ampeg/svt emulation observations.

[ihateusernames]

Has anyone else noticed a pile of boosted, excessive, muddy low end on these devices compared to commonly accepted recordings of actual SVT's?

IME software based, analog and digital SVT modelling all suffer with this on presets. Not that it can't be dialed out, just wondering why so many of them are preset or give suggested presets that don't sound much like popular rock recordings of the amp.

Are my ears way off?

Chime in with your personal observations and your favorite emulation.

At the moment my personal favorite is a Sansamp RPM because it gives a good overdriven emulation. I really like the ZOOM B9 for cleaner SVT tones.

[JimmyM]

Two of the most popular Ampeg items are the B-15's with the Thiele cabs, which are very strong on the 125 hz, and the SVT, which is more full range but also can get pretty dark if you want, especially the ones from the last few years. And because of that, most Ampeg emulators are nothing more than a boost on the low end and a 5k rolloff.

This is why the VT is such a strong pedal for Ampeg emulation. The character knob really goes a long way to add definition that the other emulators just don't consider. You can get mud if you want it, but you can also get a nice full-bodied tone that sounds a lot more like the recordings of SVT's you talk about.

[ihateusernames]

OHHH!!! I often forget of the B15's Jimmy. No offense, just rarely finds a home in the styles of music I most often pay attention to. It's still perplexing how they carry that over to SVT models without offereing suggested settings for rock. IME they are a bit more of a tweak than, for example turning the bass knob down on a Sansamp.

I need to buy a VT once live search is back to 25% (if one gets listed)

[kyral210]

Line 6 Bass Pod Xt

[ga_edwards]

Curiously I can get a cracking overdriven Billy Sheehan tone out of my Pandora using the B15 model, but not with the SVT which is what he uses. Hmmmm

[scotch]

It amazes me how many different SVT "emulations" are out there. And how different they all sound! When I see SVT claims these days, I generally roll my eyes...

I personally own or have owned the following devices that claim SVT-type tones:

SansAmp BDDI
Fulltone Bass-Drive
Fulltone Bass-Drive Mosfet
HAO Rust Ride
Bass POD
POD X3
Amplitube Ampeg plug-in
POD Farm plug-in

In my opinion, none of these really sound anything like the scores of SVT's I've played over the years. The closest emulation might be the current Line6 generation of models - but they still don't make me think: "Wow- that sounds just like a big, heavy SVT!".

What is amazing to me is how a group of such diverse and tonally different products all claim to be accomplishing the same tone. It's ridiculous! By Merlin's Beard - how the hell does a SABDDI sound anything like a Fulltone Bass-Drive????


Note: I am interested in trying the VT Bass, despite what I consider to be the least SVT-sounding of the bunch is from Tech21(the SABBDI).