Author Topic: Which would you recommend in a band situation? (Read 4161 times)

_tom_ · « **on:** February 28, 2006, 01:29:23 PM »

Well I think I'm finally in a band (covers band who play in pubs etc, but still a band!) and I'm having a bit of a dilemma tone wise! Yesterday I tried my V-Amp 2 into the Poweramp In on my Fender and was able to get some pretty awesome tones using the Marshall amp models.

However, I really like the sound of my clean channel and Keeley Rat aswell though, and I dont know which is gonna cut through better in the band! I guess the best method is to experiment but I dont wanna piss off the other band members at practise switching round... so I dont know what to do! Leaning toward the V-Amp route because I may be able to get better tones at lower volumes and its a bit more versatile.. but I dont know if using it as a digital preamp will cut through enough! Need some people who have tried both I guess!

Cheers

Brow · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2006, 01:33:38 PM »

The best thing to do would be to try the Amp/Rat at 1 practise and the V-Amp/Amp at a different practise.

That way you're not changing around all the time, and get more time to listen and evaluate which you like better.

My bandmate uses a V-amp 2 into the front of a Marshall Valvestate combo and it sounds dreadful, but that's to my ears :)

Try both, and see what your ears tell you :)

_tom_ · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2006, 01:43:51 PM »

Haha how could I not think of trying each in separate practises :lol: Yeah the V-Amp sounds horrible infront of an amp, but infront of a valve power amp it actually sounds pretty realistic, to my ears at least. Its still brutally loud and powerful aswell :twisted:

Ratrod · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2006, 06:34:55 PM »

I tried some digital stuff in front of my HRDLX. It sounded OK on it's own but it was competely drowned out in a band situation. A big fat overdrive in front of that amp works best, IMHO.

Tinus · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2006, 11:48:19 PM »

From my experience decent amp plus good analogue pedal always seems to win for definition and character in a band situation. I heard people sound well with digital gear but it takes a good ear and lots of patience to get these sounds at that particular soundlevel. I've heard lots of digital setups just dissapear, especially if someone else on stage uses the amp sound itself.
Might have something to do with too many options and stuff to dial in/levels to match/... whereas a simpler amp and pedal are easier to handle??

carlaz · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2006, 03:05:41 PM »

For a live band situation, you can't beat an amp with a stompbox in front of it -- and, of course, a wah! :)

But, seriously, for pubs and small clubs, I've found getting a decent sound with the minimum of fuss is highly desireable. A few bits of sturdy kit you can plug in and go with are what you want. Also, a good ol' distortion/overdrive pedal will likely survive getting dropping on the floor and beer spilled on it better than a V-amp or Pod or whatever.

For mucking about at home and recording stuff, that's where digital modelling stuff shines, IMO.

Thazy · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2006, 03:56:29 PM »

I agree. Find a good tube amp with a decent amount of power and use the Rat and a few choice other pedals. At gigs, the less that can go wrong the better. Never been a big fan of overly processed signals live.