AL direct into the PA?

[Ripper]

Has anyone tried this? Do I need a DI box? Can I get any good sound, without the DI box? Thanks!!!

 

[Slingy]

You could do this with a piezo or acoustic guitar but for electric sounds you need some tone shaping options. There are alot of multi FX units out there that will do what you want. Alot of people are doing this, bands are sounding alot better too without all that stage volume.

There's also an impedance mismatch going from guitar output to line level. Hopefully some more people have some opinions on this.

 

[Ripper]

Thanks!

I am thinking of this:

AL -> Boss CS-2 Comp -> Delay & Chorus -> PA

No dirt tone here. Do I miss a DI box here?

 

[Slingy]

I think you'd want a DI box with at least a cabinet simulation, but I seem to remember Gilmour recording this way with only compressor and eq to mixing console.

Wait for some of the gigging players to add in.

 

[RocketRalf]

You'll need an amp and cabinet simulation or a very powerful EQ, or else your guitar will sound too middy. All guitar amps have a natural V EQ shape, even with all controls at 5. The magic of choosing a clean amp is finding the best V that works for you and your guitar. Else we'd all be playing solid state or digital amps for cleans, like many bass players are already doing.

 

[andynpeters]

I had my SS for 5 years without ever plugging it into an amp....always a Boss GT5 into the PA....you could also use something like a POD. Can't recommend just the pedals into the PA if you want to sound authentic and need a range of sounds. Tone purists might scoff, but few out front will know the difference and your ears will thank you. I played in a duo and the girl singer couldn't hear herself think with an amp on stage.

 

[DrBob]

Out of necessity i did do a gig with my Axis into a POD XT straight into the PA. It worked ok and I'm told it sounded good out front but for me it was a little odd.
It just wasn't the same as a breathing sweaty valve amp, a strangely hi fi experience