Glad I bought the V-AMP and not the POD.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mistral
  • Start date Start date
Agreed....totally.

My point was that MORE MONEY doesn't equal BETTER GEAR.

And on the flip side, CHEAP GEAR with the promise of EQUAL QUALITY is just as stupid of a notion.

:)
 
I personally think people are overlooking some key issues here though..

First I would say that the argument of "nothing beats a good miked amp", while it may be true, it is all based on a progression, and being used to that progression, whatever is older and "classic" is what some consider to be best. But it's in no way a universal truth. To a degree it depends on the style you play, but for metal, on average, all that really matters is gain, chunkiness, tone and clarity. Any characteristics "air" might provide are lost in the mix. The V-Amp has all the character I'm looking for, for MY sound. I have played amps and listened to bands and know the sound I'm going for. I have it, it's coming out my speakers as I write this.

Secondly, while sound is important, there are further issues that contribute to what is best for each individual. I do alot of my playing at night. I live in a house with other people. I can not crank my marshall stack at 3 am. So, while it may be "cheap" and "convenient" and make us "lazy", (don't you love my excessive use of quotes) the real key fact here is that it gets the job done, and done well.
 
for all the amp and mic purists, I ask: Can you get me a mic and an amp for 99 bucks(what I paid for my V-amp) that will give me the tonal choices of the V-amp and will also allow me to record at 2:00a.m. in my apartment without getting me evicted. If you can do that for me, I'll buy 2 of them.

As far as the V-amp or the POD not sounding exactly like a real amp, hey I agree. I also agree that an mp3 doesnt sound anything like a good recording. I also agree that a recording never sounds as good as the instrument live. So, lets all quit recording and just play live at 11!

Unfortunately, I don't have that option. I also don't have a fortune to throw around on gear. I have a small DAW setup, a few guitars and mics and a V-Amp( I had a POD and sold it, I was one of those who didn't care for it's tones). I might not be able to create something that can compete with The Powerplant or Electric Ladyland, but I have been able to create songs that I like. And I'm the customer base that I'm shooting for.

A few samples of what I did immediately after getting my V-amp can be found here:
http://www.indiesound.com/Artist.cfm?ArtistID=321967

If you don't like them, that's fine, cuz I'm not trying to make a living at this, it's a hobby. And a very fun one at that.
 
The main point about this discussion is that both the Pod and V-amp are amp "MODELLERS", not real amps, only attempting to re-create a set of tones. It's kind of like owning a sound module with 50 piano sounds. It's much easier to move up or down the patches rather than carrying a different piano everytime you want a different piano sound. I bet very few people here have the money to afford as many amps and cabinets in either unit. I think we can all agree here that there's nothing like playing with the real thing, but sometimes this is impossible due to many factors. What I was after when I bought my V-amp was an array of usable tones, which the Pod didn't have for me. So I have the better of both worlds, a cheap "amp modeller" and the sounds I want.
 
Tell um Lucho. Hell, we don't even use amps at our live gigs anymore. We run everthing direct to the board including our digital drum kit. And just in case you all didn't know, a lot of heavy weight bands our there are doing the same thing now. Why carry all that shit when you don't need it.

With todays digital equipment, you can get any sound you want. Just carry plenty of power for the board and the house speakers and use in ear monitor which require no amps or big floor mointors and your in business and have saved a lot of money and saved your backs and ears.

Unless your touring with a big act or get paid some outragous amount of money for your live gigs (which I'm sure your not) why spend all that money for such little in return. I know, it's not the money, it's the music. BULL SHIT. If it's just the music, stay at home, record in your studio and just sell your CD's on line.

The bottom line is, use what ever brand of gear you like and can afford. In the digital world it's 1' and 0's and they can be manipulated any way you want.

IMHO
 
wow. boardman has some staunch points of view, many that are wrong.

just in case you all didn't know, a lot of heavy weight bands our there are doing the same thing now.

name ONE. I have been touring for 6 years and am working with a group that tours the world. I've met alot of other bands out there who are big on FM radio. They all have alot of gear, and hired hands to carry it, just like we do.

Unless your touring with a big act or get paid some outragous amount of money for your live gigs (which I'm sure your not)

You shouldn't make that assumption about people who are faceless to you, as people are on the internet. Unless you're one of us Titanic Ten who met at the East Coast Jam, you have no idea who other people are here. To answer your call here in this statement...I am.

The bottom line is, use what ever brand of gear you like and can afford. In the digital world it's 1' and 0's and they can be manipulated any way you want.

Again, if you're so confident in your abilities, I'd like to hear it. I'm NOT saying you're wrong about getting good use out of cheap gear, I'd just really love to hear how it compares to my own stuff, so I can kick myself for buying good gear.

H2H
 
h2h

If your so busy and doing so well, what the hell are doing on this site. I just don't get it. I guess when your rock stars you have lots of free time on your hands. I guess I should not assume that most people here are doing as well as you. My point was most of us here work 8 to 5 and just do our music thing on the weekends. If this is not true, why is this bbs called HOME RECORDING. I don't believe I said anywhere that every band out there is using equipment as I describe and I do believe I said we were playing in small rooms. If your playing to rooms less than 400 people or so, you must be playing every night to make ends meet. I too have been on the road, (not with a big act as you) and I know what it costs. We didn't have roadie's, or buses, or planes. We drove a beat up van. I guess we just weren't good enough. You use what ever you want and laugh and joke all you want. No problem here. What we use works fine for us. That's all that matters. By the way, where did I say anything about using cheap gear. I reread my last post and I can't find it.
 
Aaron,

Your right. Lots of room, but we do have a drum kit and a real drummer, he just uses a digital kit. And I guess using in ear monitors isn't cool. What can I say. The dancers are killer though.
 
h2h

If you want to here my band I'll give you a link. But if your going to give a fare listen, download it. Streaming audio can suck if you don't have a fast connection or the server is lagging.

Also, this was recorded in late 1998 on a roland vs880ex. I don't use that anymore and I'm sure this is not anything you would like, it was recorded in my living room (home recording) not in the Hit Factory. Keeping this in mind, there it is.

http://artists3.iuma.com/IUMA/Bands/The_RiverRoad_Band/
 
I have a Pod 2.0, with floorboard.

I love this set up. If you like your Pod, and don't have the floorboard, get one, it's a great combo.

BTW: This is an expensive set up, but very satisfying.

GT
 
Mistral,

Sorry for getting this shit started. I think I started out talking about the v-amp vs. pod. I like my v-amp as you like yours. I think that was what this was about.

Again, sorry for all the bull shit.

Peace

Boardman
 
s'all good.. actually, I'm looking forward to showing H2H what I can do with the mofo.. I'm not gonna rush my work for anyone here's sake, mind you, especially since I doubt there are many metal fans on the premesis.. but when I'm done some new material with the V-Amp I will indeed post it here, as I have with most of my past work.
 
boardman-

First off, I wanna bury the hatchet with you. It's just that people are always trying to justify "cheapness" around here. There are alot of people who come to this board and talk like they know about things and then never show any material to back up what they say. You gave me some stuff to hear, and I really respect that. In fact, I like your groups work. I think that with a good producer, your song "Dreams" could do well (and maybe it already does!). Please dont take that badly...ALL of my music was vastly improved when a good producer got ahold of me. I didn't have a whole lotta time, so I only listened to one other song "The Garden", in which I dug the vocal sound, cause it reminded me of Lenny Kravitz' vocal sound alot. According to your page, your group has been playing longer than I have been alive, :) so I really respect that aspect of your work also. You guys sound like you are all solid musicians by your recording.
Everyone has their place in the song of life as it goes on. You have yuors, I haev mine..we all fit into it. Oh yeah, only 2 more things...we DON'T have a plane (not yet anyways;)) AND I dont work with Hit Factory...I work with Sound Kitchen :).

Oh, and you asked why I hang around HERE? I like everyone here, and it's a place where I dont have to show my face and noone knows who I am. And I am addicted to music gear and it feeds my fetish. Also, this site allowed me to free my dependancy of HAVING to have someone else record anything for me when I had new songs or ideas I wanted to record. It's a great resource for anyone, I think.

By the way, I have a Composer Pro, a Powerplay Pro, and an Ultracurve...ALL Behringer :).

H2H
 
boardman said:
The bottom line is, use what ever brand of gear you like and can afford. In the digital world it's 1' and 0's and they can be manipulated any way you want.
Click to expand...

Dude...
You obviously haven't heard Courtney Love sing.

All the digital-manipulation in the world couldn't help that girl!
 
I wish that instead of posting 500 word posts with the same tired bullshit arguments over and over, more people would just prove their point by posting a link to a song. I don't have enough hands to count the times I've heard people claim they get the best killer sounds with their amp modeller, and it does everything better and cheaper than anything else, and it RULEZ.

Well, then, if it's so fucking great, post a sample and we'll all marvel at your genius and your thriftiness and your sound programming and your engineering skills. But if you're not ready to back your words up with actual SOUND that other humans can HEAR, then you're wasting our time with your bullshit essays.

In the dictionary, under "sophistry," you can find out why this topic is a waste of all of our precious time.
 
It's a case of horses for courses, really. I've had my Pod for about three years now, and my Bass Pod for about two, and I love them to bits.

I, too, found that I got very lazy about tones when I first got my Pod, but then I realised that my recordings were nothing to write home about, so I now spend time working on my tone with my Pods - in the same way I would with an amp - and guess what? Great sounds.

I have a friend who's just bought a V-amp and he's happy as hell with it. He reckons it doesn't quite match the Pod, but at £200 less than I paid there's really no complaining.

Another friend, currently studying jazz compsition, sold his amp (polytone, I think) and big fx unit once he'd messed with my Pod with his ES135 (I think - big posh Gibson semi, anyway), as it just blew him away. We did a gig with him a month ago and he didn't even bring an amp down at all. Just went straight into the board, and sounded great.

Like I said, whatever floats your boad. If it works for you, then use it.
 
H2H

PEACE.

At least you listened. That's a hell of a lot more than I can say for others on this site. By the way, since I did back up what I said by posting my stuff, where can I hear yours at?

Also, I never mind constructive criticism and I take yours. Thanks.

BUCK,

Your right! I guess there are exceptions to every rule.;)

CHARGER,

I did post a link to mine, have you. Is that short enough?

And for everyone else. I still say, use what you like, can afford, and makes you sound the way you want.

Later

Peace
 
I have 2 songs up in the clinic right now, you can check them out in there.

Rock on,
H2H
 
H2H,

I just listened to your songs. What can I say. EXCELLENT

Your right, rock on

Peace

Boardman:D
 
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