Ideal Setup for Home Practice/Recording

[ToTheAtom]

I have been searching for the past year for an effective amp setup to use for home practice and, eventually, recording. I am using a Roland Micro Cube at the moment, which does its job nicely, but want something more. Long story short, I am looking for a setup with quality tone that is versatile enough for good cleans and decent gain... Who isn’t, right? I am more than happy to put together a pedal board over time to do the rest. However, I am consistently running into the “too loud” or “too expensive” obstacles with tube amps. It seems that many tube amps are just too loud for using in my bedroom and the amps with really effective master volumes tend to be in the $2,000 price range. So far, I have been frustrated with the results.

I posted yesterday with a similar question and received some good input. I am starting to understand the different approaches to my situation but I would like to hear the opinions of others. I know the only way to really figure this out is to try all of the options out myself but that can be difficult due to financial constraints.

It seems that I have a couple of different approaches to consider:

1) I have a new Avatar 2x12 guitar cab. I can continue my search for a suitable amp head.
2) Purchase a power amp and maybe a pre-amp rack unit or amp modeler and run that into the cab.
3) Sell the cab. Purchase a pair of active monitors, put a pre-amp/modeler in front and use either my PC or a soundboard as the EQ.

I am a bit new to options two and three. I was hoping to hear the opinions of all of you more experienced techies out there. From everything I have read, tube always trumps digital. I don’t want my tone to be stale and lifeless but I’m not playing gigs either. And, whichever option I go with, I would like it to be scalable for the future.. something that can be expanded as my know-how improves.

What do you guys think? What seems like the best approach for my circumstances? Is there anything flawed in my line of thinking? Details are always appreciated. Thanks so much to all!

[voodoosound]

Get an Axe FX and go direct. Perfect tool for home creative use.

[studiodunn]

Originally Posted by voodoosound

Get an Axe FX and go direct. Perfect tool for home creative use.

That's your answer.

[Somniferous]

Have you tried a Rebel 20? Granted it can still be too loud in certain situations but it should be great recording wise since you can get a ton of tones out of it. And it's only $600.

[cyndicate]

Originally Posted by voodoosound

For his situation yes. Do you offer a better one?

I think he previous poster was agreeing with your post But yeah the AxeFX is definitely a good alternative, only downside is pricetag but you get what you pay for

[voodoosound]

Originally Posted by cyndicate

I think he previous poster was agreeing with your post But yeah the AxeFX is definitely a good alternative, only downside is pricetag but you get what you pay for

Ooops I believe your right. My bad I read it wrong.

[steadygarcia]

Axe-FX is certainly a great answer, and very versatile. If you do want a tube amp though, there are certaibly alternatives well under $2,000! BF or SF Fender Champ, for instance. Add a few pedals, and you're laughing. But still won't be as versatile as the Axe-FX, sad to say.

[steadygarcia]

Oh, and further to my last post ... depending on the impedance of your Avatar 2x12, you can always run your Champ through it for bigger sound when required. You'll want a 4 ohm cab for that.

[stratzrus]

Originally Posted by voodoosound

Get an Axe FX and go direct. Perfect tool for home creative use.

That would be my choice as well.

[Texsunburst59]

Here's some clips I've recorded with my Vibro Champ. You can hear it covering different styles.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...songID=5982673
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...songID=5956330
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...songID=5810907
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...songID=5790437
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...songID=5749483
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...songID=4866873

[Scottone]

My recommendation would be to pick up a good power scaled amp (i.e. Suhr, Stephenson, Soultone, Reeves, etc.)

I use a Stephenson 30 watt combo and can get a good sound at levels from coversational to ear splitting.

[ToTheAtom]

Thanks for the responses, everyone. Just a note:

I actually purchased a Super Champ XD and returned it after a couple of days.. I just wasn't into the tone.. I don't know what it was. I was pretty disappointed too because I thought that might be the answer.

And the AxeFX looks great but that seems to be in the $2,000 price range unless I'm mistaken.

Any other thoughts? Anybody have input on the active monitors approach? Thanks.

[steadygarcia]

Originally Posted by ToTheAtom

Thanks for the responses, everyone. Just a note:

I actually purchased a Super Champ XD and returned it after a couple of days.. I just wasn't into the tone.. I don't know what it was. I was pretty disappointed too because I thought that might be the answer.

And the AxeFX looks great but that seems to be in the $2,000 price range unless I'm mistaken.

Any other thoughts? Anybody have input on the active monitors approach? Thanks.

There's quite a difference between a Super Champ XD and a 60's BF Champ, or a 70's SF Champ. Just because you didn't like the XD doesn't mean you're not going to like a killer little BF Champ. If you have a chance, try one out and you'll see what mean.

[voodoosound]

Originally Posted by GuitarTone

Lol, all so complicated and so expensive.

Buy a pair of Behringer "Truth" studio monitors, and the cheapest Line 6 software package, which I think is the UX2, about $140.

Total cost, $300 for the Behringers, plus $140, about $450.

Perfect for what you asked for...."Ideal Setup for Home Practice/Recording"

You get what you pay for. I do believe he also wanted something to "grow " into. If at a later date he buys a power amp and a speaker he now has the ability to use the same rig for live use and achieve professional results.

[P90Nut]

Take a look at the Fargen Mini-Plex MKII. It is on my list & sounds exactly like what you are looking for. It is a 12 watt tube amp (head or combo) that incorporates power scaling down to as low as 1/2 watt. Do a search...it has been discussed alot on this forum.
Good luck,


Mark