Hi, I have also posted this question on tonelable.net so I aplogise for those of you who may have already seen it but I am hoping to get as many suggestions as possible...
I am wondering about other peoples experiences playing an LE through the front of a combo amp. I have heard a few suggestions and would like to solicit opinions :
1) use the amp model and equivalent/desired cab sim regardless of actual amp being used (e.g. playing through a Fender Champ but using a Marshall amp and cab sim)
2) use the amp of choice but use an amp sim that matches the actual amp (e.g. playing through a Fender Champ but using a Marshall amp with a Tweed 12 cab sim for example). For this option, are their recommendations of which cab sims? For example, are you matching by brand or number of speakers or speaker size, etc.?
3) use the amp of choice but with cab sims off. I keep going back and forth on this one...sometimes I feel I like this sounds better but somtimes it seems a little "buzzy" too (I feel like it seems buzzy also when I bypass amp modelling altogether and use pedal sims). However, with the cab sims on sometimes I feel the sound seems a little distant or delayed or something...
So what are people's opinions, experiences, recommendations?
Thanks, William
Can't really comment on the
Sat, 2008/03/01 - 2:10am — hotramanCan't really comment on the LE,
but I would not turn off the cabinet sims when playing through a guitar/keyboard/monitor amp.
They are a part of the sound: 8" speaker vs 2 x12" speakers vs 4 x 10" speakers... I think you get the idea.
Unless.... you are looking for a unique tone.
Welcome to the quest! All
Sun, 2008/03/02 - 1:44am — kaalWelcome to the quest!
All approaches are valid, all weired experiments are allowed, and as always it is finally up to your ears, your gut feeling and the music you play/like where you end up and what is right for YOU. You will probably also find that your favor changes over time, and will find yourself using settings you would never have used several months ago. Enjoy tweaking and discovering!
I use a TLSE and started out with "approach 1)", trying to set the Combo as "neutral" as possible (clean, flat frequency response) and using "amp" output mode.
The output setting (TLSE has amp/line mode only, you have more choices on the TLLE) make a HUGE difference - this really is a "make or break" as Monte stated recently.
Also consider turning amp simulation off for some experiments or having your combo's sound back. For some "expansion of your consciousness" try crazy combinations (ever heard a Dumble through an 8" speaker??) and settings.
Kaal
I'd turn the dumb speaker
Sun, 2008/03/02 - 2:45pm — nomad100I'd turn the dumb speaker sim off, but my 2x12 recto cab sounds amazing. If your TL sound bad with the speaker sim off through the combo you need to replace the combo speaker. I found the tone sounded pretty bad with the sim through a guitar cab, it's basically a double EQ and will attenuate some frequencies way to much. If you want to use the speaker sims i would suggest ditching the combo and getting a powered monitor.
I played the other night and
Tue, 2008/03/04 - 8:01pm — tbyrdI played the other night and sent my soundman two feeds. One direct through a Behringer Ultra G with cab simulator on, and another from my mic'd up Fender HRD. The feed for the input of the amp was direct from the TL (with speaker sim on). I asked him to pick and use the one he liked the best, and he chose the direct signal from the Ultra G. He said they both sounded good and he almost couldn't tell the difference, but he said the direct connection was a little more clearer, which makes sense I guess. Just wanted to throw that out there FWIW.
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The hard thing with all of
Wed, 2008/03/05 - 6:22am — gschmidtThe hard thing with all of this, as I am seeing more recently is that when you use the tonelab in some ways it seems as if it doesn't matter what amp you are using. The amp ends up just being your speakers. So in some ways your question doesn't really have a definitive answer. It is most likely just the best sound that you feel you accomplish with the amp and cabs.
I had a Marshall MG100DFX and never really liked the tone that I got with the tonelab and amp and so I purchased an AC30 thinking that that was the best way to make the tonelab shine! Maybe I'm making a mistake in setting up the two together but I feel that in many ways the tones I am getting from the AC30 sound like the same old tones I got with the Marshall when used with the tonelab. That sounds like blasphemy I know, but I can't figure it out! The amp and cab settings will obviously change the tone, and so it seems as if the best thing to do would be to find what you like the best. Monkeying around with settings takes forever sometimes!
I guess it depends on the
Thu, 2008/03/06 - 7:18am — humblepieI guess it depends on the amp because the difference between my Peavey Valveking (all tube) and my Marshall's (both solid state) is significant. Much more warmth and punchier bottom end with the Valveking. The tweaking does take time, but the results are worth it. mark (hp)
When I owned a Desktop
Thu, 2008/03/06 - 9:01am — firebrandWhen I owned a Desktop model, I kept the cab sims on, but switched to "Line" for the output. The result was more upper mid and treble in the signal. Going into my trusty little Danelectro Nifty Fifty sounded absolutely fantastic. I am now purchasing a TLSE and have also purchased a Traynor Custom Special 50. I am looking forward to trying multiple signal routing avenues with it to see what works best.
i jammed the TLLE last night
Thu, 2008/03/06 - 8:52pm — nomad100i jammed the TLLE last night and forgot to turn off the speaker sim for the my AC30 setting and it was ok sounding but as soon as i switch to my mesa settings it sounded horrible till I turned off the Sim, then everything even the AC30 setting sounded and felt better. My experience with peavey speaker were with a POD 2.0 and i had to run the speaker sims because well Sheffield speaker sound horribly bright. I hear celection classic leads work well with modelers and speaker sims due to there transparent nature.