TGP inspired: how do you like modelers for live use?

[t_ross33]

TMids are what make you cut through.

Bingo! I've discovered that when I have a problem hearing myself in a monitor mix, or even through the FOH it boils down to EQ more often than volume. I've used an RP-80 and a Digitech GNX3000 in live situations direct to the board with no amp - just guitar in the monitor mix and it worked reasonably well (close enough for rock and roll as they say).

IMHO nothing beats tube-tone, but there are situations when leaving the amp at home can be a good thing indeed.

I would add a good EQ to your signal chain and be careful with the OD/Dist... a little really does go a long way. I think overdrive and distortion work best through an amp where they can get some air and breathe a little. DI'd to the PA or into your recording setup they tend to get muddy/fuzzy/fizzy quickly.

[Spudman***]

Amph. A man must have an amph. I've heard great modelers out front and in recordings. From the listener's perspective it's great, but not so much for the player. The testosterone jolt that comes from playing sort of loud is part of the performance. We men need that in order to rock out. Otherwise, it's kind of like "polite rock". What's the point of that?

Like the guys said, it's the mids that help you cut through. Modelers are often utilized at an audiophile type level and guitar is supposed to be gritty and dirty, slinky and in your face.

I know plenty of folks that use both modeler and amph, Lincoln Brewster for example runs direct to the mains with a modeler, but also sends a signal to an amph on stage. Great tone out front and a satisfying push of air on the stage. Granted he plays some very large halls and we don't. Take that into consideration. A good small amph can really rock a small hall or room. Moving air is very satisfying.

[Eric***]

I know plenty of folks that use both modeler and amph, Lincoln Brewster for example runs direct to the mains with a modeler, but also sends a signal to an amph on stage. Great tone out front and a satisfying push of air on the stage. Granted he plays some very large halls and we don't. Take that into consideration. A good small amph can really rock a small hall or room. Moving air is very satisfying.

You know, I had thought about him when wondering if a modeler could do it. He just goes from Pod X3 to FOH, so I wondered why that's not good enough for me, but you make a valid point about him also using a Marshall stack on stage for "monitoring".

[Eric***]

Bingo! I've discovered that when I have a problem hearing myself in a monitor mix, or even through the FOH it boils down to EQ more often than volume. I've used an RP-80 and a Digitech GNX3000 in live situations direct to the board with no amp - just guitar in the monitor mix and it worked reasonably well (close enough for rock and roll as they say).

IMHO nothing beats tube-tone, but there are situations when leaving the amp at home can be a good thing indeed.

I would add a good EQ to your signal chain and be careful with the OD/Dist... a little really does go a long way. I think overdrive and distortion work best through an amp where they can get some air and breathe a little. DI'd to the PA or into your recording setup they tend to get muddy/fuzzy/fizzy quickly.

Good points. I've already turned down the high and low and turned up the volume (mids, effectively) to try to get better punch, and it may well be a volume issue at this point.

Regarding dirt, I actually feel like if anything, I'm too clean, but I think I know what you mean. I can get a good fuzz/compressed tone going by adding in the dirt pedal, but it sounds kind of choked, which I think is what you're hinting at. That being said, I need some more muscle from the base tone if I'm going to be happy, methinks.

At any rate, this has inspired me to dink around more before making any decisions. Either way, it was going to be a few months before I would pull the trigger on anything, so thanks for the suggestions.