I enjoy the digital stuff but I've recently gone back to playing my tube amps. Just bought a new '62 Fender Deluxe clone and a Tone King Ironman II Mini attenuator / loadbox. I'm back to loving the tone and feel of playing my tube amps (Fender Princeton & Dr Z Maz 18 Jr and the new Deluxe). Now I can choose a genuine tube amp & IR or go fully digital. What a wealth of great options we have! Thanks Mike for another great video.
I've always been a dedicated tube amp player, but the UAFX pedals are the first and so far only modeling amps that have made me turn to digital alternatives more and more often. At least the Lion and the Dream have really convinced me. They make sense for larger stages in particular. At small club gigs, you're often dependent on the noise from the stage, or the first rows of people in the audience just hear the drums. An FRFR doesn't really help here, which is why I send the signal from the UAFX pedals through a power amplifier with the Cabsim deactivated in order to operate a regular guitar cabinet. However, tube power amps give much better results here than solid state. So I might as well take a “real” tube amp with me to the gig. But I really enjoy the Lion68 and Dream65 for home recording. With the same IR on the DI signal, the Lion sounds almost identical to my SV20 plexi via a loadbox. I even made a comparison video and you can hear almost no difference.
I have been a guitar player for 26 years. I used to always go for the big amp. 40 watts in my mind was optimum for playing out. In the last 2-5 years it came obvious to me a few observation. 1) sound guy always makes me turn down. 2). I’m 43 now and I don’t want to lug amps around that also weigh 43 pounds! 3) my best paying gigs are super small places where I have no room for an amp. That made me realize it’s time to go direct. I took a baby step and got a Boss Katana MKII 100. Loved it, I could go direct or use the speaker. But it doesn’t fit on the stage in one of the places we go. So I’m sporting a ToneX one now. Haven’t used it live but it’s my way forward. I’ve used processors at church before so I am no novice to silent stage. But for me I think my amp days are over. I’ve been really happy with the tonex and a few pedals. Loading up for practice is supper easy. I even have a battery pedal power supply so I don’t even need a power outlet!
Very cool video as usual. You’re one of the most interesting TH-camr in the game right now! Can I ask you something? Can you show us the signal chain you usually use with digital amplifiers? I'm only asking because I think the hardest part of playing with digital systems is having a proper listening experience that gives you that feeling of the “amp in the room”, if you know what I mean.
4:35 Speaking of Amp pedals, The Edge from U2 uses them to recreate a VOX AC30 or Fender Amp at the Sphere in Vegas recently, believe it or not (instead of having a bunch of physical amps underneath the stage)! How far we have come!
Joe Walsh had his pedalboard flying overhead up on the big display during the Eagles’ Sphere shows, he was using Woodrow Dream Ruby Lion and what looked like a prototype Enigmatic all on his board 😅
FWIW, I owned AxeFX since it first came out, but I could never dial it in to my liking. I think the effects in it are great, and the amp sims are great too, but the whole cab story gives people far too much rope, so to speak. And that rope got even more abundant with Dyna-Cab, it's now even harder to "find" truly great tone. That is not a problem UA gear suffers from. I got the tone I wanted from UA OX the first day I owned it. From there I just captured a profile into my Neural DSP Cortex and called it a day - with minimal tweaks that tone was dead on. I rarely turn on my tube amps now, mostly just to capture another profile for some song. I do still own them, though. I got most of them fairly cheap off Craigslist, and they cover a ton of ground.
I own the Lion, and I bought it to get a cranked marshall without shattering my eardrums. It's probably the best sounding marshall pedal on the market, but noticeably lacks the features of it's competitors (Strymon and Boss). Lack of Headphone out for example is bizarre. The Bluetooth, whilst not a deal-breaker, is cumbersome and they had the option to connect to PC app via USB-C (like for the firmware updates). Again, sounds amazing, but understand the criticisms. It's perfect for me, bedroom playing, but beyond that maybe it does have limitations.
I have a Friedman IR-X pedal, and the analog tubes in it really make the sound and feel more believable to me when compared to all-digital pedals. However, I just picked up a Nano Cortex, and I think I may have finally found an all-digital winner.
I live in an 1100 sqft townhome. Pretty much software, Tonex, and Positive grid are my go-tos. I bought a spark cab, but its just too loud for where I live. So I mostly use a Spark40 or my laptop. Xtone Pro all the way! You should do a video on the Xtone Pro with something like Bias or Amplitube. Its a really cool piece of kit. Thanks for your videos, you have really helped in a lot of gear decisions for me.
Average listener in both a live and headphone situation won't tell the difference If an amp sim pedal / gear piece can get to like, 75% of an amp, but weigh literally 40lbs less, any working musician should be attracted to the idea
The "average listener" argument has always been strange to me. Like the average listener might not be able to tell if you're playing or singing out of key. Does that mean being in key doesn't matter? Ultimately, there's only one person who's opinion I care about when it comes to my tone, and that's me. Definitely not some random "average listener". I do agree about the wieght/convenience factor tho.
I have Marshall DSL1 and origin 20 heads. I attenuate them, otherwise, way too loud. I wish I could crank, but no. They sound great, even attenuated. If I want to record, I have two options: TwoNotes Opus (can run my amps through directly and utilize IR to the attenuator or it has built in amps sims/cabs) or The UA Lion. So they are useful but probably not as ideal of studio recording a cranked, miked Marshall, but that’s not always feasible. Some of these digital amps are impressive. I like the UA because you really just focused on a single amp and I can run my pedals in front. Not too many options to get lost in to get a good sound. I am thinking about their dumble one next…
Lmfao, you been popping up with all the stuff I been getting. The pacifica pro, and now the uafx pedals. I just got the anti, enegmatic, and knuckles. Love using them for so many things not just guitar.
Hey Mike, have you tried the Simplifier from DSM Humboldt? I got rid of my fractal and went back to a tube amp/pedalboard but picked up the Simplifier MK2 for headphone practice at night. All analog save for the digital plate reverb. Gives an option for vox/fender/marshall flavor in pre/power amp as well as cab/speaker. Pretty great piece of engineering. Tones but more importantly the feel is great. And takes pedals real well. E curious if you have or would try.
Love my Vox ac 15 for home playing and can get it pretty nice sounding at low volumes as a pedal platform. That being said, I typically run the Ruby at home with in ears / headphones or monitor speakers now that I have a 4 month old. Amp always feels sweeter but can’t really tell the difference on recordings. Life is way easier with the Ruby as well
When I was recording, I didn't have the budget or the freedom of volume for a JCM800 and a pair of 1965 cabs all mic'ed up and ready to go. A good amp modeler with cab options is an excellent option. It boils down to what YOU the guitarist wants or needs. No one can decide for you.
I use a Spark 40 at home ( a small apt) I love my Princeton Reverb Tube amp for any gig where I can turn up the volume. Years ago I had a Marshall half stack A group of us used to play at a friends farm 😂 The volume was glorious
Those pedals into the front of the first channel on the Fender Super Champ X2 with a speaker swap. Enjoy I have a Hughes and Kettner Tube Factor (green channel pedal going into a Boss Fender Basman pedal before the Super Champ. Delicious
Hey Mike, these pedals have a place like you said it all depends on the player. I am not opposed to them. I don’t use them, but I’m definitely open minded but thank you for the video.
I sold my amps and pedals after I got a Quad Cortex. If you take the time to learn how to use it you can get great tones. Hence so many touring artists going with modellers and capture units nowadays.
Yes, I have been down that road, and been burnt. It would have been great to hear this pedal, based on a classic amp, with a classic guitar (Strat or LP). The PRS just sounds wrong imho.
In a Church situation I almost always play with my board direct in so any digital modeler would be great in that spot. If go down to the Jam there are 2 decent tube amps there and I prefer them over any Helix or ANY Modeler. With the soon release of ToneX Cab... I am considering selling my Dr.Z and getting a tone x and mostly going digital except maybe... I'm like 99% sure it would work but I might want to try one in person of that becomes possible. I love the idea of the UA Pedals but many reviews talk about a buzz and with each pedal being at least over $300 I cant get em all.
I just got the VST versions of 3 of the UA amp recreations and they sound amazing, and you can get them $99 bucks where as each pedal is gonna be like several hundred dollars each so I would be interested if you need a good amp sound in a VST form (which i've had trouble finding for cheap)
Ya I have dream and Ruby but still bought all 3 plug ins on sale 83 bucks .. picking up the enigmatic today as just arrived from my order … and I’m a die hard tube guy … but these have arrived and I didn’t think the day would come … still love my ox as well .. curious to try some of the origin options as well
@@geoffspakes awesome. Right now I have a boss katana and I want the clean channel do be a greater model of a deluxe reverb. And I want to use a clon pedal at high gain to add crunch when I want that sound. I have a protein for my blues/rock ish gain.
@@tigertuft great. I love the crunch of a clon style pedal when the gain is up high. Because sometime I want the roar and scream but not necessarily a super hard rock sound. Just a healthy crunch that F’n rocks. I seen “That Pedal Show” and they showed a Tumnus and archer into a deluxe reverb and I love how they got that higher gain sound out of a clean amp. It was beautiful 😂
It's not either-or. If you keep on playing guitar long enough, you will surely go through all different flavors of technology.. analog and digital amps, modellers, captures, software, pedals etc. And its all good. (but expensive).
You should really try the Joyo American Amp Sim. Its 40 bucks and I honestly think it sounds awesome!!! Compare it to the UA Dream? I would really love to see that video
I have tried many of these pedals with the (naive) hope of simply using it as a pedal on my board and going direct to amp. It never works out well that way. I've returned or sold every one.
My sons gave me a Spark 2 for BD# 77. COOL little piece. I will use it for quiet headphone playing and to learn stuff. But trust me ... Digital gizmos will NEVER replace my TWO BF Super Reverbs; My BF Showman; my BF Bandmaster. My brownface Bandmaster. My silverface Twin Reverb; My silverface Deluxe Reverb. OR, my 1996 Blues Deluxe. You young guys are gettin' scammed by some kiddygardners who are destroying Fender.
Nice home alone reference lol. I don’t think anyone’s getting scammed- I think for the applications like in this video, they’re perfectly suitable for most people.
@@TightestCrusherI want an attenuator like the Power Station. Not only to tame loud amps but also to quiet my noisey effects loop and play crappy amp sim pedals through lol
Bro, I get pumped every time I see a new post from you
I enjoy the digital stuff but I've recently gone back to playing my tube amps. Just bought a new '62 Fender Deluxe clone and a Tone King Ironman II Mini attenuator / loadbox. I'm back to loving the tone and feel of playing my tube amps (Fender Princeton & Dr Z Maz 18 Jr and the new Deluxe).
Now I can choose a genuine tube amp & IR or go fully digital. What a wealth of great options we have! Thanks Mike for another great video.
That S2 Custom 24-08 is STUNNING!
I've always been a dedicated tube amp player, but the UAFX pedals are the first and so far only modeling amps that have made me turn to digital alternatives more and more often. At least the Lion and the Dream have really convinced me. They make sense for larger stages in particular. At small club gigs, you're often dependent on the noise from the stage, or the first rows of people in the audience just hear the drums. An FRFR doesn't really help here, which is why I send the signal from the UAFX pedals through a power amplifier with the Cabsim deactivated in order to operate a regular guitar cabinet. However, tube power amps give much better results here than solid state. So I might as well take a “real” tube amp with me to the gig. But I really enjoy the Lion68 and Dream65 for home recording. With the same IR on the DI signal, the Lion sounds almost identical to my SV20 plexi via a loadbox. I even made a comparison video and you can hear almost no difference.
I know that when its in a mix, only a hardcore audiophile will be able to tell the difference. If the pedal gets 90% there then it is gold
show up to a place without a pa then you'll see why people actually use real amps
The "hardcore audiophiles" wont be able to tell a difference either.
Psh, you’re not a Marshall. Would the real Marshall please stand up?
My heart, my soul and my physical me were melting
We fr need a compilation of you just playing presets, amps, guitars, pedals you like
I have a dream 65. Best thing I’ve ever bought
I have been a guitar player for 26 years. I used to always go for the big amp. 40 watts in my mind was optimum for playing out. In the last 2-5 years it came obvious to me a few observation.
1) sound guy always makes me turn down.
2). I’m 43 now and I don’t want to lug amps around that also weigh 43 pounds!
3) my best paying gigs are super small places where I have no room for an amp.
That made me realize it’s time to go direct. I took a baby step and got a Boss Katana MKII 100. Loved it, I could go direct or use the speaker. But it doesn’t fit on the stage in one of the places we go. So I’m sporting a ToneX one now. Haven’t used it live but it’s my way forward. I’ve used processors at church before so I am no novice to silent stage. But for me I think my amp days are over. I’ve been really happy with the tonex and a few pedals. Loading up for practice is supper easy. I even have a battery pedal power supply so I don’t even need a power outlet!
Very cool video as usual. You’re one of the most interesting TH-camr in the game right now! Can I ask you something? Can you show us the signal chain you usually use with digital amplifiers? I'm only asking because I think the hardest part of playing with digital systems is having a proper listening experience that gives you that feeling of the “amp in the room”, if you know what I mean.
This is the one UA pedal I want
This was really educational. I love these videos! Thank you!
8:20 Helix, HX stomp, you have your models and you have a ton of mics with literally thousands of positions regarding on x and z axis.
4:35 Speaking of Amp pedals, The Edge from U2 uses them to recreate a VOX AC30 or Fender Amp at the Sphere in Vegas recently, believe it or not (instead of having a bunch of physical amps underneath the stage)! How far we have come!
If I recall well, Mike mentioned it in his video about the UA Ruby.
@@julienfournier7289 Gotcha! I'm new to his channel. Actually started watching that vid now, and I just heard him talk about it. lol
Joe Walsh had his pedalboard flying overhead up on the big display during the Eagles’ Sphere shows, he was using Woodrow Dream Ruby Lion and what looked like a prototype Enigmatic all on his board 😅
It all comes back to using whatever works for you. There were some great tones coming from that Lion Box.
FWIW, I owned AxeFX since it first came out, but I could never dial it in to my liking. I think the effects in it are great, and the amp sims are great too, but the whole cab story gives people far too much rope, so to speak. And that rope got even more abundant with Dyna-Cab, it's now even harder to "find" truly great tone. That is not a problem UA gear suffers from. I got the tone I wanted from UA OX the first day I owned it. From there I just captured a profile into my Neural DSP Cortex and called it a day - with minimal tweaks that tone was dead on. I rarely turn on my tube amps now, mostly just to capture another profile for some song. I do still own them, though. I got most of them fairly cheap off Craigslist, and they cover a ton of ground.
Tube amps can produce full wave tones. I love my Blues Jr.
LES PAUL..for the Marshall 😓
🫣Man
I own the Lion, and I bought it to get a cranked marshall without shattering my eardrums. It's probably the best sounding marshall pedal on the market, but noticeably lacks the features of it's competitors (Strymon and Boss).
Lack of Headphone out for example is bizarre. The Bluetooth, whilst not a deal-breaker, is cumbersome and they had the option to connect to PC app via USB-C (like for the firmware updates).
Again, sounds amazing, but understand the criticisms. It's perfect for me, bedroom playing, but beyond that maybe it does have limitations.
definetly get going on the prs story! great video!
I have a Friedman IR-X pedal, and the analog tubes in it really make the sound and feel more believable to me when compared to all-digital pedals. However, I just picked up a Nano Cortex, and I think I may have finally found an all-digital winner.
I live in an 1100 sqft townhome. Pretty much software, Tonex, and Positive grid are my go-tos. I bought a spark cab, but its just too loud for where I live. So I mostly use a Spark40 or my laptop. Xtone Pro all the way! You should do a video on the Xtone Pro with something like Bias or Amplitube. Its a really cool piece of kit. Thanks for your videos, you have really helped in a lot of gear decisions for me.
Average listener in both a live and headphone situation won't tell the difference
If an amp sim pedal / gear piece can get to like, 75% of an amp, but weigh literally 40lbs less, any working musician should be attracted to the idea
The "average listener" argument has always been strange to me. Like the average listener might not be able to tell if you're playing or singing out of key. Does that mean being in key doesn't matter?
Ultimately, there's only one person who's opinion I care about when it comes to my tone, and that's me. Definitely not some random "average listener".
I do agree about the wieght/convenience factor tho.
I have Marshall DSL1 and origin 20 heads. I attenuate them, otherwise, way too loud. I wish I could crank, but no. They sound great, even attenuated. If I want to record, I have two options: TwoNotes Opus (can run my amps through directly and utilize IR to the attenuator or it has built in amps sims/cabs) or The UA Lion. So they are useful but probably not as ideal of studio recording a cranked, miked Marshall, but that’s not always feasible. Some of these digital amps are impressive. I like the UA because you really just focused on a single amp and I can run my pedals in front. Not too many options to get lost in to get a good sound. I am thinking about their dumble one next…
Gotta get ‘em all! I have 2 UA pedals and they’re great. Also just bought my first tube Marshall. It’s great too. Get what works and what you like.
Most go back again to analogue…
Lmfao, you been popping up with all the stuff I been getting.
The pacifica pro, and now the uafx pedals. I just got the anti, enegmatic, and knuckles.
Love using them for so many things not just guitar.
Hey Mike, have you tried the Simplifier from DSM Humboldt? I got rid of my fractal and went back to a tube amp/pedalboard but picked up the Simplifier MK2 for headphone practice at night. All analog save for the digital plate reverb. Gives an option for vox/fender/marshall flavor in pre/power amp as well as cab/speaker. Pretty great piece of engineering. Tones but more importantly the feel is great. And takes pedals real well. E curious if you have or would try.
Love my Vox ac 15 for home playing and can get it pretty nice sounding at low volumes as a pedal platform. That being said, I typically run the Ruby at home with in ears / headphones or monitor speakers now that I have a 4 month old. Amp always feels sweeter but can’t really tell the difference on recordings.
Life is way easier with the Ruby as well
Im all digital and solid state man. I started playing in the 90's so my first amp was a Line 6 Spider 2. I actually cannot gel with tubes now.
When I was recording, I didn't have the budget or the freedom of volume for a JCM800 and a pair of 1965 cabs all mic'ed up and ready to go. A good amp modeler with cab options is an excellent option. It boils down to what YOU the guitarist wants or needs. No one can decide for you.
Really good video. You make these things very interesting!
Babe, wake up. A new Mike Cole video dropped 🫳
You can perfectly made a video tittled Why digital amp players go tube...
Love the BassBreaker
NAM has been a godsend for me that's broke as heck.
we want a radiohead equipment review video
I use a Spark 40 at home ( a small apt) I love my Princeton Reverb Tube amp for any gig where I can turn up the volume. Years ago I had a Marshall half stack A group of us used to play at a friends farm 😂 The volume was glorious
Those pedals into the front of the first channel on the Fender Super Champ X2 with a speaker swap. Enjoy
I have a Hughes and Kettner Tube Factor (green channel pedal going into a Boss Fender Basman pedal before the Super Champ.
Delicious
I went digital but im back to tubes
I urge you to try the Friedman irx ird and irj preamp pedals. They kick digital butt. They feel is incredible.
We want to know about the PRS story!
Digital nowadays can offer a great alternative to an amp. The TCE Combo Deluxe '65 is on my radar 😅
Hey Mike, these pedals have a place like you said it all depends on the player. I am not opposed to them. I don’t use them, but I’m definitely open minded but thank you for the video.
These pedals are a waste of money. You can get better sounding cheaper options, or just get a great sounding tube amp for about the same price.
I sold my amps and pedals after I got a Quad Cortex. If you take the time to learn how to use it you can get great tones. Hence so many touring artists going with modellers and capture units nowadays.
@@michaeldschutte The convenience is great. The tone is crap. Be honest with yourself.
How about doing a segment on what amps and affects The Edge from U2 uses???
Tonex One -> wet effects -> Boss IR2 (with York irs) 👌
Yes, I have been down that road, and been burnt. It would have been great to hear this pedal, based on a classic amp, with a classic guitar (Strat or LP). The PRS just sounds wrong imho.
In a Church situation I almost always play with my board direct in so any digital modeler would be great in that spot. If go down to the Jam there are 2 decent tube amps there and I prefer them over any Helix or ANY Modeler. With the soon release of ToneX Cab... I am considering selling my Dr.Z and getting a tone x and mostly going digital except maybe... I'm like 99% sure it would work but I might want to try one in person of that becomes possible. I love the idea of the UA Pedals but many reviews talk about a buzz and with each pedal being at least over $300 I cant get em all.
I just got the VST versions of 3 of the UA amp recreations and they sound amazing, and you can get them $99 bucks where as each pedal is gonna be like several hundred dollars each so I would be interested if you need a good amp sound in a VST form (which i've had trouble finding for cheap)
Ya I have dream and Ruby but still bought all 3 plug ins on sale 83 bucks .. picking up the enigmatic today as just arrived from my order … and I’m a die hard tube guy … but these have arrived and I didn’t think the day would come … still love my ox as well .. curious to try some of the origin options as well
I'm looking into getting the Dream 65. I'd like to see how the dream 65 takes pedals. like a tumnus.
I have a TC Electronics Combo Deluxe 65 and love it. So simple, does what it needs to do and takes pedals wonderfully.
takes pedals fine, like an amp. I've used lots through mine and never had a problem.
I run a JRockett Archer (also a Klon based pedal) into a Dream 65 and it sounds and feels great
@@geoffspakes awesome. Right now I have a boss katana and I want the clean channel do be a greater model of a deluxe reverb. And I want to use a clon pedal at high gain to add crunch when I want that sound. I have a protein for my blues/rock ish gain.
@@tigertuft great. I love the crunch of a clon style pedal when the gain is up high. Because sometime I want the roar and scream but not necessarily a super hard rock sound. Just a healthy crunch that F’n rocks. I seen “That Pedal Show” and they showed a Tumnus and archer into a deluxe reverb and I love how they got that higher gain sound out of a clean amp. It was beautiful 😂
It's not either-or. If you keep on playing guitar long enough, you will surely go through all different flavors of technology.. analog and digital amps, modellers, captures, software, pedals etc. And its all good. (but expensive).
You should really try the Joyo American Amp Sim. Its 40 bucks and I honestly think it sounds awesome!!! Compare it to the UA Dream? I would really love to see that video
Great cheap pedal !
The Joyo preamps sound better than the UA stuff because they are all analog.
@ great point.
The Lion rules
That's why going live nowadays ain't really easier, unless you'd be cheating the fixed playlist on a muted midi guitar and I don't like that. Namastè.
UA pedals are awesome. I want them!
I have tried many of these pedals with the (naive) hope of simply using it as a pedal on my board and going direct to amp. It never works out well that way. I've returned or sold every one.
It's supposed to go direct to mixer, not to an amp
Absolutely great video!
I own a DSL40CR and I get perfectly good tones to play on my room that shares a wall of the neighbor's room.
A Master Volume does wonders.
I’ll never go digital!
My sons gave me a Spark 2 for BD# 77. COOL little piece. I will use it for quiet headphone playing and to learn stuff. But trust me ... Digital gizmos will NEVER replace my TWO BF Super Reverbs; My BF Showman; my BF Bandmaster. My brownface Bandmaster. My silverface Twin Reverb; My silverface Deluxe Reverb. OR, my 1996 Blues Deluxe. You young guys are gettin' scammed by some kiddygardners who are destroying Fender.
Nice home alone reference lol. I don’t think anyone’s getting scammed- I think for the applications like in this video, they’re perfectly suitable for most people.
Cool
3 minutes ago is crazy work
That's a pedal. A crappy digital emulation of a Marshall. Get a real amp if you want the Marshall sound. Stop shilling.
I think the point here is the Marshall sound comes at a price of 110db+ unless you have an attenuator
@@AsadBashir79 Buy an attenuator. You'll be getting an accurate representation of the amp, not a digital emulation that sounds like crap.
Okay Boomer
@@TightestCrusherI want an attenuator like the Power Station. Not only to tame loud amps but also to quiet my noisey effects loop and play crappy amp sim pedals through lol