I think the difference in sound characteristics is largely due to different built-in IRs. It would make more sense to bypass the cab sim module in each pedal and use an external IR pedal like Two Notes Cab M. That would be a more interesting shootout to me. That being said I don't doubt that anyone can dial in amazing tones out of any of these boxes after getting used to the workflow.
That would make the comparison better. Also, you can load ir’s in the Strymon. Do the other pedals have this ability? If so, it is even way easier to use the same ir everywhere.
Yes, that is true. But partly irrelevant. Because if you are to make a choice for a pedal, the built in IRs (not sure if you can load in each of them your own) are part of the sound. Which brings me to the conclusion I would only buy one that lets me load IRs (I got a lot of them and know my top 3).
I have a Strymon Iridium and just loaded some York Audio IR's - FTWN 212 D120 (Fender Twin), BMAN 410 P10Q (Bassman), and DXVB Verb Deluxe (Deluxe Reverb). I loaded all with the SM57 position 2 settings. These IR's are a huge improvement over the factory settings, adding a fatness and warmth that can be heard in the Walrus. I think this shoot out is really about comparing IR's.
Good on ya for doing it with the EQs flat. I'm an Iridium owner and a huge fan. None of the amp models on the Iridium sound any good to my years with the EQ flat. With the Round amp, A cab and the EQ flat, it's a bit tweedy and not a lot like a BF Deluxe. But if you switch down to cab C, run the bass at 1 o'clock, mids at 10 o'clock and treble at 2 o'clock, then you're in BF heaven. With the Punch amp, you need to wind the bass back to 10 or even 9 o'clock. And with the Chime amp, the mid actually acts as a treble cut, which I wind right down to 8 o-'clock. Loving your work, in any case.
I have a deluxe reverb, mesa fillmore, and blues deville 4x10 and torpedo captor, and a strymon iridium. My DAW is logic pro.I bought the Own Hammer Deluxe Reverb IRs and have several wall of sound IR packs. If you're a great engineer or great at messing with IRs you can probably get a great result out of real amps and a torpedo. If you're a player trying to capture your actual performance and you find micing or DI loses your ripping solo tone and cone cry the iridium or one of these other options is probably the "easy button" you're looking for. 15 hours messing with IRs or plug the Iridium in and tweak a few knobs. It has been game changing for me and I'll guess a lot of you are like me. A player who doesn't want to spend a ton of time learning gear.
Quick question, I'm thinking about getting the Iridium. To Use the Marshall amp and a Metallica ir cab Sim, maybe an overdrive pedal in front. Have you ever tried using something like the free Metallica gold ir pack?
The difference between the two Marshall settings is the amp they're modelling. The ACS-1 is doing the lower gain 62' Bluesbreaker while the Iridium is modelling a high gain modded Super Lead. Great video lads!
I've been playing the Iridium live for several months now. The Vox model is indistinguishable from the real thing in a mix through the PA. My pedals work flawlessly and it is simply the easiest unit on the market utilize to quickly pull A+ tones out of. And you can sell it for close to what you paid for it because it's Strymon if you change your mind a year later.
"...The Vox model is indistinguishable from the real thing in a mix through the PA" - behave, lol.... we've just listened to the professional guitarist say none of them are the same as a real amp. None of these are as good as the real thing.
@@derekchapman5167 They're not in when compared in a room. If I was recording an album, I would use the real thing. If I toured live in arena's, I would use the real thing. But in an average, live setting through a PA (think churches, small clubs, restaurants, bars), it's amazing. If you can crank an AC30 in your environment, more power to you. But in a silent stage environment, no one in the crowd knows the difference, and that's the most important thing.
@@derekchapman5167 the thing is, they didn't made the good settings on the strymon for the Vox test. The Vox is supposed to be played with the mid tone button close to 0 (for the really bright vox tone), because it's simulating a Tone control, not a mid frequency control
On the DSM Humboldt, for a better Vox tone, you have to cut the mids. The Vox amps do not have a mid control and are naturally scooped (theres the "bucket" tone")
I found this to be the case with the original Simplifier as well. Unlike the Iridium, the Simplifier does not change the function of the mid knob in Vox mode. On Iridium, when you switch to the Vox mode the mid knob changes to work like an AC30's tone cut and the mid scoop is accounted for in the digital simulation, whereas on Simplifier it all still works like a normal EQ. Once I realized this, I got way more into the Simplifier's Vox mode. You just have to turn the mids down more than you normally would on most amps.
All nice expensive gear, I've got Vox, Marshall and Katana Amps, but my simple living room plug in and play is the Joyo American and Caline Blue Sky into my PA. The American really feels like a Fender Amp.
Thanks guys !!! If I were a "fender" guy, I'll go with the Walrus... but only to use the Fender... The Simplifier on the Marshall is killer !!! The Atomic doesn't do it for me... there is like this mid frequency that I know I'll fight everytime... I bought the Strymon few months ago, changed the IR and it's just wowwww !!! Having a lot of fun with it !!!
I got the ACS1 to replace my V40 in IEM situations. Love that I can go stereo now and that there's much less to worry about. It's basically my pedal platform just like the V40. I put my own Creamback IR into it to match the V40 tone. I would probably still choose the amp with Captor X if I had the choice everytime, but the ACS1 in the mix sounds phenomenal and it sounds the same everytime, which is probably the biggest pro argument.
I've lived on my Simplifier (the smaller one) for the last year. For home playing and recording it has been a real lifeline and sounds ******* fantastic - playing mainly on the Fender sound. One of my best buys for 2020. I agree with Pete...now gigs are coming back here in Chicago, I am really enjoying playing my real Deluxe Reverb amp again though. At home though this is now my permanent recording solution. No need to mess around with microphones and cables.
Have you tried to use pedals with Simplifier? I mean, to use Simplifier as a clean channel and turn on some distortion pedals for metal solos, etc.? Does it sound any good? Sorry for the dumb question, just trying to figure out is it versatile enough for me as an on-and-off beginner.
@@1-2weeks96 hey no dumb questions, all good :) Yeah, I used pedals through it - it was sitting at the end of a small board for a while. I don't play metal but for my music (blues/rock) it took pedals great. It does also have an effects loop so you can send your reverb and delay effects after the pre-amp, and drive it like any other amp through the front end (input)
I’m more partial to the Walrus. It also has the smallest footprint of the lot. I’m really interested in the DSM though, as it seems to be a more complete solution to just set and go.
I love the content, guys! I'd love to see this kind of shootout done where you're not only comparing how these pedals sound flat, but dialed in as well. At 23:54, you refer to a pedal as sounding, "flat" when the eq is still straight up. Knobs are meant to be turned. I'd much rather see a video of you two being excited over the tones that you dialed in vs which of the pedals are less bland. My favorite moments are always when you guys are genuinely excited over something such as your latest "new pedalboards" video where Lee was shredding and Pete made a face everytime the wah was kicked on! Cheers from Detroit.
I bought the ACS1 a couple months ago and really starting to dig into it. I think it does the "edge of break-up" type tones incredible well, albeit does not have that much gain on tap. I always set my amps at that spot, so it's good for me. I really wasn't too thrilled with some of the Stock IR's, but I started making my own impulses using the GGD Cabzilla and it's been a life changing experience! It's now unreal good. I actually even sold off my Kemper because of this pedal for when I have to go direct. It's crazy how far the digital world has come and how many good options there are! For me, size and form factor sold me on walrus, but I'd be happy with just about any of these.
@@skylarmobis4681 I used the get good drums cabzilla vst. They have a couple of them. I would bypass the ir in the pedal, connect it to my interface and listen to the track without the ir, then just start trying different ones until I found what I liked. Exported those or wav files then uploaded them to the pedal.
A great solution to eliminate stage noise and get a decent sounding guitar tone at the end of it. Glad this video has helped and make sure to let us know which pedal was your favourite.
@@andertons The Walrus sounded great, right out of the gate, and then just kept sounding great. Although, none of them sounded bad, the Walrus sounded the most "open" and lush to my ears.
No Sansamps? Tech 21 has been doing this for decades longer than anyone, and they’re still putting out new and amazing amp-in-a-box products. Kinda weird to not see them in this. [shrug]
I have both simplifiers, I like the classic more than the DLX. I've found it to be plenty "inspiring" relative to a regular amp, I used to have a Twin Reverb reissue and I love the room filling sound and the smell of the tubes as much as anyone else, but with an amp on my pedalboard I can plug up headphones and play at full volume anywhere, I can track songs on a mixer easily, go into an interface easily, and I'm not worried about moving around an amp or mics or sound treatment to get consistently good audio. Tonight I tried running the Simplifier into a JHS Colour Box, and that was absolutely phenomenal. I think the DLX would be right for someone who is using the amp for more tone shaping, plans to switch channels mid-song or something. But since I mostly use it for a clean tone to pair with my pedals and don't change it all, the classic is fine for me.
Having both versions do you hear any tonal differences between classic and dlx for clean fendery tones? I definitely want to buy a Simplifier but not sure which version. If the base sound is the same and dlx just offers more options I would probably go for the classic one. I don't need much gain as I will put some pedals in front on it. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!
@@tomaszsiejko6562 I think the classic sounds exactly the same as the DLX. The added features aren't really worth it unless you want two channels, that's the biggest selling point for me. But honestly, as a pedal platform, I've been having the best results bypassing the preamp circuit in the Simplifier and only using a cab sim. I actually took it out of my rig and I'm just using a Cabzeus Mono instead and it sounds the best by far. I figured that out while playing with the switches on the simplifier because I kept running out of headroom with too many distoritions and overdrives on, and it sounded best without the preamp circuit engaged. That was an expensive lesson to learn. So instead now I'm running into an EQ pedal and then the Cabzeus, or even without an end of chain eq if I have enough tonal control earlier in the chain. It's still nice having the Simplifiers as recording and streaming tools when jamming with friends, and they sound great as amps on their own, but it's overkill for someone who wants a clean pedal platform, and in my experience actually made the tone worse by being in the chain. All you need is an EQ and an IR.
@@user-qd6qk1wt4n not sure what you mean by that, it comes out at line level so my interface picked it up just fine. I sold both of them though. I just plug my guitar straight into my interface now and use helix native.
@@andertons UNLES I MISSSED IT, cOMPARE A sANS AMP original vs reissue. fewer bells and whistles but isn't that what your pedal board is for? for my ignorance, What re these IR's evey one mentions?
There are a few odd things going on here... 1. Walrus are the cheapest on offer 2. The "Simplifier" is by far the most complicated 3. The Strymon is not the best sounding and has the fewest features Interestingly, these are not an alternative to a traditional amp to save money. They're equally pro gear for a different job. Anyway, I want the most expensive one. Damn.
Listening with good headphones at about 10min, the simplifier sounds extremely close to the amp outside a few eq differences. The Atomic and Iridium both sound worse off the bat (the iridium seems to have had a different goal), and the Mako seems to be going for what people think the amp should sound like - a highly sculpted and super bright tone to start. I was surprised to hear how close the simplifier was.
I think we have the same set of ears Pete, haha. We picked the same and judged the sound the same... I can hear the difference with my PC speakers, so maybe the same way that you hear there in the studio. Clean: Walrus bested the others Drive: Simplifier DLX bested the others
"It's like a car." Didn't hear anything that sounded like a Yugo or a McLaren, but they're all serviceable. Honestly, this sentiment could be applied to just about any amp, including the battery powered micro-amps that Lee dismissed as sounding like "wasps in a jam jar." I'd pick the Simplifier. It supports my hypothesis that analog is still viable in a world dominated by DSP.
You two are so honest. I love TPS, but sometimes those two tend to go with what they pre-conceived or something. Fender Clean: Walrus Fender + OD: Atomic or Simplifier Marshall: Iridium or Simplifier Vox: Atomic None of them killed it at all 3 amps.
I just recorded with a origin revival drive into a story on iridium into a di and man was blown away by the sound I got…first time people asked me how I got such killer guitar sounds
Great video. ACS1 Fender was surprisingly good stock. The Iridium is great but it's very mid forward by default but you can fix that with the right IR's and then I love it. Hard to compare those two because the amps they're modeling are so different. Simplifier Marshall rocked pretty hard with Iridium right behind it. The AFB had an unnatural low end for sure. Not my thing (in this example).
I'm seriously considering adding that ACS1 to the end of my board for wet-dry-wet. Take a low-watt tube amp to the gig for real crunch, then split off into stereo effects and the ACS1 running fender on one side and vox on the other.
The big difference between these things and the real guitar amp is actually how you're using the speakers. I'm aware the comparison was "fair". I'm referring to the comments at the end about still preferring an amp and cab. That comparison is not fair when you use these devices like you have done. Take the same setup, turn off any room simulations like in the Strymon, and put the studio monitor(s) next to the amp cab. Match levels, and it's shockingly close. The only thing you really need to do is make sure that the speaker you're using can hit the same levels as your guitar cab without compressing/distorting and that it's not total junk. There will be more spread of the high end, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. For the stereo ones, either set them up wet/dry (if you're using the amp similarly) or ignore one "side" of the output by just not plugging it into anything. IMO, the big mistake almost every company made in designing these things was to label the outputs as stereo...it implies that you should use them into monitors set up the way you'd listen to stereo music, and that is not where they shine. In fact, it's almost 100% of the reason why people think they sound like a recorded guitar tone rather than a live one. You cannot discount the effects of where the speakers physically are in the room. And no, none of the treatments you may have done in there to record well negate it either.
This is a great observation especially considering the fact that the room with play a significant part in how the sound is perceived with how many reflections there are in the listening position. I would also add that the signal path of a guitar going into a amplifier section vs. emulations into recording interfaces is that the signal is treated way more exact and with lower amounts of THD comparatively by going the emulated route vs the inherent THD folding at multiple stages with a real amplifier. These pedals, while designed to be as close to accurate in behavior as physical guitar amps, are mostly designed from a Hi-Fi modality and standpoint in general since more attention and detail is paid to the signal in order to mimic non-linear behaviors and tonality which in turn causes them to sound a bit more "clear" and exact sounding even when they are essentially being very similar behavioral to an actual amp.
The only way to really compare is to use a load on a guitar amp and stick everything through the same IR, if you are comparing amps, otherwise you could use a power amp and the same cab, but no studio monitor is gonna compete with a 30w + 212 or bigger, it just sounds better for guitar. Damn I once plugged my PC into a peavey bandit power section and it sounded better in the room than through cab emulation into monitors because the 10" cab just sounds more fun in a room than 5" monitors.
Thanks! A very telling comparison. To my ears, once again Simplifire has won. It has a more lively, raw and real sound. ASC-1 and Strymon are more of a "post-production" sound. Atomic is a clear outsider in this comparison. In such a comparison, it also made sense to consider the sound taken by a microphone from a guitar cabinet. It is also significantly different from the Torpedo.
I think another interesting difference is that the Firebox, ACS1 & Iridium all offer stereo outputs. The ACS1 in particular allows for different Amp+Cab combos on the left and right which sounds amazing.
The Walrus ACS-1 actually sounded better without the room sound. What is amazing about all of these devices is that every single one of them produces an acceptable sound for recording. I use the original DSM/Humboldt Simplifier, and I love it. I just trying to figure out whether I need the DLX, or whether the original still covers my needs.
If I didn't have an Iridium, I would buy the Walrus. But I would not buy one to replace my Iridium. Until I heard the gain demo... I'm perfectly happy with my Iridium and will likely never replace with anything but another future version
Hey guys, quick thought here. You need to listen with the idea of it being in the context of a mix. To me that's why the Iridium is more midrange focused. It'll sit better in the mix. Of course on its own it'll sound thinner than the others since it has less bass. If you add bass and cut mid, it should be on par with the others. So I believe this is why it's more popular.
They're all good! Right now I'm agreeing with Pete that the Simplifier is cloer to the real tube amp. The Victory sounds the best. But a pedal amp is a great choice if you don't have room for an amp or you're flying to a gig. Also, some venues don't allow amps on stage.
Recently got the Atomic after much debating and it's excellent so far. It does so much more than the others on this list, with built in gate, compression, od/distortion/fuzz, reverb and delay, more amp sims as well as the ability to load your own ir's. It works on my pedalboard battery pack and it can send one signal out to the PA with ir's turned on and one out to a cab with them off (not sure if the others have this ability). For me, it has replaced my (admitedly small) pedal board except for the tuner. Most gigs I play are abroad and you can never rely on getting decent gear so was looking for something to nulify this issue and hopefully this will do the trick...will find out post-covid I guess!
When you guys made the conclusion that the walrus was better you should’ve tried to get the iridium to sound exactly like the walrus and then the public would be get a better review. I have never used any piece of equipment and turn the knobs at 12 o’clock. Not even an amp sounds good with the knobs at 12 o’clock.
I LOVE being able to plug my pedalboard directly into the venue's mixing board. No amplifier or speaker cab needed. A pedalboard and ONE guitar in the back seat of your car is THE ONLY way to travel from gig to gig.
Curious that the Positive Grid Mini is never talked about in the digital realm. It has 16 saved amps that can be fully designed with every parameter, to include a bunch of cabinets. 150w into 8 ohms. I’ve used it for three years and love it!
Soundwise they could all potentially be the same amps but with different mic's/mic positions on them. At least thats how it comes across in my mind, and speakers. Great video guys!
This demo would have been more precise if all the cabsims were EQ-d to match with each other. That way we could have listened to the sound quality differences between them, not the obvious tone (EQ) differences.
This is just my experience but if you are mainly a bedroom headphone user, get the iridium. I had an acs1 and the volume through headphones was atrociously low. Can't speak for the other two as I haven't tried em but I wil say through stereo monitors, the ACs1 sounds more like an amp and the iridium sounds more like an amp that has been mic'd and mixed to some extent. ( Something I like)
Thanks as always for the great videos and effort to evaluate products for us. Just throwing a thought out in the webverse, the Strymon EQ stack changes for each model, especially with the Vox model. Where with the Mid control at its left most setting there is no treble attenuation, and as you turn the knob to the right treble is attenuated. Just noticed that in the video the control was at noon, which would make the Vox model sound darker in this instance.
I was in the market for the Iridium and then they week I decided to take the plunge, the ACS1 went on sale so I went with ACS1. Other have mentioned it is meant to be edge of breakup pedal platform which suits me just fine. I would love to be able to run my AC15 at the edge of breakup but it is too loud for the setting I get to play, so I had to really dial it back to where it was just clean and no breakup. So, for me this is a good solution. In isolation the ACS1 is harsher than the Iridium, but find often what sound what sound great in isolation gets lost in context. I find the ACS1 sound very realistic in context. Though if you need the Plexi sound without an overdrive then Iridium is probably a better fit.
As a long time user of a non-modded Iridium (No IR changes or anything) I gotta say, the best sound in the pedal is the voxy one. The all clean is a bit weak, and the more marshally one is a bit too muddy in the bass end to be perfect. I'd like the clean from ASC1, the marshally from the Simplifier, and the voxy from the Iridium. Wishing is never wrong!
Videos like this really point out the difference between "players" and songwriters/performers. Players fixate over things with thier gear and tone and performers focus on the quality of the songs and the performance. If your "tone" is godly and you feel "inspired" but your songs and performance blow ass, who cares? Of course there is overlap, but regular people tend to focus on one or the other
I have the first gen DSM (for guitar and another for bass). Love them DI'd into Abelton. The Walrus ACS1 had "magic tones" and I am tempted to buy, but Andertons didn't fiddle with the tone controls, so don't know if the DSM could achieve better Vox sound. I record with Radial Engineering's Shotgun into a mixing desk so I can have up to four guitar effects/amp channels from a single guitar. That makes me prefer the DSM, for it's 2 channel function. The walrus has midi control, and uploadable custom IR's; which could be a game changer.
The Iridium’s Fender 12 o’clock midrange setting is not its blackface clean setting. It’s essentially the Brown Face setting (more mids). Suck out the mids, and it’s the Blackface, juice the mids up, and it’s the much gainier Tweed setting. That’s why the 12 o’clock setting didn’t give the result they expected. Strymon designed it that way, and it’s amazingly versatile. No one reads the manual. 😂😂😂 I bought the Strymon because it’s super, dead, simple, and based on the old Sansamp GT3, function wise. One can literally think of a sound within that 3 brand paradigm, and you can get it within seconds. I still prefer real amps, but man, that Strymon is a beast. Especially with York Audio IRs. Drool.
I will say that the two that I like for driven tones and articulation are the Strymon and the Humboldt the others have a very harsh presentation. I think I like the Simplifier as an overall better sounding unit; it handled Pete's pedals better too. Of course none top a real valve head unit which is why I would want a Victory valve preamp pedal and run my regular pedal board. All of these options to use them live will require a powered cabinet or be run directly into a PA board so for me spending a few extra bucks for the Victory Valve Pedal would be how I would build my pedal board amp setup.
When you were running the AC Settings on the Simplifier, did you change the Tubes switch for both sides? It looked like the top row was on KT88s. They definitely aren't matching when I pause the screen. At 29:41 it looks like the top one is pointed up (Set to KT-88s) and the lower one looks like it's pointed at the middle (EL84s). My assumption is that even mono, in it's stereo out so the setting of both channels matters... but I could be wrong. Also I think the Simplifier naming convention for Cabs is slightly weird, cause you can have a 2x12 combo.. which is I guess what they mean by Twin... but then do they account for say Fendery Speakers vs Celestion Blues or Silvers that would be in a Vox?
A good and fun video but a fair comparison would be to have each of these pedals running into the same IR. The sound differences are largely based on the IRs loaded into each pedal by the manufacturer. For example, there are three Iridium Fender-style heads and the one featured in this video was the “A Cab” Deluxe Reverb setting, “B Cab” is a Blues Junior and “C Cab” is a Vibrolux… and so on. Nonetheless, I enjoyed watching this. Thanks!
Ive been using an amp sim straight to mixer for a while now. Its nice to have control over the volume and and noise in the room. Its also easier to get a good tone. But the last few days ive beel gigging and rehearsing with a real amp, an old marshall valvestate 8080. Its amazing to feel that amp in the room sound. I mean, I like amp sims, but nothing replaces the amp next to you, specially if you play with an acoustic drummer.
Simplifier with a powered full range cabinet. I can use it as a typical amp or as a direct out setup. I have a set of Studio monitors set beside each other on the floor as if they were an amplifier. Works fantastic.
I have a Katana with Sneaky Amps and a G&L Comanche plus a Epi 60s Tribute with Gibson split coil humbuckers. At the moment I have all the sounds I need. If I was in the market for an amp in the box the winner of this video would be Kemper. Expensive to start with but should save shed loads in a few years.
Hey I think you used the Strymon’s fender channel for your Vox demo. Looks like the left switch is all the way up (round) and not center (chime). The right switch selects the IR and that’s in the middle position on your Vox demo. I could be wrong but I own the Iridium and love the Vox channel it has and that didn’t sound like the Vox channel to me.
Hey I'm from San Diego.. Wtf?..the London pedal analysis so dialed in..you Brits are on another level ..its important.. I've made so many mistakes in buying gear..then..you have to switch out.. So..not cool..but you guys are so dialed in that it really helps
Great review - love your channel. Clean on Walrus for sure. Strymon for gain. I think people invest in Strymon because it is popular and will continue to get support, amps etc.
Really great video! Sweet Tele and tasteful playing. Overall I liked the Walrus. To my ears it was the most transparent and the best platform. The others got too much into the modeling department for me.
I choose the original Simplifier because the effects loop + XLR outs means that I don’t have to have another box after my “post-amp” effects to give me XLR outs. Living up to its name, it simplified things that way. The DLX looks cool, but the bigger footprint makes me less interested.
Honestly the DLX is very small ... it looks big on videos because you can't believe how much they get into an enclosure that's only the size of two standard pedals. Since it has no foot-switches in the main unit you could also use it to build a micro pedalboard, stowing the main unit away and just switching it from the included footswitch unit. But for me it's a desktop unit and that's where it shines.
Honestly the DLX is very small ... it looks big on videos because you can't believe how much they get into an enclosure that's only the size of two standard pedals. Since it has no foot-switches in the main unit you could also use it to build a micro pedalboard, stowing the main unit away and just switching it from the included footswitch unit. But for me it's a desktop unit and that's where it shines.
I’m surprised they didn’t point out the XLR output (or lack of) issue. It’s a huge miss to me that Walrus and Strymon don’t have an xlr out, so you are going to need a direct box. Another piece of gear = more cost and more space. The simplifier is the winner to me because you could actually stick it on your board and go straight to the desk and all of the settings are right there at your feet. The Atomic is cool but I think their software has too much going on for this type of product.
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I think the real amp was the friends we made along the way
i love how the pedal called simplifier has the most knobs and switches i've ever seen
I think the difference in sound characteristics is largely due to different built-in IRs. It would make more sense to bypass the cab sim module in each pedal and use an external IR pedal like Two Notes Cab M. That would be a more interesting shootout to me. That being said I don't doubt that anyone can dial in amazing tones out of any of these boxes after getting used to the workflow.
That's an interesting point... Maybe a future video to see how different the cab simulator pedals sound? Thanks for the comment & feedback!
@@andertons Yes please!
Valid Comment. I was wondering why the Cab M+ wasn't on this list?
That would make the comparison better. Also, you can load ir’s in the Strymon. Do the other pedals have this ability? If so, it is even way easier to use the same ir everywhere.
Yes, that is true. But partly irrelevant. Because if you are to make a choice for a pedal, the built in IRs (not sure if you can load in each of them your own) are part of the sound. Which brings me to the conclusion I would only buy one that lets me load IRs (I got a lot of them and know my top 3).
I have a Strymon Iridium and just loaded some York Audio IR's - FTWN 212 D120 (Fender Twin), BMAN 410 P10Q (Bassman), and DXVB Verb Deluxe (Deluxe Reverb). I loaded all with the SM57 position 2 settings. These IR's are a huge improvement over the factory settings, adding a fatness and warmth that can be heard in the Walrus. I think this shoot out is really about comparing IR's.
This is the MOST HELPFUL comment on this whole debate. Thank you
The Simplifier is the closest to the amp sound for clean. And is, to my ears, the clear winner on Marshall gain.
I have the original Simplifier and it’s a marvelous unit. All analog, stereo cabs, and effects loop. All the features I need and none that I don’t.
I have it and use it at church. It works great.
Being a walrus fan I want to try the ACS1, but I don’t think I need to.. the simplifier is fantastic
Good on ya for doing it with the EQs flat. I'm an Iridium owner and a huge fan. None of the amp models on the Iridium sound any good to my years with the EQ flat. With the Round amp, A cab and the EQ flat, it's a bit tweedy and not a lot like a BF Deluxe. But if you switch down to cab C, run the bass at 1 o'clock, mids at 10 o'clock and treble at 2 o'clock, then you're in BF heaven. With the Punch amp, you need to wind the bass back to 10 or even 9 o'clock. And with the Chime amp, the mid actually acts as a treble cut, which I wind right down to 8 o-'clock.
Loving your work, in any case.
I have a deluxe reverb, mesa fillmore, and blues deville 4x10 and torpedo captor, and a strymon iridium. My DAW is logic pro.I bought the Own Hammer Deluxe Reverb IRs and have several wall of sound IR packs. If you're a great engineer or great at messing with IRs you can probably get a great result out of real amps and a torpedo. If you're a player trying to capture your actual performance and you find micing or DI loses your ripping solo tone and cone cry the iridium or one of these other options is probably the "easy button" you're looking for. 15 hours messing with IRs or plug the Iridium in and tweak a few knobs. It has been game changing for me and I'll guess a lot of you are like me. A player who doesn't want to spend a ton of time learning gear.
Quick question, I'm thinking about getting the Iridium. To Use the Marshall amp and a Metallica ir cab Sim, maybe an overdrive pedal in front. Have you ever tried using something like the free Metallica gold ir pack?
Hello bro @eltorpedo8844 does Iridium have send & return for modulation ?
Thankyou
The difference between the two Marshall settings is the amp they're modelling. The ACS-1 is doing the lower gain 62' Bluesbreaker while the Iridium is modelling a high gain modded Super Lead. Great video lads!
I've been playing the Iridium live for several months now. The Vox model is indistinguishable from the real thing in a mix through the PA. My pedals work flawlessly and it is simply the easiest unit on the market utilize to quickly pull A+ tones out of. And you can sell it for close to what you paid for it because it's Strymon if you change your mind a year later.
"...The Vox model is indistinguishable from the real thing in a mix through the PA" - behave, lol.... we've just listened to the professional guitarist say none of them are the same as a real amp. None of these are as good as the real thing.
@@derekchapman5167 of course they are going to say that but they wouldnt be able to tell the difference in a blind test
@@derekchapman5167 They're not in when compared in a room. If I was recording an album, I would use the real thing. If I toured live in arena's, I would use the real thing. But in an average, live setting through a PA (think churches, small clubs, restaurants, bars), it's amazing. If you can crank an AC30 in your environment, more power to you. But in a silent stage environment, no one in the crowd knows the difference, and that's the most important thing.
@@derekchapman5167 the thing is, they didn't made the good settings on the strymon for the Vox test. The Vox is supposed to be played with the mid tone button close to 0 (for the really bright vox tone), because it's simulating a Tone control, not a mid frequency control
@@ParaBellum2024 the U.S. South - we’ve been open since last summer.
That Humboldt started the race as the dark horse but may have eeked out a Victory. Heh.
On the DSM Humboldt, for a better Vox tone, you have to cut the mids. The Vox amps do not have a mid control and are naturally scooped (theres the "bucket" tone")
Excited with what you're doing. Preordered it hopefully it gets here soon!
I found this to be the case with the original Simplifier as well. Unlike the Iridium, the Simplifier does not change the function of the mid knob in Vox mode. On Iridium, when you switch to the Vox mode the mid knob changes to work like an AC30's tone cut and the mid scoop is accounted for in the digital simulation, whereas on Simplifier it all still works like a normal EQ. Once I realized this, I got way more into the Simplifier's Vox mode. You just have to turn the mids down more than you normally would on most amps.
The DLX is the fastest I've ever pulled the trigger on a gear purchase.
All nice expensive gear, I've got Vox, Marshall and Katana Amps, but my simple living room plug in and play is the Joyo American and Caline Blue Sky into my PA. The American really feels like a Fender Amp.
They all sound wonderful. The differences are so subtle. But I like the Walrus.
Thanks guys !!! If I were a "fender" guy, I'll go with the Walrus... but only to use the Fender... The Simplifier on the Marshall is killer !!! The Atomic doesn't do it for me... there is like this mid frequency that I know I'll fight everytime... I bought the Strymon few months ago, changed the IR and it's just wowwww !!! Having a lot of fun with it !!!
The Strymon gear always sounds so good. The Walrus has a nice 6L6 beef to it.
Not exaggerating...But this is THE video I needed lately...
Well... We hope it helps out with your choice :)
I got the ACS1 to replace my V40 in IEM situations. Love that I can go stereo now and that there's much less to worry about. It's basically my pedal platform just like the V40. I put my own Creamback IR into it to match the V40 tone. I would probably still choose the amp with Captor X if I had the choice everytime, but the ACS1 in the mix sounds phenomenal and it sounds the same everytime, which is probably the biggest pro argument.
Alternate reality Pete: Denise Pete
I've lived on my Simplifier (the smaller one) for the last year. For home playing and recording it has been a real lifeline and sounds ******* fantastic - playing mainly on the Fender sound. One of my best buys for 2020. I agree with Pete...now gigs are coming back here in Chicago, I am really enjoying playing my real Deluxe Reverb amp again though. At home though this is now my permanent recording solution. No need to mess around with microphones and cables.
@@CCovers1 In a mix you would not tell the difference...honestly. I have recorded a bunch of release songs with this
Have you tried to use pedals with Simplifier? I mean, to use Simplifier as a clean channel and turn on some distortion pedals for metal solos, etc.? Does it sound any good?
Sorry for the dumb question, just trying to figure out is it versatile enough for me as an on-and-off beginner.
@@1-2weeks96 hey no dumb questions, all good :) Yeah, I used pedals through it - it was sitting at the end of a small board for a while. I don't play metal but for my music (blues/rock) it took pedals great. It does also have an effects loop so you can send your reverb and delay effects after the pre-amp, and drive it like any other amp through the front end (input)
@@eezar21 thanks for the answer! It helps a lot!
I’m more partial to the Walrus. It also has the smallest footprint of the lot. I’m really interested in the DSM though, as it seems to be a more complete solution to just set and go.
I love the content, guys! I'd love to see this kind of shootout done where you're not only comparing how these pedals sound flat, but dialed in as well. At 23:54, you refer to a pedal as sounding, "flat" when the eq is still straight up. Knobs are meant to be turned. I'd much rather see a video of you two being excited over the tones that you dialed in vs which of the pedals are less bland. My favorite moments are always when you guys are genuinely excited over something such as your latest "new pedalboards" video where Lee was shredding and Pete made a face everytime the wah was kicked on! Cheers from Detroit.
Watching this for the second time. The Simplifier is my preference - again.
I bought the ACS1 a couple months ago and really starting to dig into it. I think it does the "edge of break-up" type tones incredible well, albeit does not have that much gain on tap. I always set my amps at that spot, so it's good for me. I really wasn't too thrilled with some of the Stock IR's, but I started making my own impulses using the GGD Cabzilla and it's been a life changing experience! It's now unreal good. I actually even sold off my Kemper because of this pedal for when I have to go direct.
It's crazy how far the digital world has come and how many good options there are! For me, size and form factor sold me on walrus, but I'd be happy with just about any of these.
Are you able to bypass the cab sims on the ACS1? I would like to run a signal to my 2X12
@@marksifuentes1002 Yes I believe in the new update you can do this
Where did you get your ir's???do you know any website??please help me
@@skylarmobis4681 I used the get good drums cabzilla vst. They have a couple of them. I would bypass the ir in the pedal, connect it to my interface and listen to the track without the ir, then just start trying different ones until I found what I liked. Exported those or wav files then uploaded them to the pedal.
As a guitar player in a church, stage noise is a pretty big deal. This is good stuff, definitely piques my interest. Thanks dudes.
A great solution to eliminate stage noise and get a decent sounding guitar tone at the end of it. Glad this video has helped and make sure to let us know which pedal was your favourite.
@@andertons The Walrus sounded great, right out of the gate, and then just kept sounding great. Although, none of them sounded bad, the Walrus sounded the most "open" and lush to my ears.
No Sansamps? Tech 21 has been doing this for decades longer than anyone, and they’re still putting out new and amazing amp-in-a-box products. Kinda weird to not see them in this. [shrug]
I don't think that I ever saw a Tech21 video from Andertons.
Yes, but it's not 'That Pedal Show' it's the what Andertons have in stock to sell you show. As always 😽
@@Catsincages Good point!
@@SteveRayMorse Huh. You know, you’re right. I haven’t either, now that you mention it.
@@Catsincages but they always had Tech21 in their website. All Sansamps line at least.
I have both simplifiers, I like the classic more than the DLX. I've found it to be plenty "inspiring" relative to a regular amp, I used to have a Twin Reverb reissue and I love the room filling sound and the smell of the tubes as much as anyone else, but with an amp on my pedalboard I can plug up headphones and play at full volume anywhere, I can track songs on a mixer easily, go into an interface easily, and I'm not worried about moving around an amp or mics or sound treatment to get consistently good audio. Tonight I tried running the Simplifier into a JHS Colour Box, and that was absolutely phenomenal. I think the DLX would be right for someone who is using the amp for more tone shaping, plans to switch channels mid-song or something. But since I mostly use it for a clean tone to pair with my pedals and don't change it all, the classic is fine for me.
Having both versions do you hear any tonal differences between classic and dlx for clean fendery tones? I definitely want to buy a Simplifier but not sure which version. If the base sound is the same and dlx just offers more options I would probably go for the classic one. I don't need much gain as I will put some pedals in front on it. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!
@@tomaszsiejko6562 I think the classic sounds exactly the same as the DLX. The added features aren't really worth it unless you want two channels, that's the biggest selling point for me. But honestly, as a pedal platform, I've been having the best results bypassing the preamp circuit in the Simplifier and only using a cab sim. I actually took it out of my rig and I'm just using a Cabzeus Mono instead and it sounds the best by far. I figured that out while playing with the switches on the simplifier because I kept running out of headroom with too many distoritions and overdrives on, and it sounded best without the preamp circuit engaged. That was an expensive lesson to learn. So instead now I'm running into an EQ pedal and then the Cabzeus, or even without an end of chain eq if I have enough tonal control earlier in the chain. It's still nice having the Simplifiers as recording and streaming tools when jamming with friends, and they sound great as amps on their own, but it's overkill for someone who wants a clean pedal platform, and in my experience actually made the tone worse by being in the chain. All you need is an EQ and an IR.
@@user-qd6qk1wt4n not sure what you mean by that, it comes out at line level so my interface picked it up just fine. I sold both of them though. I just plug my guitar straight into my interface now and use helix native.
Anderton's making my day better as always with challenge videos!! Thank you guys.
Glad you enjoy the challenge videos! We've got plenty more in the works but make sure to let us know what else you would like to see!
@@andertons UNLES I MISSSED IT, cOMPARE A sANS AMP original vs reissue. fewer bells and whistles but isn't that what your pedal board is for? for my ignorance, What re these IR's evey one mentions?
Really good comparison, if you ask me I will go with the Simplifier, it's sound fuller and bigger than the others, it's my opinion...
There are a few odd things going on here...
1. Walrus are the cheapest on offer
2. The "Simplifier" is by far the most complicated
3. The Strymon is not the best sounding and has the fewest features
Interestingly, these are not an alternative to a traditional amp to save money. They're equally pro gear for a different job.
Anyway, I want the most expensive one. Damn.
Listening with good headphones at about 10min, the simplifier sounds extremely close to the amp outside a few eq differences. The Atomic and Iridium both sound worse off the bat (the iridium seems to have had a different goal), and the Mako seems to be going for what people think the amp should sound like - a highly sculpted and super bright tone to start. I was surprised to hear how close the simplifier was.
Ah, Pete coughing and no one is freaking out. Back to normal life, and it's awesome!
SCAMDEMIC
@@gregmize01 i mean… the vaccine is free in the United States. So not really if you’re also from my side of the pond.
@@sebastianmedina1234 nothing is “free.”
ACS1 seems most versatile to me, cleanest cleans which you can always stack pedals into
I think we have the same set of ears Pete, haha. We picked the same and judged the sound the same... I can hear the difference with my PC speakers, so maybe the same way that you hear there in the studio.
Clean: Walrus bested the others
Drive: Simplifier DLX bested the others
Very helpful - thanks! I'm on the verge of buying the DSM & Humbolt and I preferred its sounds in this video.
Glad it was helpful!
You won't regret - it's awesome
"It's like a car." Didn't hear anything that sounded like a Yugo or a McLaren, but they're all serviceable. Honestly, this sentiment could be applied to just about any amp, including the battery powered micro-amps that Lee dismissed as sounding like "wasps in a jam jar."
I'd pick the Simplifier. It supports my hypothesis that analog is still viable in a world dominated by DSP.
You two are so honest. I love TPS, but sometimes those two tend to go with what they pre-conceived or something.
Fender Clean: Walrus
Fender + OD: Atomic or Simplifier
Marshall: Iridium or Simplifier
Vox: Atomic
None of them killed it at all 3 amps.
I just recorded with a origin revival drive into a story on iridium into a di and man was blown away by the sound I got…first time people asked me how I got such killer guitar sounds
Great video.
ACS1 Fender was surprisingly good stock. The Iridium is great but it's very mid forward by default but you can fix that with the right IR's and then I love it. Hard to compare those two because the amps they're modeling are so different. Simplifier Marshall rocked pretty hard with Iridium right behind it. The AFB had an unnatural low end for sure. Not my thing (in this example).
I'm seriously considering adding that ACS1 to the end of my board for wet-dry-wet. Take a low-watt tube amp to the gig for real crunch, then split off into stereo effects and the ACS1 running fender on one side and vox on the other.
Latency would maybe cause phase issues?
The big difference between these things and the real guitar amp is actually how you're using the speakers. I'm aware the comparison was "fair". I'm referring to the comments at the end about still preferring an amp and cab. That comparison is not fair when you use these devices like you have done.
Take the same setup, turn off any room simulations like in the Strymon, and put the studio monitor(s) next to the amp cab. Match levels, and it's shockingly close. The only thing you really need to do is make sure that the speaker you're using can hit the same levels as your guitar cab without compressing/distorting and that it's not total junk. There will be more spread of the high end, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
For the stereo ones, either set them up wet/dry (if you're using the amp similarly) or ignore one "side" of the output by just not plugging it into anything.
IMO, the big mistake almost every company made in designing these things was to label the outputs as stereo...it implies that you should use them into monitors set up the way you'd listen to stereo music, and that is not where they shine. In fact, it's almost 100% of the reason why people think they sound like a recorded guitar tone rather than a live one. You cannot discount the effects of where the speakers physically are in the room. And no, none of the treatments you may have done in there to record well negate it either.
This is a great observation especially considering the fact that the room with play a significant part in how the sound is perceived with how many reflections there are in the listening position.
I would also add that the signal path of a guitar going into a amplifier section vs. emulations into recording interfaces is that the signal is treated way more exact and with lower amounts of THD comparatively by going the emulated route vs the inherent THD folding at multiple stages with a real amplifier. These pedals, while designed to be as close to accurate in behavior as physical guitar amps, are mostly designed from a Hi-Fi modality and standpoint in general since more attention and detail is paid to the signal in order to mimic non-linear behaviors and tonality which in turn causes them to sound a bit more "clear" and exact sounding even when they are essentially being very similar behavioral to an actual amp.
The only way to really compare is to use a load on a guitar amp and stick everything through the same IR, if you are comparing amps, otherwise you could use a power amp and the same cab, but no studio monitor is gonna compete with a 30w + 212 or bigger, it just sounds better for guitar. Damn I once plugged my PC into a peavey bandit power section and it sounded better in the room than through cab emulation into monitors because the 10" cab just sounds more fun in a room than 5" monitors.
I own and love the Ampli-Firebox (the original version), but I'm really liking that Simplifier DLX
Same. I have both. Stereo is king! I sold the Iridium almost immediately.
I have a mark 1 as well and its fantastic! The Iridium wasn't even close in my opinion.
Dude !! You got me at 4:36!!!! AMAZING!!!!! That's the low end I love in amps and walrus has done it !!! Thanks for this review!! I mean it !!!!!!
Thanks!
A very telling comparison.
To my ears, once again Simplifire has won. It has a more lively, raw and real sound.
ASC-1 and Strymon are more of a "post-production" sound.
Atomic is a clear outsider in this comparison.
In such a comparison, it also made sense to consider the sound taken by a microphone from a guitar cabinet. It is also significantly different from the Torpedo.
I think another interesting difference is that the Firebox, ACS1 & Iridium all offer stereo outputs. The ACS1 in particular allows for different Amp+Cab combos on the left and right which sounds amazing.
Good spotting. This comes close to the separate channel signal chain of the DSM box.
The simplifier for me. Sounds better to my ears.
After a night of hard work in a hospital this is 😊
One things that is not often said is that most people use those pedals for low volume playing and for good quality home recording
The Walrus ACS-1 actually sounded better without the room sound. What is amazing about all of these devices is that every single one of them produces an acceptable sound for recording. I use the original DSM/Humboldt Simplifier, and I love it. I just trying to figure out whether I need the DLX, or whether the original still covers my needs.
If I didn't have an Iridium, I would buy the Walrus. But I would not buy one to replace my Iridium.
Until I heard the gain demo... I'm perfectly happy with my Iridium and will likely never replace with anything but another future version
Hey guys, quick thought here. You need to listen with the idea of it being in the context of a mix. To me that's why the Iridium is more midrange focused. It'll sit better in the mix. Of course on its own it'll sound thinner than the others since it has less bass. If you add bass and cut mid, it should be on par with the others. So I believe this is why it's more popular.
They're all good! Right now I'm agreeing with Pete that the Simplifier is cloer to the real tube amp. The Victory sounds the best. But a pedal amp is a great choice if you don't have room for an amp or you're flying to a gig. Also, some venues don't allow amps on stage.
Recently got the Atomic after much debating and it's excellent so far. It does so much more than the others on this list, with built in gate, compression, od/distortion/fuzz, reverb and delay, more amp sims as well as the ability to load your own ir's. It works on my pedalboard battery pack and it can send one signal out to the PA with ir's turned on and one out to a cab with them off (not sure if the others have this ability). For me, it has replaced my (admitedly small) pedal board except for the tuner. Most gigs I play are abroad and you can never rely on getting decent gear so was looking for something to nulify this issue and hopefully this will do the trick...will find out post-covid I guess!
I liked the sound of that one the best with external pedal drive/distortion.
for my ignorance, What re these IR's evey one mentions?
@@mrroye impulse response, simulates micd cabinets
When you guys made the conclusion that the walrus was better you should’ve tried to get the iridium to sound exactly like the walrus and then the public would be get a better review. I have never used any piece of equipment and turn the knobs at 12 o’clock. Not even an amp sounds good with the knobs at 12 o’clock.
I LOVE being able to plug my pedalboard directly into the venue's mixing board. No amplifier or speaker cab needed. A pedalboard and ONE guitar in the back seat of your car is THE ONLY way to travel from gig to gig.
Now that I am 60, I have to agree.
Curious that the Positive Grid Mini is never talked about in the digital realm. It has 16 saved amps that can be fully designed with every parameter, to include a bunch of cabinets. 150w into 8 ohms. I’ve used it for three years and love it!
The Spark Mini? You can’t compare something line those and those.
I needed this video.
My GAS for an acoustic guitar is now angry at my GAS for a pedalboard amp.
Soundwise they could all potentially be the same amps but with different mic's/mic positions on them. At least thats how it comes across in my mind, and speakers. Great video guys!
This demo would have been more precise if all the cabsims were EQ-d to match with each other. That way we could have listened to the sound quality differences between them, not the obvious tone (EQ) differences.
Superb piece guys! Next step would be to include a Helix and Kemper in the chain as a comparator of another tool that can provide amp/cab emulation...
This is just my experience but if you are mainly a bedroom headphone user, get the iridium. I had an acs1 and the volume through headphones was atrociously low. Can't speak for the other two as I haven't tried em but I wil say through stereo monitors, the ACs1 sounds more like an amp and the iridium sounds more like an amp that has been mic'd and mixed to some extent. ( Something I like)
Loving the purple and pink Pete playing and picking with that plectrum.
Thanks as always for the great videos and effort to evaluate products for us. Just throwing a thought out in the webverse, the Strymon EQ stack changes for each model, especially with the Vox model. Where with the Mid control at its left most setting there is no treble attenuation, and as you turn the knob to the right treble is attenuated. Just noticed that in the video the control was at noon, which would make the Vox model sound darker in this instance.
Eq wise and for sheer width of sound, the walrus sounded the best to my ear, but it did also sound a little brittle compared to say the Atomic.
I was in the market for the Iridium and then they week I decided to take the plunge, the ACS1 went on sale so I went with ACS1. Other have mentioned it is meant to be edge of breakup pedal platform which suits me just fine. I would love to be able to run my AC15 at the edge of breakup but it is too loud for the setting I get to play, so I had to really dial it back to where it was just clean and no breakup. So, for me this is a good solution. In isolation the ACS1 is harsher than the Iridium, but find often what sound what sound great in isolation gets lost in context. I find the ACS1 sound very realistic in context. Though if you need the Plexi sound without an overdrive then Iridium is probably a better fit.
Bs. Just turn on your boost pedal along with the iridium. It will sound just as “real” as the ACS1.
As a long time user of a non-modded Iridium (No IR changes or anything) I gotta say, the best sound in the pedal is the voxy one. The all clean is a bit weak, and the more marshally one is a bit too muddy in the bass end to be perfect. I'd like the clean from ASC1, the marshally from the Simplifier, and the voxy from the Iridium. Wishing is never wrong!
Videos like this really point out the difference between "players" and songwriters/performers. Players fixate over things with thier gear and tone and performers focus on the quality of the songs and the performance. If your "tone" is godly and you feel "inspired" but your songs and performance blow ass, who cares? Of course there is overlap, but regular people tend to focus on one or the other
Yeah, that's why "songwriters" who hire "players" for their gigs make amazing performances. Best of both worlds
I have the first gen DSM (for guitar and another for bass). Love them DI'd into Abelton. The Walrus ACS1 had "magic tones" and I am tempted to buy,
but Andertons didn't fiddle with the tone controls, so don't know if the DSM could achieve better Vox sound. I record with Radial Engineering's Shotgun
into a mixing desk so I can have up to four guitar effects/amp channels from a single guitar. That makes me prefer the DSM, for it's 2 channel function.
The walrus has midi control, and uploadable custom IR's; which could be a game changer.
I was intrigued by the first Simplifier. But when I saw the DLX, i didn't even finish the video before I bought one
The Iridium’s Fender 12 o’clock midrange setting is not its blackface clean setting. It’s essentially the Brown Face setting (more mids). Suck out the mids, and it’s the Blackface, juice the mids up, and it’s the much gainier Tweed setting. That’s why the 12 o’clock setting didn’t give the result they expected. Strymon designed it that way, and it’s amazingly versatile. No one reads the manual. 😂😂😂
I bought the Strymon because it’s super, dead, simple, and based on the old Sansamp GT3, function wise. One can literally think of a sound within that 3 brand paradigm, and you can get it within seconds. I still prefer real amps, but man, that Strymon is a beast. Especially with York Audio IRs. Drool.
I think Angus Young will replace his live rig with the DSM Simplifier
This is so needed! I think another good candidate would be the Neunaber Neuron!
I will say that the two that I like for driven tones and articulation are the Strymon and the Humboldt the others have a very harsh presentation. I think I like the Simplifier as an overall better sounding unit; it handled Pete's pedals better too.
Of course none top a real valve head unit which is why I would want a Victory valve preamp pedal and run my regular pedal board. All of these options to use them live will require a powered cabinet or be run directly into a PA board so for me spending a few extra bucks for the Victory Valve Pedal would be how I would build my pedal board amp setup.
When you were running the AC Settings on the Simplifier, did you change the Tubes switch for both sides? It looked like the top row was on KT88s. They definitely aren't matching when I pause the screen. At 29:41 it looks like the top one is pointed up (Set to KT-88s) and the lower one looks like it's pointed at the middle (EL84s). My assumption is that even mono, in it's stereo out so the setting of both channels matters... but I could be wrong.
Also I think the Simplifier naming convention for Cabs is slightly weird, cause you can have a 2x12 combo.. which is I guess what they mean by Twin... but then do they account for say Fendery Speakers vs Celestion Blues or Silvers that would be in a Vox?
The walrus sounds great. I could live with that.
What video did you watch?
A good and fun video but a fair comparison would be to have each of these pedals running into the same IR. The sound differences are largely based on the IRs loaded into each pedal by the manufacturer. For example, there are three Iridium Fender-style heads and the one featured in this video was the “A Cab” Deluxe Reverb setting, “B Cab” is a Blues Junior and “C Cab” is a Vibrolux… and so on. Nonetheless, I enjoyed watching this. Thanks!
Ive been using an amp sim straight to mixer for a while now. Its nice to have control over the volume and and noise in the room. Its also easier to get a good tone. But the last few days ive beel gigging and rehearsing with a real amp, an old marshall valvestate 8080. Its amazing to feel that amp in the room sound. I mean, I like amp sims, but nothing replaces the amp next to you, specially if you play with an acoustic drummer.
Thinking of selling my Kemper stage for the simplify. The Kemper is Great but don’t want to edit as much as I do.
The Simplifier sounded the best to me in all examples but the Strymon was right up there with it!
Simplifier with a powered full range cabinet. I can use it as a typical amp or as a direct out setup.
I have a set of Studio monitors set beside each other on the floor as if they were an amplifier. Works fantastic.
As in you use both rigs?
UK: Invents the phrase, “Get on with it.”
UK: Cannot get on with it.
A super cheap alternative to these are the Joyo sound pedals which are pretty amazing considering their price.
Yes, I am curious to see how it compares for 30$, But I wonder if they are in the business of selling expensive gear.
I liked the Atomic with external drive/distortion pedals.
Yeah in my experience the headphones out on the Simplifier is not great, just a heads up. Does sound awesome when you DI it though.
I have a Katana with Sneaky Amps and a G&L Comanche plus a Epi 60s Tribute with Gibson split coil humbuckers. At the moment I have all the sounds I need. If I was in the market for an amp in the box the winner of this video would be Kemper. Expensive to start with but should save shed loads in a few years.
If they had 'sag' 'collapse' and 'bust into flames' dials and came in pink they would sound better.
Hey I think you used the Strymon’s fender channel for your Vox demo. Looks like the left switch is all the way up (round) and not center (chime). The right switch selects the IR and that’s in the middle position on your Vox demo. I could be wrong but I own the Iridium and love the Vox channel it has and that didn’t sound like the Vox channel to me.
Ain’t the Punch the Marshall one and the Round the Fender one?
@@allakazoo6267 yup you’re right. My bad. I’ll edit the original comment. Thanks for the heads up.
Hey I'm from San Diego.. Wtf?..the London pedal analysis so dialed in..you Brits are on another level ..its important.. I've made so many mistakes in buying gear..then..you have to switch out.. So..not cool..but you guys are so dialed in that it really helps
Great review - love your channel. Clean on Walrus for sure. Strymon for gain. I think people invest in Strymon because it is popular and will continue to get support, amps etc.
I think the atomic sounds like a modern Marshall clean tone, which I really love
As usual with such videos, they all sound fine!
Really great video! Sweet Tele and tasteful playing. Overall I liked the Walrus. To my ears it was the most transparent and the best platform. The others got too much into the modeling department for me.
almost like buying a handful of adjustable spanners setting them all to the 'middle' of their range and seeing which one fits the nut you have best.
I choose the original Simplifier because the effects loop + XLR outs means that I don’t have to have another box after my “post-amp” effects to give me XLR outs. Living up to its name, it simplified things that way. The DLX looks cool, but the bigger footprint makes me less interested.
Honestly the DLX is very small ... it looks big on videos because you can't believe how much they get into an enclosure that's only the size of two standard pedals. Since it has no foot-switches in the main unit you could also use it to build a micro pedalboard, stowing the main unit away and just switching it from the included footswitch unit. But for me it's a desktop unit and that's where it shines.
Honestly the DLX is very small ... it looks big on videos because you can't believe how much they get into an enclosure that's only the size of two standard pedals. Since it has no foot-switches in the main unit you could also use it to build a micro pedalboard, stowing the main unit away and just switching it from the included footswitch unit. But for me it's a desktop unit and that's where it shines.
Great review as always. Walrus takes on pedals the best.
So, ambient pedals post Walrus u reckon?
Would have loved to see the quilter US block they came out with recently vs these, as it has a 25w amp as well
"The audience doesn't matter!"
Finally, some one said it!
The mid knob on the Iridium is not a mid frequency control on the round and chime models but an amp character control
I’m surprised they didn’t point out the XLR output (or lack of) issue.
It’s a huge miss to me that Walrus and Strymon don’t have an xlr out, so you are going to need a direct box. Another piece of gear = more cost and more space.
The simplifier is the winner to me because you could actually stick it on your board and go straight to the desk and all of the settings are right there at your feet. The Atomic is cool but I think their software has too much going on for this type of product.
Boss IR 200 was just released, Hope another IR CAB shootout coming soon :)
I want one of these for a quiet practice box. I dont want to wake my kids with an amp late at night so one of these fits the bill perfectly!