I'm hoping to get the 700 for a rack stereo build I am working on. Unfortunately it might take a while, for it is not a cheap unit...
I may have to get it for the EQ shaping alone as it would remove another possible point of failure in having an external EQ to dial it into the venue properly. Unfortunately, as powerful as the Powerblock is, the way I run it bypassing the pre, it has no real time EQ controls whatsoever so it requires at least a 2 band external (presence and resonance to emulate a more typical guitar power amp) or I’m kind of stuck with whatever my processor’s EQ is set to and go into the menus to change the patches if it’s not right.
There’s another PowerBlock user on the forum who runs VHT tube buffers into the front end of the Powerblock. I have no idea how he sets his because I tried running the master wide open, the gain as the volume to be able to use the 3 band for a global EQ but it just sounds weird (even if I bypass the global cab sim) and washes out live compared to an external EQ straight into the power amp. I do like the idea that the PowerStage isn’t exactly a completely flat an neutral power amp but not exactly like a clean channel either. You would think it may go horribly wrong if it’s not at least the former but there’s no arguing how well it’s being received.
High and low mids at the turn of a knob just solves virtually any problem you could have live. Not cutting through? Low mids. Too ice-picky? High mids! The Bad Monkey video that went viral was trying to make a similar point. A device with more tone-shaping controls will intrinsically be more powerful. What about the higher wattage PowerStages? Will there be a MkII or some other variants of the other PowerStages with the five-band EQ some day?
The way my set up is very simple .
From my Digitech 2112 SGS's Balanced left and right / stereo outputs, they go into my VHT Valvulator 1's inputs and then into my Crate Power Blocks .
If you notice, I used a BBE 362 Sonic Maximizer in the effects loop of my 2112 SGS, to take care of any Sonic issues .
Both my Crate Power Blocks, have a BBE 482 Sonic Maximizer and Hush Rocktron Super C Noise Reduction unit to handle any noise issues with in the CPB's internal circuits.
My bizarre set up works for me .
I don't set the overdrive too high in my CPB's, I have them set, so if I chose to play a clean guitar sound, used my acoustic simulator or my Sitar simulator, I just lower my volume knob down to 7 just to clean things up .
Thanks for responding. Your setup had lived rent free in my head ever since I saw it. How do you dial in the EQ on the CPB? Do you have to compensate for the global cab sim effect or do you have it bypassed like me?
Probably because I don’t have nearly as many outboard gadgets, my fly-rig sound benefits most from just pure, clean power so I just go right into the power section of the CPB with a global presence and resonance, which I’m considering changing for the PS 100 as it’s both those features in one, therefore less gear. It’s 50 watts less than the PB but I don’t imagine it will be a problem for anything short of a stadium.
I set my bass, mid and treble knobs at 12 o'clock on my CPB's. I use the cab simulation from my RP-12. Other than that I don't use any cab Sims at all.
Oddly enough, I get 100% tube dynamics and tone from my set up, as if I'm using my Marshall, Carvin, Peavey, Mesa Boogie or VHT tube amps .
what's going to be your main preamp, like an A/DA?
Not the ADA this time. I'll make a thread on it at some point.![]()
ok bringing this back from the dead
seriously considering the 200 to run with my headrush board pushing 2-1x12 cabs (8 ohm ea).
who's using for gigs? pluses? minuses? something else I should look at?
I recently got a Bogner Ecstasy Blue pedal. Impressive sounds, and plexi mode feels very plexi to me, but like Jeremy I'm using it into the front of a Fender-style amp and don't know how it would do with a Powerstage. I didn't like it in the effects return of my Pittbull.
i have a seymour duncan powerstage 200 im looking for a pedal preamp that sounds like a marshall plexi preamp or jcm 800 any ideals
Is it just a preamp pedal? Would it need power amp modeling?