I currently own a Vox Valvetronix AD15VT, which is a small 15 watt guitar modeling amp that uses a tube pre-amp. I'm not sure, however, what the best way to play it through the L1 is. I could either buy a Shure SM57 and mic it, or save some money and use the line/headphone jack. As a side note (and because it seems like it's a commonly asked question), I play everything from heavy metal to smooth jazz.

I've read hundreds of threads on the forums, and learned loads about the L1 system (thanks everyone), but i'm not so clear about this specific topic.

The reason i'm skeptical about the line/headphone jack is because (when using headphones) the guitar sounds absolutely awful. I'm specifically concerned about the bolded line below. Here's Vox's description of the feature:

Convenient line/headphone jack for home recording or late-night practicing
You can connect the line/headphone jack to your mixer, multi-track recorder or headphones. Since the character of the cabinet is also added to this signal, the sound will have a sense of ’air’ and depth even when you’re listening through headphones or recording direct. The AD100VT & AD50VT both have an external speaker output, and effect-loop jacks have been built into the AD100VT making it convenient to connect with external effect processors.

If anyone has experience with this specific amp (or any similar vox valvetronix amps), please let me know what worked out best for you.

Hi Kyle,

Thanks for


Just because someone has to say it (but it's unlikely you would do it), do NOT connect the
"The AD100VT & AD50VT both have an external speaker output, " to any input on the PS1 Powerstand.

Okay - that's out of the way.


Mic or Line-Out?

I would try the line-out first. Listen to it in the context of your whole band and the band mix. Listening to it solo may not tell you what you need to know.

You have several presets for Electric Guitar that you will want to explore. There is one in particular that sounds a lot like a 12" Guitar amp speaker.
Preset V2 #25 Electric Guitar Direct.
You could try the effects "send" and this preset just to explore your options.

If you're not liking what you hear or still feeling like exploring, then try a mic. There are a couple of presets to try with that arrangement too. V2.
#26 Micked Guitar Amp with SM57 "Rumbly"
#27 Micked Guitar Amp with SM57 "Normal"


Aside:

quote:

The reason i'm skeptical about the line/headphone jack is because (when using headphones) the guitar sounds absolutely awful.

I've never liked the sound of speaker cabinet emulations through headphones, but especially when that output was a 'recording direct / console/headphone' output. It seems like an output labelled like this, might be good for one thing or another but unlikely good for both/all.

But

I have on many occasions found this to be a good source for recording - or - for the L1™

Let your ears tell you.

ST,

Thanks for your quick response. Personally I wouldn't ever consider doing speaker-out to the PS1, but it's a good note to have in this thread.

I'll explore the presets, play around with things, and post back with my findings.

Also, I know that with something like the POD you'd use channel 3 or 4, but in my case i'm assuming that channel 1 or 2 would be better (to take advantage of the presets).

quote:

Originally posted by Kyle L:
ST,

Thanks for your quick response. Personally I wouldn't ever consider doing speaker-out to the PS1, but it's a good note to have in this thread.

I'll explore the presets, play around with things, and post back with my findings.

Thanks! It would be good to have some more input about peoples' experiences with the Vox gear.

quote:

Also, I know that with something like the POD you'd use channel 3 or 4, but in my case i'm assuming that channel 1 or 2 would be better (to take advantage of the presets).

Yes, in your case I would use Channel 2. (and I use it even with the XT Live).

I always run my vocal mic into Channel 1 (just so I don't have to think about it or change the settings from gig to gig).

I usually run my XT Live (or whatever I'm doing for Guitar signal chain) into Channel 2 and that's primarily because I don't need that input for a mic. If I used two mics then the second would take priority.

If you don't need the Channel 2 for a mic input, by all means run the Guitar signal (however you end up doing it) into Channel 2. I find it very convenient to have the control for my "other voice" on the Remote, on the mic stand.


Edit: Added

PS

quote:

As a side note (and because it seems like it's a commonly asked question), I play everything from heavy metal to smooth jazz.

Thanks. It's nice to know you a little better. Sometimes knowing this kind of things helps in terms of understanding what you are doing and environments you may encounter.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ST,

For the Line Out method you may also wish to try Presets 83 & 84 (V2) which are bandpass 50Hz-5kHz and 80Hz-5kHz filters . These may provide the narrow frequency range that a guitar cab has.

Well i've had my L1 for a week or two now, and really couldn't be happier with it. The valvetronics / L1 combo has worked out wonderfully.

What's been working best for me is this: Line-out from the vox into channel 2 on the L1. I turn the vox to about 12 o clock, and channel 2 trim to about 4 or 5. From there, I control my levels with the remote. I haven't tried mic-ing the amp with a sm57 simply because I've been happy enough with line-out, and I really don't like the muddy sound of the vox's speaker and cab.

As for presets, I've tried a few (elec guitar direct, 83, and 84), but using the flat (preset 00) seems to give me the best sound. The vox line-out already does a bit of cab modeling/eq, so the L1 presets are unneccesary.

I've found that, as many have stated before, the L1 is very transparent. I can really hear the flaws in the amp and guitar, but at the same time the difference between the 8" vox speaker and the L1 is night and day. I'd prefer hearing my playing accurately over a guitar cab any day.

I have yet to really crank the system, though i'm hoping to jam with a somewhat loud band using conventional amps and PAs. I'll be sure to post my findings if this ever happens; it'll be interesting to see how well the L1 can overcome all that over noise.

Pictures of the setup below. Guitar is a Schecter gryphon.

Hi Kyle L,

Thanks for getting back to us and letting know how you are liking the System.

We don't have a lot of postings about the Vox Valvetronix here on the forum so it's great to have a little more info about that.

I wasn't familiar with the Schecter Gryphon so I did a little hunting around. People sure like those Guitars! Oh, and nice photos. Thanks.

Hi Kyle - Nice pics. When you're ready to streamline even more, check out the Vox ToneLab SE pedal. All the same sounds that you're getting from the amp - preamp modelling, cab sim and effects - without hauling around the speaker and cab, which you're not using anyway.

And nice touch using Clifford's most excellent quote. Wishd I'da thunk of that.

Kyle

Man!; beautiful instruments. Eyepoppers!

You'll find that any processor that is meant for direct studio recording will work fine into any flat input on our system, like 3 or 4. This leaves 1 and 2 open for the Special/Dee-lux treatment you can get on 1 and 2, like voicing for specific instruements and close vocals. Thanks for writing in.