I own the Silk Drive pedal, and I want to say kudos to Vox for making a pedal that can be used anywhere - in front of an amp, or in a direct to PA. Most cab sim inbuilt preamp pedals only have that one function, and render themselves useless when the guitarist plugs into a physical amp. However I think the cab sim mode is the weak link here. The cab sim is an analogue sort of frequency response to mimic a cab, but I can't say it would go toe to toe with good cab sim equipped pedals like the Strymon Iridium or Walrus ACS1. Cab sim mode is usable, but it has a sort of awkward treble, and stacking other drives into it doesn't sound as nice. Also, the volume output in cab sim mode is really soft, if you're using an interface, you'd need to max out the volume on the Valvenergy pedal and still turn up the input gain on your interface. I've found that putting a Xotic EP booster after the Valvenergy SD solves all issues, like improving the cab sim tone to become an actually formidable amp tone while boosting the volume to give it a usable level of signal when plugged into a mixer of interface. Maybe @Vox, what's invented here may be an amazing idea, but market that as an amp in a box, something fresh for those that like amp modelling pedals, while having the overdrive function too. The market is way too full of overdrive pedals, and as much as I love my Valvenergy pedal, I'm afraid it just isn't as desirable because nobody even knows the direct-amp capabilities of this pedal, and to most it's just another OD in a sea of ODs.
@@pedrolamego9522 Yes I have through my DAW. But unfortunately I don't have much pedal space for an onboard IR loader, nor the current draw available on my boards power supply. Not saying I'm disappointed in the pedal, but I do think the onboard cab sim could be much better
@@ryanteacher8134 Yeah, I emailed Vox to ask what sort of cab sim they were, and they emailed back to say that it is an analog cab sim intended to simulate a 2x12. But like I said, I found the cab sim tone much more palatable with an EP booster after it
I've got SD yesterday and encountered the same issue. It got me frustrated. I even thought that my unit is faulty. Turns out, this is by design, which is both sad and annoying. Why did those brilliant engineers at Vox overlook this matter?
If I use it in its preamp (no cab) mode, going into an IR loader pedal, can I plug headphones directly into the IR box or do I need to go from the IR into a power amp first?
I have the Copperhead and its actually a lot cleaner than people assume it would be. Especially with single coils, where you will only hit edge-of-breakup level gain at around 11 o'clock on the gain knob.
As it is said in the beginning, you have to use this pedal in the "preamp mode": then you can connec it to an ir loader pedal (or to a computer with an ir loader application, I suppose).
@@KevinSparksatx in general yea. I REALLY struggled with IRs though not feeling or sounding that great. The most amp like and best feeling was my silk drive in cab sim mode with an eq pedal after it.
@@dadanardi5541 Funny you should say because after all this time trying tons of different IRs with it and the Mystic Edge (inc jensen and York Audio just last night) I just cannot get any to sound good. Just harsh and no warmth, plastic sounding. Been using the cab sim witj a compressor pusing it and it's actually great when the pedal eq is set bright. Any tips? I'm using the Pre mode also tried Standard. Using the IR loader in my nux cerberus with the pedal in its loop. Must be doing it wrong somehow?
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Finally, a demo that explores the cleaner side of things.
I bought the Cooperhead and the Silk Drive. The Silk Drive sounds especially amazing on my Rhodes electric piano. It has a very warm dynamic sound.
I own the Silk Drive pedal, and I want to say kudos to Vox for making a pedal that can be used anywhere - in front of an amp, or in a direct to PA. Most cab sim inbuilt preamp pedals only have that one function, and render themselves useless when the guitarist plugs into a physical amp.
However I think the cab sim mode is the weak link here. The cab sim is an analogue sort of frequency response to mimic a cab, but I can't say it would go toe to toe with good cab sim equipped pedals like the Strymon Iridium or Walrus ACS1. Cab sim mode is usable, but it has a sort of awkward treble, and stacking other drives into it doesn't sound as nice. Also, the volume output in cab sim mode is really soft, if you're using an interface, you'd need to max out the volume on the Valvenergy pedal and still turn up the input gain on your interface. I've found that putting a Xotic EP booster after the Valvenergy SD solves all issues, like improving the cab sim tone to become an actually formidable amp tone while boosting the volume to give it a usable level of signal when plugged into a mixer of interface.
Maybe @Vox, what's invented here may be an amazing idea, but market that as an amp in a box, something fresh for those that like amp modelling pedals, while having the overdrive function too. The market is way too full of overdrive pedals, and as much as I love my Valvenergy pedal, I'm afraid it just isn't as desirable because nobody even knows the direct-amp capabilities of this pedal, and to most it's just another OD in a sea of ODs.
Have you tried the silk drive in preamp mode + impulse responses?
@@pedrolamego9522 Yes I have through my DAW. But unfortunately I don't have much pedal space for an onboard IR loader, nor the current draw available on my boards power supply. Not saying I'm disappointed in the pedal, but I do think the onboard cab sim could be much better
@@aaronchong9856 The cab sim is a simple analog cab sim, right? These types of cab sims don't even hold a candle to modern digital cab sims.
@@ryanteacher8134 Yeah, I emailed Vox to ask what sort of cab sim they were, and they emailed back to say that it is an analog cab sim intended to simulate a 2x12. But like I said, I found the cab sim tone much more palatable with an EP booster after it
I've got SD yesterday and encountered the same issue. It got me frustrated. I even thought that my unit is faulty. Turns out, this is by design, which is both sad and annoying. Why did those brilliant engineers at Vox overlook this matter?
Nice, Stuart can seriously let rip 👍🏼
nice pedal sir. beautiful playing my friend
That's pretty incredible sounding. And that is some incredible playing! I need to pick up one of my axes today...
Please reissue the UL series amps from the mid sixties.
Do nutubes need to be replaced eventually? How long is their lifespan?
I think they will outlive us...
Wow most of these sound like different era's of Robben Ford, Quite nice.
Would have been useful to see the pedal settings instead of it being out of focus and in the background.
If I use it in its preamp (no cab) mode, going into an IR loader pedal, can I plug headphones directly into the IR box or do I need to go from the IR into a power amp first?
Would this work well as a pedal platform? I imagine it’s clean enough but not the copperhead? Thx
Hope so also, thats my plan!
I have the Copperhead and its actually a lot cleaner than people assume it would be. Especially with single coils, where you will only hit edge-of-breakup level gain at around 11 o'clock on the gain knob.
So how do I get the speaker impulse response used in this video? Thanks!
As it is said in the beginning, you have to use this pedal in the "preamp mode": then you can connec it to an ir loader pedal (or to a computer with an ir loader application, I suppose).
@@GreenHoleSunThanks I actually mean the exact IR you’re using. Where can I get it? :)
@@clintwhite3021 sorry, I have no idea...I am not the video creator...
I got that one
This pedal needs to do away with the Cab sim and have the ability to load an IR of your choice! Just imagine...
Yes, even if it's just a single IR slot. Analog cab sims are awful
@@KevinSparksatx in general yea. I REALLY struggled with IRs though not feeling or sounding that great. The most amp like and best feeling was my silk drive in cab sim mode with an eq pedal after it.
I put an IR loader after this and used York Audio IRs, it works superbly.
@@dadanardi5541 Funny you should say because after all this time trying tons of different IRs with it and the Mystic Edge (inc jensen and York Audio just last night) I just cannot get any to sound good. Just harsh and no warmth, plastic sounding. Been using the cab sim witj a compressor pusing it and it's actually great when the pedal eq is set bright.
Any tips? I'm using the Pre mode also tried Standard. Using the IR loader in my nux cerberus with the pedal in its loop. Must be doing it wrong somehow?