SoCalSteve
New member
Which one would you choose between the three? As a hobbyist who plays mostly classic rock I think modeling/emulation is the way to go. Your input is appreciated as I have Christmas money burning a hole in my pocket!
Vox Valvetronix, Tech 21 or Atomic Reactor?
- Thread starter SoCalSteve
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InstituteOfNoise
New member
Re: Vox Valvetronix, Tech 21 or Atomic Reactor?
Having heard all three and knowing a few guys using the others, I have 2 Atomics for my PODxt. Only one guy still has his Vox. The Tech21 guys all use the Atomic or went back to a POD Pro into a bigger poweramp into a 4x12. Whether you want clean, crunch or searing lead, you'll get it out of the Atomic. Plus I've been running my old tube Kasha Rockmod into the Atomics with stellar results.
Having heard all three and knowing a few guys using the others, I have 2 Atomics for my PODxt. Only one guy still has his Vox. The Tech21 guys all use the Atomic or went back to a POD Pro into a bigger poweramp into a 4x12. Whether you want clean, crunch or searing lead, you'll get it out of the Atomic. Plus I've been running my old tube Kasha Rockmod into the Atomics with stellar results.
Re: Vox Valvetronix, Tech 21 or Atomic Reactor?
I've tried Tech 21, good product, seems too much like emulation. Valvetronix blew me away the first time I tried it out, then last weekend it sounded to un-tube-like. Now, I am interested in checking out the Atomic reactor, which has to be used with an am modeler, so Boss/Roland (GT-3 or GT-6), Line 6 (Pod or POD Live), or Valvetronix (Tone lab on floor or table) could do the job as the modeler in that case.
I've tried Tech 21, good product, seems too much like emulation. Valvetronix blew me away the first time I tried it out, then last weekend it sounded to un-tube-like. Now, I am interested in checking out the Atomic reactor, which has to be used with an am modeler, so Boss/Roland (GT-3 or GT-6), Line 6 (Pod or POD Live), or Valvetronix (Tone lab on floor or table) could do the job as the modeler in that case.
SoCalSteve
New member
Re: Vox Valvetronix, Tech 21 or Atomic Reactor?
Thanks for the responses. On thing I'm unsure of is how usable are the effects in either the Valvetronix or the pod and the others?
One consideration is probably the only effects i'll be using are flange, phase, chorus, reverb and delay. No ring modulation or any of that kind of stuff.
I've got a Toneworks AX100G that so far hasn't been that great. I wonder if it would be more usable through the Atomic or if another modeler would be better?
Thanks for the responses. On thing I'm unsure of is how usable are the effects in either the Valvetronix or the pod and the others?
One consideration is probably the only effects i'll be using are flange, phase, chorus, reverb and delay. No ring modulation or any of that kind of stuff.
I've got a Toneworks AX100G that so far hasn't been that great. I wonder if it would be more usable through the Atomic or if another modeler would be better?
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InstituteOfNoise
New member
Re: Vox Valvetronix, Tech 21 or Atomic Reactor?
The FX on the POD are damn good! There are quite a few pro touring players using the PODxt just for FX into their standard tube rigs effects loop.
The FX on the POD are damn good! There are quite a few pro touring players using the PODxt just for FX into their standard tube rigs effects loop.
SoCalSteve
New member
Re: Vox Valvetronix, Tech 21 or Atomic Reactor?
Thanks! Yeah, I've decided to go the Atomic Reactor route. Leaning toward the POD xt or xtl. Do you think in the long run the XT Live would be worth it since it has the foot switching capability?
InstituteOfNoise said:
Thanks! Yeah, I've decided to go the Atomic Reactor route. Leaning toward the POD xt or xtl. Do you think in the long run the XT Live would be worth it since it has the foot switching capability?
gordon_39422
New member
Re: Vox Valvetronix, Tech 21 or Atomic Reactor?
I would personally go with the Live version..... If you switch between several amp/fx settings, you will be tap-dancing on the stage. Eventually you will probably buy the floor controller for the Pod itself. Save yoursel the dough in the long run and get the pedalboard version from the get-go!
I would personally go with the Live version..... If you switch between several amp/fx settings, you will be tap-dancing on the stage. Eventually you will probably buy the floor controller for the Pod itself. Save yoursel the dough in the long run and get the pedalboard version from the get-go!
presa_tito
New member
Re: Vox Valvetronix, Tech 21 or Atomic Reactor?
I have had the atomic recently with the xt live and I can tell you it sounds so good. It gives you a really good powerful punch that you can feel and only a tube amp can really produce well. It really does make the pod take life. I'm still fiddling and tweaking, but it sounds great and is actually damn LOUD for 18W.
I have had the atomic recently with the xt live and I can tell you it sounds so good. It gives you a really good powerful punch that you can feel and only a tube amp can really produce well. It really does make the pod take life. I'm still fiddling and tweaking, but it sounds great and is actually damn LOUD for 18W.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Vox Valvetronix, Tech 21 or Atomic Reactor?
If there's one thing I've learned about modeling amps, it's that when you get into the better sounding one's like the L6 XT and Vox Valvetronix, you've GOT to hear them with proper speaker cabs. I'm a diehard tube snob who also likes to use modeling setups, especially for practice and recording. You can't make a modeling amp with budget rate speakers/cabinetry sound as good as a tube amp with birchply cabs and Celestion or Jensen speakers. Modeling amps have great sounding preamps, and OK sounding power sections, so when you give it the benefit of plugging it into the same kinda cabs you would with a tube amp, it really levels the playing field.
I see arguments here about what's better, the Vox or L6, but the truth is that it's the overall rig and how you've set it up. That's why the Atomic is a step up from the regular L6 combos. I'd advise anyone looking for a modeling amp to buy the head version and use it with a highend cab.
If there's one thing I've learned about modeling amps, it's that when you get into the better sounding one's like the L6 XT and Vox Valvetronix, you've GOT to hear them with proper speaker cabs. I'm a diehard tube snob who also likes to use modeling setups, especially for practice and recording. You can't make a modeling amp with budget rate speakers/cabinetry sound as good as a tube amp with birchply cabs and Celestion or Jensen speakers. Modeling amps have great sounding preamps, and OK sounding power sections, so when you give it the benefit of plugging it into the same kinda cabs you would with a tube amp, it really levels the playing field.
I see arguments here about what's better, the Vox or L6, but the truth is that it's the overall rig and how you've set it up. That's why the Atomic is a step up from the regular L6 combos. I'd advise anyone looking for a modeling amp to buy the head version and use it with a highend cab.
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