We've recently started using a new rehearsal space and I don't have access to a locker any more, and since the wait for storage is likely to be several months away I'm brainstorming options for making things easier.
Currently I'm using a Pedal Train 2 HC board (massive and heavy) a Roadster or an Ironheart head (again flightcased so heavy) and a 2x12 Mesa cab. I'm totally happy with tone and usability but would sacrifice some of that for faster setup/pack down times and less bulk for weekly rehearsals.
I've been wondering if for rehearsals a Line 6 HD500X and a (Matrix/Rocktron?) poweramp into a 2x12/4x12 could work. Has anyone tried this setup in a rock/metal band and what were your impressions? The long term thinking would be that the L6 unit could be upgraded to a Kemper/Axe later down the line but I just don't plan to spend that much on digital gear this year.
The sounds I use are pretty simple, I've included the effects I'd use in brackets)
Clean - (modulated delay)
High Gain Rhythm - (volume pedal to go for dirty clean / boost for more mids in certain sections / delay)
High Gain Lead - (delay)
I prefer a more US style chunky high gain tone, so Rectifier/5150/Soldano type sounds are what I'd want. I'm not so bothered about a perfect emulation so long as it sounds ballpark and decent. If anything, tighter tones work better for my role in the band so I'm less worried about sag in this case. For cleans any generic clean clean will do for my current purposes.
I don't want to mess around with a 4CM amp/processor setup. I just want to go guitar -> processor -> poweramp -> 2x12 or 4x12 cab. Will it be disappointing or do people find it workable? I'd probably still use a valve amp/pedalboard for gigs but this would make a much more practical backup option and make general rehearsals easier.
Comments
AXE FX.
But seriously, yeah it should work in a technical sense. But whether the tones will be there is a matter for your ears and your ears alone. Personally, when I had the HD500, I quite liked a few of the models - mainly the Soldano ones. I did not rate the cabinets though; I ran into a software impulse response VST and they fared much better.
Are you going to be annoyed by patch change latency? There is quite a gap with the HD series as I recall.
I think you probably would like the Axe (or the Kemper) if you gave it time.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
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It's not amazing sounding, and actually sounded better into a valve amp when I used to do that. But it's usable and quite good fun.
I say that because the shops in the UK generally only offer 7 days, and to me that isn't enough time to really know a bit of gear.
That is pretty much what I'd buy. With the idea an Axe FX could replace the POD later down the line. To save cash for now I'd just grab the 500X but I'd be happy with a rack + footswitch rig later on as I think it would still work out noticeably lighter and smaller than what I'm currently using.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
If it's just for rehearsals why not the pod thing straight to the PA?
We practice in the bassist's shed using a cheap leccy drum kit, DI'd bass, DI'd acoustic, 4 vocals and my pocket pod into a our mixer then out to a 4 channel headphone amp. It doesnt sound great but it's enough to allow us to work on new material, quiet so we don't annoy anyone, cheap because we don't have to hire a room and super quick to set up. The pocket pod lives in my pedal case to act as an emergency backup at gigs too.
Maybe I'm missing the point and if so feel free to ignore me!
Just seems like a lot of money to spend on practices alone, if you were using it to gig as well I could see the benefit of spending some extra cash.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com