best cheap direct sound

[Reload in 5]

so here is the deal. I currently run a digitech rp200, and am fairly happy with it, as I have to run direct 99% of the time.
Here is what interests me. I know a lot of people talk about how power tube distortion is "better" than pre tube distortion. I have seen some devices that have low power tube sections, with speaker compensation to direct out. Like the lexicon 284. I would love to have something that could offer both pre and power tube distortion, with some gain. Of course I would love to have 3 channels and an effects loop and a remote foot switch, and it all has to be CHEAP.
Mind you I have A $109 digitech right now (my entire setup including guitar and SD pickup is under $500)
Somebody give me some ideas.

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: best cheap direct sound

I don't understand what you're looking for. Are you looking for a tube direct recording box with three channels and power tube distortion? If so, I have no idea...

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: best cheap direct sound

Hughes and Kettner makes a 3 channel floor unit. It is like the Mesa/Boogie V-twin. It has the Red Box speaker sim built it.

I record direct and I use a Big Muff, Eq, Red Box. I am pretty happy with the results.

 

[DankStar]

Re: best cheap direct sound

if you want to KISS, just get a floor version of vox's tonelab.

 

[Reload in 5]

Re: best cheap direct sound

KISS is important, but so is price
TONELAB floor has always interested me, but I did not realize it was tube power amp not pre so that is a plus. Could replace all my current gear with that
It costs $499
H&K sounds great (from the samples), has the red box built in, would still need other effects. I did not see a way to integrate the effects post distortion but pre cab sim / DI
costs $399
then there is the red box. I was considering adding my own DI to my current setup (we seem to always be in need of one at church, plus if we play at another event I do not have to rely on others equipment), and this would add a better cab sim to the mix.
Plus, if I did go with a low power tube amp (epi valve junior or similar) I could still use this, either alone or with a speaker cab behind it.
Also would work with any tube solution I add
Price is $100 (wow seems high)
With the red box i would likely end up with valve junior head ($100) celestion tube 10 ($40) custom built cab ($25) and then something to goose the input for crunch and lead (cheapest is the arion at $10)
But then if I go with a cab, why not just add a mic ? (isnt the shure sm57 a standard ? at about $100)
I could skip the cab, just use the red box, but I still have the other effects in front of the amp (wah, delay etc)............


Now I am really confused on which way to go............

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: best cheap direct sound

If you have a head you need a cab or some kind of load or the head will blow up.

 

[Reload in 5]

Re: best cheap direct sound

man, I thought I read that the red box would provide a load if there was not a speaker attached. Hmm.... musta been one of the other 468 things I was looking at..