3-stage rig architectures using various combinations of guitar speaker, full-range speaker, dummy load, cab-sim filter, and mic

Depending on what is used for the load and what type of speaker is used for the final monitoring, there are several versions of the 3-stage amp-rig. (In this section we can assume the classic TTS configuration: Tube preamp, Tube saturating power amp, Solid-state non-saturating final amp.) There are many forms of packaging guitar-processing technology (rackmount, head, pedal...), and ways of spreading the processors in a space or venue (stage, pro studio, cafe, home). To narrow down the possible varieties of configurations, I emphasize what a new guitarist would need for a standalone system. A new guitarist with no guitar-processing equipment needs a complete system; the preferred sort of packaging/configuration must:

• Provide all processing and monitoring in a single standalone system, not requiring a separate mixer, separate monitoring amplifier, or studio monitor or PA speakers.
• Enable hearing the fully processed sound at any level from zero or headphone level up to drum-kit level.
• Provide a fully processed line-level or mic-level signal, ready for mixing and recording.

A. Guitar speaker, mic, full-range speaker

Preamp
Saturating power amp
Guitar speaker
Mic
Post-breakup processing
   [Line Out]
Linear final amp
Full-range speaker

B. Guitar speaker, cab-sim filter, full-range speaker

Preamp
Saturating power amp
Guitar speaker
Cab-sim filter
Post-breakup processing
   [Line Out]
Linear final amp
Full-range speaker

C. Dummy load, cab-sim filter, full-range speaker

Preamp
Saturating power amp
Dummy load
Cab-sim filter
Post-breakup processing
   [Line Out]
Linear final amp
Full-range speaker

D. Dummy load, guitar speaker, mic

Preamp
Saturating power amp
Dummy load
Post-breakup processing
Linear final amp
Guitar speaker
   [Mic, Line Out]

E. Dummy load, cab-sim filter, guitar speaker

Preamp
Saturating power amp
Dummy load
Post-breakup processing
   [Cab-sim filter, Line Out]
Linear final amp
Guitar speaker

Major dummy load and/or cab-sim filter products

Power attenuator/ dummy load/ cab-sim filter

Power attenuator/ dummy load

Dummy load/ cab-sim filter

Dummy load

Cab-sim filter

Using a mini-PA as the final amp and full-range speakers, with support for additional instruments

You can use as little as two pieces of gear to put a "C" rig configuration together that would be portable and relatively inexpensive.

The Mesa/Boogie Subway amps have a built-in cab-sim filter, dummy load, and Line Out jack. $500 street.

The JBL EON15 Pak is a compact PA system. $625 street.

Building configuration C (Dummy Load, Cab-Sim Filter, Full-Range Speaker) using particular products

• Subway's preamp
• Subway's saturating power amp
• Subway's dummy load
• Subway's cab-sim filter
• EON15's input jack
• EON15's fx Send
•    Post-breakup processing
• EON15's fx Return
• EON15's linear final amp
• EON15's full-range speakers

Cost: $1300 new. With a piece or two of used gear, you could get it under $1,000. You'd have a rig that you could carry into a gig in one trip (gig bag and Subway amp in left hand, JBL EON in right hand), and have a very flexible system. You can also sing through the mini-PA, using the XLR mic input.

Such a PA is also good for putting together a 2-stage amp-rig (amp-modelling preamp/processor, linear amplification). Combine the Line6 amp pod ($300 list) and the JBL EON15 PAK ($625 street), and you'd have quite a nifty, portable multi-instrument amplification system with guitar processing, for under $1,000.

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