Did Soldano Just KILL The SLO? (Astro 20)

[@SonicDriveStudio]

What was your favorite tone out of this review?

[@tgunmusicchannel1973]

The crunch tone was amazing

[@YsAbTones]

metal 3 demo, has mussorgsky night on bald mountain cool stuff

[@hbo001]

Crunch. Maybe because I liked your song the most;) Nice riffage and it sounds pleasing. I have been following your channel and can say you have your recognizable songwritting approach. Cool stuff.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

@hbo001 thanks! The crunch tone is surprisingly good eh? It's one of the best crunch tones I've ever tried

[@Velghe87]

I would love to see this in comparison with the new REVV G50... 🙂

[@IamMusicNerd]

I honestly thought the Astro was just going to be a stripped down cheaper version of the SLO. I was completely wrong. This amp is incredible. It has all the SLO lead tones, but so much more. The clean channel on the Astro is far better than on the SLO in my opinion, and the blue and purple channels sound fantastic as well. I also find the EQ on the Astro more useful than the one on the SLO. You truly get a HUGE range of tones between the four galaxies. And then you add all the modern features in like the IRs, a more advanced power transformer, the DI out, included load box, headphones out, and midi control, and it truly is one amp that can do everything. I thought the 20 W might be too little, but in my testing, it is far louder than some of the 50 W tube amps that I have. It is an absolute beast of an amp.

[@synonyx]

I own both Astro and SLO30, Completely agree with your assessment. I had the same experience.

[@nevusofota]

Agree, I ran the Astro at rehearsal last night and it was excellent. I was really surprised at not only how loud it was but how easy and fun it was to play. However, there’s one error in your comment that needs to be corrected. It does NOT have an internal load. The power section is turned off when no speaker cable is connected. The direct out is basically just a preamp out that is digitally processed with IR’s.

[@Ghostman1846]

One of the best demos I've seen of this amp. Awesome stuff all around. Loved the Blue channel tune, but all of the modes were spot on.

[@cflowers69]

My bro, I just picked up this amp a few days ago. It KILLS. I have barely scratched the surface with all of the features, as the core sound is just mind-blowing me away. Love this amp! Thanks for the review!

[@mjlagerwerf]

Damn... I did not expect so much versatility from such a little amp. What a beast!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Yeah the versatility is insane! Really fun amp!

[@ianlahaye9476]

Ugh, that opening tone is DIRTY! Love the versatility of this little beast. I don't need one. 😅

[@nobodyimportant76467]

I didn’t need one either I bought one anyway

[@SonicDriveStudio]

It's never about needing! ;)

[@necroticpoison]

Such a consistently great sounding amp, seems like it's easier to control than the slo. Killer tones

[@robertdonosobuchner3129]

This amp sounds just great! It's so versatile and I also like the clean sounds. I always enjoy your videos. One of the best channels on KZbin and the best when it comes to rock and metal.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks! Yeah this thing is amazing!

[@TavaresProject]

That blue channel sounds heavenly... Crunchie goodness

[@mozphat9308]

Always impressed at the amount of work you put into creating these videos. Thanks Jon

[@LucasLeCompteMusic]

It sounds so good!

[@vitality3955]

Waiting for this to be in Line6 Helix, holy cow this thing sounds beast! Still searching for my dream guitar sound and this really sounds like it! Modern, clean and mean. Amazing review!!! 😊

[@socalwill9876]

As soon as I saw that you'd gotten a SLO 30, I said "he's gonna wish he'd gotten the Astro," so now I'm very interested in the comparison..

[@HVACRTECH-83]

I decided on the astro after months of going back and forth with the slo 30, watching every video I could find on both, if I could afford it I'd love to have both but I'm very happy with the astro, had it about a week now and can't stop playing honestly. I highly recommend it to anyone on the fence

[@karlbrake1278]

This is an incredible club amp, for both big and small spaces. It's just a sweet tone on all the settings. The green channel is fabulous with a compressor in particular. It's also great that the two gain channels are flavored differently, really crunchy and fluid lead. I actually use the purple galaxy with the 3rd channel for pushed, the 2nd red galaxy for solid blues rock, and the red 3rd channel for super sustain lead. I have an SLO 30 and 100 also, but I use this one in the real world much more. Just really sits in the mix soooo well.

[@M3atbucket]

What a kickass sounding amp. I think an interesting shootout would be between this and the Engl 25 in terms of best sounding lunchbox metal amp.

[@tgunmusicchannel1973]

I wonder how amps like this and Rev with all the digital extras like IR loaded outs will be serviceable in years to come. The more an amp has, the more that can go wrong.

[@guitardave]

Yeah, I don’t think I’d trade my SLO-30 for one of these. Maybe if they made a version without the IR stuff (like Suhr do with the PT15) I’d be tempted.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I think it might be dependent on the design. I think with this one (not 100% sure) the amp would still work even if the dsp part fails

[@nevusofota]

The amp is great without the digital back end. I also believe the amp with a cab is completely independent of the XLR out. I’ve played it at rehearsal last night and believe I’m going to have to put some other amps up for sale.

[@NasserSharaf]

This is the video I've been waiting for! And as expected, you did a great job demoing this amazing amp. I'm looking forward to comparisons with the SLO and it would also be cool if you could try a boost pedal (although the amp may never need it) just to see how it responds and tightens up the low end. Cheers!

[@AdamDallas]

Ahnold approves! So do I! Great sounding as always Jon!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks!

[@Behemoth92]

I would have loved to hear the internal load VS the Redseven load, cool amp !

[@lafnm1480]

Great review. Your jam at 9:46 was sick

[@Andy_Yates]

I was lucky to find an Astro 20 locally when they came out. I love mine and it hits on everything from nice cleans that lean Marshall-y, light crunch, heavy rock, and full on death metal. The red galaxy is so tight even with my 7 and 8 string guitars. My go-to high gain is the red galaxy with gain at 11 o'clock and hitting the front with my Horizon Devices Precision drive. 5150s and Dual Recs are my benchmark metal tones and boosting the Astro really gets that thud and punch I want. My Keeley Red Dirt Mini (their hot rodded TS) also works great, it just has a more rounded top end tone. It works in places but I want that grindy, cutting metal tone so I usually lean for the Precision Drive. I ended up getting another midi foot controller with banks so I could play around with different preset combos. I have gain 1 at 11 o'clock and gain 2 a bit over 2 o'clock. My main 4 is a low gain blue, higher gain blue, higher gain purple and the red using the 11 o'clock gain. The Blue galaxy with the gain at 11 o'clock is very nearly clean depending on how hot your pickups are. A UA Del Verb in a loop and I get all the tones I want from the amp. I am excited to try the silent recording too now that I also have a re-amping box. I can record clean DI to my DAW and use either the Soldano or my plugins

[@cmd_f5]

Very interesting amp to say the least! The tone reminds me of a SLO but more flexible and still with a lot of that signature round thick character. I'd get one of these if I could. Fantastic tones and playing as always.

[@timrichards5628]

SDS i just turn up to watch you play now.. amazing riffs, so inspiring.

[@posic3073]

Lovely sounding amp! Thanks for the video SDS

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@BcBaxley]

the layout is so sweet, instead of endless rows of knobs on can just flick a little toggle 😎🍻🤘

[@MrCalenture]

Sounds amazing... I need your help with the built in IRs... I have this problem with my REVV G50... Not sure what I am doing wrong.. I cycle through the IRs and never hear any difference. I see them change on the amp galaxy, but always the same sound as if I have it disabled which I checked. I should be able to hear the IRs when connected to a cabinet correct? Any help would be appreciated...

[@LouieTM]

I got the same amp 2 weeks ago and it's absolutely killer 🤘

[@SonicDriveStudio]

It's so much fun!

[@descendinguniverse]

great evolution of SLO!

[@lostwoods]

Awesome demo! I really appreciate that section where you swept the various EQ dials, presence, etc. to show their impact. Your channel and Zach Wish's are some of my favorites for amp demos. May I ask, do you find it to be a noisy amp when using the high gain red channel? For example, do you find a gate in 4-cable method to be a necessity? Thanks!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks! Zach is awesome! Regarding your question: I don't find mine very noisy tbh

[@jaycareaga9929]

I’m waiting for the X 88 ir preamp.

[@thathoneysound8440]

I wonder how these compare to the Revv g20s. I like recording with my Revv and playing around with my little songs, bet this might be similar, with different sounds

[@froblivion8284]

Another brilliant video - hope you put a record out. Can you tell me something. I’d love to buy the combo version of this amp. I need an amp that sounds good at lower volumes at home - does it lose tone at lower volumes or does the master work as I hope it does? Thanks 🤘👍🤘

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I think it sounds great at lower levels

[@SamMo0903]

How loud is this amp? I have a 20w box currently but it is not ideal for gigging

[@DownDeepFishing]

Sounds like my peavey 6t05. Cool

[@MaxPowersTastyTones]

Just got reminded why I liked this amp so much in other demos. Nasty little mofo! And so beautiful as well...

[@GearStuffandThings]

Solid sounds

[@smithjones9403]

So huge ask… But as someone who has experienced all 4 in person…pick one. All amps are gone forever..but YOU get to have only 1 forever… Engl FB25 (new kt77) REVV D50 PRS Archon 25 Soldano Astro 20? Thanks in advance. No explanation even needed, I would just love to hear (see) you choose one without reason. Just a firm stance Thanks! 🤜🏼🤛🏽

[@bazzarmusique6627]

Hey Jon, quick question! I am looking to get this Astro 20! I was just wondering if a load box would better than the internal iron process as when you use the internal, it only uses the preamp tube and not the power amp, what are your thoughts?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I haven't compared them yet. I tried it briefly and I thought it sounded great!

[@bazzarmusique6627]

Could you please do a video comparing both? That would be interesting to find out the impact of the power amp tubes

[@sunkntreasure]

Wow your guitar is so shiny

[@CraigCrider]

So, if you had to choose between the SLO 30 and the Astro, which would you take and why?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I still need to compare them to be honest. The Astro is very versatile and I LOVE the clean tone plus the functionality etc. The driven tones of the SLO have a very nice rawness though. Tough choice!

[@becominghuman3561]

Hey Jon. What is it about SSD5 and ML drums you prefer over a drum library like Superior Drummer 3? Is it the simplicity of ML and SSD? I know a lot of samples in both those libraries have a bit of processing baked in so getting a great sound is much easier than Superior Drummer where the samples are insanely raw.. Just curious!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Just amazing sounds with better ease of use. Great drum sounds with little effort but still enough freedom to make them your own

[@becominghuman3561]

@@SonicDriveStudio Cool! Thanks! I love SD3 it just takes forever to get something that sounds great.

[@matt926uk1]

Have you thought about opening a guitar amp based theme park? I would buy a ticket 😊

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Lol

[@CraigCrider]

Dutch on the The Dutch! #getothechoppa

[@RezqRabbitVT]

Ultimate question SLO 30 or Astro 20 Is it enough of an upgrade to either sell the SLO 30 or even buy and have 2 soldanos ^w^

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Both

[@kagunmarx5914]

🔥

[@camreese1444]

Sorry if I missed this but what power tubes did you have in this? This thing is slamming like it’s got a 100W transformer. Sounds way better than other demos.. anything unique going on?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

6V6 tubes

[@camreese1444]

I think it was those ceramic pickups that made things sound next level. Would I need to pair an OD pedal to get a similar result w passive pickups? Or can you set the on board ODs to achieve the same result?

[@mikaniemi5288]

Great amp....BUT, what the h3ll you use to polish your guitars? 😀 I really appreciate people who take care of their loved ones.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Haha I don't, just wipe it with a microfiber cloth

[@progpogs]

Hope I didn't miss this, but did you use the direct out, or your redseven to load it post poweramp?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

RedSeven

[@shreder75]

I think the Ben Richards T shirt adds to the tone 😅

[@SpectralUltra]

Astro vs Fireball25 would be cool.

[@moonelfcosmo]

Agreed. I have both. They are awesome and very different from each other.

[@gazzaduce3424]

@@moonelfcosmowhich do you prefer and is it close ?

[@SpectralUltra]

Planning to put up a stereo rig with those two. Have you tried that?@@moonelfcosmo

[@keithclayton1271]

Heard some Opeth.

[@Middlestepofficial]

Eats the Mesa Boogie for lunch!

[@spoonerluv]

Not gonna lie I like the LED more than the amp itself haha

[@SonicDriveStudio]

It looks sweet!

[@GeoffSweet]

No, it didn't. It's great...but it's different and therefore not better. Just different.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I agree actually! I'm going to compare them soon though and see how close I can make the Astro sound to the SLO. They might get close but not the same, or at least that's what I'm expecting

[@GeoffSweet]

@@SonicDriveStudio they get EXTREMELY close...I have the SLO-30,my buddy the Astro...and it's quite amazing...it comes down to what you want to do with it. For guys who just want to plug into a nice 2 x 12 or 4 x 12 and get it on...the SLO is the way to go...the Astro...gives you all kinds of flexibility that modern (not me) guitarists want...lol.

[@highgainmaster7856]

good demo bad amp

[@briegleruyet4139]

You need ears?

[@highgainmaster7856]

@@briegleruyet4139 You definitely got astro.I just had my ears cleaned...Fanboy

[@briegleruyet4139]

@@highgainmaster7856 I don't have any soldano. And I recognize this brighty and definite sound of soldano but with a bit more beefy than slo. Perfect.

[@briegleruyet4139]

@@highgainmaster7856 the only thing I'm not agree with is Price. I always love soldano sound. I practiced one Time on slo100 and it was marvelous. I prefer this sound to mesa or 5150. But it's toi expensive.

[@rredzone]

@@briegleruyet4139so great demo, great amp, and too pricey in your opinion.