Speakers & Mics UA Ox, Kemper, Modeling

[GuitarZ]

Yes.  I still love my Ox.  It's been an interesting journey.  When I first got it, I just flipped around speakers, mics, presets, etc and overwhelmed myself.  I then decided to replicate my IsoCab setup (57 mic & Greenback) and realized I wouldn't need the Ox if I was just replicating what I already had (not considering mobility).  I then thought "Hey!  Their engineers know more than me.  Let me just start with their presets."  I was pretty happy with the presets for a year+ until I realized one was 'ear candy' after recording a tune and my wife asked "Why is the guitar so thin?"  And, some of the presets did sound good, but they weren't what I was looking for.

I'm now on phase 4.  I started with my favorite go-to preset (4x12 Greenback Punch, off-axis 57, ribbon 121, & some room mics).  The ribbon is turned down pretty low.  So, the off-axis 57 is really driving the sound.  I then started switching speakers but keeping my go-to mic set up and the light bulb turned on.  I was hearing sounds that I would want to record with.  Sometimes switching from off-axis to on-axis with the 57 sounded better and a few times I would go to the Sennheiser MD 421 mic which is supposed to be 57-like with more bottom and upper end. 

I knew I preferred Celestion Greenbacks.  Now, I also realize I prefer certain mics.  I'm sure folks that have worked in studios and/or have more experience realized this long ago.  But, i think we tend to jump through patches with a 'like/dislike' not realizing the key elements that drive a 'like' and just X out the whole setup.  I am now hearing what's unique about a Celestion Blue vs saying "It's not really my sound".  I just opened up my usable palette.  

Anyway, I thought I'd share. I'm not an effects guy, so I haven't even messed with the reverb, delay, compressor, or EQ.  And, I forgot the Ox has a 'direct' out meaning I could send that out one channel to use an IR in my PC along with an Ox speaker cab.  Plus, another thought popped in: is 're-amping' in my future?  What else am I missing or what are the next learning phases from your Ox, Kemper, modeling experience?

[steiner]

Never been a pedal guy either. If I wanted a new sound, I'd buy another amp. I stayed with the big boys: Fender, Vox, VHT, Sampson, Soldano, Bogner, Metropoulos and, of course, the fine Dr Z. While all are good, none struck me prior to the arrival of the OX. Post OX, I am in love! The OX adds just what was missing. I haven't recorded through it - yet. I have toyed with the effect's and cab presets but not the mics. I am enamored with the result; so much so that I bought another OX for a backup system. My alternative play time is switching out amps and guitars to decide if they stay. It's a good life!

[GuitarZ]

Jan 9, 2021 13:03:25 GMT -7 steiner said:

... so much so that I bought another OX for a backup system.  

2 Ox's or is it Oxen?  Nice!

So, do you know something I don't?  Is UA about to come out with the 'Ox Cart' requiring two Oxen to drive it?

It does provide a great sound!

[steiner]

As you know the OX is created to record (line lever effects output). I added a pair of Fryette Power Stations to get the OX line-out sound out to live cabs. That's my next rabbit hole! After that, with the second OX and a mixer, I'll have an opportunity to play stereo amps.

The cart comes in to schlep all the equipment around.  With sound like this, it's worth it.

[notscottagain]

I am not an FX guy either nor do I own an Ox, but in addition to a collection of some pretty iconic vintage amps, I also own a Kemper.

As for my vintage amps, I typically crank them and then use an attenuator to set my room volume. I can then control my gain through my guitar volumes or volume pedal. This is what attracted me to the CAZ, since it has that type of responsiveness. Any amp that is that responsive to player input and has a master volume that sounds good is right up my alley!

Having said all that, I do have a Kemper. I gigged it for over a year with a local cover band. I primarily bought it because it allowed me to dial in virtually any amp or FX and then recall it instantly via a footswitch. It worked great for that application but I eventually went back to my tube amps when I tried using the Kemper to drive conventional guitar cabinets to levels required for larger/louder gigs. The better approach would have been to run the Kemper through the monitors, but I never liked any guitar sound through stage monitors. All that being said, I am perfectly happy still using my Kemper for smaller gigs and it is a godsend to record with. In a good studio environment, you would be very hard pressed to distinguish between a tube amp and a Kemper profile. It is that good! The other thing about the Kemper is that it does all of its magic at any level you want. You can dial in a wall of cranked Marshalls and then get that tone complete with power tube distortion, driver fatigue and magnified touch response at any level, for recording, live work or even home late at night through headphones! It is a remarkable piece of kit and anybody who doesn't think a digital device can rival a tube amp, some time on a Kemper will cure you of that misconception.

[GuitarZ]

I’ve thought a few times if I was buying something today, I may have gone with the Kemper. Actually, it just hit me that I have a dummy load (Weber speaker motor) and could actually run my Z’s into the Kemper to just use a speaker profile if I wanted to. Gotta love today’s technology. It’s come a long way from the original Line 6 pod. 😀