What's a good modeling amp for recording?

Mike M.

New member
Been doing a lot of writing with friends lately and we're going to be recording in one of the guy's basement studio. (Nice setup, too!) Anyway, I'm open for suggestions but I was considering checking out a modeling amp as I'll be needing some differant tones. I thought it would be nice to have it all in one neat package instead of lugging a ton of crap around. I'd like to have at least two clean tones (Vox and Fender-like) and a few "Marshall type" distortion sounds. I know amp modeling has come a long way but I really don't know much of anything about the various models such as Line 6 and Vox. What's the most reliable, what records well, and what has the best all around tones? Listen, we're not trying to set the world on fire, just some old friends who enjoy putting our creative skills to use. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.
 
Re: What's a good modeling amp for recording?

If your looking for a direct recording box rather than a full blown amp, then I would consider the Behringer V-Amp. Great tones at a rediculously low price. I own a V-Amp Pro (the rackmount version) and the tones are fantastic. You may also want to consider the Pod XT, which also has great tones but is more expensive and a little harder to 'dial in'.
 
Re: What's a good modeling amp for recording?

I've had very good results using the Tech 21 TM 10. If you're looking for more features like builtin FX and stuff, the TM 10 isn't it. If you can find one, I've also had good results using a Johnson J-Station.
 
Re: What's a good modeling amp for recording?

I use the Korg PXR4 for demo'ing ideas and the Roland VG88 for serious recording ...

I will be posting a song (as soon as I can get a mix that the band agrees on ... :smack: ) in which all of the guitars were recorded using my VG88 and a Pod.
 
Re: What's a good modeling amp for recording?

I've had great luck and success using the Boss GT-6. In addition to having several great clean models (Fender Twin Reverb, AC/30 included) it has 5 or 6 great overdrive settings including 1959 SLP, Soldano SLO 100, Dual Rectifier, 5150, Matchless, Boggie Mark III (I think?) and some others. It also has all the effects, reverb, delay, chorus and a ton of others. You can also choose from many different distortion stomp boxes by Boss, Marshall, and more including Tube Screamer, Rat and more. You can control each amp sim with bass, mids, treb, pre-amp gain and master volume just like on the amp. There are also 3-4 wah models, volume pedals, pitch shifters and a ton of stuff I'll probably never use. Sounds great recorded direct. Best $399 I ever spend on effects.

Has direct and digital out's.

The other nice thing is that it's a floorboard unit, so it can be used in live applications with relative ease. Tons of user patches (2 modes per patch, so a clean Vox and then OD Vox with a step of the pedal, or Twin clean to Marshall OD in the same patch) and some pretty good pre-programed ones.

I've been happy anyhow.
 
Re: What's a good modeling amp for recording?

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Looks like I've got some reading to do.
 
Re: What's a good modeling amp for recording?

You'd probably be happy with one of the V-Amp's....especially considering their price.
 
Re: What's a good modeling amp for recording?

I've always liked the line 6 flextone amps, you should be able to get a flextone II or similar relatively cheap
 
Re: What's a good modeling amp for recording?

I paid $420 out the door, new, for the Vox Valvetronix AD60 head.
That way, I can put it on any of my tube amp's cabinets, to take advantage of the better cab, and it's a lot quieter than tube amps for home practice.
The output selector gives you 6, 15, 30, and 60 watts, and the headphone out and line out have a volume control. It sounds the same as the Tonelab, so I have a direct recording tool, plus actual amp. The Tonelab costs $450. The head is $400, go figure.
The head is plenty loud, but if you want more volume and stereo, pay a bit more for the AD120 head. As far as highgain, Vox, and Bassman tones, the Valvetronix is ahead of the pack IMO. I'm not a fan of modeling combos, since most are particle board, and don't sound as nice as a head on a good cab.
 
Re: What's a good modeling amp for recording?

Yeah Gearjoneser, I've heard some good things about the Vox modeling series but have never actually played through one. Just buying the head sounds like a good idea-I never even thought of checking into that. This would be pretty much just for recording. As long as the tones these things produce can stand on their own that's fine with me. I mean, if it does'nt sound EXACTLEY like a Fender or a Marshall but can still get the point across in a good way that's fine with me. Thanks to all.
 
Re: What's a good modeling amp for recording?

I've been satisfied with the results I get recording with the Line 6 Flex II.

I'd like it if Line 6 could create something similar to the POD Pro (not the XT) with the models of the HD-147 so I could use that as to record straight to computer.

And if I wanted to play live, run it as a preamp to a EL34 50/50 poweramp.
 
Re: What's a good modeling amp for recording?

i have the vox tonelab and i also have a behringer V-amp2. Price wise you can't beat the v-amp.... but to my ears the vox sounds so much better.
 
Re: What's a good modeling amp for recording?

Question. Does the Vox Tonelab or AD60 head have any kind of a speaker emulation?
 
Re: What's a good modeling amp for recording?

I've been using the Behringer V-am2 for the past 2 years for all my recordings and I can't really fault it...any niggles I have with "my tone" on my recordings is purely due to the limitations of the soundcard I have currently. In the next few months I'm getting a Bass V-amp for improved bass and acoustic recording capability (it can and will still do "my tone"..don't let the "Bass" part of it's name fool you) and the V-amp2 will be moved to my teaching area for my students to use so they don't have to use my Mesa DC-10....if you want some varied soundclips I have a couple of rough demos up at http://www.mp3.com.au/Gunner
 
Re: What's a good modeling amp for recording?

Mike M. said:
Question. Does the Vox Tonelab or AD60 head have any kind of a speaker emulation?

The Tonelab does, but the amps don't. Also the AD60 head, since it's mono,
only has one recording out. The AD120 is stereo and has dual outputs.
As for emulating the real thing...you may be surprised to hear a direct signal out of the Vox that sounds better than a mic'ed amp. IMO the Vox modelers
are one of the only ones that feel like a tube amp, under your fingers.
The best of the Line 6 stuff is the same. I just like the Vox because the British amp models, Recto, Bassman and all the Vox models sound more realistic than the other companies. Since the circuit is a mini 12AX7 power section mated to the big solid state power section, the amp has better touch sensitivity. I replaced the Stock Sovtek 12AX7A with a really good pre tube,
an Amperex, and tho it's hard to tell, I think the amp sounds a bit better than it did.
 
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