Anyone Have Exp. With Mesa's V-Twin Direct?

JeffTD

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Sep 29, 2004
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I'm going to be in the market for a new preamp/modeller soon, and was planning on just going with the tried and true PODxt, but I've remembered that the Mesa/Boogie V-Twin can be used direct. Has anyone tried this before? I'm thinking that because it's an actual tube preamp, it'll probably sound closer to a real amp than a POD, no? The two are priced similarly (350 for the PODxt with packs, 300 or so used for the V-Twin), so I think it'll be between these.
 
The current ENGL preamps also have "frequency compensated Stereo Line Out" which is their way of saying cab emulation or recording out.

The 530, and the 570.

But, this is the only thing I've heard that I know is the cab sim direct out(of the 530 in this case)
http://www.patas.org/mp3s/engl530.mp3 (this is a rough messing around clip, and the guy does knob tweaking throughout)

I think there might be a clip of the 570 direct out at rocksolidamps
 
Another option is using your current tube head or whatever, and getting that $30 Behringer Ultra G di/cab sim box. Those things do not suck too hard, and they are cheap. It's an alternative if you need to do rough/scratch tracks at 3AM going direct when you are unable to mic up proper. they run on phantom power, and you can switch the mic/cab emu on and off very easily - which is kinda cool for clean guitars when you are after a slightly piezo vibe.
 
Those ENGL's don't sound that bad, I bet it would sound pretty damn good with some EQ'ing, a Tubescreamer, and EMG's.

As for the DI, that would be a good idea, but I'm looking into these pre-amps/pedals/POD's because I can't mic up my current setup (XXX head, 5150 cabinet). Eventually, I'll buy my own computer to keep out near my amp, or a laptop, and mic it up, but that won't be for another year or two.
 
Don't know if the V-Twin sounds the same as the Mesa Rectifier Studio Line Out, but it's (the Recto) not really usuable as-is, you'd have to tweak it a lot to get good results (like using cab simulation, eq, etc). I think the Pod would be a better choice actually...
 
This is why I mentioned the Ultra G. It works as such. You take the speaker out of your head and plug into the Ultra G. Then you take the output of the Berry which would normally go into a speaker cab, except you tie into a dummy load. I use this:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=019-020

You just wire a mono jack to it and you have a 100w 8ohm dummy load. This gives you direct recording without the need for a Pod or other doohicky. You can also have your head quite loud and use the -20dB pads on the UG to tame it and not get any clipping. Then you have an XLR balanced out which goes to your deck or mic pre and runs off of phantom power.

The Berry is basically an sm57 on axis and a "4x12" cab type of sound. It is not the be all end all ultimate sound, but for $30 bucks you are getting the sound of a XXX head going direct instead of the Pods idea of something high gain.

To take it a step further you can use the berry with the cab/mic sim turned off and then use NI Guitar Rig cabs.... This is all a means to an end of course, as I cannot stand direct recorded stuff, but its a lot cheaper than buying a cheezed out modeler....
 
Holy crap, that really works? I think that I'll definitely be going for that. The only thing I'm somewhat worried about is ruining my output tranny, but that dummy load is fine? I know Weber and THD make dummy loads that would for sure work, but cost around 200. This would really kick ass, and I assume it would sound better than the line out on my XXX?

*EDIT* I have a cheap little Behringer UB802 mixer I could run it into, but it doesn't have phantom power. Can I just run it off it's little 9v Battery, or should I just get one of those PreSonus or StudioProjects 100 dollar mic pres?
 
DSS - Yes, it really works. Dummy loads are used frequently by amp techs, audiophile guys, etc. As for your output trannies, you don't have to worry. Provided that you wire the jack properly, use the right cables, don't feed it more than 100W RMS, and use the proper impedance you are fine. I've used the berry/dummy load on many a head and never had a single issue, and yes I have dimed them.

The 9V battery would work, but you're better off with phantom power. That VTB1 tube mic pre from SP is friggin GREAT - I love mine. $99 bucks with free shipping, fuggiddabodit' Donnie Brasco.

As for it sounding better than the line out on the XXX, yes, absolutely it will. Again, it is not going to be the ultimate/greatest direct sound you have ever heard, but its a very inexpensive piece of kit. You can choose to believe me or not, but I had the Mesa Recto Recording pre for a VERY short while (very disappointed with that thing). In any event, the "direct' outs on that thing, which Mesa said were many years in the making, tons of research, blah blah blah... Well, I shit ya not but it sounded better direct using the speaker outs and the UltraG vs. the factory Mesa emulated outs...

I have not even looked at the HC reviews on it prior to this, and I guess I'm not alone in liking it. Here's the link:

http://www.harmony-central.com/Effects/Data/Behringer/Ultra_G_Direct_Box-1.html