Great review! Love this little beast. I use the 4 cable method and run a mooer black truck with it. The high gain dist on the black truck is overkill for the pedal but the comp, ovrdr and modulations open it up quite a bit.
Cool rig! For my metal rig now I keep it on the Engl 645 clean channel for amp tone and my distortion comes from an Empress Heavy Menace pushed by an Airis Effects Savage Drive. In my practice space I switch off the cab sim and run it straight into the FX return on my Peavey Bandit 112, or into an EHX 44 Magnum power amp pushing a custom 2x12 cab. It's just incredibly good tone in a very compact package.
I use the R-15 with an OD in front and reverb in the loop... with just headphones for my living room setup to just quiet practice... Its perfect for that... Really like the Engl Powerball in it.
In your experience, do headphones, make a big difference sound and representation of your cab, Sims and or recordings. What type of headphones are you using in the video?
Absolutely! The speaker medium makes a huge difference. Even just going from an amp into a live cab, swapping out the speakers will have the greatest single impact on the tone out of anything in your signal chain. This is why you want your studio monitors to be as flat and neutral as possible (guitar speakers should colour the tone; monitors shouldn't). When you're using any kind of cab sim or IR, you never want to put that through a guitar speaker -- always turn the cab sim off if you're going into a cab of any kind, or the sound will be muddy and heinous. (It's a good idea to also test your preamp pedal going into the FX return of your amp vs. the front, depending on whether you're using it as a preamp or just as a distortion...try stuff!!) What you're listening to in this video is raw data from the pedal's cab sim into the DAW, so it will sound very different from your studio monitors to your car stereo to your cell phone (don't mix on a cell phone, please). Your car stereo actually has a pretty balanced output curve, so it's often recommended to test your mixes and masters in the car, as your ears can get used to the sound in the studio and you may end up missing details. Technically you don't really want to mix on headphones either as the speakers respond differently in the cans than they would in open space like a desktop monitor would. However, I have limited options in my home studio, so I do a lot of work on my headphones but test relentlessly in the car (and I'm no expert by any means). These are the headphones I use: amzn.to/42xoRQD They're not expensive, but for the money, they're a good value and the sound is really decent.
Just got one! I love it! Currently I have it set up for the UK30 B channel for church. Because I love my "clean" channel to have some dirt lol. Gonna try it out for band practice as well!
Can you save the clean channel from one amp model to the left switch and the distorted channel from a different amp model to the right switch independently? Or should they both be the same amplifier model?
Hello. Nice review. I really like this pedal myself. With the master volume a little higher on the pedal, do you hear a light noise gate like effect ? Like a small fizz immediately following your playing ? I seem to catch that on mine.
Thanks! I think it depends on what you're feeding it into. The only time I've experienced something like this I realized I was redlining my interface. If you're running too high of a volume it can cause clipping, which might account for that "fizz" you're describing.
@@woodsnstrings thanks for the reply! I run mine straight into a power amp. No DI. If I listen closely I can definitely hear a noise gating effect when the master volume on the pedal is up. I wish it wasn't there.
@@pizzaROX you might be clipping the power amp then. It's that delicate balance on the preamp between volume, gain, and master volume that can sometimes get fussy; but remember that the speaker volume comes from the POWER AMP, not the preamp. The MASTER on the R-15 controls its own power amp volume, so you're essentially creating a breakup by throwing even more gain into your power amp, and your power amp is trying to compensate by forcing it to its own output level. I'm not an electronics expert (or Joyo tech support for that matter), but the first thing I would try is drop the preamp master to where it's not clipping or gating, use the volume to control the preamp output, and use the power amp's master volume to control the actual output volume of the signal path to the speaker.
@@woodsnstrings thank you . Wow never realized that the master is controlling its own power amp volume. Never thought of it that way. I do usually have the power amps volume very low and the joyos volume pretty high. So I'll definitely try switching that around! I'm using an orange pedal baby into a 2x12. Sounds beautiful btw. If I can fix this little problem I'll be even happier. Will report back.
@@pizzaROX oh man, if you're going into a 2x12 you should drive it with the power amp for sure! Think of it like this: say your combo amp has an FX loop. You put a volume pedal in the loop. In front of the amp you put your distortion pedal. You turn the distortion up all the way. You turn the amp up all the way. Then you turn the volume pedal down to 20%. You might keep your distortion tone nicely, but how much is pushing the amp when the volume control in the loop is mastering the power amp all the way down? Your output volume to the 2x12 is going to come from the power amp, 100%. THAT is your master volume control. Get it to where you want it, and use the preamp to adjust your tone on the front end. Preamps aren't built for volume...their job is shape and EQ. That's why it's "pre"amplification and not simply amplification.
So, with this one, you can't load new IRs into it. However, you have the option to use the cab sim for each amp that's built-in or turn it off. For example, if I'm running the preamp into the FX return on my amp via the 1/4" output, I'll turn the cab sim off on the 1/4" out, but then run the XLR out direct to the board or interface with the cab sim on. I will also run both lines out to my DAW with the cab sim off and use a separate IR on the mixer. Joyo does make an affordable cab sim pedal that has room for adding or editing IRs.
Great review Steve! Im curious, how does the preamp clean up via your guitar's volume knob turned down when on the crunchier channels? Does it simulate a useable, (kinda) compressed "clean" tone like some real amp's crunch channels do with guitar volume rolled down?
Now that's interesting, and not something I've really dug into in using it. Now, I have a couple of distortion pedals I like more than amp distortions in general; that's just me and my taste, but I often switch to clean tones live, so it's more efficient to use the clean channel and run gain pedals into it. But I think this one behaves a little more like a distortion pedal than a tube amp on the distortion side. You'll get some of that cleaning effect, as you would with a pedal, by simply reducing the line signal into the front end, but not that same type of compression you get with the tubes. But a caveat is that MOST of the time I'm plugged in in the studio, which means I'm also not using a high-volume output either. That might change things up a bit. Highly recommend trying one out in your line and seeing what you can do with it. I'll get back to you after we've done a few really loud live shows.
Cool, yeah let me know how the crunchier channels behave at louder volumes. You think you'll ever review and demo the Mooer Preamp Live pedal seeing they virtually house the same exact amp sims?
@@Kidnistrah_S0NICALCH3M1ST I could let Mooer know there was a request for a review and see what happens. The LED on the Revolution series chassis are pretty unique but it would be an interesting shootout.
It doesn't really have "default" settings, as it's not programmable with defaults in place. It works like any other pedal, except that you can "save" one setting for each channel (clean and distorted). All you need to do is pick an amp and move one of the controls. The LED will flash, indicating that you've overridden a saved setting and are using the controls live. If you want to save it, hold the footswitch down until the LED stops flashing.
Olá, onde coloco o Preamp House na cadeia de sinais, se eu fizer a ligação normal dele, sem que use o send/return? No meio, no final da cadeia, me dá uma luz mano, haha, abraço tmj 🙏🏻
If you're using a distortion pedal for gain, place all of your pedals in front of the preamp. If you use the preamp as your distortion, place your modulation and time based effects after the preamp.
Well, people who like to play heavy metal would "need my heavy metal," especially since, you know, we're testing the high-gain tones of the pedal. Maybe I'll do an all-clean tone version for you one day.
Thanks for reviewing this brother, really love the sound
Great review. Looking to downsize to simple.
I believe this will do the trick.
Great review! Love this little beast. I use the 4 cable method and run a mooer black truck with it. The high gain dist on the black truck is overkill for the pedal but the comp, ovrdr and modulations open it up quite a bit.
Cool rig! For my metal rig now I keep it on the Engl 645 clean channel for amp tone and my distortion comes from an Empress Heavy Menace pushed by an Airis Effects Savage Drive. In my practice space I switch off the cab sim and run it straight into the FX return on my Peavey Bandit 112, or into an EHX 44 Magnum power amp pushing a custom 2x12 cab. It's just incredibly good tone in a very compact package.
GREAT demo !!!! Thanks !
I use the R-15 with an OD in front and reverb in the loop... with just headphones for my living room setup to just quiet practice... Its perfect for that... Really like the Engl Powerball in it.
Thank you ! One of the best reviews on this preamp !🤘🤘🤝🤝👍👍
Thanks! Make sure you subscribe for more :) Here's the one I just did on their Atmosphere Reverb: ua-cam.com/video/xVwSg8Cl_zI/v-deo.html
In your experience, do headphones, make a big difference sound and representation of your cab, Sims and or recordings. What type of headphones are you using in the video?
Absolutely! The speaker medium makes a huge difference. Even just going from an amp into a live cab, swapping out the speakers will have the greatest single impact on the tone out of anything in your signal chain. This is why you want your studio monitors to be as flat and neutral as possible (guitar speakers should colour the tone; monitors shouldn't). When you're using any kind of cab sim or IR, you never want to put that through a guitar speaker -- always turn the cab sim off if you're going into a cab of any kind, or the sound will be muddy and heinous. (It's a good idea to also test your preamp pedal going into the FX return of your amp vs. the front, depending on whether you're using it as a preamp or just as a distortion...try stuff!!)
What you're listening to in this video is raw data from the pedal's cab sim into the DAW, so it will sound very different from your studio monitors to your car stereo to your cell phone (don't mix on a cell phone, please). Your car stereo actually has a pretty balanced output curve, so it's often recommended to test your mixes and masters in the car, as your ears can get used to the sound in the studio and you may end up missing details.
Technically you don't really want to mix on headphones either as the speakers respond differently in the cans than they would in open space like a desktop monitor would. However, I have limited options in my home studio, so I do a lot of work on my headphones but test relentlessly in the car (and I'm no expert by any means). These are the headphones I use: amzn.to/42xoRQD They're not expensive, but for the money, they're a good value and the sound is really decent.
Just got one! I love it! Currently I have it set up for the UK30 B channel for church. Because I love my "clean" channel to have some dirt lol.
Gonna try it out for band practice as well!
Can you save the clean channel from one amp model to the left switch and the distorted channel from a different amp model to the right switch independently? Or should they both be the same amplifier model?
Yes. I often do country gigs using the Fender amp for cleans and an AC30 for my dirty channel.
@@woodsnstrings Thanks for your answer. You're very kind. Greetings from Spain.
Hello. Nice review. I really like this pedal myself. With the master volume a little higher on the pedal, do you hear a light noise gate like effect ? Like a small fizz immediately following your playing ?
I seem to catch that on mine.
Thanks! I think it depends on what you're feeding it into. The only time I've experienced something like this I realized I was redlining my interface. If you're running too high of a volume it can cause clipping, which might account for that "fizz" you're describing.
@@woodsnstrings thanks for the reply! I run mine straight into a power amp. No DI. If I listen closely I can definitely hear a noise gating effect when the master volume on the pedal is up. I wish it wasn't there.
@@pizzaROX you might be clipping the power amp then. It's that delicate balance on the preamp between volume, gain, and master volume that can sometimes get fussy; but remember that the speaker volume comes from the POWER AMP, not the preamp. The MASTER on the R-15 controls its own power amp volume, so you're essentially creating a breakup by throwing even more gain into your power amp, and your power amp is trying to compensate by forcing it to its own output level.
I'm not an electronics expert (or Joyo tech support for that matter), but the first thing I would try is drop the preamp master to where it's not clipping or gating, use the volume to control the preamp output, and use the power amp's master volume to control the actual output volume of the signal path to the speaker.
@@woodsnstrings thank you . Wow never realized that the master is controlling its own power amp volume. Never thought of it that way. I do usually have the power amps volume very low and the joyos volume pretty high. So I'll definitely try switching that around! I'm using an orange pedal baby into a 2x12.
Sounds beautiful btw. If I can fix this little problem I'll be even happier. Will report back.
@@pizzaROX oh man, if you're going into a 2x12 you should drive it with the power amp for sure!
Think of it like this: say your combo amp has an FX loop. You put a volume pedal in the loop. In front of the amp you put your distortion pedal. You turn the distortion up all the way. You turn the amp up all the way. Then you turn the volume pedal down to 20%. You might keep your distortion tone nicely, but how much is pushing the amp when the volume control in the loop is mastering the power amp all the way down?
Your output volume to the 2x12 is going to come from the power amp, 100%. THAT is your master volume control. Get it to where you want it, and use the preamp to adjust your tone on the front end. Preamps aren't built for volume...their job is shape and EQ. That's why it's "pre"amplification and not simply amplification.
Hi, just wanted to ask if you can load 3rd party IR or you need a separate loader?
So, with this one, you can't load new IRs into it. However, you have the option to use the cab sim for each amp that's built-in or turn it off. For example, if I'm running the preamp into the FX return on my amp via the 1/4" output, I'll turn the cab sim off on the 1/4" out, but then run the XLR out direct to the board or interface with the cab sim on. I will also run both lines out to my DAW with the cab sim off and use a separate IR on the mixer.
Joyo does make an affordable cab sim pedal that has room for adding or editing IRs.
@@woodsnstrings oh i see, Thanks! And great review!
Great review Steve! Im curious, how does the preamp clean up via your guitar's volume knob turned down when on the crunchier channels? Does it simulate a useable, (kinda) compressed "clean" tone like some real amp's crunch channels do with guitar volume rolled down?
Now that's interesting, and not something I've really dug into in using it. Now, I have a couple of distortion pedals I like more than amp distortions in general; that's just me and my taste, but I often switch to clean tones live, so it's more efficient to use the clean channel and run gain pedals into it. But I think this one behaves a little more like a distortion pedal than a tube amp on the distortion side. You'll get some of that cleaning effect, as you would with a pedal, by simply reducing the line signal into the front end, but not that same type of compression you get with the tubes.
But a caveat is that MOST of the time I'm plugged in in the studio, which means I'm also not using a high-volume output either. That might change things up a bit. Highly recommend trying one out in your line and seeing what you can do with it. I'll get back to you after we've done a few really loud live shows.
Cool, yeah let me know how the crunchier channels behave at louder volumes. You think you'll ever review and demo the Mooer Preamp Live pedal seeing they virtually house the same exact amp sims?
@@Kidnistrah_S0NICALCH3M1ST I could let Mooer know there was a request for a review and see what happens. The LED on the Revolution series chassis are pretty unique but it would be an interesting shootout.
That was a fantastic review! Thanks a lot, but how can you reset the default tone settings?
It doesn't really have "default" settings, as it's not programmable with defaults in place. It works like any other pedal, except that you can "save" one setting for each channel (clean and distorted).
All you need to do is pick an amp and move one of the controls. The LED will flash, indicating that you've overridden a saved setting and are using the controls live. If you want to save it, hold the footswitch down until the LED stops flashing.
Olá, onde coloco o Preamp House na cadeia de sinais, se eu fizer a ligação normal dele, sem que use o send/return? No meio, no final da cadeia, me dá uma luz mano, haha, abraço tmj 🙏🏻
If you're using a distortion pedal for gain, place all of your pedals in front of the preamp.
If you use the preamp as your distortion, place your modulation and time based effects after the preamp.
Show the tone of the pedal….who needs your heavy metal?🤷♂️
Well, people who like to play heavy metal would "need my heavy metal," especially since, you know, we're testing the high-gain tones of the pedal. Maybe I'll do an all-clean tone version for you one day.