Uh, wow. Tech21 PSA-1....surprising results.

  • Thread starter Thread starter HottKarl
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HottKarl

HottKarl

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I was dicking around with my PSA-1 preamp today. Before, I'd run it into a Recto as well as my VH140-C. It sounded fine into both amps' power amp sections...lots of different tones to play with. Now, I know that Tech 21 has said that the PSA-1 will sound best through full-range speakers, not speakers that you would find in guitar cabs. I never bothered to listen to this suggestion.

So I decided to give it a try. I've got an old pair of Cerwin Vega DX-9's (15" woofers, 400 watts at 4 ohms, etc) that I power with a QSC GX3 power amp for parties, card games and general boozin' and death metal sessions with the guys. I hooked it up and started playing....

Uh, wow. Guess I should've listened to the manufacturer's suggestions. This is a totally different beast through full range speakers. It was like taking a blanket off of my cab. It sounded way more full and open and there were many presets that I never liked....that I like now. I may keep this set up for awhile to tweak and enjoy. I dig it a lot.

Anyhooo, what a difference....check out this ghetto rig:
DSC00018.jpg


Everyone together:
DSC00019.jpg
 
On the list of preamps I am checking out is...

ADA mp1
Hafler triple giant
and the Tech 21 PSA-1

Interesting that you have better results through full range speakers, I'll have to check that out.
 
I tried to record it direct once, and found it a little too trebly. Did you use the XLR outs? I`m thinking how it could be done in a live situation.. Hmm
 
I used to lay down a lot of songs ideas with a PSA-1 direct...just backed off the highs a bit later and it fit right in the mix nice.
 
clips!

I wonder if this full range rule applies to all solid state amps and modelers alike?
 
ke2":upnmqsn4 said:
I tried to record it direct once, and found it a little too trebly. Did you use the XLR outs? I`m thinking how it could be done in a live situation.. Hmm
Click to expand...

Nope, just ran instrument cables between the preamp and poweramp....right and left out into each channel of the QSC so I could run both speakers.

It was a little trebley.....but backing them off worked nicely.

I also broke out some of my pedals for boosting..... :rock:
 
I had one that sounded great. But it kept jumping volumes while I was playing. Got tired of dealing with it. But it did sound good.
 
blackba":3cpzr3zh said:
Watch out Axe-Fx.... :poke:

I don't think the PSA-1 has effects though, does it?
Click to expand...

Nope. Just basic preset sims of many amps with the ability to tweak and save your own settings. Very basic preamp that's been around and can be had pretty cheap.
 
Cool - I've used a GT2 when I need to go direct to pa/monitors or anything else like that for years - I think the Tech 21 stuff works awesome in those situations.
 
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