Line 6 POD, Johnson J-Station, Etc., The Pros & Cons...

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Fmmahoganyrush

Fmmahoganyrush

Pleads the 5th...
I've seen a lot of post regarding Line 6 POD, Johnson J-Station, etc., I'm looking for an amp/cab modeler for direct input recording. What do you use (other than micing the actual amp) and why. what do you consider good features and features that are useless? Also, is there any guitar modeling software out there that would do the job, and if so, how does it compare to the stand alone modules in quality, versatility, and price? Thanx, Tom.
 
The Amp Farm plug-in is used by the likes of Nile Rodgers (according to Behind The Glass and EQ mag sources!)

I personally find the modellers like the POD and j-Station useful only for a wide variety of dirty tones - I have yet to hear any of them give me a convincing clean tone.

Bruce
 
I've had ecellent results recording the SansAmp products and a variation of the Roland COSM modeler.

See my other extensive post below about the SansAmps (emulators, not modelers) and the POD.

Regarding the COSM, I've used the amp modelers on my VS-880 for years and have gotten great results. These amps did a great job for cleaner tones, but were a little lacking in the distortion department. However, after driving the signal a bit at the input with an external preamp (i.e., TubeScreamer or GT2), the distortion began producing quality tones with excellent sustain. The amp began reacting with subtle harmonics and feedback like it was driving its power amp into pleasant distortion.

Similar results might be obtained from their Boss line that uses COSM, but I've never tried it. Also, the VG-88 has good clean tones, but also lacks in distortion. Unfortunately, the VG-88 uses a digital input from a MIDI-style pickup, and therefore cannot be overdriven by an external preamp.


Me
 
I've had ecellent results recording the SansAmp products and a variation of the Roland COSM modeler.

See my other extensive post below about the SansAmps (emulators, not modelers) and the POD.

Regarding the COSM, I've used the amp modelers on my VS-880 for years and have gotten great results. These amps did a great job for cleaner tones, but were a little lacking in the distortion department. However, after driving the signal a bit at the input with an external preamp (i.e., TubeScreamer or GT2), the distortion began producing quality tones with excellent sustain. The amp began reacting with subtle harmonics and feedback like it was driving its power amp into pleasant distortion.

Similar results might be obtained from their Boss line that uses COSM, but I've never tried it. Also, the VG-88 has good clean tones, but also lacks in distortion. Unfortunately, the VG-88 uses a digital input from a MIDI-style pickup, and therefore cannot be overdriven by an external preamp.


Me
 
I have a Yamaha DG Stomp that I use for direct recording. I like it a lot. I haven't recorded my amp since I got it.

The only software I have used to model amps is Aonic Foundry's Acoustic Mirror with the beamsonic impulses. Works pretty well.

I think the DG Stomp has a pretty solid range of sounds. I liked it a lot better than the POD and J-Station I thought about before settling on the Yamaha.
 
When I chose mine (j-station) I sat down at guitar center with pod, j-station, and a few others...after a few hours, i made my decision...Id recommend you use the same method....

I have heard that Yamaha DG Stomp is the shit....it wasnt out when i bought the johnson....

I wouldnt use software based unless you have ProTools and Amp Farm.....I dont think you can use a plugin type effect in real time.....If you can youll probably have latency...anyway feel free to correct me on this as I havent tried them....

I liked the J-Station for its digital outs, eq points that were modeled after the amp, you could use different cabs with different amps, it has acoustic simulators, it had bass amp models....some of the others has similiar but what it will come down to is which one has the most usable sounds that you will need....
 
The bitch part about it is I bought my J-Station for $279 and now you can get them for $149.....
 
where did you see them for that price gidge??? I might consider getting one if I could find one that cheap.
 
If you go to musicians fiend on their site they now have real audio streams of sample snippets from the likes of pod, j-station and yamaha dg. Then go somewhere else to buy one of course;)
 
Good point Gidge.

Go to a music store and autition the boxes yourself. Have the shop set up a mixer where you can A/B the boxes through monitors or even headphones. This setup will give you a good idea of what the boxes sound like recorded direct.

Be sure to try the SansAmp Classic, GT2, or (preferably)PSA-1.

Me
 
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