Using a modeller through the PA vs through a real amp

allen

I usually use my Tonemaster Pro straight into the front of a valve amp to try to keep things simple.

Last night I went to rehearsal and none of the amps in the rehearsal room were working. I quickly improvised and added a deluxe reverb model to my general preset and plugged into the PA (mono only).

Wow. Sounds were much better/clearer. I could hear myself much better and (possibly) the tone was better.

I had always assumed that a real amp would sound better and would be simpler, but actually going into the PA was easier and sounded better.

You live and learn!

TheBigDipper

In my "go direct" adventures, I always preferred going through the PA. If you're all doing that (inc. drums) then you can generally get a single monitor mix that is usable, too. That never worked for me if the drummer was playing an acoustic kit, though. So that's a time for a real amp at the back of the stage. 

monquixote

Much as I hate to say it when I switched to using a modeller into the PA I got far more complements about having a good guitar tone than when I was using various fancy amps and pedals. 

Musicwolf

monquixote said:

Much as I hate to say it when I switched to using a modeller into the PA I got far more complements about having a good guitar tone than when I was using various fancy amps and pedals. 

Likewise, although my pedals weren't particularly fancy.

newi123

I`m still with a UA Lion into a FR12 for stage, and with a line but I to PA.

I`ve tried the Lion with the cab sim off into a class D power amp and guitar cab - tbh I prefer it with the cab sim through the FR12. 

I`m not ready for straight to PA and no stage volume - I still like an `amp` on stage.

I bought this rig as a light weight solution primarily - but the sound out FOH is the best, and certainly the most consistent, I`ve ever had.

flying_pie

At least night's rehearsal or keyboard told me he really liked the patches oi had programmed. I hadn't actually programmed any and it was just my Friedman IR-J into the PA with some reverb and occasional varying amounts of delay.

I have found that keeping the gain on the mixer low and having the level slider high does help. I also find that some of the modules in the mixer can be a bit erratic and often the solution to your sound being harsh on input 7 is to change to input 8.

Voxman

I've been using an MFX straight through the PA or FRFR powered speakers for years now. So much simpler, way more consistent tone, and the audience wouldn't know or care. I really do think it's becoming the norm now.

A few years old now, but here's a vid of Nita Straus talking about how she uses a Boss GT1000 live for smaller gigs (& her smaller gigs are probably bigger gigs for many of us!)