What's a good modeling amp for recording?

[Mkf411]

Re: What's a good modeling amp for recording?

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.

I have the AD60. How are you recording direct? Using the line out? And what are you recording into? A guy on the patchtronix.com site posted this about recording. .....

"problem solved !!

With the Behringer Ultra-G.

This 'red box' emulate a power amp with a 4x12 cab so it is perfect to go directly from the valvetronix's line-out to the PC sound board line-in."

Are using just the line out?

 

[slide]

Re: What's a good modeling amp for recording?

I use the J STATION for direct recording, it has some really nice modeling in it.
Consider its ridicules price (under 100$ on eBay) it's a gift.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: What's a good modeling amp for recording?

I'm just starting to use the Vox Valvetronix for demoing. So far, it sounds real good going straight into the board, once you get the levels, EQ, and input levels sitting nice. I run it dry, then add better reverb from a Lexicon later. I may start experimenting with going from the Vox to a mic pre to the board, or doing that alongside a 57 micing the amp. Everyone asks me for clips of the Bogner and Matchless, but my recording setup is in a place where those amps can't do their thing. Pretty soon, I'll be cutting tracks at a pro studio, so I'll be recording the tubes, not the transistors. Life is full of tradeoffs.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: What's a good modeling amp for recording?

If you have the cash, I'd invest in the original Vetta. From what I had messed with it a while ago, it sounded pretty darn good. I'm not one for modeling amps, but that amp did cover the bases pretty well. I think you should try them out yourself before you decide.

I never did like the Vox Valvetronix. Maybe inside a different cabinet it would sound good, but to my ears it severely lagged.

 

[Mkf411]

Re: What's a good modeling amp for recording?

I'm happy with the Vox Valvetronix AD60. It's easy to use and ideal for my living room playing because you can set it down from 60 watts down to 1 watt. Then you can crank the master volume and drive it without being too loud for the home environment. The cabinet quality is not that impressive, but I only paid $399 for this new and it is a big upgrade from my old solid state with a digitech RP-50 digital effects processor.

People considering it should play around with it. Some of the presets are OK, but you have to tweak them for your stlye and your guitar/pickups. One thing that's different about this modeler is that each guitar sounds different on it. The flavor of the guitar still comes through.

It's not the greatest thing since sliced bread, but it's easier to use than some of the computer-like modelers with way too many options and menu after menu.

The vox modeler is all simple knobs to tweak. It allows you to select the power level, and it has a tube pre-amp. All these features make it a good modeler to consider. I also like the classic look. For beginners it gives them a chance to experiment with effects and different amp styles. Later you can upgrade to the real thing after you learn what you like.

 

[Artie]

Re: What's a good modeling amp for recording?

I use the J-Station also - in fact, I liked it so much, I bought two.

But it does have some caveats:
Johnson is out-of-business, so service may be "iffy".
Some folks on the J-Station Forum have had problems with the unit not powering up, or losing its memory. I haven't had any problems with mine.
Some of the best functionality of the unit come from using it with a midi-cable and a PC.

Overall, a great sounding unit.

 

[rumplstratskin]

Re: What's a good modeling amp for recording?

I use a Johnson JM60. It has pretty good modeling and decent effects.
Also you can pick them up used for a fraction of the origonal cost.