Bigger Vox-Box: Tech 21 Liverpool Deluxe

The Liverpool Deluxe

When Andrew Barta and his company Tech 21 released the first Sansamp in 1989 in was a game-changer.  I know that term is used and abused but this time it’s deserved.  Before the days of digital amp modeling, recording the sound of a huge guitar required...well.. a huge-ass guitar amp.  The Sansamp’s all-tube circuitry and unique controls could get closer than any device before it at delivering real amp-like tones at bedroom volume.

Tech 21's Character Series Pedals

SansAmp Classic

Throughout the years, Tech 21 has produced many variations of the Sansamp including bass models and midi-rack units.  In recent years they have introduced their Character series.  Each of these single-switch boxes emulate a classic manufacturers family of amps in a single device!  These next-generation units have won over many purists over who want tube-tone without the large package and price tag.  Great for direct recording or going straight to the board for live situations.  No digital menus to scroll through.  Just good ole’ knobs.


Enter the Liverpool Deluxe...





Speaking of Liverpool....Please Stop Ringo!!!
Tech 21 has offered for a while the VT Bass Deluxe which is an expanded, multi-preset pedal based on the famed Ampeg line of bass amps.  The Liverpool Deluxe is just that but takes it’s sonic cues from the legendary Vox guitar amp line.  

It’s only available direct from Tech 21’s Private Stock collection and in limited quantity with an asking price of $309.  Here’s what they have to say about it:

"The Deluxe version of the Liverpool SansAmp Character Series features a combination of a warm, all-analog signal path and convenient digital recall. There are 6 program locations and dual inputs for two instruments to be on-line, ready to go. Create three custom tones for each input or use all six locations for a single instrument. And you can program the FX loop to engage your favorite effect each time a so-designated preset is selected. Super simple to operate, changes can easily be made on the fly --without having to refer to the owner’s manual. You just turn the knobs to a setting you like, double click on a footswitch and it’s saved in that channel.
That distinctive diamond grille tone is yours for the tweaking. From the jangle of mop-top pop to the top-boosted growl of mod rock, this amp style has a voice that shook generations. Tuned to deliver the growl of English Alnico Bulldog-style speakers, this pedal also gets thick with rich, even harmonics as the Character control is pushed harder. Push it to the limit and it will, it will, rock you."

A demo of the "non-deluxe" Liverpool


For more info drop by Tech 21's Private Stock page.

New Firmware for Line 6 Pod HD

If you purchased the Pod HD 500 or HD Pro there are new goodies to download for free.  Firmware version 2.0 is ready on the Line 6 site.  I just downloaded it and am loving the new Plexi Lead 100.  Open and warm with the right amount of grit and harmonics everywhere.

In addition there is the first HD bass amp model based on the classic Ampeg B-15 and a very useful tube pre-amp model.  Great for vocals and acoustic.

James Tyler Variax and DT series amp users have a whole slew of updates for getting closer to what Line 6 is now calling the "Dream Rig."

Here's what they had to say:

Ampeg B-15

Now available for download at line6.com, the free v2.0 firmware update dramatically expands the sonic palette of POD® HD500, POD HD, and POD HD Pro multi-effect processors, and significantly enhances integration with the James Tyler® Variax®.

For POD HD500, POD HD, and POD HD Pro multi-effects, the update includes two brand-new HD guitar models, the world’s first HD bass model (with eight incredible mic model choices!) and a new vintage-voiced mic preamp model:

“Flip Top” HD Bass Amp Model. Introducing the world’s very first HD bass amp model based on* the immortal Ampeg® B-15NF Portaflex®, one of the most popular studio bass amps of all time. The modeled cab features the original 15-inch speaker perfect for laying down some serious thump.

Eight New Mic Choices for the HD Bass Amp Model. Get your ideal bass tone from the new “Flip Top” HD bass model with eight mic choices based on*
        Shure® SM57
        Sennheiser® 421
        AKG® D12
        AKG® D112
        EV® RE20
        Shure® SM7B
        Heil® PR40
        Neumann® U47

“Plexi Lead NRM” and “Plexi Lead BRT” HD Guitar Amp Models. Stunning new HD guitar amp models based on* the Normal and Bright inputs of the legendary Marshall® “Plexi” 1959 Super Lead 100-watt head. Plug into the classic cascading crunch of this historic English head!

“Vintage” HD Mic Preamp Model. A vintage-voiced tube mic preamp based on* the Requisite® Y7. This new model adds incredible warmth to vocal sounds and guitar and bass tones. Its controls include:
        Gain
        HPF (High Pass Filter)
        LPF (Low Pass Filter)
        Phase
        Output
The update also includes a variety of new features and enhancements that make a POD HD500 or POD HD Pro, James Tyler Variax, and DT25 or DT50 guitar amplifier dream rig even more powerful and easy to use. The result is complete analog and digital reconfiguration and control of guitar models, effects, HD amplifier models, analog tube topology, and more with the press of a single footswitch.

Variax Knobs as Controllers. Variax Tone and Volume knobs can act like expression pedals, controlling different aspects of your tone such as delay time, amp drive or anything else you want. Controllers are capable of driving up to 50+ POD HD parameters simultaneously, making it possible to morph between sounds with a single guitar knob.

Variax Toggle Switch Behavior (Local Control). To provide smooth, intuitive transitions between the modeled and magnetic pickups, you can choose whether the Volume, Tone and Pickup Selector switch will control both the model and magnetic pickups simultaneously, or lock the model and only affect the magnetic pickups. For example, when switching between acoustic and electric tones, you can lock the acoustic model controls so that tweaking knobs and switching pickups when playing the electric sound won’t affect the sound of the acoustic when you switch back.

Variax Control Mode (Global/Preset). Choose whether you want to assign Variax guitar models and Local Control settings globally, or on a per-preset basis. Alternately, you can get complete manual control by choosing not to control Variax settings with POD presets.

New Input Selections. The new input selections — “Variax” and “Variax Mags” — allow you to assign any configuration of magnetic pickups and Variax models per POD HD preset. The new “Variax” input selection also recalls whether you were using mags or models per preset, allowing you to pick up exactly where you left off – no need for manual selection or input changes.

POD HD/Variax Custom Tuning Creation. Now you can create custom Variax tunings for any or all of your POD HD presets. Save and recall them per preset — and get up to 512 unique custom guitar tunings with instant footswitch control.
The POD HD v2.0 firmware update is available for POD® HD500, POD HD, and POD HD Pro. POD HD v2.0 firmware updates for POD HD300 and POD HD400 are coming soon.

Spatial Profiling: The Kemper Profiling Amp

Cloner Rock

Amp modeling has been around for about two decades now, and although many detest it, it’s more popular than ever.  Be it from a device or software on your laptop, phone or ipad.  Oversimplified, modelers use complex algorithms based on studio analysis of a specific amp to reproduce the tone and response of the amp digitally.
Obviously there are some rather large differences in quality amongst modelers but the one thing they all provide is huge convenience.  
We have now hit the point where there is a high-end guitar processor market.  The Fractal Axe-FX has spent the last few years alone at the top processor game, due to it’s renowned sounds and popularity with pros, but that's about to change.  The Kemper Profiling Amplifier enters the Thunderdome.

“Profiling Amplifier?  Profiling?  What is that all about?” That’s what I said.  Then I started looking into it.
This amp can analyze and profile the tone of any amp and store it!  It comes with some amazing profiles of boutique amps to begin with but you also have the ability to copy any amp you can get your hands on.  To make things even sweeter, you can share the profiles with other users.  That’s kind of insane.  It’s one thing to share tones with guys who have the same tools as you but it’s another thing to virtually play someone else's amp.  Ridiculous.

At $1850.00 it’s pricey but a lot less than every single amp ever built.  Or even just a single high-end amp.  Ok, how does it sound?  I have yet to play it but it seems like every video I see has really tremendous sound. 

Are “Profiling” amps are the next “Modeling” amps?  Who knows what we'll be using in five years.   But for now, it seems like the bar may have just been raised.
At $1850.00 it’s pricey but a lot less than every single amp ever built.

 Watch the Kemper profile a Bogner