Tube "Color Box" for Hybrid Rig

[McLeanAB]

Hey all!

So, weird inquiry but I figured with everyone on this forum, someone has a great solution to a totally first world problem!

I was running my ISP Technologies Theta Pro into my Mesa Boogie Fifty/Fifty power amp with some stunning results (ran it through the power section of my old Mark V:25 too with different but also great results). The Fifty/Fifty is being used for something else now, and I have my trusty ISP Technologies Stealth power amp with the Theta Pro and it sounds GREAT.

However, I'm missing that tube compression, sag, bloom (or whatever other adjectives describe tube like qualities) that the Fifty/Fifty has. Without spending money on another Fifty/Fifty (but might on a 20/20), I'm wondering if there is some slightly less expensive option to get some saggy, compressed, bloomy tube fun in my ISP rig... been researching a little and read about some folks putting a microphone tube preamp between their digital units and solid state power amps to get some of that tube feel/sound and wondering what any of you might have done in similar scenarios.

The Theta does have onboard compression and sag controls, but it's not quite the same.

I have a lovely little NUX Solid Studio that has a power amp sim (can be used with out the cab sim) that also gets pretty close... I'm sure a Two Notes C.A.B would be one way to go to get some power amp sims, but also looking at the More V2 Sushi Box... kinda want to keep it analog, but I'll entertain whatever thoughts you have...

What other suggestions might you have that worked for you?

Any and all info is greatly appreciated.

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

Hey all!

So, weird inquiry but I figured with everyone on this forum, someone has a great solution to a totally first world problem!

I was running my ISP Technologies Theta Pro into my Mesa Boogie Fifty/Fifty power amp with some stunning results (ran it through the power section of my old Mark V:25 too with different but also great results). The Fifty/Fifty is being used for something else now, and I have my trusty ISP Technologies Stealth power amp with the Theta Pro and it sounds GREAT.

However, I'm missing that tube compression, sag, bloom (or whatever other adjectives describe tube like qualities) that the Fifty/Fifty has. Without spending money on another Fifty/Fifty (but might on a 20/20), I'm wondering if there is some slightly less expensive option to get some saggy, compressed, bloomy tube fun in my ISP rig... been researching a little and read about some folks putting a microphone tube preamp between their digital units and solid state power amps to get some of that tube feel/sound and wondering what any of you might have done in similar scenarios.

The Theta does have onboard compression and sag controls, but it's not quite the same.

I have a lovely little NUX Solid Studio that has a power amp sim (can be used with out the cab sim) that also gets pretty close... I'm sure a Two Notes C.A.B would be one way to go to get some power amp sims, but also looking at the More V2 Sushi Box... kinda want to keep it analog, but I'll entertain whatever thoughts you have...

What other suggestions might you have that worked for you?

Any and all info is greatly appreciated.

Maybe the Earth Quaker/Dr Z ZEQD, or on the less expensive side the Blackstar Tube Boost? Also while not tube the OG SansAmp, now the Classic, does a great job of adding some tube character to an SS rig. It definitely helped my Crate G1500, and later Fender London Reverb when I had those SS amps. It also works great as a tube flavored boost or OD into my tube amps.

 

[7704A]

There's some guy under the moniker "Diary of an Axeman", I think now-banned here, that would run the signals into VHT Valvulator I buffers and then into Crate SS power amps. He seems to like it, but I've never tried that myself. I have tried the Valvulator as a buffer into my audio interface, and it does seem to add a tube quality to things compared to the "direct" sound.

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

There's some guy under the moniker "Diary of an Axeman", I think now-banned here, that would run the signals into VHT Valvulator I buffers and then into Crate SS power amps. He seems to like it, but I've never tried that myself. I have tried the Valvulator as a buffer into my audio interface, and it does seem to add a tube quality to things compared to the "direct" sound.

I totally forgot about those.