Sansamp PSA-1 question

mushi · 2nd February 2008

Hi all
I've been using PODs a lot over the years as a main source for recording guitar and was about buy the new POD x3 when I heard about Sansamp PSA-1. I am no gear geek whatsoever and beacuse my main focus is that of a songwriter/producer I tend to like gear that sound great right of the box.. THe POD x3 got some poor user reviews (harmony central), so I am unsure if I should get it.. The Sansamp PSA-1 on the other side gets great reviews, but can it be used as a direct replacement for the POD? From the user reviews I've read I am a little unsure of how people actually use it..
I want something that I can plug guitars into and the output into the console..
I suppose Sansamp PSA-1 is an amp simulator, but not cab+mic also?
I really hope some of you guys can enlighten me a bit here..
Regards Rasmus

lionheart · 2nd February 2008

Hey Rasmus!!

i use the Sansamp PSA-1 as my main git preamp, and i love the sound of it.. but you should use it thru a git amp and and cab.. i have tried it direct and it does not sound that good direct!! and thats probably bacause it doesnt have mic/cab sim...

My 2 cent's is.. for micing up with amp and so on.. it's killer cool!! For direct, look for somethinge else..

Oyvind

slaves666 · 2nd February 2008

I used to have my PSA-1 as my main guitar pre with a VHT poweramp when I toured. It has since been used in my studio for bass tracking.

mushi · 2nd February 2008

Okay, thanks for the quick reply..

What else is there on the marked for amp sims than pod?

allencollins · 2nd February 2008

I didn't care for the sound of the PSA-1. Clearly much better than a pod but not that great. I think a real tube amp with the speaker sim smokes any pod or solid state preamp. Check otu the Groove Tubes SEII wit ha marshall or boogie head pretty damn good. Even an ADA MP1 will give you better results than sansamp or a pod.

I got a better sound out a $50 Korg PX2 than the pod or the PSA.

Alex Wyler · 2nd February 2008

I have an original SansAmp PSA-1 for sale ($400) if you, or anyone else are interested.

I own three of them, all in mint condition and I only need two now. I use them on stereo drum buss, guitars, bass, vocals...they are the best thing on the market for adding tube distortion to tracks...unless you have a Fender Bassman that you can crank to 11 and reamp into - and have time to set it up and the patience to deal with tube amp gremlins.

The SansAmp PSA-1 (the original) is a studio outboard classic.

It smokes the currently made PSA-1.1 or whatever they are called. The new one uses cheap parts and is a cheaper build quality and cheaper to buy as a result and the sound is compromised. But the original one sounds amazing. Sometimes better than a real amp depending on the situation. The bottom end is way more punchy and tight than you can get most amps without having to put brand new tubes in and have them all tweaked out by a really good amp technician. And it's analog so it responds much better to your touch and dynamics. It makes the POD and the Tonelab sound like toys.

Protools Guy · 2nd February 2008

I've got one.
I like using it to record bass with. It has an SVT preset that's pretty good and I've also had good results recording distored bass with it.
For guitar, I think it's OK. Like Allen Collins said, there aint nothing like the real thing!
For adding distortion to other things, including vocals, it's a pretty cool box.
Just my .02.

biggator6 · 3rd February 2008

Remember - the Sansamp doesn't have any of the effects that the POD does, just sounds like a good guitar preamp... .clean/od/distortion - that's it.

SeanBlack · 3rd February 2008

I just started using my PSA-1 in conjunction with Guitar Rig 3 for bins. So so sweet!

2nd February 2008	#1
mushi Gear interested Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 2 Thread Starter	Sansamp PSA-1 question Hi all I've been using PODs a lot over the years as a main source for recording guitar and was about buy the new POD x3 when I heard about Sansamp PSA-1. I am no gear geek whatsoever and beacuse my main focus is that of a songwriter/producer I tend to like gear that sound great right of the box.. THe POD x3 got some poor user reviews (harmony central), so I am unsure if I should get it.. The Sansamp PSA-1 on the other side gets great reviews, but can it be used as a direct replacement for the POD? From the user reviews I've read I am a little unsure of how people actually use it.. I want something that I can plug guitars into and the output into the console.. I suppose Sansamp PSA-1 is an amp simulator, but not cab+mic also? I really hope some of you guys can enlighten me a bit here.. Regards Rasmus

2nd February 2008	#2
lionheart Gear addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 405	Hey Rasmus!! i use the Sansamp PSA-1 as my main git preamp, and i love the sound of it.. but you should use it thru a git amp and and cab.. i have tried it direct and it does not sound that good direct!! and thats probably bacause it doesnt have mic/cab sim... My 2 cent's is.. for micing up with amp and so on.. it's killer cool!! For direct, look for somethinge else.. Oyvind __________________ http://www.myspace.com/lionheartstudio

2nd February 2008	#3
slaves666 Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Montreal Posts: 2,155	I used to have my PSA-1 as my main guitar pre with a VHT poweramp when I toured. It has since been used in my studio for bass tracking. __________________ www.upliftproductions.com www.slavesondope.com www.facebook.com/slavesondopeofficial

2nd February 2008	#7
Protools Guy Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: US of A Posts: 1,261	I've got one. I like using it to record bass with. It has an SVT preset that's pretty good and I've also had good results recording distored bass with it. For guitar, I think it's OK. Like Allen Collins said, there aint nothing like the real thing! For adding distortion to other things, including vocals, it's a pretty cool box. Just my .02. __________________ I only need one more piece of gear...

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2nd February 2008	#5
allencollins 3 + infractions, forum membership suspended. Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Rosedale Cemetery Singing Beach, MA Posts: 4,873	I didn't care for the sound of the PSA-1. Clearly much better than a pod but not that great. I think a real tube amp with the speaker sim smokes any pod or solid state preamp. Check otu the Groove Tubes SEII wit ha marshall or boogie head pretty damn good. Even an ADA MP1 will give you better results than sansamp or a pod. I got a better sound out a $50 Korg PX2 than the pod or the PSA.

2nd February 2008	#6
Alex Wyler Banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto, LA & Alaska Posts: 334	I have an original SansAmp PSA-1 for sale ($400) if you, or anyone else are interested. I own three of them, all in mint condition and I only need two now. I use them on stereo drum buss, guitars, bass, vocals...they are the best thing on the market for adding tube distortion to tracks...unless you have a Fender Bassman that you can crank to 11 and reamp into - and have time to set it up and the patience to deal with tube amp gremlins. The SansAmp PSA-1 (the original) is a studio outboard classic. It smokes the currently made PSA-1.1 or whatever they are called. The new one uses cheap parts and is a cheaper build quality and cheaper to buy as a result and the sound is compromised. But the original one sounds amazing. Sometimes better than a real amp depending on the situation. The bottom end is way more punchy and tight than you can get most amps without having to put brand new tubes in and have them all tweaked out by a really good amp technician. And it's analog so it responds much better to your touch and dynamics. It makes the POD and the Tonelab sound like toys.

3rd February 2008	#8
biggator6 Lives for gear Join Date: May 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,787	Remember - the Sansamp doesn't have any of the effects that the POD does, just sounds like a good guitar preamp... .clean/od/distortion - that's it.

3rd February 2008	#9
SeanBlack Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Delta, BC Posts: 250	I just started using my PSA-1 in conjunction with Guitar Rig 3 for bins. So so sweet!

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