Unlock the Full Potential of Your Modeler

jimbeaux · #1 April 13th, 2007

I finally found the answer to my question, which was:

a) Why does my effects modeler sound different/better thru headphones than thru my guitar amp?

b) How can I make amplified sound from my effects modeler as "good" as headphone sound?

If this has perplexed anyone else, the answer is at:

http://forum.thestompbox.net/showthread.php?t=4634

juslikeplayin · #2 April 13th, 2007

Thanks jimbeaux.
Always wondered why.I just thought maybe I needed a better amp.
Can't see myself spending money in all that stuff,but good to know.

allthumbs · #3 April 13th, 2007

Interesting,

Stratrat · #4 April 13th, 2007

Great post. That explains exactly why I prefer an MFX without amp/cabinet modeling.

Dewy · #5 April 13th, 2007

Well that explains why my amp sounds so poorly with just a guitar... and so good with my MFX, a V-Amp 2. Its not a POJunk... its Flat Response... hehe

scott58 · #6 April 14th, 2007

Thanks for that. I have questioned that myself. My headphones always sounded great compared to my peavey (which has fx's also) and I even noticed that my little G-10 amp sounded pretty good with my RP 300a. There's also a pretty good boost in power to the G-10 when the modeler is plugged into it. Wish I knew more about this. Had I known the effects of the processor I probably wouldn't have spent the extra money on the fx amp. I havn't messed with it in awhile as it was taking to much time away from my practice, but I may hook it back up today and just leave it with the G-10. Amazing how a processor can make a cheap amp sound like its hundreds of dollars more then what it is.

Dewy · #7 April 14th, 2007

Try setting it up as neutral as possible, clean channel, no effects or onboard distortion, and eq set the middle (knobs on 5, graphics on 0).

Then develop the sound your looking for thru the MFX of choice as completely as possible. Adjustments on the amp should be made last to compensate for any "tendencies" of the amp to color one frequency more than the rest.

All I usually need to do is cut the midrange a bit on any guitar amp.

All of that is to "make do" with what you have... and you should try a keyboard or other flat response amp when considering your next purchase.

solidwalnut · #8 April 15th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbeaux

I finally found the answer to my question, which was:

a) Why does my effects modeler sound different/better thru headphones than thru my guitar amp?

b) How can I make amplified sound from my effects modeler as "good" as headphone sound?

If this has perplexed anyone else, the answer is at:

http://forum.thestompbox.net/showthread.php?t=4634

Yeah, I agree with the guy. I'm an old school guy who never thought he'd by a MFX unit, but I did anyway. I got a V-Amp 2. I really love it. I had my doubts that they could emulate such great effects and cab/spkr sounds, but it does a great job.

I bought the thing because I play on occasion at this church that doesn't want amps on stage. Personally I don't like that. You can lose alot of feel playing live without the amp monitor. But the situation is working because my rig sounds great through the house PA and I get a monitor signal on stage. So I get the same thing as having the amp there. I think the V Amp 2 sounds just fine.

I've also used it to record. It's still not the same as putting a mic in front of a speaker cab in my opinion, but it does the trick and doesn't sound half bad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbeux

a) Why does my effects modeler sound different/better thru headphones than thru my guitar amp?

I know you got the answer. But just in case anyone's wondering, the technical reason (other than because the signal is being colored by that preamp and cab) is that in the headphone situation the MFX sounds are then sent to a small operational (op amp, a bunch of transistors on a small chip) amplifier in the unit and then hooked up to the headphone pot. So there's your power amplifer sound. Not only that, it's sent in stereo. None of us often hook up our rig in stereo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbeaux

b) How can I make amplified sound from my effects modeler as "good" as headphone sound?

Apart from playing live and having a FoH mixer to play with, you can sit in your room right now and get this good sound. The basis of what this guy is saying is a practice that's been around forever: send the preamp signal from your rig to a power amp. So, with a modeler you have a great preamp signal. If you can plug the output of the MFX, preferably outputs, into any line level input of any amplifer, voila. There's great possibilities: any stereo system. Even with many of the all-in-one type of systems, they all have a L and R aux input. Get to radio shack and adapt your 1/4 phone plugs (Tip Sleeve) to RCA (phono) plugs and have a blast.

I don't know if there are any of these flat response full range systems on the market he's talking about other than throwing together something (amp plus a cabinet), but hey, you just made one if you're using a stereo system. Or how about plugging the guitar into the computer after the MFX? Listen on your computer speakers. Not the best scenario, but...preamp --> amp is the ticket. A modeler into a guitar amp is essentially a preamp --> another preamp --> amp.

Krister Karlsson · #9 April 18th, 2007

Good article, thanks for the tip.

/Krister

jimbeaux · #10 April 18th, 2007

Steve, thanks for your input. Regarding the 'FR/FR' amps, when I first read about this I googled the term and found some. Behringer has some. As Dewy pointed out, a keyboard amp apparently fits the bill.

Unfortunately, just bought a new strat-like axe from GFS 3 weeks ago, and don't have the cash for more gear... not to mention the wife factor.