GasPedal.com - tech21 product info/samples including Sans Amp
SansAmp Classic - $345. Tube-amp emulator pedal for recording direct. Knobs: out level, presence, amp drive, tone. 8 microswitches.
SansAmp GT2 $195. Floor pedal. Amp emulator, choice of amp type, modification, speak cab/ mike/placement configurations, complete virtual tube-amp setup.
SansAmp PSA-1 $795 1 rackspace, MIDI tube-amp emulator. 49 factory presets. Vintage, modern amp sounds. For direct recording, etc. 49 user programs. Stereo out. ster fx loop. momentary ftsw $25.
Tri-OD $245 Floor unit. Ch switching. 3 tube amp modes: tweed, Calif, Brit. Drive and level ctrls. Master EQ . Spk simulator.
In "Tone Toys '95: Direct Recording Preamps & An Innovative Power Amp Simulator (Joe Gore, Guitar Player Jan 1995), the ADA Ampulator was reviewed along with the Marshall DRP-1, Tech 21 Tri-OD, and Hughes & Kettner Tubeman Plus. The Ampulator blew them away in the review; he strongly recommended that if you use these others, use them with the Ampulator, which provides power-tube squashy dynamics.
XXL - warp control balances odd, even harmonics, for use with amp. Level, drive, tone controls. $125
Trademark 60. Guitar combo amp. $695. 2-ch, 1x12, 60-watt [ss?] guitar combo. 4 ftsw sounds. SansAmp XLR output. Reverb.
info at tech21nyc.com
SansAmp GT2 Unofficial Homepage
Tech21 email: info at tech21nyc.com
Tech 21: the Sans Amp Technology - "In 1989, B. Andrew Barta made his invention available. SansAmp pioneered Tube Amplifier Emulation for recording direct and performing live. Over 10 years of research and development went into Tech 21's proprietary F.E.T. hybrid-based circuitry. Designed to emulate tube amplifiers in their totality, SansAmp's 100% analog circuitry has a pre-amp stage and an output stage. Incorporates the harmonics and sweet overdrive characteristics uniquely inherent to tube amplifiers, which is largely caused by what is referred to as "push-pull" symmetrical clipping. A single tube is physically incapable of producing this result. SansAmp captures the warm, rich, natural tones of a large variety of tube amplifiers. Speaker simulation is part of the SansAmp Tube Amplifier Emulation circuitry. Engineered to yield a smooth, even response as would be achieved by a multiple-miked cabinet - without the peaks, valleys, and notches associated with single miking. Rather than interfere, the speaker simulation will actually complement the sound of your own speaker cabinets. The output is compatible with full range [flat-response] (multi-track recorders, studio monitors, P.A. systems) as well as limited range systems (guitar or bass speaker cabinets). Responds to and interacts with the dynamics of your playing and your instrument.
Some people think the Sans Amp is a success, others don't. The same is true for every amp emulator, it seems: "As for the Roland COSM amp sims, they sound OK, but not nearly as good as a miked tube amp. Close, but no cigar. I've been playing for over fourteen years and the amp sims in the VS can kill my inspiration. I use Marshalls and play through a 50 Watt master volume, preamp / master on 8 or 10, and no amp sim in the world, including the VS, can come even remotely close to sounding as good. The only amp sim worth having, I think, is the Sans Amp. It's the best I've heard." [George Carden - Feb '97]
From the newsgroups. Tube Amp Emulators-Which is Best? My new SansAmp Classic (excerpts):
ADA Ampulator rack: This lists for $600. wasn't as versatile as it appeared in theory. I couldn't get the warm, full sound that I was looking for.Ibanez VA3 Virtual Amp: I didn't spend enough time with this to try and set up my own sounds. I just tried all of the presets. It seemed like more of a multi-effects unit than an amp simulator. This box excelled at giving the illusion that I sound like Eddie Van Halen. It would probably be a good choice for someone who plays hard rock. But I wasn't impressed with the cleaner sounds. I can't really see anyone recording direct with this, which is one of my interests.
Tech 21 SansAmp Classic: This is what I ended up getting, for $225 with DC adapter. This unit is EXTREMELY versatile for sounds. It has the following on/off switches: mid-boost (two of them for various levels of mid boost), low drive, clean amp (with this on, I find that I can get a convincing emulation of a tube amp on the edge of distortion. Very warm. But you can also get pretty rocking overdrive sounds with this on), bright switch, vintage tubes (along with the clean amp switch, my favourite feature on this unit. Gives a convincing tube amp sound.), speaker edge, close miking. Next, the SansAmp has a switch for choosing between a Marshall-type sound (mid-ranges and highs emphasized), Mesa/Boogie-type sound (flat EQ) and a clean Fender sound. As an added bonus, by choosing a clean amp setting and the Fender sound, this unit works as an excellent DI box for bass. Finally, there are four knob controls: presence drive (for high-end gain), amp drive (for regular gain), output volume, and a tone control. That's a lot of controls, but I find this unit pretty easy to use. Some of the recommended settings that they give in the manual are completely out to lunch, at least with my guitar. But it's not hard to figure out how to get a vintage Marshall or Mesa/Boogie sound on your own. I am extremely happy with the warm tube-like sounds that I can get out of this box. If the controls aren't set right, it can sound bad though. In particular, with the clean amp setting off, I can't stand the crackling-type distortion I get when the amp drive is set at a low level. So unless I'm going for a really high overdrive, I keep the clean amp switch on.
The Tech21 SansAmp GT2: This is the unit that I originally planned on buying. It was going for $125, without DC adapter. It may have been me, but I just couldn't get a decent sound out of this thing. All I could manage were the sounds that I didn't like from the more expensive SansAmp. Maybe I just didn't fool with the switches enough. I would be interested in hearing from someone else who has tried both of the SansAmp models. It seems like the circuitry is pretty similar between the two, but I just couldn't get the cheaper one to work to my satisfaction, much to my dismay. It would well for the real hard distortion sounds, but I couldn't get it to emulate a tube amp just beginning to distort.
I highly recommend the more expensive SansAmp Classic from this group. I never found a place to try the Morley JD-10, so I can't compare it. I suspect that the SansAmp is more versatile. Now that I've found the settings that I like on the SansAmp, I don't plan on changing it around too much. The versatility is most useful as a means of customizing the unit to get the sound that you want. It's not really intended to be used as an effects where you change from sound to sound.
Tech 21 Pedals at Fred's Music
The Sans Amp Classic distortion and amp emulation pedal from Tech 21. SansAmp Classic: list $345 - - $259 at Fred's Music. Features a front-panel Character DIP switch that selects the characteristics you want, with any combination of eight choices: Mid Boost I and II; Low Drive;Clean Amp; Bright Switch; VintageTubes; Speaker Edge and Close Miking. An input switch gives a choice of three preamp styles: Lead for Marshall� style with mids and highs emphasized; Normal for Mesa Boogie emulation; and Bass for Fender� tones, nice for rhythm. You'll find variable controls for Presence Drive (preamp contour,) Amplifier Drive (power amp contour,) Output and High (EQ.) Generates a variety of tones for live and studio use. Sample settings are provided for just about any amp. 9V battery or included AC adapter.
Tri-O.D. is a guitar preamp pedal with three footswitchable channels. Channel One offers Tweed (Vintage Fender) character; Two is California (Boogie) while the third choice is British (Marshall). Each channel features a Drive and Level control for true two-stage overdrive. You can turn each channel off and switch between the ones left on; if you turn them all off you can use the Speaker Simulator (with bypass button) and the Master Section with volume, treble and bass controls. One in, one out. List $245 - - $139.95 at Fred's Music.
XXL is a distortion stomp box from Tech 21. They describe it quite simply: "Rotund. Lardaceous. Corpulent. Bodacious, even." [But does the unit in fact possess those properties? - Michael] Its unique X-Factor circuitry, continuously adjusts the ratio of odd and even harmonics in your sound. That means everything from smooth tube overdrive to edgy fuzz tone, and anything between. This is controlled with the Warp knob, which manipulates harmonic structure and influences X-Factor relative to the dynamics of your instrument and playing. It's interactive; radically change your tonal characteristics with your pick attack and the force of playing. At the middle setting you'll dial up traditional distortion suitable for chords and rhythm parts. Turn it up and the tone gets smoother, fatter, thicker, juicier. When you turn it down, even harmonics predominate, like a saturated Class A tube amp. Level and Drive controls. A level-compensated passive Tone control, which is flat at maximum, boosts body and low end at the mid point and cuts highs in the minimum position all without altering levels. 9V battery or optional DC2 adapter. XXL: list $125 - - $95.95
tons of user comments and articles about various models of Sans Amp
Includes links:
SansAmp GT2 - user comments
SansAmp Original - user comments
SansAmp PSA-1 Preamp - user comments - net resources
SansAmp Classic - user comments
Tri-O.D. Overdrive Pedal - user comments
XXL - user comments
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Query for DejaNews newsgroup postings for "sans amp"
Messages 1-100 of about 200 matches for search "sans amp":
Date Scr Subject Newsgroup Author
1. 98/09/16 044 Re: What Is Sans Amp? alt.guitar Jerry
2. 98/10/04 043 Re: What direct box can repl alt.guitar.effects JBC Beeche
3. 98/09/25 043 FS: Sans Amp alt.guitar Stephen Keay
4. 98/09/22 043 FS: Sans Amp Classic rec.music.makers.mark Stephen Keay
5. 98/09/17 043 FS: Sans Amp - Price reduced alt.guitar Steve Keay
6. 98/10/04 042 Re: What direct box can repl alt.guitar.effects Kamchak Tuchuk
7. 98/09/23 042 Re: Another Sans Amp questio alt.guitar Steve Swope
8. 98/09/17 042 Re: What Is Sans Amp? alt.guitar r27obt
9. 98/09/17 042 Re: FS: Sans Amp - Price red rec.music.makers.mark Alan Franks
10. 98/09/17 042 Re: What Is Sans Amp? alt.guitar tenebre
11. 98/09/17 042 Re: FS: Sans Amp - Price red rec.music.makers.mark village2
12. 98/09/17 042 Re: Another Sans Amp questio alt.guitar DaBugMan
13. 98/09/16 042 Re: FS: Sans Amp - Price red rec.music.makers.mark shawn charniga
14. 98/09/16 042 Re: What Is Sans Amp? alt.guitar Dave the Dork
15. 98/06/15 042 Sans Amp Classic Audio Clips alt.guitar Harry J
16. 98/06/15 042 Sans Amp audio clips MP3 alt.guitar.amps Harry J
17. 98/06/07 042 Re: Sans Amp alt.guitar.amps edwin
18. 98/06/06 042 Sans Amp alt.guitar.amps Khaled Mobarek
19. 98/05/15 042 Re: direct recording guitar alt.guitar Damien Harrison
20. 98/09/19 041 Re: Another Sans Amp questio alt.guitar DaBugMan
21. 98/09/18 041 Re: Another Sans Amp questio alt.guitar Pete J. Ahacich
22. 98/09/17 041 Re: FS: Sans Amp - Price red rec.music.makers.mark shawn charniga
23. 98/09/11 041 FS: Sans Amp - Price reduced rec.music.makers.mark Stephen Keay
24. 98/09/10 041 FS: Sans Amp Classic alt.guitar Stephen Keay
25. 98/06/19 041 Re: Tech 21 Sans Amp alt.guitar Sickness
26. 98/09/27 040 Direct Boxes alt.guitar jeff
27. 98/09/27 040 Re: Direct Boxes alt.guitar ggates
28. 98/05/16 040 Re: Amping question. alt.guitar JoMazza
29. 98/05/14 040 Re: direct recording guitar alt.guitar JoMazza
30. 97/12/23 040 Re: Sans Amp GT-2 For Sale alt.guitar Cokaholik
31. 97/12/22 040 Sans Amp GT-2 For Sale alt.guitar BMerluzzi
32. 97/12/22 040 Sans Amp GT-2 For Sale alt.guitar.amps BMerluzzi
33. 98/09/27 039 Re: Direct Boxes alt.guitar Dave the Dork
34. 98/09/27 039 Re: Direct Boxes alt.guitar RUTTER
35. 98/09/27 039 Re: Direct Boxes alt.guitar Les Cargill
36. 98/06/20 039 Re: Tech 21 Sans Amp alt.guitar Ali Janah
37. 98/06/18 039 Tech 21 Sans Amp alt.guitar Craig Jackman
38. 98/06/18 039 Re: Tech 21 Sans Amp alt.guitar Harry J
39. 98/06/18 039 Re: Tech 21 Sans Amp alt.guitar John Scrip
40. 98/05/14 039 Re: MXR alt.guitar Bill Baeck
41. 98/09/06 038 Re: Fender amps or Sansamp? alt.guitar Ronsguitar
42. 98/09/04 038 Re: Fender Amp or Sansamp? alt.guitar.amps Kenneth La Barr
43. 98/08/19 038 Re: WTB: L.R. Baggs Para-Aco rec.music.makers.guit Joe Mazza
44. 98/08/18 038 Re: WTB: L.R. Baggs Para-Aco rec.music.makers.guit Tom Loredo
45. 98/07/24 038 Sans Amp Classic is killer alt.guitar.amps Edwinj
46. 98/06/08 038 Re: preamp that sounds most alt.guitar.amps Richard E. John
47. 98/04/29 038 Re: ZZ Top alt.guitar.amps NOCTURNAL10
48. 98/04/29 038 Re: ZZ Top alt.guitar.amps Alan Thompson
49. 98/04/29 038 Re: ZZ Top alt.guitar.amps Zorro_2000
50. 98/04/28 038 Re: ZZ Top alt.guitar.amps Marc Ferguson
51. 98/03/11 038 Sans Amp Question alt.guitar saradad1
52. 98/02/18 038 [Q]Sans Amp GT-2 setting alt.guitar "���س�" <jnlee
53. 98/02/11 038 which pedal should i get?v-t alt.guitar friendly dude
54. 97/11/24 038 Effects with Sans Amp GT alt.guitar.amps Chris
55. 97/11/24 038 Re: Effects with Sans Amp GT alt.guitar.amps HUMAN
56. 98/09/04 037 Re: Fender Amp or Sansamp? alt.guitar.amps Richard E. John
57. 98/07/29 037 Re: Effects Help alt.guitar Eleven1034
58. 98/07/24 037 Re: Best tube sound overdriv alt.guitar.amps Edwinj
59. 98/06/16 037 Re: Lower wattage 6L6? alt.guitar.amps Harry J
60. 98/06/12 037 Re: preamp that sounds most alt.guitar.amps Mark T. Van Dit
61. 98/05/12 037 Re: Question: Amp Thru Mixer alt.guitar JoMazza
62. 97/11/26 037 Re: Effects with Sans Amp GT alt.guitar BrettGV
63. 98/08/27 036 FS/FT: Voodoo Lab Tremolo pe alt.guitar.effects Sonic VI
64. 98/08/27 036 FS/FT: Voodoo Lab Tremolo pe alt.guitar Sonic VI
65. 98/08/18 036 Re: WTB: L.R. Baggs Para-Aco rec.music.makers.guit Joe Mazza
66. 98/08/17 036 Re: Tubeman vs. V-twin alt.guitar JBC Beeche
67. 98/07/24 036 Re: Sans Amp Classic is kill alt.guitar.amps Charles Thomas
68. 98/07/24 036 Re: Sans Amp Classic is kill alt.guitar.amps John Kelley Bro
69. 98/06/17 036 Re: Lower wattage 6L6? alt.guitar.amps Harry J
70. 98/06/16 036 Guitar items at auction alt.guitar roguemus
71. 98/04/29 036 Re: ZZ Top alt.guitar.amps NOCTURNAL10
72. 98/04/24 036 Re: What amp would Hendrix b alt.guitar.amps Angelo M
73. 98/04/17 036 Re: Distortion question alt.guitar coracin
74. 98/04/17 036 Re: Distortion question alt.guitar TravIsGod
75. 98/02/12 036 Re: sans amp gt-2 tube ampli alt.guitar.amps kalen martin ro
76. 97/11/12 036 Re: best guitar amp simulato alt.guitar.amps Village1
77. 97/04/24 036 //++// Sans Amp Question?? \ alt.guitar BFINNX
78. 98/09/07 035 Guitar/Bass Rig Recommendati alt.guitar.amps Steve Daily
79. 98/04/18 035 Re: Direct Guitar Recording alt.music.4-track T Axford
80. 98/04/12 035 Re: Direct Guitar Recording alt.music.4-track steve jobs
81. 98/04/03 035 25 guitars and effects at au alt.guitar roguemus
82. 98/03/18 035 Re: Tech 21 Trademark 60 alt.guitar Stratoman
83. 98/03/11 035 Re: Swap Setups? #1/3 alt.guitar a3084280
84. 98/03/11 035 Re: Swap Setups? #3/3 alt.guitar a3084280
85. 98/03/05 035 Re: Roland JC120 alt.guitar JoMazza
86. 97/11/12 035 Re: best guitar amp simulato alt.guitar.amps Steven Keys
87. 98/08/19 034 Re: WTB: L.R. Baggs Para#1/2 rec.music.makers.guit Tom Loredo
88. 98/07/29 034 Re: volume boost alt.guitar.amps Patrick F. Cole
89. 98/07/19 034 Re: Best tube sound overdriv alt.guitar.amps Richard E. John
90. 98/04/14 034 Re: Direct Guitar Recording alt.guitar Roland
91. 98/04/06 034 Re: Best stomp box TUBE or T alt.guitar Speakin Atchew
92. 98/03/21 034 Re: The Quest for the perfec alt.music.independent jetlag
93. 98/03/18 034 Re: Which package to buy? alt.guitar Patrick F. Cole
94. 98/02/23 034 Acoustic Gtr DI Boxes... alt.guitar JoMazza
95. 98/02/23 034 Acoustic Gtr. DI Boxes... alt.guitar.effects JoMazza
96. 98/02/12 034 Re: Q About Fender Princton alt.guitar.amps Randy Long
97. 98/01/13 034 Re: Fulldrive VS. Centaur?? alt.guitar.amps Stratoman
98. 97/11/02 034 Re: Amp Emulators....which o alt.guitar Bill
99. 97/10/15 034 Re: johnson Millennium? alt.guitar.amps IceHouse
100. 97/04/11 034 Re: Sans Amp? Which One is B alt.guitar JT Roberts
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