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I guess this is a poll question, but I'd like to take it a step further.
Not only would I like all you pros/semi-pros to choose which one you would use, if you could only use one, but please give a brief description why.
Keep in mind I am a bang for the buck, middle of the road project studio. I've done my own research, but am still on the fence.
I want the most quality sounds for my $. The genre of material is rock/pop with an edge. We will be using some distortion as well as some clean/ambient sounds. My guitarist currently has Behringer V-Amp DSP. In my opinion it sounds fair at best, but I'm shooting for the stars with this project. Fair isn't cutting it for my picky ears.
Any and all replies are greatly appreciated!

Joshua

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CoyoteTrax Sat, 09/10/2005 - 12:21

I gotta answer this one just because you're local here in ABQ Joshua.

Personally I prefer the PODxt sounds over VOX. To me, PODxt delay and delay modulation is the nicest modulation I've heard since the digitech rp-1 (subsequent rp's "lacked IMO).

Cabinet simulation is better than the VOX IMO also and the xt has the AIR feature which is an outstanding mic placement/room emulator.

I like the distortion boxes on the xt better and the noise gate is smoother. I'm also convinced the xt responds better to picking up on the unique characteristics of your guitar and it's pickups where other processors (like the VOX) can glass-over your guitar's character and your finger and pick technique.

Hook the xt up to your internet connection and download updates and patches that other guitarists have tweaked too. Not a bad feature. I like the xt technology alot and enjoy running the xt into genuine tube circuitry for authentic tone enhancement too.

Just my 2 cents.

Would you like Green or Red on that? LOL

anonymous Mon, 09/19/2005 - 20:11

hello Coyote?

I was reading some of your past posts.
Being a serious studio tech is one of many ambitions of mine.
I hope this is not inappropriate, but would it be possible to communicate (pick your brain) with you on the subject of recording?
I am willing to pay for your expertise. There is no substitute for experience, in my opinion.

Well enjoy our lovely NM weather and harvest time is upon us!

Joshua

anonymous Tue, 09/20/2005 - 07:12

I can't vouch for the Vox but I can say I wasn't impressed with the PodXt or anything from the Line6 line of emulators and guitar cab/fx simulators. I do believe they serve a purpose and if you layer guitar sounds they can be combined into a useable, convincing guitar sound but you have to play around with it a lot. The only emulator/sumilator I have used that I have kept is the Johnson J-station. It's the only simulator box I have found to be able to properly manipulate its variables and parameters along with the dynamics of picking technique. IMO it's the only little box I have found that does a convincing job of simulating a tube amp and how by picking harder you can push a tube harder and add saturation and distortion just by altering your picking technique. The other boxes seem to just add volume when you do this. The J-station is also the cheapest for some crazy reason. I picked mine up for $80.00 on a whim. It also has downloadable presets and can talk to your computer and software via midi inputs and outputs. You can download other famous guitar players tones as well. It also can be used as a decent mic preamp (that was an experiment that actually paid off). I find the tones I can get out of that thing sound much more natural then my podxt ever did. I have yet to try the new Boss GT-8 but I am very anxious to put that one through the gauntlet as well. I can imagine that with the 2 COSM amp engine and being able to create hybrid amps you could get some really cool tones.
My best advice to you is take time to learn to create layers with your simulator. Layers are the key to making a simulated amp track sound believable and real.

CoyoteTrax Tue, 09/20/2005 - 12:07

Joshua I'm not a pro, I'm a home recordist like you and I certainly don't have any knowledge that anybody else here doesn't have. Heck, 9 times out of 10 probably I'm the guy that knows the least.

But I'd be more than happy to communicate offline with you and share ideas. Just email me at coyotetrax3@hotmail.com

Meeting other musicians in Albuquerque is always fun.

Rain, you're right about the J-Station and it always comes up in these threads about simulation because it's such a gem. I have a few friends that would never part company with theirs, or their GT-8 for that matter. BOSS pedals consistently get the job done and last a long time.