Using an Aguilar Tone Hammer 700 Amp as a preamp

[MattyJman]

Hi guys,

just checking if anyone has used their Aguilar Tone Hammer 700 amp as a preamp to plug into the DI at gigs?

I am curious to see how it goes as it will be very handy for me to use when I tour overseas and don’t always have access to a cab to plug into but don’t want to rely on the sound guy to pull a decent sound for me?

tia

 

[chris_b]

Just checking if anyone has used their Aguilar Tone Hammer 700 amp as a preamp to plug into the DI at gigs?
I am curious to see how it goes as it will be very handy for me to use when I tour overseas and don’t always have access to a cab to plug into but don’t want to rely on the sound guy to pull a decent sound for me?

But you are reliant on the sound man for your sound, no matter what DI you use.

Most guys running FOH will supply a decent DI box. That's what I usually play through and I've not been given a bad sound yet.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Hi guys,

just checking if anyone has used their Aguilar Tone Hammer 700 amp as a preamp to plug into the DI at gigs?

I am curious to see how it goes as it will be very handy for me to use when I tour overseas and don’t always have access to a cab to plug into but don’t want to rely on the sound guy to pull a decent sound for me?

tia

Yes, you can do what your asking about just fine. I have done so depending on the nature of the gig.

 

[Al Kraft]

Based on my TH500 experience I'd say it'll work fine and you'll be pleased...and I predict that the sound tech will be pleased as well.

 

[hennessybass]

Yes! No problem at all.

I’ve used the TH amp as a preamp (with no cab) in a few different situations. Once when I did a few rehearsals with a band that used IEMs, and also when making a record into the recording console.

IMO, the TH is well suited for this. If you have the drive up between 12-2 o’clock - you basically have a “cab-sim”.

Make sure your DI is set to “post” of course.

 

[MattyJman]

Yes! No problem at all.

I’ve used the TH amp as a preamp (with no cab) in a few different situations. Once when I did a few rehearsals with a band that used IEMs, and also when making a record into the recording console.

IMO, the TH is well suited for this. If you have the drive up between 12-2 o’clock - you basically have a “cab-sim”.

Make sure your DI is set to “post” of course.

Awesome great to hear that I have this application for when I am touring and don’t always have access to a cab! Thanks for the tip with post haha obvious but good to mention

 

[MattyJman]

Based on my TH500 experience I'd say it'll work fine and you'll be pleased...and I predict that the sound tech will be pleased as well.

Cheers for your response! Yes I would say the soundy would be pleased

 

[MattyJman]

But you are reliant on the sound man for your sound, no matter what DI you use.

Most guys running FOH will supply a decent DI box. That's what I usually play through and I've not been given a bad sound yet.

Yes absolutely I do understand, just want to have a fall back plan for overseas touring when I don’t always have a cab with me

 

[Inconnu]

Yes! No problem at all.

I’ve used the TH amp as a preamp (with no cab) in a few different situations. Once when I did a few rehearsals with a band that used IEMs, and also when making a record into the recording console.

IMO, the TH is well suited for this. If you have the drive up between 12-2 o’clock - you basically have a “cab-sim”.

Make sure your DI is set to “post” of course.

Oh! You mean that it sounds amp-like through the DI? Does it do a kind of SansAmp without the mid scoop type of thing?

I recently tried and really like a TH350 and I’m curious. I like it as an amp. I usually record directly through a SansAmp RBI, but I blend with the clean sound because of the mid scoop. So, if it can replace my amp and SansAmp, it’s even better for me.

 

[hennessybass]

Oh! You mean that it sounds amp-like through the DI? Does it do a kind of SansAmp without the mid scoop type of thing?

I recently tried and really like a TH350 and I’m curious. I like it as an amp. I usually record directly through a SansAmp RBI, but I blend with the clean sound because of the mid scoop. So, if it can replace my amp and SansAmp, it’s even better for me.

It has been years since I've used a SansAmp... I never really liked them, but that was a long time ago, and I might have better luck now. To me the TH sounds nothing like a SansAmp.

On the TH... Assuming that you are using for recording, or a silent stage, or without a cab...
If you put the DI in "post" and use the Drive control, you are getting an eq curve that, to me, looks like an EQ curve that you might get out of a cab - kind of an "old school" thing... think no tweeter, maybe sealed.

Here is a graph of the amp (all EQ at noon) with the drive control off (white line) and the drive at 3pm (green line). You can see the really steep roll off at about 3K (similar to a cab with no tweeter), and a nice low end roll off.

I've never seen anything from Agular that calls this "cab sim" or indicates that it is "amp like", but look at it... it's a nice curve if you are not using an amp. Also a nice curve if you are using dirt and fuzz (tame the top end).

This is done by user @Eublet -- the post is here.... Aguilar - Official 'Tone Hammer 500' 3.8lbs 500w Megathread!


If you go back and read the thread - around where I have linked to it - Eublet talks about the SansAmp, and the TH... he says that with the Drive set at 3pm or higher, the treble knob on the TH acts similar to the presences knob on the SansAmp.

 

[Al Kraft]

Oh! You mean that it sounds amp-like through the DI? Does it do a kind of SansAmp without the mid scoop type of thing?

I recently tried and really like a TH350 and I’m curious. I like it as an amp. I usually record directly through a SansAmp RBI, but I blend with the clean sound because of the mid scoop. So, if it can replace my amp and SansAmp, it’s even better for me.

IMO the TH can give you a bit of a cab sim EQ as the drive control acts as a variable HPF/LPF. However, that is actually something that will enhance the mid frequency focus/presence, not scoop it. That mid enhancement will also often be easier to slot into a mix than the SansAmp's inherent mid scoop.

The SansAmp BDDI is different in that it provides an analog emulation of a mic'ed amp/cab combination - or it can be simple DI with EQ with the blend turned all the way down (no influence of the SansAmp circuitry). The SansAmp circuitry has a bit of an inherent mid scoop as its starting point to my ear. The Aguilar TH is more neutral in its starting point and the drive control along with various gain settings can change that (literally revoicing the amp) as can the EQ controls.

Others may hear it differently but this is my simplified take on it. I own two Tech 21 BDDI's (the newer V2 and the version before it), the PDDI, and their VT Bass V2. I also own the Aguilar TH DI pedal and a TH 500.

 

[Inconnu]

IMO the TH can give you a bit of a cab sim EQ as the drive control acts as a variable HPF/LPF. However, that is actually something that will enhance the mid frequency focus/presence, not scoop it. That mid enhancement will also often be easier to slot into a mix than the SansAmp's inherent mid scoop.

The SansAmp BDDI is different in that it provides an analog emulation of a mic'ed amp/cab combination - or it can be simple DI with EQ with the blend turned all the way down (no influence of the SansAmp circuitry). The SansAmp circuitry has a bit of an inherent mid scoop as its starting point to my ear. The Aguilar TH is more neutral in its starting point and the drive control along with various gain settings can change that (literally revoicing the amp) as can the EQ controls.

Others may hear it differently but this is my simplified take on it. I own two Tech 21 BDDI's (the newer V2 and the version before it), the PDDI, and their VT Bass V2. I also own the Aguilar TH DI pedal and a TH 500.

So, in other words, a completely different beast with a different sound.

 

[Inconnu]

It has been years since I've used a SansAmp... I never really liked them, but that was a long time ago, and I might have better luck now. To me the TH sounds nothing like a SansAmp.

On the TH... Assuming that you are using for recording, or a silent stage, or without a cab...
If you put the DI in "post" and use the Drive control, you are getting an eq curve that, to me, looks like an EQ curve that you might get out of a cab - kind of an "old school" thing... think no tweeter, maybe sealed.

Here is a graph of the amp (all EQ at noon) with the drive control off (white line) and the drive at 3pm (green line). You can see the really steep roll off at about 3K (similar to a cab with no tweeter), and a nice low end roll off.
View attachment 4883128


I've never seen anything from Agular that calls this "cab sim" or indicates that it is "amp like", but look at it... it's a nice curve if you are not using an amp. Also a nice curve if you are using dirt and fuzz (tame the top end).

This is done by user @Eublet -- the post is here.... Aguilar - Official 'Tone Hammer 500' 3.8lbs 500w Megathread!


If you go back and read the thread - around where I have linked to it - Eublet talks about the SansAmp, and the TH... he says that with the Drive set at 3pm or higher, the treble knob on the TH acts similar to the presences knob on the SansAmp.

Wow. That’s cool.

The thing is I really liked that amp when I tried it through what I was told to be a very transparent cab. Pushing the drive a bit just at the point where it breaks off when you dig in just sounded great.

Thanks for the scientific answer!