F/X Processors to use w/Tech 21 PSA-1

[shredmaster26]

Hey everyone, this is my first post here on jemsite. My question concerns the Tech 21 PSA-1 preamp (if anyone here has one) and its response to effects processors. I'm currently using my PSA-1 with a roland GP-16 f/x processor and a mesa boogie 20/20 power amp through a pair of audio speakers. I was wondering what other people use in terms of effects processors and whatnot with the PSA-1, or really any other similar preamp. I don't really mind the sound of the GP-16, but I don't really love it either, and I'm considering replacing it. I'm kind of new to the whole idea of a rackmount rig, so I'm open to any suggestions that people might have for gear to add to my rack.

By the way, I do play a jem- its an 89' DSY with a lo pro and the original pickups. I'm pretty sure it used to belong to Dave Weiner, it's the one featured as the "Jem 777DSY bad horsie project" over in the custom gallery (it's white now).

[Carlo]

I think a TC Electronics G-Major would be a safe bet.

[bpd111]

Originally Posted by shredmaster26

through a pair of audio speakers

You don't mean stereo system speakers, do you?

[shredmaster26]

Yeah, I do mean stereo system speakers. I don't think I'm ready to buy a new cab right now, and I want to make sure that whatever I get sounds good with my rack. The speakers I'm using seem to be ok for now, but in the future I'm gonna get a real cab- maybe a mesa boogie recto cab or if anyone else has good ideas...

Thanks by the way to carlo for the suggestion of the G-Major, I've heard that it's good- maybe i'll try one out.

[Dan D Mahnn]

Your terrably underestimating the importance of a good cab. If you dont even have that I cant understand why you'd want to spend any money on another FX processor. Yeah, thier fun, but compared to having a real cab, nowhere near as important. If your using stereo speakers your definitly not hearing the way your guitar should sound and will sound through a real cab. Your running your rigg like a regular guitar rig with the Sansamp as a preamp, the mesa as a power-amp and then your missing the 3rd part of that puzzle. The guitar cab.

I also wouldnt consider a multi FX unit as part of your tone. Guitar-pedals-amp-cab is tone. Post amp FX units are just sound modeling. They add dimensions to the tone you have already and if thats not good, the FX arent going to make up for it 1 bit. Youll just have delay or chorus, etc..., on a bad tone. If you really dug the tone of the stereo speakers, in a "check this crazy sound out" kind of way, thats one thing. The impression I get is your just biding your time with them untill you get 1st your FX unit then eventually a real cab.

Its your choice but to me it seems your rig priorities are misplaced. But thats just me. You obviously have to make your own mind up for what is important to you. That being the case a Rocktron intellifex or replifex is probably the widest used under-$500 FX units out there. Im sure the lower end TC units are good as well.

[Carlo]

yeah I totally missed the audio speaker part.......a decent cab is definitely mucho importante

[shredmaster26]

I hear you loud and clear guys, trust me- if there weren't several obstacles in the way of my obtaining a decent guitar cab I would already have one. I never really thought about using pedals v.s. a rackmount f/x processor- I just assumed that the effects I wanted (delay, reverb, sometimes chorus) would work ok in the rack unit. As for the speakers, you'd probably be surprised at how well they work. They're all I could use for now, but the tone is still pretty good (considering that the cabinets for the speakers were built by my father about 20 years ago). I emailed tech 21's tech support asking them the same basic question, and they told me that using audio speakers would actually sound better. I naturally assumed this was B.S., but figured that maybe the audio speakers would hold me out a little longer. You guys don't seem to think so, and thanks for the advice. I think I'll speed up my search for a good cab. In that case, what do people here reccomend? Like I said earlier I was considering a mesa recto cab (or a pair of em'). I might actually take my rack into a music store to try it with the cabs, but any reccomendations in the meantime would help.

[Dan D Mahnn]

Despite what I said earlier if you like the sound your getting then its not that big a deal. My concern was that you dont like your tone or really want to improve it, and you thought getting a multi-fx would help more then a cab. Thats definitly not the case.

Yes tech21 was totally full of sh*t. The only way a stereo-type speaker could sound as good is if you had a DI type setup. Youd send your signal from the PSA to a more linear PA power amp. Yours is more a guitar rigg.

Im guessing your obviously not giging right? In that case getting some big cab isnt that necessary. For home use especially. Something like a 1x12 or 2x12 is best. You may want to look into less efficiant speakers though. They'll allow you to open the amp up a little more before volume starts getting too much. I personally dont like mesa cabs that much. Other people love them. A 1x12 can be had cheap enouph. Mesa cabs are made very efficiant though. The 1x12 and 2x12s are made with high wattage speakers. Its alot to think about. What kind of sounds do you go for? Thats the most important factor in recomending a cab or any piece of gear really.

[shredmaster26]

I'm going for the dream theater sound mainly, but also want to be able to pull off semi vai/satriani sounding tones. I guess I'm probably best off trying the cabs in a music store out- I should really get a hold on what the cab sounds like before I buy anything.

I agree with you about the cab helping more than a new f/x processor, I was just sort of seeking advice on what other vai etc. fans use as far as those go. The GP-16 can add a bit of a harsh edge to the sound, but like you said getting a different cab is a more important step than obtaining new effects.

I actually started out using a pair of high quality audio speakers (big inefficent ones) but the tone was way too trebly. When I switched to the speakers that I'm using now, which have much better bass response, I got much better results- including nice a nice punchy "chunk" sound from palm muting. I assume that a guitar cab would be the next step in improving my sound. Do you have any specific prefrences over mesa boogie that would alllow me to get the dream theater and vai tones? I need some other ideas for what to try out in the store.

[Dan D Mahnn]

Not in particular. If you like the bassy chug-chug sound I guess mesa is what youd want. Although sometimes when you get what you want, its not how you thought it would be so try everything you possably can. Its hard to get an idea of sound in music stores. My advice there is just to try to narrow down to a few top choices. Buy what you think is the best of those choices and try it out at home. If its no good try to figure out why and you'll be a little more educated for the next cab you try out. Of coarse youll have to make sure the store has a good return policy.

Also with guitar cabs (or any speaker cab really) there's things that most people dont realize make a huge difference. Things like how close the back is to a wall (even with closed back cabs) and were in the room its positioned. Ive played gigs were my rig sounded awesom and others were I was less then satisfied. Eventually I realized the difference between a nice, cutting, present, smooth, tight tone and a flabby, buzzy, trebly, peircing tone, 9 out of 10 times, was how my cab was positioned in relation to the room I was in. I now have a list of the 40 or more places my band has played the last year or so. On the list is directions to the best sounding position for my amp. Now when I play a new room I get there early and thats the first thing I spend time on. It drives my band nuts. F 'em. When Im happy I play better and they play better in return.

That of coarse doesnt make a big difference to the audience who hear the same mic'd up sound in every room, but Im listening to my amp most of the time so its important to me. Im rarely directly in front of the monitor for any length of time so I cant depend on that.

Thats just a few tips for you. From your description Id say youll want to mostly check out closed back cabs. Just to send you out in a good direction.

[shredmaster26]

Thanks a lot for your input Dan, I'll definetly consider all of that when I get a new cab.