Amp modeler comparisons inside (updated 10/10) ...

Behringer V-AMP 2

Just because the V-Amp is cheaper than the Line 6 POD, don't feel like you're getting short changed. This thing has every bit the number of features as the Line 6 POD 2.0. I would say the biggest drawback is in the quality. The POD features much better components, such as the metal case and much more solid pots. That's not to say the the V-AMP won't hold up, but I almost feel like I could drive over the top of the POD without damaging it, where as I'd almost be scared to drop the V-AMP on a concrete floor.

The V-AMP computer based editor isn't quite as good as the POD editor, but just barely. It also makes editing the tones on the V-AMP extremely easy and rewarding.

While the V-AMP has an online community sponsored by Behringer (a place to share tones, etc), it really falls short compared to the POD community sponsored by Line 6. You can tell there is a much larger user base for the POD as the number of tones and users on their site is much larger. Behringer's site could use a little work.

Getting into the V-AMP itself, the tones are incredibly impressive. It seems to have that fullness to the tone that the POD lacks when being recorded. The tones don't quite sound like tube amps but they sound better than many digital amps/modelers. Of the amp modelers I've tried so far, the V-AMP is by far one of my favorite. The effects and tones sound great with only a few clunkers here and there. It does provide fairly realistic miked amp tones.

I actually have a Rocktron Ganiac and Velocity 120. No cab yet so I haven't been able to run mine through the power amp yet. I've tried them all through my Marshall AVT50 and results are mixed (both through front panel and FX loop). That extra preamp stage just has too much effect on the ultimate tone. I've thought about getting a Chameleon. Does that also allow direct out recording?

Digitech Genesis 1

While not positive, I believe some of the Digitech Genesis may be built on the same technology as the Johnson J-station as they are also owned by the same company. However, I've noticed a huge price difference in what the Genesis 1 sells for compared to the Genesis 3 and Johnson J-Station, so I can't fully say as to whether they are both that much more superior to the Genesis 1.

Regardless, the Genesis 1 has to be one of the easiest units to operate. Everything is there in big knobs. What you see is pretty much what you get. Similar in features to the Korg Ampworks, however, with few cabinet models and effects.

I have to say, that of all the amp modelers I've messed with, this one is probably at the bottom of the list. With some, such as the POD 2.0, it at least sounded good through the headphones. With this one, I couldn't get decent sounds whether it was through the headphones, line out or through an amplifier. The tones were always very flat, blah and digital sounding. I can't help but feel it's the Digtech technology as I've also tried several of their X line of effects pedals, which feature direct line out jacks (with emulation circuits built in) and they sound horrible as well.

While the ease of use of the Genesis makes it easy to use as a quick sketchpad for recording, it certainly isn't going to fool anyone into thinking it's a mic'd amplifier. The only positive thing I can say about it really is that you can get them for about $30 on ebay.

Tech 21 SansAmp Classic

Ok, this was the very first amp modeler I owned. In fact, when I bought it, it was pretty much the only modeler available and the only Tech 21 product. Your only other option at the time was the red box, and other products, that took the speaker out of your amp and created a dummy load, emulation circuit. That meant you still had to carry around that huge amp/combo.

When I bought this, I worked at a full fledged 24 track studio and got tired of having to mic that Marshall located in the next room. Given the number of years this thing has been around and the number of emulators that have popped up over the years, this is still one of the best. Granted, for the price, you get an emulator and that's it. No fancy effects, etc.

The SansAmp essentially emulates three amps with the ability to change (using mini dip switches) the miking (on/off axis) and other parameters. Through various combinations of these parameters, you get quite a few different tones.

The sound overall is very warm, almost tube like, without some of that harsh digital top end sound, such as that from the Korg Ampworks. Layering tracks with this unit results in some incredibly fat tones.

For most, it's hard to justify the cost of this unit given it's lack of features and but what it does, it does well.

What about the VOX Tonelab?? I have one and it sounds really nice and my electric guitars have graphite necks!! I've tried a POD and the Sansamp and I personally liked the POD better than the sansamp but I personally think the Tonelab sounds better than anything else. Has anyone else tried one out??

HAve you checked out the BOSS GT-8? Easy to program and adjust and sounds fantastic.

I have a Genesis 3, a Johnson J-Station, and a Boss DR-880. I'd say the secret to any of them is knowing how to tweak them.

Steve
http://www.voodoovenue.com

The only way to get the sound of a Marshall Stack or your Fender Super Reverb is to put a mic on the speaker and hit record ! Even then, it's easier said than done ! That being said, there are a number of amp modelers and VST amp simulators that do an outstanding job of getting guitar signal to computer. I recently downloaded "Brackenberry", "Crunch Dude" and "Helian". They are absolutely free !!!! and they sound even better than my J-Station and Revalver (which don't sound bad either!). They are tools and have a place, and you can find a respectable place in the mix with them ! Experiment, Enjoy, and Create, and don't let anyone diss you because you didn't spend the rent on some "boutique" software !!!

Misterdontmove

ZOOM G2

Man, I'm torn on this one. I've never felt the ZOOM stuff to be terribly authentic. This is ZOOM's latest tool and it offers some incredibly impressive specs. Amp modeling and effects in a compact package that's about twice the size of your average stomp box. In fact, I bought this unit to use specifically as a stomp box.

That said, I was kind of disappointed. It really doesn't work well as a stomp box. Even with diving into the editing, the tones sound thin. Try as I might, I just could not get a really fat sounding distortion. At worst, I should have been able to get the same tone from my amp that I can get with a standard stomp box. It just wasn't happening. I think the problem that this and other units run into as that when the integrate cabinet modeling, etc. that it causes problems when you don't use it as a modeler. In this case, for multiple distortion types into an amplifier, the best bet would probably be the BOSS OD-20. However, that's nearly twice the price and only gives you distortion.

Now, the effects on this unit are pretty decent. Nice verbs, delays, etc. Editing for those items is somewhat limited but still flexible enough. Ultimately, I'll probably avoid using the distortions and just use it for it's effects.

Recording wise, it's ok. Nothing to write home about. The Behringer beats it by a huge amount, and given that you can pick up a new V-AMP for $10 less, I'd have to suggest you go with the V-AMP unless you like the portablity factor (it runs on batteries as well as adapter).

It makes a decent enough practice tool as it has a built in drum machine.

Now, I wasn't able to try it, but I wonder if this unit would work better in an effects loop? However, as it stands, I'd recommend going with something else. There just wasn't enough here to WOW me or to provide you with realistic guitar tracks.

I'm thinking the Roland VG must be similar to the GS-10, GT-6, etc. They all employ the COSM technology. Of course, that's just based on what I see when looking at the unit.

POD Pro vs. Digitech 2112 vs. Peavey Rock Master preamp

OK. This comparison is going to be a bit different than some of my other posts. I just recently picked up a POD Pro and a Digitech 2112. Essentially, I've been looking for another device to go along with my Peavey Rock Master. The Rock Master is a 4 tube preamp. A lot of folks compare them to the 5150 heads (rightfully so).

Anyway, I wanted to compare both the POD and the 2112 to each other and also against a true tube preamp. Here's how it broke down.

Both come real close to sounding like a tube preamp in live mode. I ran all through two different power amps; a Rocktron Velocity 120 and a Digitech/Hafler G150. All were ran in mono to an open back 2x12 cabinet ('cause I haven't finished building it yet ;-) ).

The Peavey exhibited a bit more warmth than the POD and the 2112. You could truly tell it was a tube device. Not to say it was by a lot, but it was enough to tell. The POD also had a decent warm sound to it. Compared to the Peavey, it responded almost as well to pinch harmonics, pick attacks, etc. The Digitech, while still good, didn't quite respond as well to harmonics. I tried about 6 or 7 different tube combinations (the 2112 has 2 tubes).

The Peavey is pretty quiet and so is the POD. The 2112 is dead quiet (almost scary). Of course, that's with the gate on. It gets really noisy with some patches if you turn the gate off.

The Digitech wins by a long shot in the flexibility category. You can configure a multitude of effects in almost any order and it has way more than the POD. The Peavey has none. It's a preamp with three channels. You get what you get and you don't throw a fit (my daughters favorite saying).

I do want to add that in regards to my previous comments on the POD 2.0, when it comes to recording direct with the POD Pro, it has the same problem. It sounds so good through the headphones and through a speaker cabinet, but it is such a huge disappointment recording. It is so flat with no dynamics or life. It's too bad.

So, to sum things up......The Peavey sounds like a tube amp because it is. The Digitech has tubes, but it just doesn't throw enough juice through them (I think one is for eq and the other for preamp distortion) to sound like a tube amp. The POD sounds as good if not better than the Digitech. Tone wise, the POD and 2112 were both really good at reproducing the tone of my Rock Master.

Ultimately, I think that your fine going with either the POD or the 2112. If you need more effects, go with the Digitech, if tone is more important, the POD wins, but by only a small amount. They both are pretty versitle when it comes to getting different tones. The Digitech offers a lot more programming capabilities but the only PC editor available is a shareware version. The POD editor is so much better and the sound library and community is so much larger........the Peavey is good for cranking to 11. The POD is more like a classic amp in regards to dialing up a tone. Most everything is on the front and can be changed with big knobs. The 2112 has so many damn menus to flip through to edit, but therein lies it's power.

I'll be curious to see how they all sound through a Peavey Classic 50/50 power amp (should have that in a week or so). I'll wait to decide until then which I decide to keep (as one of them has too go. Way too much gear). I already have a Digitech TRS-24 effects processor and it shares a lot of the effects, etc. as the 2112.

Note: I haven't had a chance to run the 2112 direct to the computer for recording yet. Will post on that later when I get a chance to try it.

Hi All, I am new here and just bought the VS20. I am a VG99 user as well. Its just amazing to be able to use COSM for my small little performances. The VS20 along with a Dell D430 laptop, a FS6 pedal to move patches (up and down) is really a simple but amazing solution for those little live gigs! I didnt have to carry the monstrous FC300 and VG99. It took me less than 10mins to setup. People didn't even notice the change in my setup.

The initial hiccups would be the USB plug and unplug matters using WIN7. Other than that it played like a dream connecting to a Fender Revival (Pre-amp In) settings at 12 o'clock. For the patches I just increased the gains to 11 o'clock. Saved the patches to 001 and so forth so as to be able to have a order of patches. I wonder if it is possible to share patches along this area on the VS20?

God bless to All and may Roland/Cakewalk continue to develop products for us to enjoy.