Going Ampless - 5 Tips for Using an Amp Modeller with Your Pedalboard

[@onenotesolo256]

Latency challenge in a hybrid rig: I just jumped into this as a backup / Plan B rig if I’m not allowed to take my usual tube amp(s). If I’m having to reluctantly run digi, I might as well get the full value, which means stereo. I still want the sound of an amp behind me, so have been experimenting with the capture device L output going > FRFR > FOH, and the R output going straight to FOH. This brings in extra latency, which you can actually hear on the dotted 8th delay-type stuff where you need it to be exactly on the beat. The FRFR isn’t doing any DA/AD conversion as far as I know, so we reduced the issue by trying to match the cable lengths: I.e., 20ft cable from capture device > FOH, and the. 10ft cables for both the capture device > FRFR and then FRFR to FOH. For small club gigs where I’m not mic’d up, it’s 2 small tube amps running w/d and a nice pedalboard all day. And yes the audience can also hear the difference when they are listening to the amps in the room, rather than mic’d cabs that are much the same as modellers (although the feel/vibe drops with digital). Thanks for the video, Leigh. Lots of useful info. Agree with you about setting gain pedals very differently!

[@MasterSplinterPDX]

It seems to me that using an amp modeler pedal and running direct to the FOH, then having your own in ear monitor rack so that there's a silent stage (except drums) MUST sound better for the audience than the traditional amps and wedge monitors onstage setup. With the latter setup, you've got the amps behind the players pushing air out toward the audience, the microphone that is picking up the cab and pushing it through the house sound system, and the wedge monitors point usually in the opposite direction of the amps. It's not only loud, but it's got tons of reflections and phase issues to deal with that are eliminated by using modelers. I mean, it must sound as clear and clean as can be. I just got my modeler and built my IEM rack, but I've yet to play a gig with this ampless/silent stage setup. I'm super excited to try it out.

[@alessiograziani6355]

Thanks for this video. I own a hybrid rig composed of the Amped1, 1 boost, 2 overdrives and a delay, and I'm really satisfied with it (I'm just an amateur). I can use it at home silently, I can use it while gigging going directly in the PA, and the Amped has two good solid tones. I would like to try the stereo experience and was thinking about replacing the Amped1 with an HXStomp or Hotone Ampero Stomp. I'm a bit surprised that you do not use reverb, delay and chorus from the HX Stomp.

[@LeighFugeGuitar]

Thanks for checking the video out! The Amped1 is killer, I have never tried it on a gig but I keep meaning to! I love using it at home though. I do use the HX Stomp for delay, but I just have a chorus pedal and reverb pedal that I like the sound of so much that I use those. The HX has amazing reverbs and choruses, but I love the TC June 60 Chorus and HoF Reverb so they're my go to units.

[@QuickSticks8771]

I have just made the leap to full digital and finding that once I take my pedal board and a FRFR cab to rehearsals and gigs I may as well have just brought my deluxe reverb I’m certainly not a touring musician but have found for any local gig ,as long as your guitar is not radically louder than the drums nobody minds Then my gig feels the same as my rehearsal Haven’t taken the leap to in ears as yet Small steps !!

[@TechyTimM]

Nice tips - thanks for posting!

[@shanerose5348]

+5 for invasion of your privacy shirt. That album was epic.

[@LeighFugeGuitar]

I love that album! There is not enough people wearing Ratt tshirts in 2024! We need more of them

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

I can see many advantages, but I am old school and like feedback. How do you do that without a sustainer or something ? I play loud blues rock and metal . That said, I want to go digital with just a delay, micro pitch and maybe some reverb and chorus and a wah. Has to be my Morley. I love that thing.

[@onenotesolo256]

Digitech Freqout

[@shroommcfanta2020]

Good stuff..thx

[@colwight]

I notice you went through changing the cabinet in the modeller but not the amp. But I’m assuming changing the amp would work just as well. Thus effectively giving you the option of switching amps during the course of a gig. I also wonder about how careful you need to be using drives and distortion into the modeller particularly overdriving the input level. In a tube amp that can produce a nice sound, but with digital does it just produce clipping and distortion? (Ah just heard you discuss this in the wrap up).

[@LeighFugeGuitar]

Yeah, that was just to highlight a different way to amplify the existing sound you have, I based it around having a set amp sound that you want to use, it's just different ways to run that same sound BUT the same principle applies with amp models too. The amp model will change your overall sound. Also, with running drives I mention in another part of this video that they will react slightly different into the front of a digital unit, for the exact reason you mention there. The compression you get from hitting a valve amp harder is much different than what you get running into a digital modeller. I always recommend people spend a little time experimenting with their pedals and set them to what sounds good, not what the knobs tell you is good, because they will react slightly differently.

[@iamstan_rimp]

What FRFR are you using?

[@guitartoneSA]

There's a reason Josh from JHS pedals demos all his pedals through a Kemper...because it's still king.

[@gigsandguitars6921]

I’m still trying to go “guitarless” 😂

[@LeighFugeGuitar]

Just show up to a gig with your amp and pedals hah!

[@martiboucat]

FRFR is the worst sound on stage you can have, in my opinion. I much prefer running a modeller without a cab simulation to the fxloop return of a solid state amp with a good speaker. You split the signal at the end and you have in ears or front of house (or both) and the stage volume. The Line 6 Catalyst is, in part, created for stage volume with a guitar cabinet instead of a FRFR (in their case, the Line6 Powercab). I use a Blackstar IDCore 100 because it has a stereo fxloop and it's great for wet dry or stereo. Speakers could be better.

[@onenotesolo256]

Latency challenge in a hybrid rig: I just jumped into this as a backup / Plan B rig if I’m not allowed to take my usual tube amp(s). If I’m having to reluctantly run digi, I might as well get the full value, which means stereo. I still want the sound of an amp behind me, so have been experimenting with the capture device L output going > FRFR > FOH, and the R output going straight to FOH. This brings in extra latency, which you can actually hear on the dotted 8th delay-type stuff where you need it to be exactly on the beat. The FRFR isn’t doing any DA/AD conversion as far as I know, so we reduced the issue by trying to match the cable lengths: I.e., 20ft cable from capture device > FOH, and the. 10ft cables for both the capture device > FRFR and then FRFR to FOH. For small club gigs where I’m not mic’d up, it’s 2 small tube amps running w/d and a nice pedalboard all day. And yes the audience can also hear the difference when they are listening to the amps in the room, rather than mic’d cabs that are much the same as modellers (although the feel/vibe drops with digital). Thanks for the video, Leigh. Lots of useful info. Agree with you about setting gain pedals very differently!