Solid state power amp without speaker load?

[Resonant Alien]

Maybe a stupid question: I know you can't run tube power amp without a load - speaker or dummy box - but what about a solid state power amp - can it be run without a load??

Tx
Rick

 

[AdamB]

Think you'll still burn out the transformer

 

[bruce egnater]

A tube amp must have a load.

Most solid state do not require a load. There are a few exceptions though. What exactly are you planning to do?

Bruce

 

[Resonant Alien]

Trying to record silently with my M4 using a POD for cabinet simulation - One option is to buy a THD Hot Plate and run on the output of my VHT tube power amp into the hot plate, run the hot plate on load only and run the hot plate line out to a POD running only cabinet simulation. Other option is to dust off an old Marshall Valvestate 8008 power amp I have and run the output directly to the POD.

 

[aeroic]

Trying to record silently with my M4 using a POD for cabinet simulation - One option is to buy a THD Hot Plate and run on the output of my VHT tube power amp into the hot plate, run the hot plate on load only and run the hot plate line out to a POD running only cabinet simulation. Other option is to dust off an old Marshall Valvestate 8008 power amp I have and run the output directly to the POD.

i'd ditch the POD idea, and get a Palmer Speaker Simulator. Much better option as it can handle the load, and has been used on countless records as an alternative to mic'ing. I would NEVER run a power amp into a line level signal.

Lastly, I'd look into using an iso box before all of these options. Grendel Sound Dead Room speaker ISO cab is a good option.

Eric

 

[Resonant Alien]

Thanks Eric. I had a Palmer for a while. I think it is really good, but it never really did it for me. I thought clean and mid-crunch sounded good, but I was never happy with any high gain sounds going through it. I'll look into the iso boxes. I was checking out the AxeTrak, but based on the numerous clips I heard (including the official demo clips from their website), I didn't really like the sound of it either - was pretty mid-rangey and fuzzy.

I think I am going to get a Hot Plate anyway - good tool to have around - even running into an iso box, the Hot Plate can help saturate the power stage without getting too loud. I don't have a POD right now (used too, sold it), so I think I'll hold off buying that for now - I do have Amplitube software, so I may try outputing the Hot Plate into Amplitube with just the cab sims on - not expecting great results, but.....

Thanks for the tip on that iso cab - I hadn't heard of that one, I'll check it out.


PS - I am also laying down a clean DI track with the intention of using it for reamping later when I have a chance to crank the amp and mic it for real, so I am really just looking for a "silent" sound to use for tracking - not necessarily for keeper tracks.

 

[aeroic]

Thanks Eric. I had a Palmer for a while. I think it is really good, but it never really did it for me. I thought clean and mid-crunch sounded good, but I was never happy with any high gain sounds going through it. I'll look into the iso boxes. I was checking out the AxeTrak, but based on the numerous clips I heard (including the official demo clips from their website), I didn't really like the sound of it either - was pretty mid-rangey and fuzzy.

I think I am going to get a Hot Plate anyway - good tool to have around - even running into an iso box, the Hot Plate can help saturate the power stage without getting too loud. I don't have a POD right now (used too, sold it), so I think I'll hold off buying that for now - I do have Amplitube software, so I may try outputing the Hot Plate into Amplitube with just the cab sims on - not expecting great results, but.....

Thanks for the tip on that iso cab - I hadn't heard of that one, I'll check it out.


PS - I am also laying down a clean DI track with the intention of using it for reamping later when I have a chance to crank the amp and mic it for real, so I am really just looking for a "silent" sound to use for tracking - not necessarily for keeper tracks.

Yeah man. i hear you on the "silent recording" deal. I mainly can record after my wife and baby goes to bed. So I did the iso cab thing, and I can get great tone at a LOW volume . (in the room that is, outside of the cab ) ...


Eric

 

[Resonant Alien]

Hey Eric - Checked out the Grendel website. The Dead Room looks awesome. Based on the sound clips, it sounds awesome too, and the price is nice! Which speaker did you get in yours?? The British Lead seems like the obvious choice. Or, did you load it yourself...if so, what did you use?

 

[aeroic]

Hey Eric - Checked out the Grendel website. The Dead Room looks awesome. Based on the sound clips, it sounds awesome too, and the price is nice! Which speaker did you get in yours?? The British Lead seems like the obvious choice. Or, did you load it yourself...if so, what did you use?

The british lead for most on this forum is good. I personally don't like the CL80 sound, so right now I have a G12T75 in there. I did order a "Green Machine" from Ear Candy cabs, which will be going in there really soon .

I switch between a G12T75, A G12-65, a Veteran30 from WHS, and soon to be a Green Machine from Ear Candy.

Eric

 

[aeroic]

Hey Eric - Checked out the Grendel website. The Dead Room looks awesome. Based on the sound clips, it sounds awesome too, and the price is nice! Which speaker did you get in yours?? The British Lead seems like the obvious choice. Or, did you load it yourself...if so, what did you use?

The british lead for most on this forum is good. I personally don't like the CL80 sound, so right now I have a G12T75 in there. I did order a "Green Machine" from Ear Candy cabs, which will be going in there really soon .

I switch between a G12T75, A G12-65, a Veteran30 from WHS, and soon to be a Green Machine from Ear Candy.


Eric