Hey, I'm Jack Sole, thanks so much for stopping by my channel, it means the world to me!
I answer all emails, so shoot me an email if you have any questions or inquiries!
jacksole97@gmail.com
On this channel, I'll be talking about Guitar gear, reviewing gear, talking about pedalboards, Building pedalboards, talking about gigging, and how to get gigs! I'm just really excited to be here on RU-vid, I've always had a lot of thoughts and opinions about guitar gear and playing music in general and have wanted to have a RU-vid channel for years now and here I am! I'm very grateful to everyone who has given me support in any way and I'm excited for the future!
I own the LVX and it’s amazing but has taken me quite a while to get comfortable going deep, as in modulating other effects on the pedal. I do think that an Enzo X with the synth sounds expanded could be game changing but it just seems the BigSky MX is so easy to use that I’ll be tempted to go in that direction. On the note of usability, I’ve used both Meris UIs For the LVX and wonder if they view it as a success or not. They did stay with that format for the Mercury X so I’m guessing they will do the same on the next X pedal. I just don’t love it.
@@jerrycharles66 Hey!! Yeah I felt the same starting out, that it’s confusing, but now that I’ve learned it I really love it! The stymon stuff is always so good with the UI’s tho I agree %100! I’m excited to see what’s next for Meris for sure!
@@hevvyserve nice yeah I’ve seen videos about that, I think it would be cool to find a machine that’s older and in worse condition to see if that help make more pitch modulation! It just so happened that my vcr is in almost new condition aha
This is honestly a really cool experiment. I’ve been wanting to work with VHS for a while and even use apps to recreate that look. I think the last 2 filters are great for leads and ambient stuff while filter 1 is good for rhythm stuff. I was actually able to hear pitch modulation on all 3 VHS examples but it was very subtle.
@@noahpauley Man that’s awesome! I really appreciate the kind words! Yeah that’s awesome you heard it! And yeah I’m gonna keep going with this VHS stuff for a little while, it’s so fun to work with!
@@mathijssnellen8498 hey, Yes! Check out this video to see what that looks like! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-uAMSZgwb_hM.htmlsi=W0Wb6q6wZX_0zOly (4:45)
Check out this song, cool style, huge solo, not typical “worship genre”, but I couldn’t disagree more in general, happy to chat about it more tho, what specifically do you mean? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KxlFXWD5thM.htmlsi=zNZasBvUrvzDhXFt
I messed around with digital amp models for about a year. I was spending more time constantly tweaking tones than I was playing. In the end, I pulled my Joyo American Sound back out, and back to back it sounded better. The Joyo is a clone of the old Tech21 Blonde pedal, and those’d guys got shit right.
You could get a cab sim pedal, put it at the end of your chain, and not use a preamp. A lot of drive pedals are already based off the circuits of amps so you can use them as a preamp if you have a cab sim at the end. Since you're already going into an interface, you could try experimenting with a free IR loader VST like NadIR or some DAWs have built in amp sims where you can turn off the preamp but keep the cab sim on. It's worth looking into before going out and actually buying a cab sim pedal. Alternatively, forget cab or amp sims and just go direct in. Quite a few drive pedals, can be made to sound good without a cab or amp. The darker ones especially tend to sound good. Another idea though I have very little experience with it is to look into using a bass preamp. The hifi ones tend to have high headroom and aren't as colored as guitar amps to accommodate bassists needs.
Thanks so much for this advice! I’ve been really thinking about doing more research into cab sims! Could be interesting! What cab sim would you recommend pedal wise if I end up going this direction?
@JackSole17 The Mooer Cab X2 is my recommendation due to it having stereo output and giving you more control over the loaded IR. It doesn't have a power amp sim but that's usually not needed. The NUX Solid Studio is another option and it includes the power amp sim. There are also cab sims that aren't IR loaders but they're pretty limited. As for IRs, Ownhammer is the most commonly used but it's not hard to make your own of nearly anything as long as you have access to the cab or area you want to capture. Nearly anything includes things that aren't guitar cabs and specific areas too. For example, my favorite IR is of an unknown speaker in a supposedly haunted cave.
I would say that the thing that you are looking for can be done on a number of different amp in a box style pedals, but you’re looking for Fender flavors of those petals. Voxs and marshals are normally used in a contacts where you want the ant to kind of break up on its own.
Yeah kinda wish I went with the dreams, but thought it would be nice to have a different flavour of amp then I’m used to, either way though yeah fender amps have always worked great with my pedals!
I had a good fight with Ruby for weeks, I'll share how I generally use it, in case it works for you too. Single Pickups: Channel BRIL Volume 7/9 hours (the less, the more headroom and less breakout) Cut 10/11 hours Output 3 hours Bass 2 hours Treble 3/4 hours Boost 3/5 hours "for more mid bass" This way I have achieved more headroom, a cleaner sound and more body to the sound. Hope it works.
They (modelers) are all terrible. Ive owned every one....currently selling my QC... Nothing compares to the tube amp. Ive been gigging since the early 90s and Ive tried to find something, after the QC I don't think I will ever buy a modeler again. QC was the worst modeler I ever bought hands down.
Yeah I haven’t found one that I’m super happy with either, but wow yeah the quad quartex is supposed to be a top player, and for that price I’m really surprised! I’ve been getting a lot of recommendations for the milk man amp, what you tried that and what did you think?
@@JackSole17 Haven't tried the milkman...In some cases Ive had the same amps for 40 plus years. Still play through my 67 twin reverb, my late 60's marshall, I still have the JCM800 halfstack as well but really don't use it anymore...lately, Ive been playing either my Friedman BE50 or the Twin sister. The twin sister being the amp I play most of the time. Since its been 40 years plus playing like this, there's always a time when a modeler comes up that I want to try. At this point though, I never have a hope or replacing the tube amp,...more like something to practice with....but even at that point with all the options....I just grab my acoutsic and practice and write...just like I did way back in the day. There's a lot of boutique amps Ive been looking at...I play bass too at times these days and even there I take the 100watt tube bassman over the 800 watt rumble...even in terms of the fet transistors in the rumble vs tubes....Tubes win every time.
@@metalmover yeah I hear that, I love my tube amps and I really just use amp sims for RU-vid videos so I can make them late at night and not bother anyone aha but anything recording wise or live I still use my tube amps every time! And also, that’s an impressive collection you have!
Hi Jack, I just came across your video here and I'm not really sure what it is you're trying to get. If you're after the Vox AC 30 tones, it sounds like the UA you have there is doing it to the nines. It's doing exactly what a Vox AC 30 would do. My first amp was that. They are normally kind of dull sounding which is why Brian May uses a Treble Booster in front of his, same with Rory Gallagher. If you're looking for something that has a broader range of tones to emulate other amplifiers, then there are other options out there. I don't like the Strymon Iridium myself, but I use a NUX Solid Studio instead. It's half the price of the Strymon, and does a lot more. It is however a bit limited in its tube voice range. It offers EL 34, 6V6, and EL 84. I wish it had the 6L6 voice also but it doesn't. On the upside, it has no EQ control other than presence which is usually affecting the power amp section anyway. I would recommend you kind of take a small step back and look at the electric guitar as a whole instrument....what is it? It is an electric guitar and an amplifier for the basic components. That consists of the guitar, the preamp, the power amp, and the speakers. When you look at it in that perspective, you can see that the guitar produces the sound, the preamp does all your tone-shaping, (that's where all your EQ is), and the power amp makes it all louder, then it comes out of your speakers. In a pedal board direct situation, you are removing the power amp and the speakers, so we need to emulate that sound in the equation that we are missing. I've been able to get decent results with the cab and mike selections on the NUX. Adjusting the Master, Drive and Presence for the power amp seems to work pretty well as far as adding the character of the power amp and speakers. Think of your Overdrive/Distortion pedals as being your preamp section, and that's where all your EQ should be. Another important note on this subject, is the placement of your effects in the signal path. Think of how your effects are connected in your amplifier, are they in the front, or is there an effects loop? Popular opinion recommends you load your Wah, compressor, Fuzz/OD/Distortion effects in the front of your amp, and Modulation/Delay/Reverbs in the effects loop for the best sound. An effects loop is normally located between the preamp and power amp section of an amplifier head or combo. I hope this helps you find what you are looking for.
Hey! Yes this definitely helps, I really appreciate you taking the time to write this! I’ve been getting so many great recommendations and I love how simple of terms to made this topic! Lots to think about here thanks again!
@@JackSole17 Hi again Jack. Here's an update on what I'm doing with my new pedal board build. I've built several boards already, all striving towards the same goal. I'm looking to get all my amp tones from pedals and be able to run direct into a mixing desk or DAW, and have it sound like my full-blown live rig. Since I've acquired some TC Electronic gear for the board, I'm hearing something I've never noticed before. Some of the amp in a box pedals I have don't sound as good going direct, as they do going into am amp. For example: I have a few EQD pedals that are killer when plugged into my old Fender amps like the Monarch, (Orange OR-120), or the Talons, (Marshall JCM 800), but going direct to the PA, they sound a bit raspy and lacking. However, I have discovered Crazy Tube Circuits Crossroads, and Space Charged V2 sound good in both applications. With those two pedals, I can have Fender blackface clean tones, and add the built-in OD to bump it up to a kind of driven British amp tone. Then The Space Charged can take that up to a really good version of driven 70s Marshall tone. My point here is that all amp in a box pedals aren't created equal. They may lose something of their sound when going direct, so you may have to use your ears when it comes to selecting a pedal for that purpose. Here is a way to put that to the test when shopping for a pedal like this: When you go audition a pedal in a music store, ask to try it out in an amplifier that has an effects loop. Plug it in to the front and set the amp to a clean, flat setting. If it sounds good there, then unplug it from the front of the amp and plug it into the effects loop Return jack and try it there. Does it still sound good? What you are doing there is removing the preamp section of the amplifier and going right to the power amp. This would be the amplified version of running direct to a mixing desk, or DAW. That was how I sorted out which of my OD pedals would retain their fidelity. Most did not. I was surprised that the CTC pedals came though so well. Good luck in your tone quest.
@@harleyhexxe9806 Oh this is an awesome update! Yeah I will try that with my over drives, and see what ones sound the best! Again I really appreciate that advice! It’s definitely a never ending pursuit of tone! Good luck as well aha
It sounds like you're looking for a small form factor power amp with line level out? The only thing that Really does this (and isnt really used for guitar) is pro audio/ studio monitor power amps. For example you can find stereo tube power amps, either class D or A/B that also have a lineout output. You may be in a situation where you have to split mono X2 and have "stereo mono", but thats your "clean amp in a box" with decent headroom. Then you can run whatever pedals or other "amp in a box" stuff into it. THEN, if you like to cobble stuff like myself, you can run one of these power amps into a GUITAR cabinet with v30, greenbacks, or whatever traditionally voiced cabinets you may have. This is akin to running other "amp in a box" pedals into the FX RETURN of amps that have that have this feature. The difference is that you get the headroom AND line level option with stereo/pro audio power amps. If you're doing this sort of setup (voice amp pedal/ amp in a box) --> Clean Poweramp , then make sure you either are putting an IR or real cabinet on the output of the poweramp. Whats nice about most pro audio amps is they usually dont care about have an open load while using their line level output. I personally have new/old pedals /multi fx, using a high power Power amp (used to be for a PA system) and then running that into a cabinet with 6x eminence Private jacks. While using this setup, I also have a standalone IR loader pedal for sending line level voiced output to a PA or recording. (I can create an IR of my cab using this setup as well).
Wow that’s so much for all the info! I’m definitely going to give this some thought! When you record with this setup do you go direct or do you mic up the cabinet?
@@JackSole17 I do a few different things 1) (simplest): Amp models/pedals/fx -> IR loader (sonicake IR) -> Interface 2)Amp models/pedals/fc -> clean power amp - guitar cab (the 6x private jacks) -> mic (sm57). 3) (lots of cables/complex) Guitar -> multi fx with "4 cable method" -> mult fx preamp send -> (interface and DAW with plugins on its own channel) -> multi fx return (amp model OR amp model bypassed) -> multi fx delays/reverb -> multi fx master out to another interface input -> DAW IR or the IR loader pedal -> realtime monitor out and recording. The last one requires you to have a good interface with low roundtrip latency, a fast computer, and quality cables/power amps. I personally have a 3rd gen focusrite 18i20. Sometimes I use the last setup and instead of the last input to DAW I run the plugins and multi fx mix into the power amp and into my cab (all plugins and multi fx have IRs OFF)
Both great guesses, but neither! Aha I want to try both but I’m a little on the fence about the onward, it looks and sounds awesome, but just not sure if I’ll get it! What do you think of the onward from the demos so far?
Biggest problem with any of these are that most people are trying to run them through amps and cabs. These things need a flat response platform. You can achieve this with studio monitors, but fender makes great tonemaster cabs that fit these well
Just get a cab sim pedal. Nux solid studio is awesome. Cab Zeus is great. Joyo has a cab sim that is really nice. That is a true pedal platform. Your pedals become the preamps.
I’ve done a little research and when there is no actual pre amp being used the signal sounds quite and dull, have you tried this? What’s your experience with this! Thanks in advance!
@@JackSole17 the Nux sounds good with nothing else - I had to turn off the “power amp” section when using a preamp pedal because it was darkened the signal too much. I run a crayon or a twin twelve pedal into a cab Zeus. The preamp pedals definitely give it flavor, but I wouldn’t say the sound was bad - as subjective as that may be.
Best solution for me (yet) is having analog preamp pedals into a UAFX Ox Stomp. It's a journey, you'll come across something you love someday. I've had the Ruby, Dream, Iridium, Kemper... sold all of them for a reason. I love playing real amps. But if I can't, the solution mentioned works for me.
@@JackSole17 i dont have either iv just been researching which one to buy. These are the 2 cheapest ones. The boss ir2 has eq on the pedal and a effects loops but with the tonex i can use pretty much whatever amp model i want
You want a ToneX One!, much more flexible and equal sound than the UAFX pedals and can be paired perfectly with other FX pedals or used standalone just with the amp sim or with it's onboard compressor and reverb, it also has the built in audio interface and power over USB, something Universal Audio didn't included just because of greed, I had the Dream 65 and replaced it with the ToneX One
@@JackSole17 it's mono in and stereo out for the built-in reverb, it's not a problem for me because I use it before my stereo time-based FX, it responds great with mono pedals in front like Fuzz or overdrive
Check out DSM Humboldt Simplifier series. I recently bought a Simplifier X and run it clean as a pedal platform. I don't think "unlimited headroom" is a realistic expectation for pedal format, there are physical differences/limitations compared to a real power amp.
Yeah! I had the same issue with the Ruby. I sold it and got the Dream instead. It’s a much better pedal platform however, there’s still a headroom issue that you talked about 😢
I think you just need a more flexible pedal. A Line6 HX Stomp can be programmed exactly like what you're talking about. You can set headroom, when and how it breaks up, if at all, EQ, etc. My other suggestion would be a small studio board or interface with mic/instrument inputs.
Yeah, I think that would work for sure, definitely worth looking into, but I wish there was a super simple and cheep ish pedal platform style amp in a box! I don’t want complicated for this part of my setup! Thanks so much for the input!
Very nice video work! I'll subscribe and support you! Not sure what you mean - the Ruby has an output knob that allows you to utilize its headroom. Just as my 10w tube amp has a gain knob and master output. It's typical of amps nowadays to have both knobs. The Ruby has that too. Turn your "output" knob up, turn your "volume" knob down, and you should have a clean amp model. No? Anyway, I just record my amp :)
Thanks man! Very much appreciated! Yes that exactly how I use it, but when I keep the volume low and turn the output up it gets noisy which is weird and I still find that I battle the eq a lot on this pedal, but either way still a great pedal!! And yeah amps are still the best option! Thanks again man for the sub!
I thought the point of an amp in a box was to mimic the eq sections of famous amps, they are not flat, if you are looking for flat why not try going straight to a board or audio interface from your pedal board. Think of the amp in a box as a eq preset and if you don’t want that take it out of the chain.
You still need something that acts as an “amp” in between your board and your interface! It will sounds really awful if you try and go directly into your interface!
@@desporma1interesting I haven’t thought of that! So if I just use the ox pedal by UA it would sound just like a clean guitar and I could use an overdrive pedal to add color?
Yeah, why no pedal platform label in specific. I wish for a pedal platform amp. 50watt, transistor...flat sounding, 3band EQ. Something like the MicroDark, but bigger. I use the ACS1 and I can get my sound of it, so it's good enough for me. For Amps, I have the Amp100 by Milkman and don't need anything else really.
Right! Yeah! That’s the dream! And yeah I can get a decent sound out of the ruby, but I struggle to get it to sound clean and flat! The ACS1 sounds amazing on your board!
@Andreas_tropicalwinter there are no "flat" guitar amps... even "FRFR" guitar amps/cabs are not flat response or full range. For that you need to get a good 8" studio monitor and a modeler.
@@joeltunnah I didn't meant flat without any character...since it's still a guitar. Some Amps are just a bit too scooped for my likings and putting some like a BE-OD in front, which has no option dialing in mids, makesnit hard getting it to sound right. A high headroom amp and no overdrive possible would be great 😅 But I mean yeah, Milkman does make thise amps by now...
Budget: Harley Benton GPA-100 or Harley Benton Custom Line Thunder 99. For a bit more moneys: Seymour Duncan Power Stage 170 ps. you have a pretty noticeable hum from your mic :)
Sweet recommendation! These weren’t on my radar at all! I’m pumped to look into them! Also yeah, aha video was shot durning a heat wave, and that sound is my dehumidifier, my apologies!
@@JackSole17 No problem. I'd recommend using even a simple noise reduction effect available in the free Audacity. You can run it on auto, or you can use a noise gate to remove below certain db (usually less -40db before any other effects should be enough).
I see a lot of repetition in pedals on peoples boards lately maybe not everyone has the same board but I see a lot of the same pedals being used by a lot of people I don't see too many unique brands or odd order configurations everyone uses the same brands and at least a couple of a pool of id say twenty different pedals that are common for most people it's like no one is trying things on there own its all different combinations of the same things
I hear what you’re saying, and I think it’s an interesting conversation! I have a little light hearted challenge for you! Recreate the ability of this board with only using “Unique” brands! (I am genuinely interested to hear about unique pedals) Also I say this because Hologram and chase bliss were at one point small “Unique” brands, then because of how amazing their stuff is they become more “main stream”! Also I have a pedal from a much smaller builder on the way that I can’t wait to share about so stay tuned for that!
I could see having the HX and Chroma on the same board. I like having the HX Stomp XL, so I have amps and preamps also. I would probably do something like put the Chroma in the loop of the HX, then you can mess with the volume from there.
Helix has loads of unique L6 Original effects, so I can't help but disagree with the notion that the Helix product line doesn't offer unique or creative flavors into the market. I think the assumption is that since the Helix has so much in it, it lacks personality or uniqueness. If you learn about where the algorithms came from in the Helix, you'll see there's a ton of unique and original stuff in there. There are amps and effects built by the sound designers' own personal amp/effects designs. KWB Drive is a modded 250 style distortion that Ben Adrian made. Adriatic Delay is a digital augmentation/tweaking of his personal DM2. Amps like Cartographer, Litigator, Ventoux, Elmsley, etc are all personal designs of physical and purely-digital amps created by the sound design team. Then you look at all of the whacky legacy effects that L6 created - all of the legacy synths, Tape Eater, Sweeper, Sweep Echo, Warble Matic, Particle Verb, etc. Some of these sounds were first heard on the DL4, FM4, etc and have now been copied by others. Then you have the newer original effects like Tesselator, Euclidean Delay, Criss Cross, Glitch Delay, Flexovibe, Bitcrusher, Non-linear Reverb, etc - these are based on existing concepts, but done with original algorithms and features specific to L6. And these additional features, when paired with snapshots, open up tons of possibilities that other pedals like H9/H90 just can't do. Anyway, I get the comparison of something that does a LOT vs something with a very particular set of sounds/features. But I can't help but disagree at the suggestion that L6 doesn't offer unique contributions to the market. Especially when you notice how much the other floorboard modelers copy the Helix and how L6 still leads the market in plugin support with Helix Native (the true, underappreciated gem of the Helix family)
HX effects definitely offers several unique creative flavours to the market no doubt, but I find it to be a more traditional take on effects and the chroma to be a more fresh and modern take on multi effects! Both awesome and worth the price just different, and I personally am trying to fight out where they fit with my own work flow! Thanks for the discussion! Very much appreciated!
Thnx for the video! Looks kinda fresh comparing to other gear reviews. Having line 6 m9 recently, and like the amount of board controls comparing to other multi-fx processors, Even if you are a bedroom player it's just more fun. FXvise i think it is era when the quality is somewhere close one to eachother.
Thanks @buzsman ! Yeah i think you’re spot on saying “quality is close” and that’s why the little details matter so much nowadays! Anyways thanks again!
Nice video! I think, beside both units being great, the HX is just pristine and the Chroma Console is the one with a characters on its own. The Chroma is far more fun and a hands on pedal, perfect for desktop use. The HX on the other hand is far more friendly with its presets and foot switches.
Hi Jack, I stumbled across your video and had to get myself the R4 after watching. It´s a pretty useful thing to have and I´m glad it stays in sync with my looper, even without MIDI. Since you mentioned it I were prepared for the tracks to peak like crazy when I put them into my daw, which they did right away. Beside that it´s just a hastle free way to go in direct from my pedalboard. Now I need some nice evening light to put my rig up into the garden and have a little evening session.
Man that’s awesome! I’ve been subscribed to you for a while now, I love your channel! And yeah that’s awesome, I think this thing is going to be big with guitarist as people catch onto it more! Again thanks for the comment, it’s a huge honour!
I do think midi’s cool but I don’t always like the work flow! Kinda finicky aha And yeah I like simple a lot as well sometime, my gig board has 4 pedals on it right now aha Thanks for the comment!
Aha, When you go to the preset menu, which I show in the video, just hold the two middle buttons and it’ll save your preset! Good luck mate! The intent for the title is to say making and saving presets are this pedals secret weapon! But I can see why you’re frustrated tho my bad!
