MCK Posted December 4, 2008 Posted December 4, 2008 I admit this might be slightly off topic but its related anyways... I would like to buy a nice amplifier to complement my Dark Fire for regular home use with occasional portability needs. Something that will allow me to enjoy the full spectrum of the analog tone combinations. If there is additional digital capabilities interfacing with the RIP all the better. What do you think? Anything that stands out from the crowd? Thanks in advance for your help.
Wondo Posted December 4, 2008 Posted December 4, 2008 I would think as far as an amp goes, the sky's the limit. However, I have an idea. I am not a huge fan of modeling, but it certainly has its place. I will be running the DF into my H&K Triamp and then possibly into my H&K Switchblade as well. But, I think running it into the Line 6 POD X3 Live is going to be very interesting. The X3 Live has the ability to plug two instruments in at once...say a microphone and guitar, a bass and a guitar, or two guitars. So, the two ouputs from the DF (piezo and magnetic pickups) can go into the X3 Live. One into say a Marshall Plexi and the other into an acoustic amp and each amp can get effected with its own effects. Sounds pretty promising! The sounds on the X3 Live are very good as far as modeling goes. If you want pure analog tone, get a good tube amp and a good acoustic amp.
Eracer_Team Posted December 4, 2008 Posted December 4, 2008 I would think you'd be looking at more than 1 amp. the main amp to run the standard analog pickups (probably the standard fav tube amp) and probably multiple acoustic type amps running the digital stuff; since each string can be broken away from the guitar. Hmm six amps for each string….
MLB Posted December 4, 2008 Posted December 4, 2008 Yep, this opens up a new realm of possibilities.......six amps, one for each string is easily a possibility now if I'm undertanding the DF capabilities for outputs. As far as playing on stage.....that's left to be experimented with, but, I mainly will use the DF for my studio work. It will be interesting to try and get familiar with the DF during my band practices to see how it performs with my other gear. I currently use two Fender Deluxe Reverbs (1964 and a 1965) in a stereo config, fronted by a POD 2.0. I use the POD bypass for my cleans and my POD for distortions. The DF really does intrigue me for future sound possibilities (studio and stage). Only drawback I have right now with the DF is I'm a tremolo guy and I'll lose that piece when I play the DF.......and I really hate that. So, if I use the DF on stage, it will be a limited use.
elantric Posted December 4, 2008 Posted December 4, 2008 The RIP box + Macbook Pro (Guitar Rig) + Traynor K4 (300Watts stereo 2.1 amp)
MCK Posted December 5, 2008 Author Posted December 5, 2008 Yayy. Ok. This is a can of worms. 6 amps at home would sure get me kicked out! Thanks for your ideas. Hunt continues.
MLB Posted December 5, 2008 Posted December 5, 2008 Another plus for the DF is the software that's sent with it. Right now I only use a DAW (Roland VS2480 - 24 track machine). I do intend to instll the software on my PC and get an intro to the PC side of the studio recording arena, so I do look forward to that also. K Kirk....I can relate about the 6 amp thingy....it's funny, as when I read that there may be a possibility to place different sounds on each of the 6 guitar strings, that does open up another realm for us. It made me think about how many amps I have. I do have 6 amps, but I doubt I would use more than 2 amps for giggin, now not so sure about studio work tho.........man, that means 6 amps, 6 sets of cables (power and audio), 6 mics and more cables.....this could get nuts. Might be more efficient to just use the software to try out the different sound options. :)
Eracer_Team Posted December 5, 2008 Posted December 5, 2008 The six amp this was sort of ment as a joke (but ever seen a Ted Nugent concert? he used at least 6 full stacks for himself). I would think for stage work you would just send the analog stuff to a nice tube amp and the digital stuff to a rack where the signal would be fed into the PA.
MCK Posted December 25, 2008 Author Posted December 25, 2008 Hi everyone. Coming back to this topic. I am refining the mandate a little to get a small bedroom amp. I came across BlackHeart http://www.blackhearteng.com/ . The Killer Ant at 1W and Little Giant Head at 5W switchable to 3W sounds awesome. Can crank it up to get the tone and yet not get kicked out of the house. I reckon the true tube sound + chameleon tone mixing abilities on my DF will keep me going for quite some time. When I need anything more delicate then I go the RIP + GuitarRig path. How does that sound? Does the plan make sense? anyone used these little amps? Cheers, KS
elantric Posted December 25, 2008 Posted December 25, 2008 Killer ant gets good reviews http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013O95GW throw a 12" celestion G12-80 in a closet with SM-57 - and you will rule. My Traynor K4 arrives next week. Perfect for RIP, VG-99, acoustic, Vocals - the whole enchilada - IF you are using Guitar Rig, Line6 PODFarm, etc.
Alouf Posted December 25, 2008 Posted December 25, 2008 I would think as far as an amp goes' date=' the sky's the limit. However, I have an idea. I am not a huge fan of modeling, but it certainly has its place. I will be running the DF into my H&K Triamp and then possibly into my H&K Switchblade as well. But, I think running it into the Line 6 POD X3 Live is going to be very interesting. The X3 Live has the ability to plug two instruments in at once...say a microphone and guitar, a bass and a guitar, or two guitars. So, the two ouputs from the DF (piezo and magnetic pickups) can go into the X3 Live. One into say a Marshall Plexi and the other into an acoustic amp and each amp can get effected with its own effects. Sounds pretty promising! The sounds on the X3 Live are very good as far as modeling goes. If you want pure analog tone, get a good tube amp and a good acoustic amp.[/quote'] If you think that the DF is unreliable, wait until you get a hold of these Live X3s. They are known to short-circuit from time to time, pedal falling off, presets changing by themselves, non properly working pots, etc... Go visit their forums for a real eye opener into badly managed, badly QAed, Chinese made product.
ppmkly Posted December 25, 2008 Posted December 25, 2008 I play through boutique Mark Sampson creations. Everyone is floored by the sounds from a good SMF, Star, Badcat or Matchless amplfier that Mark has touched. Expensive but worth the $$ per pound.
MCK Posted December 26, 2008 Author Posted December 26, 2008 Ok. Ordered a Marshall 1936V with 2 x Celestion 'Vintage 30's in it. To sit on top of it ordered a BlackHeart BH5H pre-modded for me by a tech in the UK. Here's the link to an expired eBay listing that explains the extent of the mods... RAT Modded BH5H on eBay The 1W KillerAnt seems to be redundant now with the PowerScale capability so I think I'll go with the 5W and see how far it gets me. Photos of the rig and sounds from DF to follow.
elantric Posted December 26, 2008 Posted December 26, 2008 Looks like a sweet amp rather like a mini THD bivalve. BTW - the London Power "Power Scaling " Mods are the best = check out the "Ultimate Tone" series of Books for cool mods http://www.londonpower.com/tube-amp-books.htm
MCK Posted January 3, 2009 Author Posted January 3, 2009 Elantric, thanks for that reference. I am excited & waiting. Meanwhile I picked up a used Mesa V-Twin. Awesome tone with the DF. Good thing is that it has a headphone out jack for those late at night sessions and the tone with just the pedal is still amazing.
mswessel Posted January 4, 2009 Posted January 4, 2009 I've been playing on a Line 6 Vetta 2 for 4 years now and couldn't be happier. I've owned a Marshall TSL 122 Combo...Mesa Triple Rec...Vox AC30TB with Blues...and a slew of others but as a worship leader couldn't be happier with the Vetta. Everyone is always commenting on the tone and with my new DF the possibilities are endless! Has all the samples you want and even Piezo amp settings for acoustic. My 2 cents anyway. As you can see, everyone has their favs!
MCK Posted January 4, 2009 Author Posted January 4, 2009 Sounds great! This is the type of amplifier I was wondering about when I started the thread. I might still get one after Tokyo. We are a little short on space here... Thanks for your insight. Would love to hear more once you get your RIP and start to play with the Guitar Rig software as well. Question in my mind is whether Guitar Rig will really make amplifier based modelling redundant or not.
mswessel Posted January 4, 2009 Posted January 4, 2009 Well...I'm glad you said that! I own both POD and Guitar Rig software now. For samples and sounds I prefer POD. Check out POD Farm...wow! PM me and I'll send you an mp3 recording of some stuff that is old but all POD Farm based. But back to the topic I think that so many manufacturers have started modeling that most really good tube amps will become boutique items, as some already have. For touring especially it's nice to have the "no tubes to worry about" stance. Plus...if I can spend $2k and get an amp that emulates some of the best tube rigs out there instead of having to worry about storage space, I'm all for it. Although I do sometimes miss the "tube" feel. :)
elantric Posted January 4, 2009 Posted January 4, 2009 I own a Vetta too. Just wish it worked better for acoustic, and synths, as 50% of my gigs are acoustic with triggered loops these days thus my Traynor K4 purchase. the K4 works well as a swiss army full range stereo amp. http://www.traynoramps.com/products.asp?type=9&cat=57&id=340 - I consider it the best amp for Modeller Rigs ( Tonelab LE, VG-99, GT-10, POD XT Live, RIP) FWIW - I performed frequency plot analysis of all the Vetta Amp Models and Cab Models, including Armin's custom Vetta Cabs. see here: http://www.vettaville.com/vetta_frequency_plots.htm Currently sorting a way to perform frequency plots of my vintage guitar collection - so we may dial the Dark Fire PEQ for "Gretsch" "Rickenbacker" and other missing guitars.
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