Dr. Dipwad
Experienced
THE SCENARIO:
I'm making some changes to my rig. Right now, I'm experimenting with using various outboard pedals (and only those!) to create preamp distortion in my sounds. (I have several; not just simple overdrives and boosts, but more complex "amp in a box" pedals, too...and I have access to a Triaxis, although it isn't mine.)
Now, in each Preset I create, I like to have some clean/low-grit sounds, and other high-gain sounds.
Making the clean and low-grit sounds is easy enough. (For those, I use either a Vox or a Fender Blackface Amp Block, set quite clean, into a 2x12 Cab Block, and if I want some grit, I add in one of those outboard pedals.)
BUT, making the high-gain stuff in this way is confusing me.
For that, I'm using some higher-distortion outboard pedals (or the Triaxis) to get the preamp distortion, and I'm going into an Amp block, and then into a 4x12 Cab Block. But I can't figure out which Amp models to try! (There are so many!)
I thought I could get the right result by using the clean channel of a high-gain amp (e.g. the PVH 6160+ Clean), and by providing the right kind of preamp distortion from my pedals, and using the right cab, I'd get basically the same result as the Crunch channel would have given.
But it seems that the Clean channel of a high-gain amp is NOT the same as "the Crunch channel with the preamp distortion taken away." The Clean channel has its own preamp circuitry in there, which provides some other coloration.
If the Amp block could have the PREAMP section disabled, and use only the POWER amp, that'd work. But that option isn't available: In the Axe FX III (and II) the Amp block models both the PREAMP section and the POWER section of a tube amp. For various reasons, Fractal doesn't make these separable. (See here.)
THE ASK:
I'd like you guys to recommend some Amp models to me, to help me fill 3 needs:
#1: A clean amp model which closely approximates the power section of a gritty Marshall (think Angus Young);
#2: A clean amp model which closely approximates the power section of a PVH Crunch (going for the sound of the song "5150");
#3: A clean amp model which closely approximates the power section of Petrucci's rig (going for "Innocence Faded" or "Erotomania").
I think if I can get the power amp response right, then I can use either the Triaxis, the other pedals, or combinations of them (plus an EQ block right before the Amp block) to give me the right Preamp distortion.
Any suggestions?
PLEASE DON'T SAY...
..."screw the pedals and go back to using the crunch channel Amp Models." I know that works. But I'm trying to do this in a new way, to learn new things. I have my reasons.
ABOUT THE TUBE PRE MODEL:
I see where the manual says, "If you only need power amp modeling, for example when using an external pre-amp through the Axe-Fx, use the Tube Pre model." Well, okay...but when I try that, I don't get quite the feel I expected. And it leaves me wondering: Which power amp modeling is the Tube Pre giving me? Is it giving me the power amp section of a Marshall? A Vox? A Triple Rectifier? Something like a Mesa 2:Ninety?
Thanks for any clarity you guys can provide.
I'm making some changes to my rig. Right now, I'm experimenting with using various outboard pedals (and only those!) to create preamp distortion in my sounds. (I have several; not just simple overdrives and boosts, but more complex "amp in a box" pedals, too...and I have access to a Triaxis, although it isn't mine.)
Now, in each Preset I create, I like to have some clean/low-grit sounds, and other high-gain sounds.
Making the clean and low-grit sounds is easy enough. (For those, I use either a Vox or a Fender Blackface Amp Block, set quite clean, into a 2x12 Cab Block, and if I want some grit, I add in one of those outboard pedals.)
BUT, making the high-gain stuff in this way is confusing me.
For that, I'm using some higher-distortion outboard pedals (or the Triaxis) to get the preamp distortion, and I'm going into an Amp block, and then into a 4x12 Cab Block. But I can't figure out which Amp models to try! (There are so many!)
I thought I could get the right result by using the clean channel of a high-gain amp (e.g. the PVH 6160+ Clean), and by providing the right kind of preamp distortion from my pedals, and using the right cab, I'd get basically the same result as the Crunch channel would have given.
But it seems that the Clean channel of a high-gain amp is NOT the same as "the Crunch channel with the preamp distortion taken away." The Clean channel has its own preamp circuitry in there, which provides some other coloration.
If the Amp block could have the PREAMP section disabled, and use only the POWER amp, that'd work. But that option isn't available: In the Axe FX III (and II) the Amp block models both the PREAMP section and the POWER section of a tube amp. For various reasons, Fractal doesn't make these separable. (See here.)
THE ASK:
I'd like you guys to recommend some Amp models to me, to help me fill 3 needs:
#1: A clean amp model which closely approximates the power section of a gritty Marshall (think Angus Young);
#2: A clean amp model which closely approximates the power section of a PVH Crunch (going for the sound of the song "5150");
#3: A clean amp model which closely approximates the power section of Petrucci's rig (going for "Innocence Faded" or "Erotomania").
I think if I can get the power amp response right, then I can use either the Triaxis, the other pedals, or combinations of them (plus an EQ block right before the Amp block) to give me the right Preamp distortion.
Any suggestions?
PLEASE DON'T SAY...
..."screw the pedals and go back to using the crunch channel Amp Models." I know that works. But I'm trying to do this in a new way, to learn new things. I have my reasons.
ABOUT THE TUBE PRE MODEL:
I see where the manual says, "If you only need power amp modeling, for example when using an external pre-amp through the Axe-Fx, use the Tube Pre model." Well, okay...but when I try that, I don't get quite the feel I expected. And it leaves me wondering: Which power amp modeling is the Tube Pre giving me? Is it giving me the power amp section of a Marshall? A Vox? A Triple Rectifier? Something like a Mesa 2:Ninety?
Thanks for any clarity you guys can provide.