Tubes for Recording / Shows, Class D Backup?

[Slough Feg Bass]

I do the Shuttle 9.0 for practice / most gigs.
larger gigs (driving multiple cabinets) I use a rack system RBI => QSC PLX 2420

for recording I use the B-15.

 

[agedhorse]

That "limiter" is not what you think it is. its a drive emulator indicator. The amp isn't hitting any limit there.

With the limit (output tube emulation) light on nearly all the time, the power amp is well beyond the design limits for this (and most) amps.

 

[IngloriousOz]

Does anyone here use a Class D workman’s amp for practice and have a “nice” tube amp for recording and shows?

After jacking around with many, many Class D amps, I’m finally at the point where I can admit that my Acoustic B1000HD is the best of the bunch. The others, if you’re curious are:

Sunn 1200s (fixed the heat sink but less than 1 year later developed volume fluctuations)

Kustom KXB500 (just not loud enough, volume fluctuations presumable from overtaxing the power amp)

Mesa D800+ (just not loud enough, limiter light is nearly always on).

So the Acoustic is the clear winner but has pretty well documented reliability issues which makes me leery of using it all the time.

I could just buy a second B1000HD but am thinking of just going with an Ampeg SVT-CL or Verellen MeatSmoke tube head for shows / recording.

Anyone else run this type of operation? Pros / cons?

I fall into this category, I don't want to put wear and tear on a heavy rig so it stays at home unless its a gig or a session. I've been using an Orange Terror 1000 as a reliable-as-hell backup / practice rig for several years without issue.

I've had a couple Sunn 1200s' and I believe the green (maybe red) PCB version is the more desirable version without the issues. Just way too much amp for me regardless.

 

[Ric Vice]

I'm kind of the opposite, I have Class D for all my live shows, and an Ampeg B-15N(C) for recording. My Monique M700 can get very loud, at least for anything I do.

 

[NKBassman]

Does anyone here use a Class D workman’s amp for practice and have a “nice” tube amp for recording and shows?

After jacking around with many, many Class D amps, I’m finally at the point where I can admit that my Acoustic B1000HD is the best of the bunch. The others, if you’re curious are:

Sunn 1200s (fixed the heat sink but less than 1 year later developed volume fluctuations)

Kustom KXB500 (just not loud enough, volume fluctuations presumable from overtaxing the power amp)

Mesa D800+ (just not loud enough, limiter light is nearly always on).

So the Acoustic is the clear winner but has pretty well documented reliability issues which makes me leery of using it all the time.

I could just buy a second B1000HD but am thinking of just going with an Ampeg SVT-CL or Verellen MeatSmoke tube head for shows / recording.

Anyone else run this type of operation? Pros / cons?

I have a Verellen Meatsmoke and an Aguilar TH500. The Aguilar gets most of the play time these days due to ease and portability, but the Verellen does sound better for sure. I wish I could bring the Verellen out more often, but 99% of my gigs don't warrant carrying a 120 lbs tube head around.

 

[jnsnj]

If money and space weren't concerns I would do this. But as it is the class D is more practical.

 

[NKBassman]

My most recent "solution": Aguilar TH500 and Broughton P15 preamp. Amazing tube tones with Class D portability.

 

[jthisdell]

I'm thinking of getting an Ampeg PF50t to leave at the drummer's house for rehearsals and using my Tonehammer 500 for gigs.

 

[LuckyScott]

I got the best of both worlds in one amp. GK MB800 fusion amp. Class D power amp and tube preamp. Sounds great and easy to move around due to its small size. While I have several amps, I use this one the most.

 

[Ric Vice]

My most recent "solution": Aguilar TH500 and Broughton P15 preamp. Amazing tube tones with Class D portability.

Is that the "Ampeg Preamp" that Broughton designed, they look incredible.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

If the Mesa D800 isn’t loud enough, you either have:

• Too much stage volume from the other guys
• Very inefficient speakers or not enough drivers
• Poor EQ/Scooping out too much midrange

 

[40Hz]

Mesa D800+ (just not loud enough, limiter light is nearly always on).

Huh? An amp pushing 800W under 4 ohm load isn’t loud enough? Is this still 1970 and the era of giant backlines?

I take it you don’t work with any FOH sound.

What do you use for a cab?

 

[hennessybass]

I gigged a '77 Bassman 100 for a long time, and kept a TH350 in my accessory case as a worst case scenario back up - especially out on road gigs.
Did some gigs with the TH350, liked it and switched to a TH500 and gigged that for a long time.

Back when I was playing tube amps, I would often take a class D head, or smaller tube amp (little bastard) for practice.
I have a B15 I've used on several recording sessions. IME, on a lot of recording sessions, the engineer wants you to go into what they have and like to use.

It's nice to have options.
I will say that, for me, it can be sometimes disorienting to switch amps if you've been on the same rig for a long time.
Like if you practice with one amp for weeks and weeks, get familiar with that sound and set of controls, then all the sudden you get on the gig with a completely different rig, it can kind of throw you off your game if you get to thinking about sound instead of playing.

 

[Dr. Gonzo82]

Only time I don't turn on my tube amps is when I need to play through headphones.

Life is too short not to use your favorite amp every time you play, may it be rehearsal or gig or even just jamming alone to a drum computer.

 

[rohi]

I currently use a class D for all rehearsal, practice and gigs. I'm working on an ampless pedalboard at the moment-- after that is a nice tube head for gigs and recording. I think a class D and a versatile pedalboard is more than sufficient these days, at least that's what I see in my circle.

 

[Flog]

Was using a Mesa D800 for rshl and gigging. Until I played/then bought an Ampeg V4B. the 'peg just sounds better. Creamy mids, more alive and fun to play. Now I have to rethink my situation. Maybe keep the Mesa for small gigs and the Ampeg for bigger shows... Hoping the V4B will be loud enough, I'm like the OP and frequently see the limit light on my D800 flashing.

 

[mcrawfordmusic]

I'm class D for gigs, and go even smaller (IEM and DI) for some rehearsals.
But if I did own a tube amp, I think it would be left at home for rehearsals only

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Nope. I own ONE amp. Class D. No need for anything else.

Except when a power surge, or something, fires that one at sound check

 

[_Some Dude]

I use a Strategy 8:88 for most gigs and some rehearsals.

I use a D800 for most rehearsals and some gigs.

Depends on how I feel on any particular day.

I brought my amp to the studio but wound up using their REDDI, which sounded outstanding.

 

[socialleper]

Except when a power surge, or something, fires that one at sound check

I've been playing for 25 years. I've never seen or experienced an amp blow at a show. At home when I'm doing something I shouldn't? Sure.
Anyway its an irrational fear. Playing local shows I never take an extra bass. There is only one usable one in my arsenal for any particular task anyway. I can't afford two of the exact same rig, and am certainly not going to lug it around.