Mama help!

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guitarmonkus

guitarmonkus

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Hey guys...not really a recording question..more of a jamming question. I have a Behringer V-amp. What's the word on running this through just a PA monitor(s) to jam? I'm thinking of purchasing monitors so I can hear what I'm playing to just allow me to write songs through the Vamp, but I don't know if I will need a pre-amp anywhere?

Also, any suggestions on monitors for this use? Simply jamming out in small apartment. THanks!!!

Thom
 
You won't require a amp if you get a set of active monitors.
 
Yea.

There's this thing called a guitar amplifier.

You should get one.
 
chessrock said:
Yea.

There's this thing called a guitar amplifier.

You should get one.

That is such insightful help! It is no wonder you are such a pro!
 
studiomaster said:
You won't require a amp if you get a set of active monitors.

Thanks. I was wondering if anyone had tried the vamp---pa monitors thing before and how it sounded? A suitable substitute?

Thom
 
My experience is that the modeling boxes going straight to the PA don't sound quite right. That's *very* little experience, though. Could've been any number of variables, too- the PA we were using has its own issues.

I'd definately see if you can TRY it before you buy. Seems like it *should* work and I was surprised when it didn't work so well. Again- not much experience here.

Take care,
Chris
 
I agree with the advice about getting a guitar amp. I'm not exactly sure what you are referring to by "PA". If you mean a real PA system, then that would be huge overkill for jamming in an apartment. Not to mention that you'd certainly get numerous complaints from your neighbors!

For simple jamming, just get yourself a guitar amp. I actually can't imagine a guitarist *without* a guitar amp. Do you have an amp and are just not happy with it, or do you really not have an amp at all?
 
guitarmonkus said:
...more of a jamming question.
Let me speculate on another angle. Are you looking to avoid hauling your amp to a jam?

There you'll have the situation that you'll be sharing the PA with vocals and keyboards, at minimum, and therefore will be at the mercy of the mixer settings, which will want to favor the other instruments. Add to that that you'll only be able to hear what you sound like via the stage monitors - which will NOT sound the same as the PA - and you'll have comprimised sound and limited ability to know just how to fix it.

I was at a jam night last week where one guitarist brought in a teeny little 15W Fender Blues Junior amp and got a suprisingly powerful sound out of it. And it's not hard to buy, haul around, or store at home.

G.
 
SonicAlbert said:
I agree with the advice about getting a guitar amp. I'm not exactly sure what you are referring to by "PA". If you mean a real PA system, then that would be huge overkill for jamming in an apartment. Not to mention that you'd certainly get numerous complaints from your neighbors!

For simple jamming, just get yourself a guitar amp. I actually can't imagine a guitarist *without* a guitar amp. Do you have an amp and are just not happy with it, or do you really not have an amp at all?

Thanks for the responses guys.

My Fender Blues Delux recently started having some problems, and I was told it probably would require more work than it is in value. I don't have the money to purchase a new amp at the moment, but I didn't want to stop writing. I priced active speakers, and wanted to know how it would sound if I ran my Vamp through them. By "PA", I misspoke and should have said active speakers.

Sorry for the ambiguous original post.
 
Ah. How 'bout a Valve Jr combo? You'll probably find it more useful than bargain-basement actives once you get back up and running. You could even run the Vamp through the Epi, might be cool.
 
My experience is that the modeling boxes going straight to the PA don't sound quite right.

it can definitely sound good if done right...the band meshuggah's live signal chain goes guitar->wireless unit->POD modeler->eq/effects->PA. there's not a single guitar amp involved, and their tone is killer
 
Ironklad Audio said:
it can definitely sound good if done right...the band meshuggah's live signal chain goes guitar->wireless unit->POD modeler->eq/effects->PA. there's not a single guitar amp involved, and their tone is killer

Meshuggah is an innovative band in many ways, and this just adds to the list. I didn't realize they did that. I don't play insane genius math metal like they do, but if they can get a professional sound out of that setup, then things are looking up. Thanks for that.
 
I think that it just depends on the quality of the unit...I dont have experience with the vamp...but my buddy uses a floorpod and he gets good tone through the pa...but I get stuck with a shitty modeler and it sounds like ass....so there you have it...lol..
 
yeah the Vamp isn't the best product out there. I know there are some people on this forum that like it alot, but I don't think I have the patience for it. The sound I get from the Vamp to the monitors sounds very cheap. I can use it until I get the amp repaired or a new one, though.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a good amp? Not so much interested in a "practice amp". I'd rather spend the money on something I could play during a set. Thanks!
 
guitarmonkus said:
Does anyone have a suggestion for a good amp? Not so much interested in a "practice amp". I'd rather spend the money on something I could play during a set. Thanks!

So now we are back to the age old question: how much do you have to spend?

I've worked with a guy that had a Line 6 amp that had all the bells and whistles (and sounded great) but I'm sure it was pricey. I think it was a Vetta or Vetta II. But since you already have the V-Amp you probably don't want or need an amp with all the guitar sim stuff built in.

Another guy I work with uses a Fender amp and it sounds great. I'm not sure which model he uses, I'll have to ask. It might be a Frontman or a Deluxe 900. Sounds good though, whatever it is.
 
guitarmonkus said:
Does anyone have a suggestion for a good amp? Not so much interested in a "practice amp". I'd rather spend the money on something I could play during a set. Thanks!
Oh, man, to be honest, guitarmonkus, that's like asking if anyone has a suggestion for a good chili recipe; everybody will have one, everyone will swear theirs is the absolute BEST, and every one of them will be different. And none of them will be correct for you except by accident. :)

Grab your guitar and instrument cable and head down to your local dealer and start plugging in and testing.

G.
 
Meshuggah is an innovative band in many ways, and this just adds to the list. I didn't realize they did that. I don't play insane genius math metal like they do, but if they can get a professional sound out of that setup, then things are looking up. Thanks for that.

they've said that they like the idea of having nothing onstage but some viking looking dudes and a drum kit. they'd probably find a way to get rid of the drums too, if they could.

sometimes i almost think they're more lazy than innovative...before they used programmed drums on their last album, fredrik thordendal would write the songs on guitar, program drum tracks to go along, then send the tracks to thomas haake, who would then learn to play the programmed drums and record his performance of them

i guess they decided they didn't need to bother with the last step anymore
 
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