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caleb2438
New member
If you were to buy either of these, which one would you buy and why? I just need something to plug my gretsch electric into, I would like some good reverbs and tube simulation, either of these do the trick?
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SteveMcB
Just some guy from NZ
I have, and would still go with, the J-station, but that relates to my needs mostly. I have heard a tiny, (and tinny) demo of the V-amp, and wasn't impressed, but it wasn't a good enough listen to really know. The thing that sold me on the J was the bass amp models. The SVT model is FAT. It's like the world's most versatile bass DI. Except maybe the Sansamp bass DI, but I haven't tried that...
The J station has a lot of good sounds, some really great sounds, and the incredibly lame acoustic model sounds. The V-amp (and, in your price range maybe a second hand POD2) both have good sounds too, but not the bass amp modelling, and I think the J does bluesy edge-of-breakup sounds well.
Steve
The J station has a lot of good sounds, some really great sounds, and the incredibly lame acoustic model sounds. The V-amp (and, in your price range maybe a second hand POD2) both have good sounds too, but not the bass amp modelling, and I think the J does bluesy edge-of-breakup sounds well.
Steve
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Dick Flansen
New member
I've got them both, and you can't really go wrong either way. To my ears, the Johnson is darker and thicker, more tightly compressed - while the V-amp is brighter and more "pop-rock" sounding.
They both do a really great job of cabinet simulation and have great 'verbs. In the long run, I think the V-amp is more versatile, but the Johnson has a handful of truly great sounds...
They're both great. Just different flavors.
They both do a really great job of cabinet simulation and have great 'verbs. In the long run, I think the V-amp is more versatile, but the Johnson has a handful of truly great sounds...
They're both great. Just different flavors.
Gidge
Lapdance Test Dummy
it would help to play with them side by side and see which one has the tones you like.....
i have a J-Station and love it if that tells ya anything.....
i have a J-Station and love it if that tells ya anything.....
Rossi
New member
I own a lot of Behringer gear, and I'm fairly happy with my stuff (4 composers and an MX8000 mixer among others) . So I checked out the V-Amp II, and, quite frankly, I found it disgusting. Really. There wasn't one sound in that box that I liked, and tweaking the presets didn't help either. Never had a chance to listen to the J-Station, but the POD is way better. If you've got the money get the new POD XT. That thing sounds killer.
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bostonfan2
New member
"Never had a chance to listen to the J-Station, but the POD is way better. "
Thats pretty funny, comments like these
are why people need to really listen for themselves.
Thats pretty funny, comments like these
are why people need to really listen for themselves.
Gidge
Lapdance Test Dummy
Yeah, that one got me too.....i guess the 2 hours i spent in GC with the J-Station and Pod meant nothin........
as stated above, "it would help to play with them side by side and see which one has the tones you like....."
because the fact of the matter is, ive played with alot of these similar devices and in this price range, i dont hting 1 is a whole lot better than the other...they just have different tones and you have to pick the one that has the most that would be of use to you.....
as stated above, "it would help to play with them side by side and see which one has the tones you like....."
because the fact of the matter is, ive played with alot of these similar devices and in this price range, i dont hting 1 is a whole lot better than the other...they just have different tones and you have to pick the one that has the most that would be of use to you.....
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bostonfan2
New member
Gidge,
did you notice the noise floor between the j-station and the pod being any different? or are they both noisy?
mostly with hiss not hum.
Thanks,
Bostonfan2
did you notice the noise floor between the j-station and the pod being any different? or are they both noisy?
mostly with hiss not hum.
Thanks,
Bostonfan2
Speeddemon
New member
Guys, I think what Rossi was trying to say was "I've never heard the J-Station, but COMPARED TO THE V-AMP, the POD is way better"...
Anyway, I tried POD 2.0, V-Amp2, J-Station and Digitech Genesis 3 and the Genesis 3 won hands down...
best clean sounds, best and most effects, best screen, warp-function, etc. etc. It sells for $199 in the USA.
POD is nice for some rock/metal sounds (JCM800, Soldano),
V-amp has lot to offer for little money, J-Station is basically forefather of Genesis 3, but the Gen3 doesn't have the bass-models anymore.
Anyway, I tried POD 2.0, V-Amp2, J-Station and Digitech Genesis 3 and the Genesis 3 won hands down...
best clean sounds, best and most effects, best screen, warp-function, etc. etc. It sells for $199 in the USA.
POD is nice for some rock/metal sounds (JCM800, Soldano),
V-amp has lot to offer for little money, J-Station is basically forefather of Genesis 3, but the Gen3 doesn't have the bass-models anymore.
Gidge
Lapdance Test Dummy
bostonfan2 said:
theres a noise gate on both......
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bostonfan2
New member
I understand they both have noise gates they dont stop noise when the gate is open and the pod for clean sounds is very hissy, was wondering if the others are quieter.
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hrn
New member
I have tried both the V-amp and the Pod. I think the Pod is better but both sounds like shit in my ears, actually cannot stand the sound for more than a minute. I recommend trying to find a used Roland GP 100 instead. I have one and are still impressed by it after years using it.
Hans,
www.hagen.nu
Hans,
www.hagen.nu
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morindae
New member
That about sums it up with these units. They all have their fans, and most people seem fairly happy with the results they get. Ultimately, the moral of the story is to try before you buy.
J
jslator
New member
It's a matter of taste. Pick the one you like the sound of best, or if you're stuck for a choice, just pick the cheapest. I've tried most of them, and haven't been particularly impressed with any of them. I recently picked up a J-Station because it was really cheap and no worse sounding than any of the others. I doubt it will ever make its way to finished product though (except maybe blended in quietly). It's strictly for late-night "idea sessions".
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Axe4Yahweh
New member
I've used the V-AMP2 for almost a year now and think it's the best 130 Bux that I have ever spent on music gear. I love it. The J-Station and POD are great too.
CR ><>
CR ><>
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morindae
New member
I've been using the POD for about a year now. As far as I am concerned it was money well spent. With a bit of tweaking I can get it to do most of what I want. I think the POD is an excellent alternative to going through the hassle of seting up a microphone in front of an amplifier, and then spend endless amounts of time trying to get the right sound, all the while killing your neighbors with the high volume of your guitar. These units aren't perfect, but they are excellent when it comes to recording the guitar direct. You pay a price for everything, wether it's direct recording or micing an amplifier. However, with these units you pay a small amount and get a heck of a lot back. I would never use the POD live, but it really delivers when recording.
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tdukex
Man of the Muse
I like the J Station, but I don't know shit.
Rossi
New member
Excuse my syntax: what I was trying to say is: I never had a chance to listen to the J-Station, but the POD is way better THAN THE V-AMP (which I was referring to in the previous sentence). Hope that clears things up.
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gordholio
New member
Genesis
Hey Speeddemon:
I've seen you raving about the Genesis over and over again. I've tried it and its pseudo floor counterpart the GNX and although I also like a lot of what it can do, I find its tone to be too dark, too low, not enough highs. I've given the POD 2.0 and the POD XT various tries, but I always feel somewhat "detached" from my playing. Always feels like I'm playing in a cave somewhere. Hard to explain, but I never feel I'm really plaing through an amp that's right in front of me - more like it's off in another room somewhere. I've also tried the V-Amp 2 extensively, and although its crisper, it doesn't have the quality and sheer volume of effects of the Genesis.
So...since I don't and can't go to the trouble and expense of buying a top of the line pre and power amp and cabinet and mike, etc., etc., I'd like to give the Genesis another go. Have you ever had issues with the inherent "darkness" of the unit? Have you found a way around it?
gordo
Hey Speeddemon:
I've seen you raving about the Genesis over and over again. I've tried it and its pseudo floor counterpart the GNX and although I also like a lot of what it can do, I find its tone to be too dark, too low, not enough highs. I've given the POD 2.0 and the POD XT various tries, but I always feel somewhat "detached" from my playing. Always feels like I'm playing in a cave somewhere. Hard to explain, but I never feel I'm really plaing through an amp that's right in front of me - more like it's off in another room somewhere. I've also tried the V-Amp 2 extensively, and although its crisper, it doesn't have the quality and sheer volume of effects of the Genesis.
So...since I don't and can't go to the trouble and expense of buying a top of the line pre and power amp and cabinet and mike, etc., etc., I'd like to give the Genesis another go. Have you ever had issues with the inherent "darkness" of the unit? Have you found a way around it?
gordo
Speeddemon
New member
Gordo, I know exactly what you mean.
That certain 'darkness' or 'lack of sparkle/presence' is what makes the difference between a real amp's sound and the Genesis 3.... however...
there are a few patches, downloadable from www.digitech.com (somewhere there you can find user groups for the Gen3),
that DO sound great...
SWEET_TUBE_DIST comes to mind, and someone also made a great JCM800 patch.
I have made other sounds myself, and you can do two things:
1)Rune the GenEdit editor on your PC (with the Genesis 3 attached ofcourse), where you can alter the FREQUENCY of the 3 bands of EQ-ing of the amp. This way you could add 6kHz, instead of 3kHz.
2)Run the Genesis 3 through some form of Exciter. I have some inbuilt exciters in my Korg D16 recorder, which really add definition, punch and clarity to the sound, without sounding harsh or brittle (be gentle with exciters ofcourse).
Although the Genesis 3 might sound dark and processed sometimes, the POD 2.0 sounded undynamic and plastic, which is worse IMHO. The Genesis 3 excells at the cleaner sounds, but from what I hear, the PODxt (haven't heard that one yet myself, besides the samples from the site), might be better suited to rock/metal players.
That certain 'darkness' or 'lack of sparkle/presence' is what makes the difference between a real amp's sound and the Genesis 3.... however...
there are a few patches, downloadable from www.digitech.com (somewhere there you can find user groups for the Gen3),
that DO sound great...
SWEET_TUBE_DIST comes to mind, and someone also made a great JCM800 patch.
I have made other sounds myself, and you can do two things:
1)Rune the GenEdit editor on your PC (with the Genesis 3 attached ofcourse), where you can alter the FREQUENCY of the 3 bands of EQ-ing of the amp. This way you could add 6kHz, instead of 3kHz.
2)Run the Genesis 3 through some form of Exciter. I have some inbuilt exciters in my Korg D16 recorder, which really add definition, punch and clarity to the sound, without sounding harsh or brittle (be gentle with exciters ofcourse).
Although the Genesis 3 might sound dark and processed sometimes, the POD 2.0 sounded undynamic and plastic, which is worse IMHO. The Genesis 3 excells at the cleaner sounds, but from what I hear, the PODxt (haven't heard that one yet myself, besides the samples from the site), might be better suited to rock/metal players.