Author Topic: Alembic Versus Fender (Read 500 times)

David Houck · « **Reply #45 on:** July 13, 2009, 01:06:57 PM »

Vann-Di; I now have a Sansamp PSA-1 in my rig.

jacko · « **Reply #46 on:** July 14, 2009, 02:42:40 AM »

Thanks Dave. I'll work out how to do that myself someday ;-)

Graeme

jeffbass4 · « **Reply #47 on:** July 14, 2009, 07:55:39 AM »

The new SVT's have biasing adjustments on the back panel. There are 2, one for each set of 3 power tubes. Periodically you need to check to see if the green indicator lights are on which tells you if they are in proper bias. I will assume you'll have to get a professional to do this when you replace them.
How do you guys like the Sansamp units? I'd like to try one myself.

David Houck · « **Reply #48 on:** July 14, 2009, 09:49:23 AM »

Jeff; I'm not really using the PSA-1 the way it's meant to be used, so I'm not sure I can provide a useful review.

The fact that it is midi controlled was important to me, and I use my foot controller to switch between presets that I have set up on the PSA-1. I was looking for something that would give me the option of more of a tube overdriven tone when I wanted it.

I have the PSA-1 in my chain after the F-1X and SF-2. Personally, I don't think I would want to use the PSA-1 as a stand alone bass preamp, as the basic tone controls are not flexible enough. So I use the F-1X and SF-2 together to set up my basic curve, and I leave them alone. I then have a basic clean setting on the PSA-1, which is a little more saturated then the tone would have been without it. I don't use the bypass on the PSA-1, as my effects are in the PSA-1's effects loop. In addition to my clean setting, I've setup two other presets which are not much different than the clean setting, just a little more saturated in different ways than the clean setting. And I'm still learning to work with it and plan to develop some more settings that will be useful for me.

The PSA-1 is the last thing in my chain before the power amp, so I can use the direct outs if needed.

At the moment, I'm happy with my tone; and the PSA-1 is a part of it. So to answer your question, I like it; it's a useful tool. And it seems to me that if I keep working with it, I should be able to coax some more stuff out of it that I'll be able to use.

For me, in the way that I'm trying to use it, I find the PSA-1 to be extremely complex and sensitive. There are five different gain controls that work interactively. The thing is designed primarily to emulate Marshall, Mesa, and Fender guitar amps; and there are 49 built-in presets with different amp and effect emulations. All of these sound pretty cool, and none of them are things that are useful to me. So it's going to take some time for me to get a feel for how the controls interact with each other so that I can design some useful presets.

funkyjazzjunky · « **Reply #49 on:** July 14, 2009, 02:10:33 PM »

Dave,

How is your tone when you use the DI on the PSA-1?

I want to go direct but I do not want to lose any warmth from the tube pre-amp.

David Houck · « **Reply #50 on:** July 15, 2009, 06:43:10 AM »

I haven't used the DI yet. According to the manual the same signals that go to the DIs (switchable line level or instrument level) go to the outputs for the power amps. Again, the PSA-1 isn't just a DI; it's designed primarily to be a preamp with circuitry designed to emulate Marshall, Mesa, and Fender guitar amps. So if you are just looking for a DI, the PSA-1 would probably not be what you are looking for.

funkyjazzjunky · « **Reply #51 on:** July 15, 2009, 07:56:22 AM »

I am looking to stop sweating by hauling around a rig & cabs. I am going to try my old Carvin preamp with the PSA-1

David Houck · « **Reply #52 on:** July 15, 2009, 06:47:34 PM »

There are plenty of reviews to check out at Harmony Central.