I stay away from Digitech stuff.

 

[jimistone]

i agree with blue bear, if you want a convicing amp sound ....use an amp.

i sometimes use amp modling and go direct for rythem guitar tracks (cause it so easy to layer rythem guitars that way)...but...i have yet to get a direct lead guitar track that sounds as good as miking an amp. (i mic guitar cabs with a sm 57 or a C1...depending on what kind of sound i want)