Is the RH450 a modelling amp?

BasHermus · #1 06-10-2011, 06:39 AM

Since I've been on the lookout for a new amp (and the RH450 is one of the contenders), one of it's features piqued my curiosity:
-The digital out (pre/post eq)

Given the flexibility and features of the thing, combined with this digital out, leads me to believe that it is in fact a digital modelling amp (like the Line6 and Roland stuff).
They are simply clever enough not to market it as such.

Does anybody know whether this is true or not(and if not, why would anybody include a digital out on a bass amp????)?

recreate.me · #2 06-10-2011, 08:36 AM

I am not the most knowledgable but I believe that digital refers to the power amp is a digital power amp.

gnjpowell · #3 06-10-2011, 08:42 AM

The RH450 does have a digital out, it could be used for recording directly to digital. So-called "digital power amps" are a misnomer. I guess you could call the RH450 a "modeling amp" in that it can simulate tube pre-amp and tube power-amp sound in general but not a specific amp model. The RH450 is one AWESOME piece of technology!

Munjibunga · #4 06-10-2011, 08:48 AM

I wouldn't call it a modeling amp. Like many other amps, it has a couple knobs that can distort the tone to resemble an overdriven tube amp. Aguilar's AG500 can do this too, for example. The RH450 does have some pretty cool features, though.

BasHermus · #5 06-10-2011, 05:00 PM

Well, calling it a modelling amp, did not really conveyed what I meant (since it doesn't try to model any specific amp).

I was just wondering how digital the signal path is.

Is it Bass >> AD converter >> tube sim + Eq etc. >> DA converter >> Class D amp ???

Or is it something else?

I simply can't imagine them adding the digital out on it (who needs that ????) it the signal wasn't digital to begin with.

Alex1984 · #6 06-10-2011, 05:31 PM

The question is probably better worded as "Doe the RH450 have an all-analog signal path"?

ubercore · #7 06-10-2011, 05:50 PM

My guess, with the programmable controls, tube simulation, speaker simulation, and digital out, that its most likely a modelling amp.

fdeck · #8 06-10-2011, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BasHermus

Is it Bass >> AD converter >> tube sim + Eq etc. >> DA converter >> Class D amp ???

This is probably it. Seems like a great idea. No more scratchy pots, ever. Avoiding the term "modeling" makes marketing sense. Just let people play the amp and decide if they like how it sounds.

Rick Auricchio · #9 06-10-2011, 06:38 PM

Here's the block diagram. The manual doesn't mention whether the signal path is analog or digital.

I agree with others that the term "modeling" implies the ability to mimic other amps, which the RH450 doesn't do.

fdeck · #10 06-10-2011, 07:20 PM

I'm only guessing that it's digital, because of the ability to store presets.

Rick Auricchio · #11 06-10-2011, 08:26 PM

We should ask in the RH450 thread. Uffe from TC occasionally reads that thread.

Then again, he may show up in this thread.

4StringsEnough · #12 06-11-2011, 01:31 AM

I think it's all analogue with digital control. Much like the distortions on their Nova System.

BasHermus · #13 06-11-2011, 05:01 AM

It could well be all analog (like the RNC compressor, with only the controls being digital).

But, in that case, having a digital out would still be a costly thing, since it is not really a feature a lot of people will pay for.
That's why I thought that the signal path is all digital...

Which worries me a bit (not for the sound, cause if it sounds good, it sounds good), but for repairabilty 10 years down the road.

If I pay approximately 1200 euros for an amp + cab, I really want to be able to use it for the next 20 years (or more).

Eublet · #14 06-11-2011, 06:16 AM

Preamplifier processing is all digital. That doesn't make it a modeling amp. Think about how most everything is recorded these days, into Protools or Logic, where it is digitized. From there they apply EQ, filters, FX, and perhaps modeling, all through plugins. All that is digital also. The RH450 could be considered something similar, because it processes at a very high bit rate and resolution.

seamonkey · #15 06-11-2011, 07:00 AM

RH450 docs do declare the TubeTone as an emulator.

The RH450 can sound like other amps, it doesn't have a cabinet emulator/modeler

Modeler
Emulator
Simulator

Marketers get to use whatever words they want.
TC may be holding on to "Modeler" for a future amp.

Eublet · #16 06-11-2011, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamonkey

RH450 docs do declare the TubeTone as an emulator.

The RH450 can sound like other amps, it doesn't have a cabinet emulator/modeler

Modeler
Emulator
Simulator

Marketers get to use whatever words they want.
TC may be holding on to "Modeler" for a future amp.

I don't think this is marketing subjection. The word "modeler" conveys that it is trying to sound like a specific head, which it isn't that I know of. It's definitely simulating or emulating tube circuitry in general though.

fdeck · #17 06-11-2011, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamonkey

RH450 docs do declare the TubeTone as an emulator.

The RH450 can sound like other amps, it doesn't have a cabinet emulator/modeler

Modeler
Emulator
Simulator

Marketers get to use whatever words they want.
TC may be holding on to "Modeler" for a future amp.

Agreed. Those are all marketing buzzwords.

Simulating the polar response of an 8x10 cabinet would be an interesting trick for a modeling amp.

thereturnfc · #18 06-14-2011, 08:38 PM

I always think of digital amp as an amp that has been process digitally. Modeling amp for amp that could reproduced other's reputation amps(usually more than one) and usually being done digitally
As a user , I have a feeling that certains part of tc's are digitalized but in a good way such as tubetone , etc. But this amp is not a modeling amp tho it might have certain sound like some other older amp( from what I been reading review and comment in TB)

Eublet · #19 06-14-2011, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thereturnfc

I always think of digital amp as an amp that has been process digitally. Modeling amp for amp that could reproduced other's reputation amps(usually more than one) and usually being done digitally
As a user , I have a feeling that certains part of tc's are digitalized but in a good way such as tubetone , etc. But this amp is not a modeling amp tho it might have certain sound like some other older amp( from what I been reading review and comment in TB)

Everything in the preamp is done digitally, including EQ, compression, tube tone, tweeter tone, etc. Extremely flexible and powerful format. Folks don't seem to mind it in a studio, but get worried when there's talk of it being in a bass head. I understand in a sense, but this isn't some crappy DSP like we've seen in so many other products. Folks should use their ears.

funkinbottom · #20 06-14-2011, 08:58 PM

If this helps
TC Electronic | RH450 - bass amp 2.0