I have the Ox since it came out and I love it in my home studio for recording however I've tried to gig with it several times and the major problems were the eq curve that works great with Fender voiced amps through line out in live setting and the attenuator sucking tone at any volume level, even at 5 (15% according to UA). I found my Fryette PS-100 works better in live situations because it's a completely neutral load box that can attenuate as well as be used as a power amp. My 2 cents...
it's simple: noone uses it because it costs 10 times more than it's worth. a power attenuator cannot cost more than the actual amp, it's just not worthy.
Simple solution. Use a good attenuator in the studio with the real heads and cabs for when you actually need them: when you're recording in a studio. For live use, people aren't going to notice your tone, so just take a modeler like the quad cortex.
I agree with a lot of what you said, especially about how the OX is a simple, easy solution that's perfect for beginners or anyone who wants great guitar tone without much hassle. That said, you mention at the start of the video that the OX is marketed more as a recording solution, but then go on to evaluate its use for live settings-a purpose it’s not really designed for. Just something to consider!
As an audio engineer in studio and live (and a guitarist) You also have to consider the live pros of being able to virtually mic the cab with digital modelers and like you said, and being able to actually dial in tones that wont be altered by the acoustics of a random stage. These things are considered in a studio environment with a real amp/cab, but never really live. And yes, modelers are modeled without reactive load-boxes etc, so you can use highest potential modeler technology, that wont cause bad stage noise and bleed into every mics on stage, have a dialed in great tone, don't have to carry tons of stuff on stage.
Great video! Do you feel like the stock cabs in the Helix and IRs are the thing that is letting down the HX Stomp as a solution? Have you looked at the OX Stomp? Has the same Cabs and mics effects etc. as the Big OX but isn’t a load box and is for using in conjunction with modellers or “Amp type” pedals. It’s something I’ve looked at (I Have the HX Stomp XL) but not had a chance to try yet.
So essentially a whole lotta whining... Here's the deal., you're a big boy - use your real gear, load it, lug it, love it... END OF STORY. Attenuators have been used for decades w/ big, loud amps. It's still your real amp & real sound. My two cents, don't compromise unless it's a mandatory thing. And for the modelers, they're actually less "noticeable" in a recording situation, but even still, my personal pref. is always real amps. Always.
I have the Ox since it came out and I love it in my home studio for recording however I've tried to gig with it several times and the major problems were the eq curve that works great with Fender voiced amps through line out in live setting and the attenuator sucking tone at any volume level, even at 5 (15% according to UA). I found my Fryette PS-100 works better in live situations because it's a completely neutral load box that can attenuate as well as be used as a power amp. My 2 cents...
it's simple: noone uses it because it costs 10 times more than it's worth. a power attenuator cannot cost more than the actual amp, it's just not worthy.
Simple solution. Use a good attenuator in the studio with the real heads and cabs for when you actually need them: when you're recording in a studio. For live use, people aren't going to notice your tone, so just take a modeler like the quad cortex.
I agree with a lot of what you said, especially about how the OX is a simple, easy solution that's perfect for beginners or anyone who wants great guitar tone without much hassle. That said, you mention at the start of the video that the OX is marketed more as a recording solution, but then go on to evaluate its use for live settings-a purpose it’s not really designed for. Just something to consider!
As an audio engineer in studio and live (and a guitarist) You also have to consider the live pros of being able to virtually mic the cab with digital modelers and like you said, and being able to actually dial in tones that wont be altered by the acoustics of a random stage. These things are considered in a studio environment with a real amp/cab, but never really live. And yes, modelers are modeled without reactive load-boxes etc, so you can use highest potential modeler technology, that wont cause bad stage noise and bleed into every mics on stage, have a dialed in great tone, don't have to carry tons of stuff on stage.
Great video! Do you feel like the stock cabs in the Helix and IRs are the thing that is letting down the HX Stomp as a solution? Have you looked at the OX Stomp? Has the same Cabs and mics effects etc. as the Big OX but isn’t a load box and is for using in conjunction with modellers or “Amp type” pedals. It’s something I’ve looked at (I Have the HX Stomp XL) but not had a chance to try yet.
This was a hero’s journey! 🤘😎👏👏👏
John Mayer: “3 on stage”…
A LOT of people use it live....
What I don’t understand, is if you can’t have a lot of volume on stage, then what does high headroom matter? Use a 10-15 watts amplifier and mic it up
I’d say it’s almost better for live than for studio. If you can mic a cab full volume in the studio, that’s better.
Why not just take that mt-15 on your desk there and a low wattage single 12 and a cab? That isn’t too loud I’m sure.
Rhett shull uses it on stage
David Ryan Harris uses one on stage as well!
It’s not actually that great of an attenuator especially compared to the fryette but the ir’s are amazing for studio use
Me , wondering what the hell that thing is in everyones video
I thought a vintage ? (looking?) pre amp that I was unaware of
So essentially a whole lotta whining... Here's the deal., you're a big boy - use your real gear, load it, lug it, love it... END OF STORY. Attenuators have been used for decades w/ big, loud amps. It's still your real amp & real sound. My two cents, don't compromise unless it's a mandatory thing. And for the modelers, they're actually less "noticeable" in a recording situation, but even still, my personal pref. is always real amps. Always.