Best modeler to plug directly into PA

[G&Legacy]

I have played guitar for about 5 years and I am tired of dealing with all the gear....I am always judging tone but since I am not a pro and don't have roadies I am tired of carrying around tube amps that can just break down. And i don't have the cash to get an amp that I would want...

I am looking into amp modelers and such that plug straight into a PA. I am mainly interested in the heavier side or amps (think alter bridge type tone, not ****ty metal) As well as clean sounds. I would not use lower gain settings that much.

i would kind of like a unit that replaces my whole rig, effects etc.

Any recommendations?

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Best modeler to plug directly into PA

I've always liked my POD xt Live. It is not my Franklin and the pedalboard, but then again, it was ALOT easier to setup and tear down last night. I think I'll continue using it for Wednesday night services.

But the amp/effects rig comes out for Sundays!

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Best modeler to plug directly into PA

I find it odd that you say tube amps just break down on ya.... oddly i have had more tech issues with digital gear.... it's more plastic and seems to be easier broken... I do understand the pain of lugging heavy amps around...

But that said the POD XT Live or the VOX Tone Lab stuff is for you.... i want the Tone Lab... All i have right now as far as modeling goes is a POD 2.0 and a longboard pedalboard.... when i bought it used a few years back it was a great modeler, but the new XT or the Vox's offer much nicer toys...

The part of modeling stuff that bugs me is it is much more work sometimes to tweek sounds... i'm a plug in and play fan... but the modelers are fun...

 

[thespricket]

Re: Best modeler to plug directly into PA

You could just buy a high end digital amp. Ive played the flextone before and been pretty impressed. The Vetta 2 is also a good amp, if you wanna pay 2 grand. The Fender Cyber twins are suposed to be good too. I heard Buddy Guy's guitar tech made him try one out, being skeptical at first he played it, and was like "whoa!! thats my tone!!".

From what ive heard the XT live is probly the highest quality you can get, for a reasonable price.

 

[these_go211]

Re: Best modeler to plug directly into PA

i'd say the pod xt <attention: shameless plug coming up>. hey, what a coincidence, i have one for sale in the trading post! actually it's *not* a pod xt live, just a regular bean pod xt. so it probably wouldn't fit your requirements but i couldn't resist..........

 

[SOLO GUITAR STEWIE]

Re: Best modeler to plug directly into PA

Pod XT works great live, I use it every sunday that I play in the church band.
great sound, just make shure you get your own monitor.

chris

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Best modeler to plug directly into PA

Another vote for the POD xt live. You can upgrade by buying extra amps models, one is a metal pack. That should do ya.

 

[YJM_Rocks]

Re: Best modeler to plug directly into PA

PODxt. I plug it into my stereo all the time and it sounds wounderful.

 

[KeyOfG]

Re: Best modeler to plug directly into PA

I'd say the SansAmp Classic. You can achieve some very remarkable Marshall, Vox, Fender, Mesa, etc.. "Tube Amp" emulations with that little box. Very convincing.

 

[timccart]

Re: Best modeler to plug directly into PA

I seem to be in the minority, but I perfer t Boss GT8.

You must be willing to tweak it, alot, though.

 

[Arkitkt]

Re: Best modeler to plug directly into PA

Aaaaaaaaaand another one for the PodXT live!!

Love mine.

 

[greedo]

Re: Best modeler to plug directly into PA

I use a Fractal Audio Axe-Fx. it ain't cheap ($1750) but to my ears, it's the best-sounding digital "all-in-one" box that's currently available. at home, I run it straight into a Mackie mixer and active monitors. for rehearsals and live gigs, I run it into our PA and (when needed) mate it with a Crest Pro Series power amp and a pair of custom-built full-range cabs loaded with E-V drivers. there is a waiting list for the Axe-Fx...not sure what the current build-time is. I waited 2 months for mine, but that was awhile back.

 

[34029324079]

Re: Best modeler to plug directly into PA

of course others have different experiences, but I dont like playing solid state live if there is another guitarist. it never cuts through the mix and I have to tweak it for days to find something sounding not useless. I just want to plug and play. if that means dragging a combo around or whatever, so be it, just as long as it is not solid state live.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Best modeler to plug directly into PA

The POD xt Live is pretty sturdy. Convenient, too. Easily tweaked. Nameable presets.

I replaced a POD 2.0 bean and floorboard with it. Much easier setup.

 

[G&Legacy]

Re: Best modeler to plug directly into PA

What about the floor POD plus? Another reason I am thinking along this all in one box is that I have a m-Audio black box and the distortion was killer through a PA...it just doesn't have enough "live" controls.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Best modeler to plug directly into PA

Haven't tried it.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Best modeler to plug directly into PA

I seem to be in the minority, but I perfer t Boss GT8.

You must be willing to tweak it, alot, though.

i could see myself using Boss stuff..... i've always liked their multiFX units....

I still want a keyboard amp to use as a powered monitor so i can use various modelers thru it... i could use various guitar and bass modelers thru it and keyboards! Plus i hear with some Acoustic preamps they can make a great acoustic amp as well.....

 

[Johnny L]

Re: Best modeler to plug directly into PA

What about the floor POD plus? Another reason I am thinking along this all in one box is that I have a m-Audio black box and the distortion was killer through a PA...it just doesn't have enough "live" controls.

Floor Pod Plus = something halfway between a 2.0 and an XT. I'm not a fan; another $100 gets you an XT Live, which can do a fair bit more. XT Live allows for foot-switchable stomp, modulation, and delay, while the Floor Pod Plus just gives you mod and delay, and fewer options for both.

I've been gigging with an XT Live, quite happily.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Best modeler to plug directly into PA

had a PODxt, sold it for a Boss GT-Pro, which is way more tweakable. Im one of those weirdos that actually likes doing that, though.

 

[chcjunior]

Re: Best modeler to plug directly into PA

I can only tell you what doesn't work and that's the Digitech GNX3. I like it running thru my computer speakers, and I like the multi-effects in the loop of my amps. However, as an amp/cabinet modeler dumped into a PA it sounds horrendous.