Speaker Sim/Cab Sim pedal options?

Rickter

Rickter

Nov 30, 2006
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#1
Lately have been looking into pedal sized options for speaker sim/cabinet sim. Of course there's the usual suspects like the Two Notes CAB or the OmniCabSim pedal. Lately have been looking into the Tech 21 Q/Strip for a cab sim. If you have been using the Q/Strip in this particular capacity, what has your experience been like?

Recently I read suggestions that engaging a high pass filter and a low pass filter could somewhat accurately filter frequencies to emulate the sound of a tweeter-less sealed cab (aka the fridge). I had seen these suggestions while investigating the Tech21 Q/strip as a possible cab emulator. I had seen someone in another thread suggest the ART 131 EQ (a rack piece) as it includes a variable HPF and LPF on it's front panel.

If someone were trying to establish a simple pedalboard (tuner > Comp > Sansamp/Darkglass > speaker sim) what options are out there, in your experience, that could reasonably emulate a speaker/cabinet, aside from the Two Notes CAB or the OmniCabSim? I was particularly interested in the Q/Strip, as I would prefer to stay as close to all analog as possible, but I could be swayed for the right reasons (cost/tone/versatility).

So TB, talk to me, what do you like for Speaker/Cab simulation on your pedalboards?

**EDIT: To clarify, I am looking for options other than the Torpedo CAB or the OmniCabSim.
 
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#2
i'm using omnicabsim with darkglass as well.

i chose it over torpedo because the omnicabsim is much more straight forward,
but if you're into tweaking stuff (loading third party IRs etc) the torpedo is probably the way to go... but to me, the omnicabsim has its own voice that's not a replica of existing sound like loading an Ampeg IR
 
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#3
I own the torpedo CAB and love it, especially the power amp emulator! I owned the omnicabsim previously and it's really good, in fact I would give it the slight edge over the torpedo in the cab sim department. However for my tone I couldn't give up the torpedo power amp so I stuck with it and sold the omnicabsim.
Both great though
 
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#4
rulefuzz said:
i'm using omnicabsim with darkglass as well.

i chose it over torpedo because the omnicabsim is much more straight forward,
but if you're into tweaking stuff (loading third party IRs etc) the torpedo is probably the way to go... but to me, the omnicabsim has its own voice that's not a replica of existing sound like loading an Ampeg IR
Click to expand...
I like what I saw with the Torpedo CAB, but I want to go with as much as an "idiot proof" option as possible. I prefer to have pieces that I can be confident won't fail at critical moments. Hence my preference for analog pieces rather than digital.
Have you tried any options other than the OmniCabSim? Or have you heard of any other options that are suitable for bass use? Have seen where some tried using the H&K Red Box, but with questionable results.... What I'm gunning for is the sound of the classic no-tweeter sealed cab.
 
#5
Hubriser said:
I own the torpedo CAB and love it, especially the power amp emulator! I owned the omnicabsim previously and it's really good, in fact I would give it the slight edge over the torpedo in the cab sim department. However for my tone I couldn't give up the torpedo power amp so I stuck with it and sold the omnicabsim.
Both great though
Click to expand...
Not being thoroughly familiar with the Torpedo CAB, in your experience does it have the means to emulate a GK RB series power section? (I realize that may be more of a "feel" thing than a sonic quality, but still...)
 
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#11
XLunacy said:
It'd help if you told us what it is that you don't like about the OmniCabSim, because judging from your posts it is exactly what you are looking for.
Click to expand...
Nothing that I don't like about it. I am simply looking for alternatives to it. Consider it consumer shopping. I wanted to find out what else is on the market which might fill the same niche.
 
#12
Rickter said:
Not being thoroughly familiar with the Torpedo CAB, in your experience does it have the means to emulate a GK RB series power section? (I realize that may be more of a "feel" thing than a sonic quality, but still...)
Click to expand...
Anything you can find IRs for or any amp/cab you can get your hands on to create your own IRS is doable with a torpedo CAB. That said I'm not familiar with any specific GK RB IRs. However I did find a site of free IRs which had GK, Matt amp, ampeg IRs which sound great but no idea what GK series it is.

I've found it to be totally reliable and doesn't require a lot effort up front. Plus popping some headphones on and picking through your favorite power tubes, classic mics and legendary cabinets to do some practice is insanely rewarding!
 
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#14
Which sansamp and darkglass are you using? Are you sure that you actually need a cab sim, or is it just to have additional tone shaping ability? I only bring this up because at one point I was convinced that I needed a cab sim since I usually go direct during live shows. After extensive research, I came across the thread where Doug plugged the omnicab, but also mentioned that the darkglass pedals have some of those qualities built in. Turns out I hadn't actually taken a good listen to what I sound like through the DI of my Vintage. Lo and behold, when I listened to direct recordings and live clips using my ears rather than my desire to buy stuff, the Vintage Deluxe actually had a great sound that, with a little tweaking from the EQ, sounded great. No sub lows (that I could easily detect), smooth high end that cuts off before tweeter range. I saved myself some money. Of course everyone has their own preferences, but I just thought I'd bring it up.

Ps when I owned a B3K I didn't hear that same "vintage cab" quality.
 
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#15
PotsdamBass8 said:
Which sansamp and darkglass are you using? Are you sure that you actually need a cab sim, or is it just to have additional tone shaping ability? I only bring this up because at one point I was convinced that I needed a cab sim since I usually go direct during live shows. After extensive research, I came across the thread where Doug plugged the omnicab, but also mentioned that the darkglass pedals have some of those qualities built in. Turns out I hadn't actually taken a good listen to what I sound like through the DI of my Vintage. Lo and behold, when I listened to direct recordings and live clips using my ears rather than my desire to buy stuff, the Vintage Deluxe actually had a great sound that, with a little tweaking from the EQ, sounded great. No sub lows (that I could easily detect), smooth high end that cuts off before tweeter range. I saved myself some money. Of course everyone has their own preferences, but I just thought I'd bring it up.

Ps when I owned a B3K I didn't hear that same "vintage cab" quality.
Click to expand...
I can definitely appreciate your perspective there, so thanks for mentioning that a cab sim might not be necessary.

If I go the Sansamp route I'll be going with a ParaDriver V2. If I go the Darkglass route, it'll be an Alpha Omega or possibly a BK7 Ultra. My goal when going this route will be to emulate my GK 1001RB through my sealed, tweeterless cab. It can vary some, I'm not gonna be a huge stickler for that exact sound, but would like something close. When playing live, have found that the DI signal has a lot more top end than my stage sound and I would like to a) have consistency between the two, and b) have the option of DI only signal for gigs and know that its the same tone as my amp rig.
 
#16
Rickter said:
Lately have been looking into pedal sized options for speaker sim/cabinet sim. Of course there's the usual suspects like the Two Notes CAB or the OmniCabSim pedal. Lately have been looking into the Tech 21 Q/Strip for a cab sim. If you have been using the Q/Strip in this particular capacity, what has your experience been like?

Recently I read suggestions that engaging a high pass filter and a low pass filter could somewhat accurately filter frequencies to emulate the sound of a tweeter-less sealed cab (aka the fridge). I had seen these suggestions while investigating the Tech21 Q/strip as a possible cab emulator. I had seen someone in another thread suggest the ART 131 EQ (a rack piece) as it includes a variable HPF and LPF on it's front panel.

If someone were trying to establish a simple pedalboard (tuner > Comp > Sansamp/Darkglass > speaker sim) what options are out there, in your experience, that could reasonably emulate a speaker/cabinet, aside from the Two Notes CAB or the OmniCabSim? I was particularly interested in the Q/Strip, as I would prefer to stay as close to all analog as possible, but I could be swayed for the right reasons (cost/tone/versatility).

So TB, talk to me, what do you like for Speaker/Cab simulation on your pedalboards?

**EDIT: To clarify, I am looking for options other than the Torpedo CAB or the OmniCabSim.
Click to expand...

Here's my 2 cents. I have spent a lot of time and money experimenting and it all comes down to the type of tone you have!
If you have a lot of distortion/overdrive to your sound then I highly recommend the OmniCabSim.
It just works great when you have that tone.
However if you're like me and have just a hint of drive mixed in with your clean tone (so overall more of a clean sound) then I have found the very best cabinet sim, that really isn't a cab sim at all, but it works just like one and it's incredible!
It's the A Designs REDDI. Trust me on this, it works and it's awesome. I use several darkglass units on my pedalboard and get lots of compliments on my sound all the time! However I just use a very small amount of distortion and that's why the REDDI works.

So your tonal goals are the key to getting the right unit!

Good luck!
 
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#18
Rickter said:
I can definitely appreciate your perspective there, so thanks for mentioning that a cab sim might not be necessary.

If I go the Sansamp route I'll be going with a ParaDriver V2. If I go the Darkglass route, it'll be an Alpha Omega or possibly a BK7 Ultra. My goal when going this route will be to emulate my GK 1001RB through my sealed, tweeterless cab. It can vary some, I'm not gonna be a huge stickler for that exact sound, but would like something close. When playing live, have found that the DI signal has a lot more top end than my stage sound and I would like to a) have consistency between the two, and b) have the option of DI only signal for gigs and know that its the same tone as my amp rig.
Click to expand...
Gotcha, I thought you had those two pedals already. I misunderstood.

Just another two things to consider, there's a GK Rails pedal that some TB members make that is supposed to do a good job of emulating the grind that you get when you push a GK amp. My understanding is that the 1001 doesn't have as much of this quality because it's a higher powered amp, so it needs to be cranked a ton to start to hit the rails. The other is the GK Plex (?) preamp. I haven't tried one, but it's supposed to be able to simulate various GK heads. It's basically their version of a Sansamp but with more features. If you're looking to get the sound of your 1001 into a sealed cab in a DI form, I would think the easiest way to do it would be to grab either of those two pedals that I mentioned and pair it with the omnicab. Good luck!
 
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#19
PotsdamBass8 said:
Gotcha, I thought you had those two pedals already. I misunderstood.

Just another two things to consider, there's a GK Rails pedal that some TB members make that is supposed to do a good job of emulating the grind that you get when you push a GK amp. My understanding is that the 1001 doesn't have as much of this quality because it's a higher powered amp, so it needs to be cranked a ton to start to hit the rails. The other is the GK Plex (?) preamp. I haven't tried one, but it's supposed to be able to simulate various GK heads. It's basically their version of a Sansamp but with more features. If you're looking to get the sound of your 1001 into a sealed cab in a DI form, I would think the easiest way to do it would be to grab either of those two pedals that I mentioned and pair it with the omnicab. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Good points. I have seen the Rails pedal, but I predominantly use the 1001 because of its clean power and headroom. The grind from hitting the rails isn't part of my usual sound. Have looked at the PLEX very seriously, but have been underwhelmed by the soundsamples I have heard in my research.
Part of my philosophy in my pedal research for this project is to acquire pieces that stand the lowest liability of breaking or freaking out at "mission critical" points. For this reason I am trying to avoid digital stuff for the most part. Things like beaming settings into pedals, loading IRs and pedals that are a pre/compressor/tuner/speaker sim in one box strike me as things that might have a higher probability of not working properly when you need them most. So, while the idea of a Plex and into an OmniCabSim and be done with it is appealing, I am wanting to look at my options before I drop the dimes.
 
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