Power amps - really weird question

DEICIDEL · #1 01-09-2001, 05:40 PM

I have a weird question about power amps. Is it possible to plug pedals (dist.) directly into a power amp without a preamp? (ie. pod etc.)

sounds dumb, but any insight would be helpful. thanks
- Brian

oooo · #2 01-09-2001, 05:58 PM

Sure you can. *The only thing is you are totally dependent on the controls of the Pedal, or whatever pre-amp you plug into it (power amps generally have only a Master volume). *I generally prefer a pre-amp between my pedals and power amp... this gives me more control in respect to e.q.ing the amp. *A better question would be, will it sound good? *That depends on what type of power amp and pedals you are using. *And of course "sounding good" is a big matter of personal taste.

DEICIDEL · #3 01-09-2001, 06:12 PM

well, I plan to use a metal zone(for now), delay and an eq. going into 2x12 cab

ryan · #4 01-09-2001, 06:24 PM

I don't normally give a sh*t about vintage facts and figures, but I remember reading that some of Jimi Hendrix's tones were created by plugging an Octavia Fuzzface thing into an Orange power amp thru a Marshall cabinet... no preamp involved.

rgr · #5 01-09-2001, 07:24 PM

A power amp in Hendrix' day would probably be quite different that what we consider a power amp today. *Some of Marshall's old tube "PA Heads" make great guitar amps with relatively few changes, ah, the beauty of tubes. *

Depending on the power amp, tube vs ss, I'm guessing that you are going to be disappointed in the sound from your Metal Zone or any pedal straight into a power amp. *A pedal may not have enough level to properly feed a power amp either, pedals, mostly, are designed to work at instrument levels to feed the front of an amp, the signal out of preamps is usually line level which is a considerably higher level than instrument level.

That said, experiment, it's the 'merican way. *I have also heard that one of the guitarists from some 80's group, may have been Lizzy Borden, got his sound from a compressor feeding a power amp so ya jus' never know.

$0.02,
Roger

bob oakman · #6 01-09-2001, 08:54 PM

I agree that it will probably sound pretty crappy plugging a pedal directly into a power amp. A pre-amp does so much for tone and is always recommended in your situation. Also, as pedal FX are designed to maintain about the same output level as a guitar, which is considerably less than line level, it would probably not be very loud.

As far as a POD goes, in my mind the POD is a pre-amp, in that it has a volume and eq controls and line level outputs. The POD fed directly into a power amp is pretty much the way it was meant to be.

Jimi D · #7 01-09-2001, 11:46 PM

I've plugged both my Mesa V-Twin and my Matchless Hot Box directly into a power amp with great results - granted, they're pretty sophisticated pedals, but they're pedals nonetheless. I'd think the MT-2 would work well because it does have a fairly versatile EQ section, though you certainly won't get much of the guitar's character coming through

rgr · #8 01-10-2001, 12:28 AM

A V-Twin is a tube preamp in pedal form, you can get a rack mount version too, basically the same thing. *The Hot Box is a pedal but it has huge output and I'm sure it is voiced well enough to serve as a preamp. *I don't think a Metal Zone will fare as well, it will probably sound like a large pissed off mosquito.

Roger

jay ratkowski · #9 01-10-2001, 01:49 AM

I think playing a Metal Zone into a power amp is just hilarious. *Your little Boss boxes are not preamps, your preamp provides a lot of your "tone." *Now, granted the power amp is important, it's not important enough to make up for the fact that you're essentially playing directly from your guitar to your cab. *If you are curious as to whether or not it will sound good, plug your guitar into a PA system... or into the "clean" channel on a Boogie amp. *They are all basically the same sounds.

alienx · #10 01-10-2001, 01:55 AM

Boss pedal or any od/ds pedal into poweramp works, 'cause indeed they are preamps. (This is no offend to anyone, I came in peace

)

jay ratkowski · #11 01-10-2001, 02:40 AM

Yeah... they "work" about as well as preamps as a thread about JP selling his guitars does in this forum. *A "pedal" is simply something to change the overall sound of your guitar/amp. *There is no amplification going on here. *It is simply processing. *Like adding green food coloring to your eggs and ham.

Kevan · #12 01-10-2001, 02:43 AM

JAY SAID IT! *I DIDN'T SAY IT!!! *JAY SAID IT!

(ok...I'm done acting like a 4 yr. old. LOL)

alienx · #13 01-10-2001, 07:39 AM

Right Jay, they "work". I didn't say they are a full substitute to a pre-amp, despite the fact that in many of them amplification exists.

rgr · #14 01-10-2001, 12:53 PM

Pedals do some amplification and tonal shaping but Jay is right, they are no substitute for a preamp. *They <mostly> don't achieve true line-levels in their output and they <mostly> are made to drive preamp inputs, not power amp inputs. *There are a few pedals that work in effects loops at line levels I haven't have good luck with Boss pedals, if the signal is too hot it will clip the pedal even if it is off. *

Find an old RealTube, Hafler T-2, or similar preamp to put between your pedals and the power amp and you will be much happier. *I've seen those preamps for around $100 on ****. *

Roger

DEICIDEL · #15 01-11-2001, 12:38 AM

wow, I didn't think there would be much discussion on this!
I just wanted to know if it would work because I am considering going the rack route, and I would probably get a power amp first because I'm selling my amp and would need a to do this temporarily (sp?) because of cash flow. Eventually I would get a proper Pre-amp.

Brian