Question re: effects pedal for guitarist to use with Jamhub

[crazystix]

I'm the drummer in our band, so please forgive my lack of knowledge on this subject.

Our 2 guitar players are currently connecting to the Jamhub through the headphone output of their very inexpensive practice amps. The sound is very dirty (it outright sucks), and we want to do something to improve the sound of the guitars when practicing through the Jamhub.

For live performance, they typically just play through their Marshall amps or Fender amps, with no additional effects. The only pedal that they use live is the clean/dirty/lead channel pedal that came with the amps. We primarily play classic rock and blues rock, and really like our "live" sound.

My guitarists are willing to purchase something to improve the sound while practicing with the Jamhub, but they're limited to a budget of about $100 each.

One of the guitar players wants to purchase a "Tube Screamer" pedal, but I'm thinking that something like this might be better:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/G2/



Any advice that you can give us on what might be the best device to purchase for our guitar players to use with the Jamhub would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much for your time.

Chris

[JCLangiu]

For practice purposes, something like that would work fine.
I run a RP1000 made by Digitech.

Guitar into RP into JamHub. Nothing is amplified.

Something like what you posted would be perfect for practices.
They may find that they take a liking to a multieffects pedal.

I am one of the crowd that certainly has. I no longer bring a half
or full stack to shows. I bring my pedal and a powered pa speaker.
This pa speaker gives me some stage volume. The main sound
goes through our gig pa.

Some snobs may stick their nose up at it, but the sound does not lie.

The reason I bring this up is this. By doing MY method, what I hear
at practice is what we hear at shows.

Good luck and feel free to PM me with any questions or e-mail.
Joe

[Madmax25]

+1

I use a multieffects unit for the Jamhub (a Tonelab SE) and I highly recommend using a multieffects unit. Just as long as it has amp modulation and phones out.

The one you're referring to would definitely do the job. Although Zoom has just released an updated version of that pedal, the G2Nu, which I would probably go for. Also, I would recommend spending a few dollars more on a unit with an expression pedal. It just makes rehearsing so much easier if you have a volume pedal or if you want to experiment a bit with wah effects. The Zoom G2.1Nu comes to mind or better yet, the Tonelab ST.

If they're seriously pressed for cash, they could try going on ebay or the likes to find a used unit with a bit more features than the Zoom G2.

[crazystix]

Very cool. Thanks for the info.

Chris

[Madmax25]

Just noticed something: The Zoom G2 doesn't have amp simulation. That's a big let down when using it as an amp for JamHub practices. It doesn't give you much room to set your preferred amp settings on the unit and therefore might not be the right thing for your guitarists...

Instead I would choose something that actually does have amp simulation. Something like the Digitech RP255:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RP255/
(or the RP90 if you want to stay within the budget...)

Again, the Tonelab ST would be the small modeler of choice for me. Seems much more rugged construction and there's a small but not insignificant detail when playing through a Jamhub: The phones output jack is 1/4 inch, not 1/8 inch. The 1/4 is much more convenient, since you just need a regular stereo cable to go from the effects unit to the Jamhub. You don't need any adapters. Not that these adapters are expensive, I just don't want to use a 1/4 to 1/8 jack adapter in a location where I might step on it and break the unit... The Digitech units mentioned above unfortunately only have 1/8 phones outs as far as I can tell...

[Steve-at-JamHub]

+1 on having the foot pedal on there for volume and wah control!
+1 on the 1/4" output for the headphones ... stronger and easier.
+1 on the desire for amp modeling on the pedal.

The RP series from Digitech is a good choice. Line 6 (who created the category) has good options as well. And Boss has some nice padals along with the Vox and Zoom gear mentioned here. There are A LOT of options out there.

If they say "I need analog" there are pedals from Tech 21 that are all analog and sound amazing but you'll want to add effects to these pedals (like if they use a pedal board) for reverbs, delays, etc.

I'm a gear nut and I like all the tools out there ... pedals, tube amps, modeling amps, etc. If you use it right, it all sounds good to great.

You'll find the new product prices start at $50 and go to $1500 ... plenty of options. Hit eBay for even more discounted gear that comes in "very used" to "hardly used" condition.

Steve

[Chuck-at-JamHub]

+1 for amp sim &, as or more importantly, speaker sim. Don't forget that electric guitar tone is the result of a long chain, e.g. guitar>fx>preamp>more fx>power amp>speaker>mic>more fx, etc.. Aside from a great guitar, the vital ones, IMO, are preamp>power amp>speaker. Take away any of those and I'm way less inspired to play. All of the modeling devices mentioned in this thread (and elsewhere) do a good-to-amazing job of modeling those basics...

'Hope this helps...

[Steve-at-JamHub]

And don't forget the MOST important part ... the digital EQ! That is the tone made by the digits on your hands.

The funny thing about gear is that even though I bought an Eddie Van Halen guitar, amp, strings, picks, effects and cords I STILL don't sound like him. Why? I still need HIS digital EQ.

Steve

[schtaf]

Ok guys sort of a tangent but not off topic.

I've been jamhubbing since christmas, and I've been on the hunt for ways of staying out of the digital world when it comes to effects with the jamhub. Ive just now figured out a great sounding way to take your all analog "intended for amp" effects and plug into the jamhub world.

I now run my od/compression effects into a Sansamp para driver (a great mix of functionality with acoustic and good fendery amp sim) then run from that into my delays. Here's the kicker: I picked up a visual sound liquid chorus, which has stereo outs, and ran that through my DL4 then to the hub using an insert. THAT is the sound Steve's been talking about. Just a tiny bit of stereo separation created by the chorus pedal fills the sound out completely. It doesn't have to be set very wet at all if you dont like deep, lush chorus, just enough to add slight delay and phase shift between L and R sides.

I highly, highly recommend this to those who have their tone and want to keep it that way, using their original gear. Just pick up a sansamp in your flavor, pick up a stereo chorus, put it at the end of your board, and you are good to go. rock on guys.

[Chuck-at-JamHub]

It doesn't have to be set very wet at all if you dont like deep, lush chorus, just enough to add slight delay and phase shift between L and R sides.

Good point, schtaf. You could even disable the stereo effect completely (by stomping it 'off') and still enjoy the benefit of getting your guitar signal into both sides of the headphones...

+1 on the SansAmp stuff. The Para Driver is sweet and versatile! I'm also a big fan of their Character Series...

Ain't it great to have so many tone-shaping options at our disposal!