Analog and Digital Distortion???

[GuitarChimp]

Hi,

I am looking at getting a new amp, and I have a few questions about Analog and Digital Distortions through a Solid State amp. I figured since a lot of sound engineer type people probably look around here, someone might have an answer to my question.

Basically all I want is a nice classic rock analog distortion sound (I am on a budget so can't affored tube). But at the same time I use a lot of Delay and Modulation effects, and not only is it expensive to buy them as single analog stomp boxes, but it also seems unpractical. If I am changing multiple effects throughout a song on stage, I don't want to be stomping more than strumming

When these Delay and Modulation effects come packed in multi effects pedals, or on amps like Line 6 I don't mind them being digital. I myself can't notice any difference between digital delay/mod and analog delay/mod. But I CAN'T STAND digital models of both amps and distortions. I have owned a zoom for the past few years and I absolutely can't stand the distortion on it. I have looked at Line6 and other Digitech multi effects units and the distortions all sound very synthetic to me.

What would happen if I bought an Amp like the Line6 spider, to only use the Delay/Mod effects with the floorboard, and then put a DS-1 for distortion in front of it. Would I be able to get that true analog distortion 'sin' wave, or would it end up being a 'square' sound wave, because it is being combine with digital delay/mod. There is also no true bypass on something like the Spider, so even the clean channel is a Digital Clean, so I don't know if Spider Clean Digital + Boss Analog stomp box would create a true analog sound.

I hope this makes some sense, I am pretty confused on the direction to head at the moment so I hope someone can help me out.

Thanks!!

 

[Ed Dixon]

I would try to find a separate amp and effects units. That is usually far more flexible that an integrated combo.

Many firms now make modeling effects (Line 6, Behringer, Vox, etc). Both Fender and Peavey has fairly low cost good standard no-effects amps. Combine one of these with a modeling unit that suits your ears. You can get most all of these on EBay for fairly low $.

Ed

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Look at something like the Yamaha DG-series of amps... their sound is outstanding. Both clean and dirty sounds are absolutely killer.

 

[DogFood]

A friend of mine has a Line 6 amp similar to the spider...a bit older model. I cannot stand listening to it, the sounds it produces are weak. This coming from someone who has circa 1978 Sunn solid state amplification. I highly second the yamaha recommendation. Yam's sounds are worlds better, I own the DG Stomp multi-effect stomp box. I would sell my Sunn crud in seconds if the Yamaha box didn't transform the amps into tube amps. A good tube head runs 1500+ and I got the DG Stomp for 300 new. quite a deal.

 

[JM350]

There is no reason you have to spend $1500+ to get into a tube amp unless it must be 100 watts, a big name, and brand new.

If you are looking at the Spider I guess your budget is around $300. How about the used market? For even less than $300 you could get a Peavey Classic 20 or Classic 30, hell the 30 only goes about $400 new.

If you have a speaker cab or can find one cheap there are a number of used off brand guitar heads that are in your range as well, Sovtek would certainly be one to look for.

For a classic rock sound you will probably also want an overdrive pedal to push the amp hard which would add bit more to the overall cost but my point is that a real tube amp not exactly out of your reach.

 

[Ronan]

If you live in the US, Canada or England you can find a good tube amp for a price that is the same as a solid state if you look hard enough on the used market. You find a used tube amp that will suite your needs far better than a new solid state amp for the same amount of money.