What are power amps & modelling amps

[Sandman_96707]

Name says it all...

[Andrew]

A modelling amp is a solid state amp, with digital circuitry inside designed to simulate the sounds of different amps (usually valve amps). Line 6's Spider 112 is a modelling amp, and has 6 amp models, not based on specific amps. Line 6's (more expensive) Flextone II has 32 amp models. Yamaha's new DG60FX-112 modelling amp is in the same price range as the flextone II.

I'm not completely sure what a power amp is, I think it is just a rack-mount head.

[ESP_Viper]

Ok you have to understand the basics of a guitar amp. There is the preamp, and the power amp. The preamp is where all the distortion comes from. If you have a high-gain preamp, you have LOTS of distortion :). The power amp just amplifies what the preamp gives it to make it loud for the speaker.

A modeling amp is just a digital amp controlled by software to emulate the sound of other amps. The way the Line 6 amps work, is they actually emulate the waveform of the amps they are modeling. So that is why the sound is so close to what is being replicated.


A power amp is just a guitar amp without a preamp. So with a power amp you can put an amp modeler as the preamp for it. Thats what I'm going to do (line 6 pod into a power amp). But you can buy preamps as well. Mesa/boogie makes a bunch (Triaxis, Studio Preamp).

I hope this clears it up for ya!

[Sandman_96707]

Thanks you, that does clear it up. If I may ask a rather daft question, what specifically is "gain"? I know its on amps. My crappy amp only has Volume, Bass, Treble, and an Overdrive switch that makes it louder but doesn't give overdrive.

[ESP_Viper]

Gain is rated in db (decibles). I'm not sure how many db it takes for an amp to be qualified as 'high gain'. So when someone talks about 'gain' they are referring to the distortion.