Low-down on the Atomic 1 x 12

[Skarekrough]

Got a chance to finally play the amp in rehearsal last night.

I've spent the last two weeks or so cobbling together patches and testing them out and wondering how the whole setup was going to come up to snuff overall.

The band is pretty average, five peices with two folks singing. I don't think were all that loud but we do all wear earplugs and the one time I neglected to I regretted it for a day or so after.

In the past I used a tube amp (Trace Elliot Velocette 1 x 12 Class A in Triode mode) and a Line 6 PodXT Live unit through the PA.

I was underwhelmed with the result of the XT Live through the PA, although I could definetley see how it would be the ticket for some folks with some tweaking. Overall I think the issue I had primarily with it was that the sound source kept throwing me off. I'm just too used to hearing a guitar amp behind me and it really threw me for the whole night, although the bass player said he was actually very impressed with the sounds I was getting.

Enter the Atomic.

The big summary of this is that some patches work and some just don't, kind of like what I've been finding out about any patches from the PodXT. Some of them have the EQ and they cut right, others just sort of don't. Of course, the same could be said of some amps.

I would say that for a little over half the songs the patches were right-on. The cut through was there and the general ambience was what they should be for any amp, whether tube or otherwise. However with the Atomic it did add a noticable amount of warmth to them.

When the patches were off, eh, it was less than pleasant but certainly not so much that I felt I needed to come up with an alternative immediately. I wasn't in a situation where I could tweak though and see if I could make them work.

The post-event activity will be, for me, to really get an idea as to what it is that makes the patches that sounded great work and apply that to the ones that they don't.

But I do have to say that the Atomic is a phenomenal little unit. I had it barely at 25% and it was enough to get the job done. I can see where the 50 watt models would have some attraction, and I may find if things work out that I may go that route. But for now the 18 watter works fine for me needs.

In a sense the setup reminded me of why I both loved and hated my first Flextone amp. I loved the ability to throttle down and the consistency it had. But I also hated when it just wasn't cutting it in the mix. I will admit though that with the warmth added by the tubes it feels WAY more organic than the Flextone ever did.

I'm pretty much sold on the thing. It's easily luggable, integrates with the PodXT and PodXT Live, really adds the warmth I was looking for and couldn't get in the Crate PowerBlock and Marshall 2 x 12 cab and comes in at a price point that makes it an honest deal...not a GREAT deal, but an honest one.

 

[thucydides]

Re: Low-down on the Atomic 1 x 12

I don't have experience w/Atomic. Is this type of rig designed for POD use?

 

[jmcorey]

Re: Low-down on the Atomic 1 x 12

I don't have experience w/Atomic. Is this type of rig designed for POD use?

Yup. Linear tube power amp.

 

[jmcorey]

Re: Low-down on the Atomic 1 x 12

I just got an atomic also for my GT-8. Similar results. More organic than solid states, I also hate mine through the PA.

But I'e gotten better results playing through the power amp of a Traynor YCV-50 Blue than ANYTHING else.

Even though the amp models weren't reproduced as well as with my Atomic, my little Peavey Classic 20 had better dynamics than the Atomic.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Low-down on the Atomic 1 x 12

I just got an atomic also for my GT-8. Similar results. More organic than solid states, I also hate mine through the PA.

But I'e gotten better results playing through the power amp of a Traynor YCV-50 Blue than ANYTHING else.

Even though the amp models weren't reproduced as well as with my Atomic, my little Peavey Classic 20 had better dynamics than the Atomic.

If you're getting better results with the Peavey then I think you're likely doing something wrong.

Some folks have reported good results with Fender HotRod Deluxes, which makes sense because they're amps that have a huge amount of headroom. The EQing isn't likely as flat and the speakers also play a sizable role as well, but there's alot of talk on the Line 6 forums about it being an option. And having owned one for a few years I can see how that would be.

However having owned a Classic 30 for a few years and a Classic 20 for awhile the two amps color the signal much more than the HotRod Deluxe. Especially when you get some volume going through them; most of the reason I sold my Classic 30 was that its character changed dramatically from the beginning point of breakup into saturation, more than I could tolerate from a Master Volume amplifier.

The appeal of the Atomic is that it's an amp that's tuned not to color the signal and have a slew of headroom to allow the modeling unit be the color and have the tubes warm the signal. None of the amps you mentioned are designed to do that at all. Likely, as I stated before, you're not doing something right or perhaps the sound of the natural amp is more to your liking than the GT-8.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Low-down on the Atomic 1 x 12

Keep tweaking Skarey. Sounds like you're getting closer.

 

[jmcorey]

Re: Low-down on the Atomic 1 x 12

If you're getting better results with the Peavey then I think you're likely doing something wrong.

Some folks have reported good results with Fender HotRod Deluxes, which makes sense because they're amps that have a huge amount of headroom. The EQing isn't likely as flat and the speakers also play a sizable role as well, but there's alot of talk on the Line 6 forums about it being an option. And having owned one for a few years I can see how that would be.

However having owned a Classic 30 for a few years and a Classic 20 for awhile the two amps color the signal much more than the HotRod Deluxe. Especially when you get some volume going through them; most of the reason I sold my Classic 30 was that its character changed dramatically from the beginning point of breakup into saturation, more than I could tolerate from a Master Volume amplifier.

The appeal of the Atomic is that it's an amp that's tuned not to color the signal and have a slew of headroom to allow the modeling unit be the color and have the tubes warm the signal. None of the amps you mentioned are designed to do that at all. Likely, as I stated before, you're not doing something right or perhaps the sound of the natural amp is more to your liking than the GT-8.

What I think I said in my post is that my GT8 is better with the Atomic in terms of sound, but my the classic 20 increases the dynamics of my GT-8 better than my Atomic does.

I know for sure that the C20 & power amp of C30 color the gt8 tone/sound quite a bit!!!

I have also liked a hot rod deluxe as well! It was the afternoon in the guitar store with that amp and a GT-8 that got me to buy the Atomic!!! That is one of the reasons I thought changing the speaker - see my other post, which you already responded to - would make a difference.

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: Low-down on the Atomic 1 x 12

Cool review Skare. I'm still on the fence, but hearing reviews from people whose opinion of tone I tend to trust help rid me of hesitation.

When playing through other sources did you notice a real looseness to the bottom end? How does that tighten up with the Atomic?

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Low-down on the Atomic 1 x 12

Cool review Skare. I'm still on the fence, but hearing reviews from people whose opinion of tone I tend to trust help rid me of hesitation.

When playing through other sources did you notice a real looseness to the bottom end? How does that tighten up with the Atomic?

It isn't as much looseness as it was really different elements put together and not working out. The Marshall 2 x 12 sounded like a Marshall 2 x 12 cab, which is a for better or for worse sort of thing. If the amp model being used worked with it, then fine. Otherwise I found that I was forced to have to go through and tork with the settings to try and get the cumulative effect to be more accurate.

The appeal of the Atomic, if for no other reason, is that you plug in and those little steps where you have to compensate for other aspects is removed or minimized. That was the appeal of the Flextone amps over cobbling something together with a Pod initially; Line 6 had already gone and taken those factors out by going with tuned cabs and speakers with a flat response. I see the Atomic as being an extension of that by adding tubes and allowing for a greater spread of use of the modeling units.

By no means are all the sounds there; the heavy-lifting of torking and tweaking patches to sound good in a band setup versus through the headphones, but those would happen no matter what you were using. It's just with the Atomic a significant level of that is removed.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Low-down on the Atomic 1 x 12

What I think I said in my post is that my GT8 is better with the Atomic in terms of sound, but my the classic 20 increases the dynamics of my GT-8 better than my Atomic does.

Then I would say the issue is not the Atomic but that the GT-8 requires significant coloring to sound good to your ears.

The GT-8, IIRC, is intended to just be a multi-fx unit primarily....where the PodXT and other Line 6 offerings were intended to come into situations at a different location and integrated differently.

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: Low-down on the Atomic 1 x 12

It isn't as much looseness as it was really different elements put together and not working out. The Marshall 2 x 12 sounded like a Marshall 2 x 12 cab, which is a for better or for worse sort of thing. If the amp model being used worked with it, then fine. Otherwise I found that I was forced to have to go through and tork with the settings to try and get the cumulative effect to be more accurate.

The appeal of the Atomic, if for no other reason, is that you plug in and those little steps where you have to compensate for other aspects is removed or minimized. That was the appeal of the Flextone amps over cobbling something together with a Pod initially; Line 6 had already gone and taken those factors out by going with tuned cabs and speakers with a flat response. I see the Atomic as being an extension of that by adding tubes and allowing for a greater spread of use of the modeling units.

By no means are all the sounds there; the heavy-lifting of torking and tweaking patches to sound good in a band setup versus through the headphones, but those would happen no matter what you were using. It's just with the Atomic a significant level of that is removed.

I get ya. I notice that with either of my 4x12 cabs I have to tweak, and then re-tweak for the other cab.

I don't understand why Line 6 hasn't adopted the idea of a line of amps with Tubes. Not a true tube amp since they do digital so well, essentially a Flextone or Vetta with a tube power amp. Makes sense to me, but I don't know a lot about it.

What are you going to do with your Power block? If I go with the Atomic I may keep mine around for a back up. In fact a friend offered to sell me his Atomic this morning. He's had it maybe a month, and asking $300. I'd feel better buying used from him than anyone else because I know how much this guy babies his gear.

 

[jmcorey]

Re: Low-down on the Atomic 1 x 12

Then I would say the issue is not the Atomic but that the GT-8 requires significant coloring to sound good to your ears.

The GT-8, IIRC, is intended to just be a multi-fx unit primarily....where the PodXT and other Line 6 offerings were intended to come into situations at a different location and integrated differently.

Sorry, dude, maybe you didn't read my post well or I am still not writing clealy enough?

What I wrote was that my GT8 is better with the Atomic in terms of sound.... meaning the least colored. But my amp models seem more punchy through the C20.

I disagree with you regarding the idea of the GT8 as an effects-only device. It's flexibility is that it can be usd as such though. Also, many people think that the GT8 has more realistic amp models than the POD.

 

[jmcorey]

Re: Low-down on the Atomic 1 x 12

It isn't as much looseness as it was really different elements put together and not working out. The Marshall 2 x 12 sounded like a Marshall 2 x 12 cab, which is a for better or for worse sort of thing. If the amp model being used worked with it, then fine. Otherwise I found that I was forced to have to go through and tork with the settings to try and get the cumulative effect to be more accurate.

Interesting point. What I've noticed is that the amp models sound like amp models played through an atomic! Much less tweaking, but I am still not satisfied....

I never knew until now that cabinet design and construction as well as speaker choice made such a difference before.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Low-down on the Atomic 1 x 12

I get ya. I notice that with either of my 4x12 cabs I have to tweak, and then re-tweak for the other cab.

I don't understand why Line 6 hasn't adopted the idea of a line of amps with Tubes. Not a true tube amp since they do digital so well, essentially a Flextone or Vetta with a tube power amp. Makes sense to me, but I don't know a lot about it.

What are you going to do with your Power block? If I go with the Atomic I may keep mine around for a back up. In fact a friend offered to sell me his Atomic this morning. He's had it maybe a month, and asking $300. I'd feel better buying used from him than anyone else because I know how much this guy babies his gear.

I think Like 6 has likely stayed away from tubes because they've always had offerings that hinged on that they're not necessary to sound good!

The PowerBlock and the Marshall 2 x 12 is going to get unloaded. The Marshall will hit CraigsList and the PowerBlock may go up in the Trading Post or on eBay. I found something that works for me so I don't really have a need for them anymore.

For three bills it's a good deal, especially at a month old. I paid a little more for mine but it was from a shop and they do tend to treat me pretty well. It's in excellent condition though.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Low-down on the Atomic 1 x 12

Sorry, dude, maybe you didn't read my post well or I am still not writing clealy enough?

It must be me then.

I'll refrain from making comments in your threads from here on in if you'll return the courtesy.

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: Low-down on the Atomic 1 x 12

I think Like 6 has likely stayed away from tubes because they've always had offerings that hinged on that they're not necessary to sound good!

Good point.

The more I read the more the Atomic seems the way to go. Yeah it would be nice to have a Vox AC-30 and a Cornford Hellcat running through an a/b box, but that's un-realistic for me. The POD does everything I need it to do and then some. I am not concerned with "genuine tube tone." I just want and need a good and versatile piece of gear. The Atomic seems to be the last piece of that puzzle for the moment.

Do you think the 18 Watt-er will be sufficient for your gigging purposes? Does it cut through well enough? (You may have already adressed that) I know it will be fine for everything I do right now, but thinking further ahead I would want it to be able to handle it. Does the 18 watt have a speaker out?

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Low-down on the Atomic 1 x 12

Good point.

The more I read the more the Atomic seems the way to go. Yeah it would be nice to have a Vox AC-30 and a Cornford Hellcat running through an a/b box, but that's un-realistic for me. The POD does everything I need it to do and then some. I am not concerned with "genuine tube tone." I just want and need a good and versatile piece of gear. The Atomic seems to be the last piece of that puzzle for the moment.

Do you think the 18 Watt-er will be sufficient for your gigging purposes? Does it cut through well enough? (You may have already adressed that) I know it will be fine for everything I do right now, but thinking further ahead I would want it to be able to handle it. Does the 18 watt have a speaker out?

I think for upwards of a medium-sized venue it will likely be fine. I'll always have a mic and an XLR cable with me to run it into the PA if I find it isn't though.

To me the real necessity for volume is the presence on the stage. If I have that then I'm fine. I can mic for the audience. But if I can't feel the amp behind me it just throws me for a loop.

I've been playing miced up Blues Juniors for awhile now so even a small amp like that I'm perfectly comfortable with.


No speaker out on it, but I'm not sure about the newer models.

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: Low-down on the Atomic 1 x 12

I think for upwards of a medium-sized venue it will likely be fine. I'll always have a mic and an XLR cable with me to run it into the PA if I find it isn't though.

To me the real necessity for volume is the presence on the stage. If I have that then I'm fine. I can mic for the audience. But if I can't feel the amp behind me it just throws me for a loop.

I've been playing miced up Blues Juniors for awhile now so even a small amp like that I'm perfectly comfortable with.


No speaker out on it, but I'm not sure about the newer models.

Ok. I think the newer models do have it. That is what I was thinking about.

I should invest in a quality mic/cable for gigging. I do plan to eventually gig again.

I've played with a 4x12 cab forever, and I know it's just a mental thing I have to break myself of. "It has 4 speakers it must obviously be louder and the better choice for gigging" I've recently realized that it's over kill for anything I do, and in the past I have played perhaps 1 gig that justified using one.
I agree with what you say though about having the volume coming from behind me. First time using the POD at church I ran it directly into the system and decided "Never again!" it just didn't feel right. Plus we don't have the most... I won't say they are incompetent... untrained sound men, and I didn't like them having that much control over my sound.

 

[jmcorey]

Re: Low-down on the Atomic 1 x 12

It must be me then.

I'll refrain from making comments in your threads from here on in if you'll return the courtesy.

No biggie, man! Sorry if I am bringing you down with this. Feel free to respond to my posts anytime!

Have you ever tried a buffer in front of your POD, like a valvulator or Axess Electronics BS-2 to increase the dynamics?

 

[jmcorey]

Re: Low-down on the Atomic 1 x 12

I agree with what you say though about having the volume coming from behind me. First time using the POD at church I ran it directly into the system and decided "Never again!" it just didn't feel right. Plus we don't have the most... I won't say they are incompetent... untrained sound men, and I didn't like them having that much control over my sound.

I know what you mean about this. I played at church and the same thing happened. lots of fizz straight into the PA system. They complained about miking me, but now they love it because my levels are a log more controllable.