Wow, that FET preamp and limiter is so useful. You can basically ignore the input meter and just dial in the gain by ear. I like the impedance knob on the AXE I/O and it also has FET or JFET preamp (I forget), but I would take a limiter over an impedance knob.
I never really understood why someone would want to lower their impedance UNTIL I started to really use my volume knob as more of a gain knob than an on/off switch. I mess with it on my POD and Quad Cortex and find it extremely useful to really smooth out the taper on the volume knob. As long as you compensate the loss of volume with more gain, it’s really fun to experiment with.
Hi, thank you for this video!! I've a question: the Polar 2 even works with a valve amp (I've a Blackstar HT studio 20) or only with St James plugins? Have you tried with a valve amp?
This is for connecting A Guitar to a computer. You COULD go through this to a guitar amp I guess, but there is no real benefit to it. It is an interface. Works with any plugin, St. James is just my favorite at the moment 👍
@@stevenkambach Sorry, I was not clear. I'd like to substitute my Focusrite actually connecting my valve amp to Daw on pc, with Polar 2. Guitar - Amp - Polar - PC.
That is one way to do it, sure. If you are using a mic on your amp, great 👍 If you are using an output from your amp just make sure it is NOT the power amp out that goes to a cab & speakers. A powered signal into the Polar 2 will not be good 👎
I'd really love to know how it works with beefier pickups. Humbuckers, hot humbuckers, active pickups. I mean the whole point would be a cleaner signal, I understand it works clean on minimum gain with your single coils. I'm looking for an interface that I can use with my SG (490T and R) and with my EMGs, one that doesn't clip immediately (nor digital neither analogue) and for years I haven't found one. There must be some reason, I don't get it. I have a lot of amps, and they can do this, all of them. My Axe I/O can't, my Rode can't, my M-Audio can't.
I've used it with humbuckers, but not EMGs. No issues with humbuckers. There is no digital clipping with the "Enhance" engaged. It is meant to emulate the input to a valve amp instead of a normal mic preamp. I would look up more about that if you are interested because I don't understand how it works enough beyond that to talk about it and show how it works. Good luck 👍
@@stevenkambach Thanks, very kind of you to reply! I'm thinking about ordering one from amazon to try it out, probably there's no other way. Thanks again for the video and your response.
Oh man I just bought a 2i2. Didn't know Blackstar had this box
That's a good one too 👍 this one just has a couple advantages for guitarists
Wow, that FET preamp and limiter is so useful. You can basically ignore the input meter and just dial in the gain by ear. I like the impedance knob on the AXE I/O and it also has FET or JFET preamp (I forget), but I would take a limiter over an impedance knob.
I have no opinions about that, but it is cool none the less. Never looked into the Axe. I gotta do some research 📚
I never really understood why someone would want to lower their impedance UNTIL I started to really use my volume knob as more of a gain knob than an on/off switch. I mess with it on my POD and Quad Cortex and find it extremely useful to really smooth out the taper on the volume knob. As long as you compensate the loss of volume with more gain, it’s really fun to experiment with.
Hi, thank you for this video!! I've a question: the Polar 2 even works with a valve amp (I've a Blackstar HT studio 20) or only with St James plugins? Have you tried with a valve amp?
This is for connecting A Guitar to a computer. You COULD go through this to a guitar amp I guess, but there is no real benefit to it. It is an interface. Works with any plugin, St. James is just my favorite at the moment 👍
@@stevenkambach Sorry, I was not clear. I'd like to substitute my Focusrite actually connecting my valve amp to Daw on pc, with Polar 2.
Guitar - Amp - Polar - PC.
That is one way to do it, sure. If you are using a mic on your amp, great 👍 If you are using an output from your amp just make sure it is NOT the power amp out that goes to a cab & speakers. A powered signal into the Polar 2 will not be good 👎
@@stevenkambach I actually use "emulated output" from my Blackstar HT studio 20. would it work like this?
I'd really love to know how it works with beefier pickups. Humbuckers, hot humbuckers, active pickups. I mean the whole point would be a cleaner signal, I understand it works clean on minimum gain with your single coils. I'm looking for an interface that I can use with my SG (490T and R) and with my EMGs, one that doesn't clip immediately (nor digital neither analogue) and for years I haven't found one. There must be some reason, I don't get it. I have a lot of amps, and they can do this, all of them. My Axe I/O can't, my Rode can't, my M-Audio can't.
I've used it with humbuckers, but not EMGs. No issues with humbuckers. There is no digital clipping with the "Enhance" engaged. It is meant to emulate the input to a valve amp instead of a normal mic preamp. I would look up more about that if you are interested because I don't understand how it works enough beyond that to talk about it and show how it works. Good luck 👍
@@stevenkambach Thanks, very kind of you to reply! I'm thinking about ordering one from amazon to try it out, probably there's no other way. Thanks again for the video and your response.
I got you 🙏 I don't know what Amazon's return policy is, but I think it is pretty generous
Deciding between this one and Universal Audio Volt 2, any thoughs?
Both new good 👍 I like this one just because of the extra "enhance" feature specifically for guitarists, but both will get you where you want to go