Best amp sim for midrange "bluesy" long sustain w/o distortion?

[Uncle E]

Hi Eric,
the Studio 22 (+) is rather similar, also from the Mk II era.
Less features (character switches) in the pre but a wonderful 2xEL84 power amp, arguably one of the best sounding Boogies for club jobs and (mic'ed) recording.
Again, probably not for die-hard Marshall fans or metal heads.
Btw, against common theory, I personally never understood the sonic appeal of the EQ on these amps, all my favourite tones were without it.

Cool, in that case, I'll just try DI'ing mine rather than hunting down a Studio Preamp. I agree that the 5-band EQ doesn't sound any good but it's pretty crucial for making it a proper 2-channel amp, given that the graphic EQ can be assigned to the gain channel alone and there's no single usable setting on the standard EQ that works for both channels.

You're correct, the Tubeman 1 (forget the 2)

Forget the 2 because it doesn't sound as good or because it sounds the same and there's no reason to spend the extra money? I have a 2 already and the channel switching would actually be very handy IF it had a clean, non-Red Boxed output (a very silly thing to leave off!).

[susiwong]

Cool, in that case, I'll just try DI'ing mine rather than hunting down a Studio Preamp. I agree that the 5-band EQ doesn't sound any good but it's pretty crucial for making it a proper 2-channel amp, given that the graphic EQ can be assigned to the gain channel alone and there's no single usable setting on the standard EQ that works for both channels.

Sounds like a plan.
Btw, the Studio- or Quad's speaker emu is passive and really cheap to build, check the diagrams. About the best hardware emulation I've found yet, a friend built me a few for next to nothing and I often use them or my Studio Pre's emu for other preamps, too (plugging them into the Studio's FX return).

Forget the 2 because it doesn't sound as good or because it sounds the same and there's no reason to spend the extra money? I have a 2 already and the channel switching would actually be very handy IF it had a clean, non-Red Boxed output (a very silly thing to leave off!).

Personally I don't think the 2 sounds nearly as good, ymmv.
One cool thing about the 1 is the combination with good ODs, dial in a cleanish tone in "blues mode" and boost that with a Fulldrive or BB+ - even DI'ed this can sound pretty believable.
Ymmv,
susiwong

[Dean Aka Nekro]

Rectal Based (I know its childish but it made me laugh mate)

[susiwong]

Rectal Based (I know its childish but it made me laugh mate)

Well, bad taste is better than no taste at all, I guess ...
Cheers,
susiwong

[tman2k (Meathook Audio)]

Personally I don't use any PC ampsim without Bootsie's FerricTDS and/or Density II, experiment with position, combinations and settings but keep the sidechain filter on the high side (200 to 250 Hz in both cases).
Most believable tube poweramp compression emulation I've found yet, in hardware or in software.

Hello susiwong,

A quick question, if you don't mind...

What is the chain / signal path you are using? Is it:

Amp Sim --> Bootsie FerricTDS / Density --> Cab Sim?

TIA!

[multree]

while we're talking amps.... you might wanna try this:

Emery Sound Micro Baby
and an OKKO Coca Comp in front for that lovely sustain

for leads add an OKKO Diablo or Twin Sonic....

[susiwong]

A quick question, if you don't mind...

What is the chain / signal path you are using? Is it:

Amp Sim --> Bootsie FerricTDS / Density --> Cab Sim?

TIA!

Definitely maybe !
-- If possible miking a tube amp is best, hands down.
-- Due to some real world limitations I'm using a hybrid tube pre & ampsim approach most of the time though.
Detailed rundown here :
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=239997
Except for some minor details this chain is still what I use.
-- re FerricTDS and Density II - all I can advise is experiment.
It all depends on what tone you're going for, one or both, pre- or post ampsim or both - I don't believe in static rules.
The only constant for me is using the built-in sidechain filters.
And in the case of Ferric (for me at least) the compression is where the magic lives, I hardly ever use much saturation for guitars.
-- since my main ampsim is AT3 these days the plugin chain looks something like that mostly :
> [Bootsie] > AT3 > [Bootsie] > PSP or Cooper delays > epicVerb
-- delay and reverb might also be on sends depending on situation
-- btw, if outright compression is what you're going for, definitely give the new NastyVCS a chance
Completely replaced LA-3 here on guitars.
-- I might be biased, doing some testing for Bootsie and all, but then I regularly use these alongside UAD, Duende and co so it's not like I had to use them because they are free, I really believe in their qualities.

Just my ways of doing it, ymmv,
susiwong

[Uncle E]

> [Bootsie] > AT3 > [Bootsie]

Exactly, I was just about to say there's no reason not to try using the compressor and tape simulator both before and after the amp sim (especially the compressor).

[Dean Aka Nekro]

Rectal Based (I know its childish but it made me laugh mate)

Well, bad taste is better than no taste at all, I guess ...
Cheers,
susiwong

Just coz im a high-gain whore...

Dean

[Dean Aka Nekro]

Oh Eric btw and off-topic but on-topic: if you have and like Keeley's 2-Knob compressor then if you get a chance to, try out 'Rothwell Audio's Love Squeeze Compressor', seriously good and extremely transparent plus it does a job as a buffer/Line-Driver/DI > Best little box i have bought in ages FWIW. Ignore my sarcastic side and ignore the fact i am a high-gain man myself as i do have to engineer/mix whatever i get thrown my way and its not all high-gain stuff. So i myself have to stock things incase and man this one was an instant no brainer. Even A/B'd by the Keeley box. The next one is going to be a Joe Meek stompbox of their opto compressor which i noticed around 3 months ago and can not wait to get me one

All the best to all

Dean/Nekro

[susiwong]

Just coz im a high-gain whore...

As long as you pay your taxes it's a job like any other.

About the bad taste though, file that on my rectal account.
Things don't get better, do they ?
Back OT !

Cheers,
susiwong

(you know the bit about names and stuff, Dean ? I'm not responsible.)

[Dean Aka Nekro]

[robogone]

file that on my rectal account.

Are you planning on making a deposit?

[susiwong]

file that on my rectal account.

Are you planning on making a deposit?

Well, it would fit right in with the current economic climate.
More than enough smelly paper floating around the globe.

Back to tubes and emulation.

Did I mention that atm my biggest audio wish would be a small list of cab presets (including mics) that react like the real thing when you're standing in front of it(well, 95% at least) ?
One 412 with G12-T70/75, an open back vintage (not RI !) Fender Jensen 410 and a Bulldog 212 would be a great start.
With all the nice AT3 cab options that should be possible ...
We need to get away awhile from the moving targets of unlimited choice imho, establish one constant factor (for now) and really start to fathom out the amps.
In the real world those mentioned cabs are chameleons, letting the character of the amp shine through ime. Granted, not always ideal, but still very solid and typical.
External impulses are an option, too.
Just thinking out loud ...

Cheers,
susiwong

[metalifuxx]

To further provoke anyone's gear lust of high quality pedals/effects, check out
http://proguitarshop.com

Awesome in depth video reviews of boutique and high quality made guitar pedals. And they can be mostly on the pro audio geeky side of explanations covering a lot of possibilities in how and why the pedal could be used, not just demonstrating a few cool presets that are there to try and sell the pedal/effect. And for the most part the guy mentions the signal chain, amp, and often using at least a single coil equipped guitar and also one with humbuckers, sometimes a telecaster or active pickups. My friend found the perfect pedal to compliment his new amp, after trying dozens out for a few months.