TECH 21 Sans Amp PSA 2.0
Вставка
- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- Originally introduced in 1993, the SansAmp PSA-1 rackmount, and later PSA-1.1, quickly became studio staples. The SansAmp PSA has been used on thousands of major releases, worldwide tours and film sound- tracks for multiple applications and instruments -including horns, vo cals, and drums.
Sadly, necessity forced retirement from production, as certain key parts were no longer available.We realized this was an opportunity not only to redesign it, but to streamline its architecture into a pedal.
The SansAmp PSA 2.0 offers the same 100% analog circuitry for punchy, responsive, organic sounds that bring out the best in any instru- ment. Only the programming and memory sections are digital. It also offers the same essential functionality and versatility.
In the studio, you can record direct, enhance existing tracks in mixdowns, as well as add interesting touches to any instrument. Live, the SansAmp PSA 2.0 can be used as a pre-amp direct into a power amp with guitar or bass speaker cabinets, as a “monster direct box” to a P.A. system (or both simultaneously), and as an outboard processor. Additionally, the PSA 2.0 features a Perform- ance Mode, which turns it into a 3-channel stompbox.
The SansAmp PSA includes MIDI capability for calling up programs and storing program data.There are 49 factory presets and 77 memory locations to store your own custom sounds, plus two bypass programs.When you switch be- tween programs, there is no lag time, or “cutting out.”
The controls work very much like those found on a sophisticated amp.You don’t need any special training or a degree in physics to operate your unit. Stor- ing and recalling programs is simple: set your tones and push the Save button. When you turn a knob, you hear the difference immediately --in real time.The rotation of each control increases and decreases in a smooth, gradual, linear fashion.
I owned a PSA 1.1 back in the day. I finally got a new PSA 2.0 and it sounds and feels amazing.
Also amazing is how small it actually is.
Remember, if it sounds good it is good.
I still have the SansAmp pedal I bought in 1992. It was easy to get raw punk rock tones with it. The “Fender” setting only sounded good on bass; it sounded nothing like any Fender amp I’ve ever jacked around with. It should have been labeled as an Ampeg SVT. Best heinously-rebellious, Grandmaw and society-offending mids ever on the other two. I’d ordered it off Musician’s Nemesis sight unheard, but I’ve always had pretty good gaydar when it comes to gear, and once I messed about with it, I saw that my instincts were right. I was really impressed. Better than I expected. It had a wide range re upper mids and treble especially. You can dial it in to make a Les Paul humbucker sound like a Squier Telecaster, no joke. They could have marketed it as a humbucker-to-single coil sim in addition to as an amp sim.
This PSA doesn’t sound like the SansAmp, but it’s also just excellent. It was awhile before I worked out that the cab switch means the cab sim is off when in purple mode, lol. There’s “common sense”; well, there’s also “common gear intuition”, and I wonder if anyone would agree with me that common gear intuition would have to mean that the cab sim is off when in purple. Because doesn’t red commonly denote “engaged”? lol. Also, when used direct, there’s a lot of bass and lower mids that I had to fight. Once I ran it on a DAW track into a VST cab sim and heard it through various Marshall, Vox, Fender etc cabs, I realized that the onboard cab sim is actually kind of lousy. So that was what I couldn’t put my finger on re the sound character when going direct. The onboard cab sim is ludicrously bass-heavy. I know that the guy who started Tech 21 and is the main designer of their gear is a savvy genius at what he does, so I’m kind of surprised he would F that up. But he bee forgiven’s a MUH, fuh; his stuff is still great.
Gigged with a PSA1 for guitar tones a number of years ago and regret selling it. Glad to see it back. Might pick one of these up..
It’s shocking how authentically amp-like and versatile this is. And what other amp modeler provides drive just for the power section? They thought of everything.
Finally a good review of Tech 21 PSA. Thanks, Mike!
I bought a PSA 2.0 for myself and was afraid of not being as good as the pedals I have.
Is it?
Based on this demo It absolutely doesn’t sound better than my pedals. I’m a fan of the fly rig and T21 trademark amps but what I’m hearing in Mike’s demo (1st demo on this unit I’ve listened to) it is not appealingly to me. And I have bad G.A.S. I was really hoping this would be a good (fun) tool to have in my arsenal. I’m on to listen to other demos of this. I need to know for sure.
An output level indicator would be useful.
Who needs a Kemper 😜
Me!
If only they update their algorithms, sounds way too fake nowadays for the price they're asking.
Everyone, who wants a great guitar tone :) There are some nice tones at moderate drive levels in this SansAmp unit, but in general it cannot compete with modern modellers.
Hey Mike! What's your signal path going direct to the computer? Are you running into like an Apogee or other interface or straight into the audio jack? I used the Fly Rig on tons of gigs around NYC going direct and love that unit.
That's my question as well. I hear a room verb. What else is going on to fill this sound?
Tinny sound quality with quite a bit harshness .... never really easy on your ears.
I totes agree. I’m not feeling it
It’s really a saturation pedal (as opposed to a full on amp emulation) so it really depends how you set it up, but I’ve made the meatiest tones I’ve ever had with the PSA. While I don’t know exactly how accurately it emulates the classic amps, what it really lets you do is change gain on lows, mids, and highs exactly how you want in order to sit perfectly in the mix
This is a very versatile piece of kit, but I do think SansAmp are trying to get too much out of a 1 channel preamp. The speaker emulator has way too much bass. If you crank the gain and drive to get a lead tone. You get a very harsh brittle tone that doesn't stay put in a mix. Super clean tones are also not readily available.
Somehow my comment got inserted into someone else’s comment, making it look like I was replying to them. My bad. Now watch it happen again when I click this…
why don't play highgain tone?
Because it doesn't sound too good when it's driven hard. If you're looking for a high gain focused lead tone. Look elsewhere.
@@neilpascall4136 I’ve managed to use a PSA-1 in high gain settings. It needs a good cab and power amp or impulses if you go direct. Sometimes a boost in front.
how to sell the same product once again xD
I think the original PSA sounded better than this.