Starting point for power amp sim in Live/Cab?

[gtrgriff3]

Well... I tried posting this question on TGP and got nothing so maybe you all can help me here

I've recently tried using the power amp sims - for the longest time I never needed them as I always had an actual power amp involved. But I'm messing with a preamp now and could use what the power amp sim has to offer.

Problem is, the controls don't make any sense to me - they seem not to do what I expect them to do, and their interaction leads me to believe that I'm not at all certain all of the facets of sound that they affect. And I just don't like turning knobs without knowing what they're going to do.

I've experimented a lot but haven't figured out how to get some basic power amp sounds going on. So does anyone have some basic settings they can share to get me in the ballpark?

I'm looking for a fairly standard Marshall/El34 type power amp and a Mesa/Boogie style 6L6 type of power amp sound. I don't need any kind of crazy power amp distortion or anything.

At one point I found a thread with some discussion about the parameters on the power sim, but I've searched quite a bit and can't find it now so perhaps it's gone.

Thanks for your help

 

[djd100]

Yes, the Presence control is backwards when compared to most in that it's effecting the low end etc, so try this...

PP EL34, Presence max, Depth to suit (start at 50% maybe?), and for cleans (Volume 10 or less), compression and crunch (Volume between 12 - 22), crushed power tubes (> 22), and this assumes a good strong input level, say -3 to -6 peaks peaks (or the red light just going off and staying off).

For the PP 6L6's start with the Presence control at no more than 50%, and the Depth at say 33%.

The tube power amp sims sound great, but if you start with the Presence at 0% you'll likely find them too light in the bottom end (harsh and thin sounding etc), possibly excepting the 6L6's which have the biggest bottom end like the real thing?

Like a real tube power section, a little goes a long way.