Which Nembrini amp for those who prefer cleaner tones?

OscarSouth

@JoyceRoadStudios said:

@OscarSouth said:
I've been configuring a clean guitar tone for an ongoing project at the moment and I'm pretty much completely happy with PSA1000 into Thafknar.

The question with that one for me is that I heard a few times "It's more of a preamp" and contemplated the consequence of that. Unless I'm just missing out on a whole world of amp modelling insight though, it just looks like there's extra functionality in the models (noise gate/EQ/reverb/IRloader/cab decisions etc.) which can be added on in a modular basis with the Nembrini Rack AUs (I'm using noise gate and guitar EQ). The PSA1000 only has one channel of course, so I've put the Nembrini tube screamer clone before it with drive at a very low setting -- I love how it interacts with the PSA1000 when toggled off and on.

Many guitarists or studio musicians go direct using a preamp and apply processing later. It’s more of a studio thing, since for a live gig you still want the power amp and the speaker cabinet. But using a preamp like PSA to go direct in a studio setting is no less viable, and it’s highly successful and common.

Thanks

I've replied in more depth in the other thread, where you pretty much replied to this one in advance, before I finished typing the post!

As I bassist I go direct to the desk from a Sansamp pre box live as well -- usually get a better sound that way anyway I find and no huge amp to transport!

espiegel123

@OscarSouth said:
I've been configuring a clean guitar tone for an ongoing project at the moment and I'm pretty much completely happy with PSA1000 into Thafknar.

The question with that one for me is that I heard a few times "It's more of a preamp" and contemplated the consequence of that. Unless I'm just missing out on a whole world of amp modelling insight though, it just looks like there's extra functionality in the models (noise gate/EQ/reverb/IRloader/cab decisions etc.) which can be added on in a modular basis with the Nembrini Rack AUs (I'm using noise gate and guitar EQ). The PSA1000 only has one channel of course, so I've put the Nembrini tube screamer clone before it with drive at a very low setting -- I love how it interacts with the PSA1000 when toggled off and on.

It all depends on what sound you are after. If you are getting a sound you like, you are done. Some power amps have a tonal signature different from preamps by themselves. For some people, it is a key element in what they like and for other people not so much.

It is really just a matter of personal preference.

FWIW, I like what certain amps bring to the tone because it is what I like. So, I get more pleasure playing when I get into that ballpark....but I know players whose preference is a signal flow that doesn't involve a power amp.

JoyceRoadStudios

@espiegel123 said:

@OscarSouth said:
I've been configuring a clean guitar tone for an ongoing project at the moment and I'm pretty much completely happy with PSA1000 into Thafknar.

The question with that one for me is that I heard a few times "It's more of a preamp" and contemplated the consequence of that. Unless I'm just missing out on a whole world of amp modelling insight though, it just looks like there's extra functionality in the models (noise gate/EQ/reverb/IRloader/cab decisions etc.) which can be added on in a modular basis with the Nembrini Rack AUs (I'm using noise gate and guitar EQ). The PSA1000 only has one channel of course, so I've put the Nembrini tube screamer clone before it with drive at a very low setting -- I love how it interacts with the PSA1000 when toggled off and on.

It all depends on what sound you are after. If you are getting a sound you like, you are done. Some power amps have a tonal signature different from preamps by themselves. For some people, it is a key element in what they like and for other people not so much.

It is really just a matter of personal preference.

FWIW, I like what certain amps bring to the tone because it is what I like. So, I get more pleasure playing when I get into that ballpark....but I know players whose preference is a signal flow that doesn't involve a power amp.

Yes this is the other piece of it. @OscarSouth when you are using a guitar amp or sim, you’re getting that signature or characteristic “Marshall” or “Fender” or “Mesa Boogie” tone, which is a combination of all the internal components (pre amp, power amp, tubes, transistors, routing schematic, particular speaker and enclosure, etc...). But going direct with a preamp is essentially giving your dry direct tone a certain color and saturation that you would then sculpt further in pre or post. Fairly common in the 70s, but much more common in the 80s and 90s.

To my ears there’s a certain ripe and honky quality when you go guitar direct into preamp only, it’s a great sound but it’s quite particular, it sounds to me more like a characterful harmonic color and mood. I get a similar sound going guitar into Saturn 2, which is a filter/saturator. Where a preamp only approach is not enough is when you start using high gain, the lack of cabinet and power section can make things too fizzy and narrow sounding. Which is where processing comes in, like Thafknar or other reverb / imaging techniques.

If you run your guitar or bass through Gain Stage Vintage Clean or Saturn 2, you’ll notice a similar “honky preamp room” sound as with PSAjr.

tahiche

@Montreal_Music said:

@SNystrom said:
From what I've read, the Nembrini Audio Cali Reverb is based on the Mesa Boogie Recto-Verb 50 watt head (Series 2).

The Nembrini Cali Dual Three Channel is based on a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier.

Here are a couple reviews:

https://honestampsimreviews.com/2020/06/06/nembrini-audio-cali-reverb/

https://honestampsimreviews.com/2020/10/24/nembrini-audio-cali-dual/

5 stars answer. I bought the Cali Dual. I will test it this week. Thanks!

The pitch shifter worth it? I usually use Drambo, but if the PS is better, I will buy the Nembrini one.

You mean Quinta?. Sounds good, more “flavour” than Drambo’s, I had a few problems using it with Zenbeats, some latency and stereo issues, but I believe it’s fixed.
For pitch shifting I recommend ToneStack Pro. Very good tracking and various modes. It’s even got a Poly emulation.
And it’s got the Blue Furr (a MXR BlueBox emulation) which is my new favorite pedal, amazing. Plus

I just uploaded a video testing the Blue Furr and more ToneStack pedals if you want to check it out.

OscarSouth

@JoyceRoadStudios said:

@espiegel123 said:

@OscarSouth said:
I've been configuring a clean guitar tone for an ongoing project at the moment and I'm pretty much completely happy with PSA1000 into Thafknar.

The question with that one for me is that I heard a few times "It's more of a preamp" and contemplated the consequence of that. Unless I'm just missing out on a whole world of amp modelling insight though, it just looks like there's extra functionality in the models (noise gate/EQ/reverb/IRloader/cab decisions etc.) which can be added on in a modular basis with the Nembrini Rack AUs (I'm using noise gate and guitar EQ). The PSA1000 only has one channel of course, so I've put the Nembrini tube screamer clone before it with drive at a very low setting -- I love how it interacts with the PSA1000 when toggled off and on.

It all depends on what sound you are after. If you are getting a sound you like, you are done. Some power amps have a tonal signature different from preamps by themselves. For some people, it is a key element in what they like and for other people not so much.

It is really just a matter of personal preference.

FWIW, I like what certain amps bring to the tone because it is what I like. So, I get more pleasure playing when I get into that ballpark....but I know players whose preference is a signal flow that doesn't involve a power amp.

Yes this is the other piece of it. @OscarSouth when you are using a guitar amp or sim, you’re getting that signature or characteristic “Marshall” or “Fender” or “Mesa Boogie” tone, which is a combination of all the internal components (pre amp, power amp, tubes, transistors, routing schematic, particular speaker and enclosure, etc...). But going direct with a preamp is essentially giving your dry direct tone a certain color and saturation that you would then sculpt further in pre or post. Fairly common in the 70s, but much more common in the 80s and 90s.

To my ears there’s a certain ripe and honky quality when you go guitar direct into preamp only, it’s a great sound but it’s quite particular, it sounds to me more like a characterful harmonic color and mood. I get a similar sound going guitar into Saturn 2, which is a filter/saturator. Where a preamp only approach is not enough is when you start using high gain, the lack of cabinet and power section can make things too fizzy and narrow sounding. Which is where processing comes in, like Thafknar or other reverb / imaging techniques.

If you run your guitar or bass through Gain Stage Vintage Clean or Saturn 2, you’ll notice a similar “honky preamp room” sound as with PSAjr.

Thank you so much for the brilliant explanation!

jacou

@tahiche said:

I just uploaded a video testing the Blue Furr and more ToneStack pedals if you want to check it out.

Nice one!!