New here. Rack or Floor Effects? Rig?

[ThrowBackMan]

Hey Guys.

I'm new here.. I like the layout of this forum and I noticed you had some good manufacturer stuff here, so I had to join.

Now, the questions I have. I'm trying to put together a rig cheap. I have plenty of guitars, and at home in my apartment I have a couple nice things to jam with and record with, but I need something in amp or effects and amp for playing out. I've got a lot of folks wanting me to jam once or twice a month with them out in the public.

I need effects for cover tunes, but I hate them. I've always been a "Plug and Play" mostly type of guy using a Fender Twin Reverb for many years and or a Peavey Classic 30 with just an over drive or distortion pedal at the most, and, or if the mood or song called for it, maybe a delay and wah. But that's usually it.. I typically used the reverb on the amp, etc,. I hate digital modeling amps I've played, especially at higher volumes, but I've not played the current stuff, except below.

I love the sound of what I see of the Eleven Rack. But, I'd of course need a power amp or amp and speaker cab, etc, or something like that. I also liked the G system I heard by TC,. The one on the floor. I think it's called the Nova System, but I didn't get to play with it much.

I am thinking I could use either of the above to hook up to either a PA / House or via a small power amp such as the Tech 21 power 60 that doesn't color the preamp stuff.

Anyone else do this type of thing and if so, what may I ask is your approach? There are so many, but I still want that feel and responsiveness I get with a tube amp, hence the thinking of the ElevenRack and it's ability to do so. I can't afford the really big expensive rack setups, so what to do?

Thanks guys..

Tim

 

[Invidious]

I just bought an axefx rig for use in the studio and with my cover band. Its going to be great to be able to recreate so many different tones and actually have them match the covers rather than tap dancing and twisting knobs between every song just to get something that "kind of" matches.

I would say get an axefx or a kemper for the covers.

 

[GtarLover]

Hey Tim,

First, welcome to the board. This is a great place to get ideas and chat with other gear hounds.

Second, when you say cheap, what do you mean by that? Most of the rack and foot controller systems are fairly expensive and it really depends on how you will use the rig.

Personally, I have a bunch of different choices and have tried the G System. I didn't totally gel,with the G system, yet it did have some great options and is an all in one unit. Currently, I have chosen the Axe FX and foot controller. I choose to do a dual thing where I run a direct line to the snake or PA, and then run the other output to a power amp an cab(s). It's the best of both worlds. I have real cabs on stage for ME and also send a consistent tone to the FOH.

The Axe is a monster unit and has everything I need, presumably it has what you need as well. The thing is, it's NOT cheap.

Another option is the Kemper Profiling Amp. The Kemper has a multitude of options as well and with the forum for trading profiles, you can get a ton of amps, ones you would never buy yourself. Anyway, another option for you to consider. Again, you can send direct out to FOH and another out to a cab.

Both the Axe and the Kemper are controllable with a midi foot controller and that makes it a whole lot easier to navigate through the different tones and amps, etc. Setting up a rig like this gets you THE most versatile rig currently available, yet as I said, it's not the cheapest way to go.

Buying used will save you some $$ and a new Fractal Axe FX is coming soon, so you might be able to get one a bit cheaper as the new model comes out. I have seen a couple for sale already. I don't have any experience with the Eleven Rack, although I hear it's a good choice too.

I am sure others will chime in as well, so try out a few things and see what works best for you.
Good luck and again, welcome to Rig Talk.

 

[ThrowBackMan]

Thanks so much for the replies already guys. I love the sound of the axefx, but again, it's too much money. The eleven rack and a foot controller can be cheap enough for what I want for covers and recording. I can buy one without the pro tools which I don't want, or need.

I could go to a power amp or FOH, etc, with the eleven rack, or the TC nova, but I know I like the responsiveness of the Eleven rack, but I'm not sure I'd like the same with the TC? The TC really has the effects I need and the distortions, etc, but again, I like the interactive response you get with the eleven racks "impedance" matching I think they call lit. Like a good tube amp responds to picking and volume changes, etc,.

I'm also considering a Tech 21 power amp and then the Eleven rack or maybe even a Floor Preamp, etc,. But it would have to be one with effects or I'd have to get pedals and I hate pedals.

If anyone has used the TC Nova, I'd really like to know what it's like and how you like it? Especially if you've used the Eleven rack as well?

Thanks
Tim

Thanks guys..
Tim

 

[Iron Dog]

Welcome to the board, my recommendation especially considering you don't have a lot of $ and can find one used is the Rocktron Voodu Valve. I've had mine since they first came out, in 1995 (Kind of say's something that Rocktron is still making them today and the only change has been the addition of online capability).

They are awesome units, sound very amp like, with all the basic effects, and they are not a modeller. You can run straight into FoH or through an amp. I use mine as follows:
guitar> Voodu Valve> BBE 461 Sonic Maximizer> Rocktron Velocity 300 power amp> Genz Benz G-Flex 2x12.

I don't play live right now, but if I did this is what I would use. The only thing you might not like is that it can be a very deep unit, if you want to exploit it's full capabilities, but you can simplify it also if that's the way you want to go, also the newer online versions allow you to download presets and alter patches on your computer.

 

[JerEvil]

I would look at the Digitech GSP1101 and Control 2. They can be had for under $500 and sound great.

 

[ThrowBackMan]

Thanks Guys so much. I really appreciate it. I'll look for the Digitech and Rocktron online and see what I can find..
Tim

 

[Badronald]

Use the Twin and boost that you have and just pick up the TC Nova System for multiple effects.

They have showed up used on my local CL for $250.

 

[ThrowBackMan]

Hey Badronald.

I appreciate the help man. I don't have the Twin anymore. I finally sold it to my brother as I had bought a Peavey classic 30, but it was stolen. I had also quit playing out and now I'm trying to get back into it which is the reason I am looking. I really like the idea of the Voodoo valve preamp, because it's a tube preamp with effects. Sounds perfect. I only found one online for sale right now, but I'm sure I'll find another when I look some more.. I thought about the TC, if I get another amp. But, I'm really wanting a preamp with effects and being able to use a midi board to not have to dance on pedals all night.. hehe..
Thanks
Tim

Use the Twin and boost that you have and just pick up the TC Nova System for multiple effects.

They have showed up used on my local CL for $250.

 

[rgorke]

Maybe some feedback on another option....Just a series of pedals, OD (tube screamer or similar), Chorus (Boss CE-?), Delay (Boss DD3) and then a reverb (not necessarily in that order). Then plug into any one of many good amps and there you go.

This would be a lot cheaper. You could probably get all of these for under $300. I understand you may not have the "on the fly" switchability but it could/would cover most of the bases. I am not necessarily arguing that is it a preferred alternative but I seem to see lots of guys with the pedal boards for a grab and go type thing.

What do you think of that type of rig?

 

[ThrowBackMan]

Hey man. Thanks so much.
Yeah, that might work if I don't find what I want. It would be cheaper if I just buy a cheaper amp and use pedals probably, but I'm still trying to decide. It would be easier the other way with a midi board and preamp with effects though I think.. Hard to decide for sure..
Thanks man..
Tim

Maybe some feedback on another option....Just a series of pedals, OD (tube screamer or similar), Chorus (Boss CE-?), Delay (Boss DD3) and then a reverb (not necessarily in that order). Then plug into any one of many good amps and there you go.

This would be a lot cheaper. You could probably get all of these for under $300. I understand you may not have the "on the fly" switchability but it could/would cover most of the bases. I am not necessarily arguing that is it a preferred alternative but I seem to see lots of guys with the pedal boards for a grab and go type thing.

What do you think of that type of rig?

 

[the grimbrewer]

Had an eleven rack, it was pretty cool

 

[ThrowBackMan]

Thanks man. I'm going to get one I think..
Tim

 

[Little B]

Rack or floor?....BOTH...

 

[ThrowBackMan]

Both I think..

 

[flimz]

I used an Eleven rack for gigging and recording a few years ago, and had lots of fun with it. Very realistic amp tones for the price, when compared to the AxeFx...at that time. Heres the relatively inexpensive rig I used. Eleven rack, power amp, and midi foot switch.

 

[ThrowBackMan]

That looks exactly like I want for a rig. Did it sound ok live? How did you like it for recording? Any complaints? Does it matter what type of Power amp? I'm confused about them. It seems some are for PA's and others are for guitar amps? Anyone tell me the difference?
Thanks
Tim

 

[flimz]

That looks exactly like I want for a rig. Did it sound ok live? How did you like it for recording? Any complaints? Does it matter what type of Power amp? I'm confused about them. It seems some are for PA's and others are for guitar amps? Anyone tell me the difference?
Thanks
Tim

It sounded great live, due in part to the use of a guitar cab. Plus it felt like a real rig on stage, rather than just a floor wedge. Recording was a breeze. It came with pro tools software, and lots of cabinet simulators to choose from. The only complaint would be too many choices haha. I dont know how those AxeFx guys can ever settle on a tone with the millions of options.
As far as power amps go, I wanted compact, lightweight, and a reliable brand. There are some dedicated guitar power amps, and thats fine too. I was very satisfied with the Crown that I used.