Tech 21 SansAmp Character Series?

[rsm]

Liverpool pedal sounded even better with the Ric 330!

I found a couple settings for early Vox that gave me variations of the jangle and chime and another for the twang, another had an early Who sound to it. Dialed in and done in a matter of seconds. Kinda covers the early to mid '60s British Invasion sounds very well, the clean, slight over drive, pre-heavy distortion sounds. The max settings get into Brian May compressed distortion territory (not what I'm after) - similar to the guitar at the end of We Will Rock You.

I'm nearly ready to pull the trigger on the British pedal for the early Marshall tones, but the PSA just shipped today and is due this Friday! The PSA has some Marshall tones covered, so I may not need the British pedal. I'll find out this weekend.

The Liverpool pedal has, so far, exceeded my expectations (which weren't very high, as I really thought this would be a dead end again). Another day or two to be sure, I'll try it tomorrow with my Ric 620. Its nearly a keeper.

YMMV

 

[blackba]

So are you testing the Liverpool into a PA?

 

[rsm]

So are you testing the Liverpool into a PA?

Kinda-Sorta, yes.

I use a Bose L1 Model II system which is effectively a solid state, digital PA.

 

[amiller]

Great review...thanks!

Have you tried recording it direct?

 

[rsm]

Great review...thanks!

Have you tried recording it direct?

No, unfortunately, I don't have a viable recording set-up yet. After I get my guitar rig configured, (still need good effects, either an Axe-Fx or G-System), I'll get started on a recording set-up.

I think the youtube demo clips I posted were recorded direct? Not mine, so I can't say for sure.

Tech 21 SansAmp PSA 1.1 is "out for delivery"

 

[rsm]

Just ordered the British pedal.

The PSA 1.1 is a clean or distortion machine (working on making it an overdrive machine too)! The Fender and Marshall cleans are very nice. The Marshall presets sound a bit too trebly too me, not enough bottom. I don't have a JTM45 or Plexi to see how they compare. Are these amps (stock) stronger on the highs and mids, with a weak bottom? That said, I can get very '60s / early '70s hard rock guitar sounds (which is what I want!) I can do early Humble Pie / Aerosmith / ACDC / Nugent high overdrive / distortion tones, and cleans...I'm working on the light overdrive / clean on the edge of break up tones now, which are proving to be a bit more difficult, but I've only spent a total of 1-2 hours over the weekend to do this. Very easy to use. Can't say much about the Mesa presets, cause I don't have access to any to compare.

The Tech 21 SansAmp gear works well with my Bose L1, easy to dial in and get acceptable tones. I think a little more time tweaking, I'll nail the vintage tones I'm after.

Now, if I only had an Axe-Fx Ultra again, I think I'd be near complete for gear (except for the dial-in, tweaking and improving that is!)

YMMV

 

[rsm]

British Pedal should be here tomorrow!

May take a few days to try then post a review.

 

[HellraiserJohnny]

I used the PSA-1 in my rack for both live and recording. First, I loved the tone of the Marshall sims, to me they were outstanding through my big rig. Problem is I could not use it in live performances because there was a VERY noticeable lag in changing patches via MIDI. Without this limitation, one would still be in my rack today. IMO, this was one of the best and warmest sounding modelers I ever heard, I just could not live with the long delays changing patches.

As far as recording goes, you had to change the patches quite dramatically to get what you hear in the room to equal what you get at the board. It was possible to do if and when you took the time to dial it in. Once you did that, it sounds great. I was using it for quite some time in the control room at the studio for guitarist to lay scratch tracks. I've since found a replacement for it that gives you exactly what you hear live at the board so I eventually sold it.

I don't know if the PSA - 1.1 has the same issue with delay changing patches via MIDI. I would assume the only way this would be remedied with a faster processor.