Modeling Lover + Tube?

[RandomHero]

Hello all. I've been around long enough now to know the difference in warmth between tube and solid state amps, and of course, I can't get enough of the tubes. Unfortunately, my very diverse tonalities makes it most efficient for me and my wallet to use modeling amps.

My next modeling amp may very well be my last. It's a Behringer 1x12 combo with 120 watts of solid state power, and it can drive one or two 4x12 extension cabs. I know the V-Amp preamp very well and can get any tone I want out of it.

Here's my question! If I were to take a tube preamp, like a Paia Tubehead or a mic preamp, and put it through the serial effects loop, would that add some warmth to my sound? I've heard both that any tubes anywhere will warm up a sound, and that you need an all-tube path for it to do any good for you.

Thanks.

[RJB]

Well yes and no.
Purists will always want an all tube path. What most purists like is the natural comprossion that occurs when a tube rectifier power supply sags. They also like the power stage distortion which has a softer edge than preamp distortion. All these were by-products of design flaws in early amplifier designs.

Many recent recordings have been done with the Line 6 Pod run into the mixing board through a tube powered mic preamp.

Most modern modeling amps actually have well designed almost sterile power amps. I would imagine that the effects loop would be a perfect place for a tube preamp. I'm a bit of a novice with tubes myself, but VOX valvetronix hybrids I'm lusting after do sound better than any other SS or hybrid I've tried.

[dinis64]

The newer 30 watt Valvetronix amps aren't too pricey. I don't know if they have an external speaker jack or what specific features they have, but if I didn't already have several amps, I'd probably get one.

As far as using the effects loop, maybe try it at a store?

[Keebo]

This question pops up a lot on the Line 6 POD forum. Some noticed a good improvement, some only minor improvement, and others no improvement. I think it really depends on your style of music, technique, base tone and other gear used.

I recently acquired a Peavey Rockmaster tube preamp and I run it through a POD XT into a EL84 powered Atomic Reactor 1x12. The XT is in bypass and is used for FX and cab modeling when recording direct from the RM. I'm digging the tube > digital > tube path for now.

Tubes and modelling technology can coexist .

[bam]

Just another thought ..

Most modern rock players (esp. alt rock/nu metal) nowadays tends to not driving their tube amp as hard as it was by old-school players; instead, they optimize whatever it is inside their stompboxes/rack units.

As for me, I'm satisfied enough to have an old cheap Korg Ax100G (a small modeler is built-in). But I think I wanted a V-Amp2 or something like..

Question (Random): are you getting a VAmpire?

[RandomHero]

Yeah, I'm gonna buy their 2X12 model which comes out sometime soon. I -highly- reccomend the V-Amp2 if you've got a speaker and power amp or even combo with a good clean channel that has enough muscle. I personally am just getting into my first band and will need to upgrade from my Marshall anyway, so I'll be getting the VAmpire.

[bam]

My friend has a 1x12 VAmpire, and it's the only Behringer product I've ever admired .. Since then I wanted a V-Amp2; my current amp is a 25W 1x10 solidstate Fender Frontman, nice clean channel and I think a Vamp would fit perfectly in.., but a wah pedal (Ibz WD7) is on higher priority

[guitarist]

Do yourself a BIG favour and get a VHT Valvulator and put that betwixt you axe and modeller. Georgous tone and no clipping. I could not beleive the amazing improvement.

Guitarist

[bam]

wha ? $1300
from where can I get such amount of money
(and IMHO, if I can get such thing already, I won't even consider a Vamp - $130)