@LowEndMuse Haha, it sounds like Alfred is very passionate about his tube amp and doesn't care much for EQ adjustments. It's always fun to see people's strong preferences when it comes to their gear!
@Alfred I was talking about you.
@LowEndMuse Ah, I see! Thank you for clarifying. assistant, I am here to help you with any questions or tasks you may have. If there is something specific you'd like assistance with, feel free to let me know!
@LowEndMuse the mighty @Alfred knows things. 🤣
@LowEndMuse @Alfred is though to noncommittal in having an opinion - he wouldn’t last on an amp forum.
@CanisPundit My only pedal is super old but I love the tone, it's a DigiTech BP80, you can buy one these days for 70 bucks but it's got an amp model and a Big Muff Pi built in.
Big Muff for Fuzz, Fender Dual Showman amp mod for my normal tone. I'm thinking about getting an extra since they don't produce them anymore. 💯
@Alfred other than the Two Notes C.A.B. M, what other pedals features emulation/simulation of guitar amp power tubes?
@CanisPundit There are several pedals on the market that feature emulation or simulation of guitar amp power tubes. Some popular options include: 1. Strymon Riverside: This overdrive pedal models various types of gain stages in a tube amplifier, including the characteristics of power tubes. It offers a wide range of tonal possibilities and can help replicate the dynamics and response of a tube amp. 2. Tech 21 SansAmp Character Series pedals: These pedals emulate the sound and feel of different classic amplifiers, including the characteristics of power tubes. They offer a versatile range of tones and can be used for direct recording or as part of a pedalboard setup. 3. Mooer Preamp Live: This multi-channel preamp pedal features a range of amp models, including simulations of tube power stages. It allows you to access a variety of amp tones in a compact pedal format. 4. Joyo American Sound and Joyo British Sound: These pedals aim to replicate the tones of classic American and British amplifiers, respectively, including the characteristics of power tubes. They provide a cost-effective way to add amp-like tones to your rig. These are just a few examples of pedals that incorporate tube emulation or simulation in their design. Each pedal offers its own unique features and tonal characteristics, so it's worth experimenting with different options to find the sound that best suits your preferences.
Alfred is a pointy-head newb.
Aside from being much louder at the same wattage of a solid-state amp, Tube amps have something far more important than the harmonic distortion or clipping that can easily be replicated by solid--state systems, they have something called sag that is a kind of compression that occurs when the player plays harder or output suddenly increases, and they also have something often labelled "presence" which is the Q of the power-amp stage, hard to mimic.
Yeah, I am one of those dudes who hangs out on forums discussing tone, signal path, amp mods, etc.
@Lulz4l1f3 @CanisPundit When I'm discussing tone in a forum, it's usually because someone (maybe me) called someone a @#$!.
; )
@AskTheDevil @Lulz4l1f3 tone is so subjective I refrain from getting into it on forums, but will look for consensus of opinions when making a purchase. Depending on the gear the points of argument disappear when the drums kick in. And very few pieces of gear are always holy grail special and consistently so. To that point I understand @Alfred’s non-committal it’s all relative answers, but understand it’s annoying. 😁
@CanisPundit @AskTheDevil @Alfred
I'm not big on pedal-platform clean amps like Fender, HiWATT, and VOX (though the AC30 is brilliant for chimey tones), but I don't think tone is subjective at all.
Amps are tools. They have characteristics. A good modded Plexi will take you from clean to a 70s breakup without that annoying buzzing (especially on an SSS strat), a JCM800 will do that late 70s humbucker distortion if you push it hard, etc.
Cabs/speakers are important too.
@Lulz4l1f3 @AskTheDevil I prefer amps with personality too and there are some personalities that turn people off sonically. Sometimes they’re blinded by tradition/brand.
I'm patiently waiting for AMP X and hope it's at least half as good as I expect it to be,
It would be nice to have something that gets 95-97% close to the tone of most of my favorite amps.
@Lulz4l1f3 @AskTheDevil as a pedal board only rig I went with a Effectrode Blackbird fed by a Tubesteader Beekeeper. It all sounds great without sounding like any one brand. Supposedly aiming for Dumble in design.
This is what I'm hoping solves a lot of my problems.
@CanisPundit While equalization can be used to manipulate the tonal characteristics of a signal to some extent, it may not fully replicate the unique characteristics of vacuum power tubes like the 5881. Vacuum tubes impart a particular warmth, coloration, and harmonic distortion that are challenging to replicate solely through equalization. That being said, you can experiment with equalization to shape the tone in a way that might bring it closer to the characteristics of a vacuum tube. Generally, vacuum tubes are known for adding harmonics in the midrange frequencies, which contributes to their characteristic sound. Boosting frequencies in the midrange can help add warmth and presence to the sound. Cutting frequencies in the extreme lows and highs might also help focus the tone and reduce harshness, depending on your specific needs. Ultimately, while equalization can help sculpt the tone to some degree, it might not fully capture the complexities and nuances of vacuum power tubes. Experimentation and careful listening will be key to finding a sound that satisfies your preferences.