A different take on the 'home player' rig.

[Horse]

Hi there good people,

If you are interested in mutli-effects/amp modelling basis for home use read on!

We all have home set-ups, guitar/amp/effects etc.... and a very interesting take on home set-up came to my attention lately and its one thats wafted in and out of my own thoughts for a while so i thought id share....

an aquaintance of mine has gone through many many amps and guitars through the years in attempts to get good basic sounds and variety. After getting fed up with his mesa head and cab he sold the lot.

Just lately he has got the bug back and gone a different route to his own sonic nirvana, he has:

The Line 6 X3 live floor multi-effects unit
Jackson Dinky guitar

and...Amp.................................. nope he hasnt got one!


And yet he has a set-up where he can dial in stereo tones and effects and get a really cool more 'end user' hifi sound.

He has achieved this by hooking his Line 6 up to a pair of powered stidio monitors! He did this after talking long and hard to a local sound engineer, who basically stated that since Cliff doesnt gig, and that he uses the Line 6 for his tones, there was absolutley no point in having an expensive amp sitting there.

The Line 6 (or any effects/modeller) will put its own sonic signature on any amp used, so what was the point of having an amp, in mono, where the character and qualites of the amp where being bypassed and even fighting the modeller with its own sonic signature?

Now, for home use, if you want a huge range of tones and like modellers - it has to be said the X3 pro is a major step up in sound quality from cheaper units, and the best way to get the best sound and ENJOYMENT out of it is to use a stereo monitor set-up. Then all the effects, pans, stereo effecting and balanced tone can shine on!

This makes a hell of a lot of sense to me, i dont know about you. We all have amps we cant turn up to get the best from at home, and if youre anything like me, i dont like being deafened anywho, so this seems an extremely sensible way to go.

As i said, this is for those who like to go the modelling route, as there are those who will never want to replace their guitar/valve amp pairing, which is cool and entirely right. but for home use, this monitor approach makes a good case, and it has to be said, the stereo hifi nature of the sound makes for a hugely enjoyable experiance........

what do you think my gear addled compadres?

[benjammin420]

Its not a bad idea, but i use headphones when i record at home

[Horse]

wow that thread died without trace........

tumbleweed......................

[Gunner]

Originally Posted by Horse

wow that thread died without trace........

tumbleweed......................

The thread didn't die. I suspect that many members just aren't modeling/digital effects type players. I'm not a modelling fan at all and own a couple of decent tube amps which I can rarely (if ever) open up to unleash their true potential because of noise concerns with neighbours. However, once in a while I can let them rip and it makes it all worthwhile.

[Horse]

hehehhee

i hear ya mate,

im the same, i live for TONE and am still wary of modellers but i must admit its seems a good solution and i like the monitor idea......

[mauk 1]

Originally Posted by benjammin420

Its not a bad idea, but i use headphones when i record at home

I have learned not to trust headphones all the time......For vocals ..OK
But for the overall mix ,,,,no way....I use the monitors for that...

[crowguitar]

I find myself using something similar to this when needed (especially if Im deciding to go over tracks or new songs I need to learn for session gigs late at nite).

I have a bunch of solid state and tube modeling rack boxes. Havent tried the newer stompbox systems yet. Dont really have a need for them.

But I normally switch between my Lexicon MPX G2, a Carvin Quad X Preamp (4 channels, 9 tubes, & really nice cab modeling feature), & even an old Zoom 505 pedal (i know what ur thinkin..lol). Plus I also have a bunch of plugins like Amp Farm, etc that I use. I just go direct and dial up the sound I want..jam on!

They all work great.. I just have it all running thru my comp & out my monitors.

But as much as this is a good tool for some recording and practicing when noise is a concern.. nothing beats the tube amp heaven thats out in my garage... but even then I dont really use high wattage amps. Most are 50 watts and below. I still even sometimes just jam out on my old Marshall Lead 12.

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

I have a Pod X3 Pro and a Digitech GSP1101 which I like. I also like my Laney tube amp, but don't gig, and don't really get to play much. I've almost come to the same conclusion as the OP and am ready to drop my Laney, if anyone would actually give me what it's worth.