DSM Simplifier X Review
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- Опубліковано 14 чер 2024
- More knobs have to be better, right?
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#simplifier #simplifierx #analogampsim
0:00 Slideshow
1:10 Introduction
3:12 The Top of the Pedal
8:05 All four sides
15:47 My Setup
18:20 Sounds
25:16 with external Speaker Sim
28:20 EQ
31:00 Bad Sounds
31:50 Reverb Modes
35:28 Channel A
41:54 Mode 2
45:11 Volume Pot Test
46:08 MY2CENTS
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All of Humboldt DSMs products seem brilliant to me. I dont see it as being complicated either - it’s really ‘just’ two banks of amp sims and some routing solutions. It appears complex because it has all fo the controls you would find on an amp x2, plus a couple of switches. The routing and switching seem to be out of sight and mind once you are set up. It all looks intuitive to me because most of what you will do with it is there at the turn of a knob - far more intuitive than Tonex and most other modellers.
I could definitely deal with it being a little larger, but not exactly necessary.
It seems as though some guitarists check out as soon as they see more than five knobs and three switches. I can hardly blame them though, as they have been taught how to see letters as words and words as sentences for years but never once been taught how amps work. That is why I will launch a show on its own channel this year to teach guitarists about gear.
Also there are no hidden menus and each switch / knobs performs only one function. Once you take a good look at the top panel the controls make sense. It’s not that complicated at all
Was talking to my wife on the drive home about this unit *specifically* about having the ability to control via KNOBS themselves rather than digital interfaces requires menu navigation (hated that on the Helix). Love me some at-hand easy, forever-there knobs to tweak.
I love my MKII! It really is like an amp, you don’t just turn knobs Willy-Nilly, you tweak back and forth until you arrive at the amp “platform” you’re wanting to play through, but agreed… once you arrive, it really feels great to play. This is bigger than the MKII, but the ability to A/B channels or run Clean/Dirty makes the extra real/estate worth it. The MKII can do similar things paired with an additional “amp-in-a-box” pedal up front like the Twin Twelve etc, or with some sort of boost/drive to kick it over the edge when necessary. Putting delay and chorus in the FX loop really brings it alive, and the built-in DI eliminates all sorts of complexity when your goal is to get a worry-free guitar tone to Front of House.
Agreed, mine sounds fantastic
How does it sound through headphones?
"they arrived at where they wanna be... until the next one." Liked, subscribed, clicked the bell icon.
Amazing presentation. Thank you! I've got into analog amp-like boxes just recently with the Tech 21 Flyrig 5. I might try this one out.
Much like beloved metal zone you have to set it up right. Given all the variables you have to get everything just right then the sonic immersion will become glorious.
The possibility of 2 separate FX loops is amazing.
By far the best explanation of this pedal on UA-cam. Thanks. And it is complicated. I went through a period where it drove me crazy and I thought it was me. It's anything but simple. But I too found some amazing sounds. Your method is extremely helpful and should have been in their manual, which frankly isn't very good. The fact that you couldn't figure it out at first suggests the company needs to improve their educational material.
I laughed when I saw your desktop. Mine is even more cluttered. Because of the tweaking required most of us are gonna initially want it where they can see it (which isn't on the floor if you have vision issues) and experiment with different pedals. I haven't found gain staging a trivial matter. And you'll need space and different kinds of cables. I have been using the UA Dream 65, which is great, but I'm finding that for chasing Jerry Garcia tones this offers a wider range of possibilities. Thanks again.
I love the rendering of my Tech21 Flyrig 5 V2 in terms of fenderish brakeup sound, but the rocky sound of this Simplifier is so great !!! so better !!! I would like you to play more with the sweetspots/brake up sounds of the different amps types.... Thank you for the video !
This is fantastic, the product and the video. I love that they're paying you for this and you're bringing it to us with your honesty and a little bit of chaos. Been wondering if they'll give the Simplifier DLX the same v2 treatment as the original and it looks like this is it!
Thanks again for the in depth on this one! You cooked up some great tones.
When you were going direct via the UA, thought it was sounding a bit superimposed....
I have the og and the DLX and only really use them for my wet effects through the stereo return / cab sim and the XLR outs.... the KMA Endgame is on order and can't wait to give that a try in a similar capacity. Cheers 😎
Nice! How it compares to simpler pre amp pedals like friedman BE OD and joyo stuff?
Another Fantastic review, another fantastic Jumper!
Now all they have to do is make a similar pedal as this but one side is the clean electric guitar amp and the other side is an acoustic DI with preamp, eq section, reverbs, and compression. An added bonus would be to add a dlr input for a vocal mic much like the Headrush Core. This would be great for anyone who plays both acoustic and electric on a gig. Or for anyone who uses a Fender Acoustasonic or PRS with piezo the ability to run the acoustic just through the acoustic section but when switching to electric being able to hit a switch and move to the electric section.
But how can I get the latest presets from my favorite artist from the cloud ☁️ ??? Does this mean I have to use my own ears?! That’s not simple 😂
All joking aside, it reminds me of how we worked with amps back in the day, everything was a back and forth exercise to accentuate what would work better with our gear.
I already have an amp and a modeler so I’m not a target customer for this but still it looks and sounds great.
I agree with you. I think a lot of bands developed their sound because they had limited equipment choices when starting out and had to make it do something they liked with what they had.
Very cool. There is ALOT of buttons to tweak and set and twist...... FUN for the whole weekend !
Is "Analog" still relevant? Sure it is. Everything that can create your personal special sound, is always worth using.
Geil! Quasi ein analoges Helix Stomp to "set and forget". Finde die Finesse und Liebe zum Detail absolut beeindruckend. Da steckt so viel Zeit und Mühe drin, Wahnsinn! Klingt dazu noch gut und spielt sich toll (zumindest die Vorgängervariante hat sich toll gespielt).
Allerdings muss ich sagen: Ich finde es absolut gar nicht kompliziert, sondern leicht verständlich weil gut konzeptioniert. Erinnert ein bisschen an die Marshall JVMs, aber da kann es auch nur mir so gehen.
Danke für das tolle Video!
I have an MKII and as a tube snob I am very impressed because it FEELS like an actual amp unlike any other digital ones I've tried (I assume that's the complete lack of latency because it's all analog). And if you've used an actual amplifier, the controls are not hard to figure out. The routing obviously can be a bit daunting, but I'd guess once you've figured how it best suits your set-up, you route it, set it, and forget it and then you have two independent amps to choose from (clean/cleanish to dirt) augmented by your pedals with no myriad menu options to dig thru.
I use actually the Simplifier mk2 and wait for the X (have also the mk1 and the DLX) and the Ox Stomp, which settings do you use in the Ox ?
For me, analog isn’t the big thing. The big thing is that I haven’t found anything that has all the features of the Simplifers in a single package of their size. (I can find things with more different features but not with the particular set of features I want.)
I got one of the simpler white one a couple years ago and everything but the headphone out is great. Have to disagree with the whole set-it/forget-it thing, but then I don't gig with it so twiddling with the parameters its pretty fun. Best bit about analogue verses digital for me was the versatility & price point; is was by far the most value for money.
I have been a DSM customer for many years now, own both their original v1 simplifier as well as the bass station. They were my first foray into non-digital amps and honestly even after building a collection of expensive amps, still my most played day-day amp since its just so damn easy to take with me. I do agree with the main issue though, the sweet spots tends to be very narrow with these units. Thankfully nothing a little sharpie can't fix, two different colors for my single coil and humbuckers. that being said, while the new bigger versions look great, it doesn't seem like they improved much tone-wise since the first iteration, and one of my favorite things about these units was always how simple the controls were. For newbs like myself its a lot easier to ruin tone than get a great tone fiddling with knobs, so i stick with my simple v1s.
I love this pedal and will grab one soon! Question - what model of oyaide patch cables are those?
The burgundy ones appear to be Geistnote's Evidence Audio The Monorail solderless. I've used them and they're quite good. Not on par with soldered (nothing is) but a close 2nd IMHO.
Would love it if these had a bypass option where you could bypass the preamps and power amps.
After seeing your detailed explanations of the range of functions and operating details (thanks for that!), I'm pretty sure that the name "Simplifier" for this device must be meant ironically 😀.
Nevertheless, I am impressed by the setup options and tonal possibilities it offers. It sounds really great ...
I find it weird that they left the whole underside empty. So much wasted space.
I have stereo time based effects, but hoped to use mode 2 to switch between lead and normal amp settings. Assuming I can dial the cab sim settings to work with both amp channels, am I understanding it correctly that my time effects will work in stereo? (With one channel always using the A speaker settings and one always using B, regardless of amp selected?)
I've always seen the Simplifier as the ultimate version of the Sansamp Classic/GT2. It has everything that the Sansamp lacks, and just sounds so much better! This SimplifierX is the ultimate version of an analog amp sim. There's not many other contenders out there for a fully analog amp/cab sim these days, so I guess it's a bit exaggerated to claim that this is the ultimate one, but until someone comes along and creates a more realistic and better sounding one I'm going to say that the SimplifierX is the best out there.
If the Origin RevivalDrive had an analog cab sim, like it's bass oriented brothers, it would have been a strong contender. I A/B the Origin Bassrig Super Vintage against the DSM Bass Station in a music store, and the Bassrig Super Vintage came out as a clear winner (which was unfortunate for my wallet). The DSM Bass Station had much more functionality like different amp modes and different cabinets etc, but I never could get it to sound as good as the Bassrig Super Vintage. The Super Vintage is super fast to dial in and sounds great no matter what you do, and even though I've tried recording the Super Vintage with various Ampeg 8x10 IRs as well as other bass cab IRs, the analog cab sim in the Super Vintage is easily one of the best bass cab sims I've tried.
You should check out the Sansamp PSA 2.0. All-analog pedal format, does guitar & bass, and you can save ALL your presets. Killer pedal for the money
@@steverherb I had the PSA 2.0. It didn't sound very good, especially when compared to the Simplifier mkii. It's not very responsive to playing dynamics and 'feels' quite unnatural compared to a real amp. It probably was good when the original rack model was introduced a couple of decades ago as it had little to no competition, but it can't compete with the Simplifier or Revivaldrive in terms of analogue sound.
This pedal is complex at the first sight but thank to you, you make it more simple and (as always) with honesty
@EytschPi42 -- I watched this and your Tonex One reviews. Both quite good. If I understand correctly, you can only easily and quickly get to 2 of the 20 pre-programmed options on the Tonex One also. So it seems there is not a significant disadvantage for the new Simplifier -- correct? Thanks!
ALSO -- does the "Thru" output receive all of the "effected" adjustments from the various knobs and switches? (meaning -- I assume the "Thru" output is NOT just a buffered copy of the input, correct?)
amazing, but i can't find anywhere to get more details. buy the way, love your channel.
It would be cool if you did a comparison between it and the UA amp pedals. Also if you put it together with the live rig set up you did with the UA Lion and the blue cabinet 6 months ago.
He’s right it take some time getting the sounds. I would say that about modelers as well. Ive owned all the modelers and one modeler for two years. Going back to analog was the best decision. Ive owned the Simplifier for three years, and would never go back to digital. Digital just sounds harsh to me in the high end, and thin, for todays technology. I play a lot of Jazz however, I use really good overdrive in the front end. Check it out, spend a few days with it before you finalize your decision. I would use this in studio for sure. The EQ is very good, compensating for bright or darker guitars. I use this only for running direct. For amp I use a Two Rock. Just trying to provide perspective. Overall, don’t be to concerned with gear. Spend time learning new tunes whether it be Page, Hendrix, Chick Corea. Learn to read you will get more gigs.
Kinda looks like someone got a hold of a piece of the space station control panel. 😊
Intriguing. Not that I am needing amps, but... cool review!
Fantastic pedal!
I got it 2 weeks ago, played through it since and the sound is great!!
Every guitar can be dialed in just perfect.
How does it sound through headphones?
@@abdullahzayed9646 i mainly played through studio monitors, but headphones sound good,too.
How does this compare to the UA Amp pedals that try to replicate the Vox, Tweed Deluxe and Blackface Deluxe, and Marshall?
Being able to turn off speaker sim is great! I think they need to think of a different way to do the sticker under the unit, the serial number under my Classic is practically gone, and the one under this demo unit looks to be halfway faded too
Hah! I was just about to make the same comment, can’t even see the number on mine.
I can't really consider simulators without presets anymore. Having all those options to be stuck with two... I can find two simpler pedals that do what I need already.
Hi Henning! Great Video! Thank you. When the device‘s too complicated to get good sounds,
it won‘t be the right for me, because i‘m too impatient.
This is not complicated. All that is needed is a basic understanding of how amps work and which of the three speaker simulations is typical of the configuration one has selected.
@@Robstafarianright. no different than if you had a couple of amps, you don’t instantly get great sounds out of those either, you have to work for it
So really, this is a better format pedal than with the 3 channels (clean, crunch, lead) per amp style like with the DLX. That's a big part of why I like the MKII. I think this is going to knock it out of the park.
They make other products that are simpler with fewer options. This one was made for their users who asked for more features.. the dual amp capabilities with xlr stereo outs make this a great pedal platform for direct to front of the house outputs and stereo stage monitors. Just add your effects and you are done. Kinda like an analog option to the ToneX but fully stereo. Perfect for players who prefer set and forget amps
I didn't understand how to select both channels with 2 different amps and cabs
I've been drooling over the Humboldt stuff for a while, but since going full processor, it just priced itself out of my budget. For the same price, you can download new amps, and the impulse response method is so good now as to make the line between analog and digital very very blurry.
love the guitar what model it is?
PJD Carey Elite
i think it sounds great!
I sometimes use a 50W Gorilla amp to test my guitars but I usually play them through a pedalboard instead... Something guitar players sometimes forget is that there are keyboard players with a wiggle wheel switch thingy
I could not get a good sound from using the headphone out. Thats what I wanted the mkii for. Through studio monitors it was amazing
These Simplifier amps are great for those who didn't learn on real amps and have spent 10 years downloading someone else's 'Ultimate Plexi' patch for their helix only to find it sounds like a fight in a wasp nest. This is a proper turn knobs to get a great sound amp. Who'd have thought?
There's a £ 1000 reward for the first person that discovers which two knobs do exactly the same (hidden redundancy function).
It looks like you didn't defeat the cab sim on the Simplifier before switching on the Ox Stomp? If so = 2 x speaker sims engaged. Still sounded pretty good though! - with the room sound of the OX
I did it in the back
@@EytschPi42 Ah ok. Cool 👍
Soundwise, is it equal to the mkII?
From what I saw via the DSM video The black side is a MKII. Not played one but I’m guessing it should sound the same
The simplifier X or the UA lion 68? 😀
Got the original…could not get the sounds I wanted so I sent it back, but maybe I just didn’t give it enough time to set up. I love the idea though.
I’m going to get this and engage in guitar madness.
Now I’m confused: Should I get the new X or the DLX, what are the key differences?
I have had the DLX for over two years. If buying now I’d get the X, seems to have improved gain stages (preamp and power amp) and further output and effects loop options
Ok thanks
Looks simple.
This is what I have been waiting on..
This could be replacing the HX Stomp on the board as an amp sim to become a multi fx only, so Simplifier be use as amp and cab sim.
Up date.
I bought the Simplifier X and its mutch better than the HX Stomp for amp and cab sim. So my HX will be use as a multi fx only.
It is completely flexible and convenient..!!!
1) Take an image of your settings, 2) gaff over all knobs before taking out to a gig.
is this new? I can only see this on the DSM Humboldt site and no where else
Yea as new as you comment, literally 😊
They have come a long way since the first Simplifier. The only thing I wonder is how dirt pedals sound through it.
Based on my experience with the Mk II, dirt pedals sound every bit as good as they do going into any similarly voiced amp. If you like the way a Tubescreamer style OD sounds going into a Marshall, just set the Simplifier to the Marshall settings, send your OD into the input, and you should be happy with the results. Same has been true for any of my Klon, Bluesbreaker, Rat, and Muff style pedals, the Simplifer always responds the way my equivalent amps do. It won't necessarily sound identical, as no emulation ever truly does, but it will sound great and ultimately, that's all that matters. It's the first "ampless" device I've ever bought where I didn't need to change any of my dirt pedals to accommodate it.
@@AC-ed7yr Alright, that's good to know. Because the first Simplifier sounded like crap with dirt pedals. In my experience. There might have been something wrong with my unit.
@@nedim_guitar My MKII sounds absolutely awesome with my Zendrive.
Looks like something id buy, then return in two weeks.
if it sounds as good as the previous, you will keep it! it is really one of the better pedal amps sounds I have heard !!! amazing piece of kit imo!!!
😂😂 I like that.
Hey Henning, have u or anyone u kno tried this at 12v? If so, que pasa?
I haven’t
Key: these things don't do high gain well. If you are looking for a high gain solution, look elsewhere (ie: for modern metalcore/hardcore).
I had the DLX and it's a cracking bit of kit. Great for cleans and nice to mix with.
Does it have to be used like that? I mean... can it just be used as a normal, signal Path pedal?
sure
@EytschPi42 I know using it like that... just like... a drive... or something to color an amp differently looks like a waste... but I bet if I ran it with my Twin or my little solid state orange it would sound pretty good. Probably. Lol
Und wer nicht ganz so viele Funktionen benötigt dem kann ich den AMT SS-30 Bulava empfehlen der ist auf meinem Pedalboard im Einsatz und klingt auch Super.
I’ve had two faulty Deluxe models
Digital + analogue = dialogue.
Or…anal
Digilog?
I want that t-shirt 👕
Analog + Digital = Analital?
@@ElmerSeasonOfficialOr Anatal...
When there are no more ampe to clone ...The dead will walk the earth
Please do review of Bluguitar products amp one or X
Amp1 has already been done, AmpX doesn't exist yet
I'm looking at the Jeff Loomis devils triad........how doe this compare to that?
They have absolutely nothing to do with each other
@@patrickgavin7566 it does when I'm parting with more than £300 for a pedal the choice is one or other
Buy both and run the Devil's Triad into the effects loop return of the Simplifier X. You won't regret it.
Anything analogue '' just sounds better '' at least in a studio environment.
Digital pedals are fine. . for guitarists Jamming at some pub gig .
except digital pedals are being used on some of the biggest stages and stadiums by some of the biggest bands? Axe FX, Quad Cortex etc. From Metallca to Jamiriquai. I think they're fine for more than pub gigs and have been fine for a long time.
I bought the version 2, partly on your revised recommendation. It sucks. I am back to a lower volume "real amp" with a micro terror as a backup and a Nux academy in my gig box. The Simplifier 2 is left at home. Been trying to sell it but no one wants it.
Sorry!
I had the mk 2 and the bass station, i did not like it.
1- I compared it with a laney preamp side to side in a mix, the best sound i could get still harsh and too mid focused, in the waveform, peakes everywhere and not consistence in volumen.
2- Using IR with mk 2 sounded horrible, compared to another amp and even digital amp simulator, harsh and lack of nice low frecuencies.
3- Sounds and feel nice in the hands but not in a recording system, it is not his strong side.
It's unsurprising that the pedal is so divisive and leaves people on completely different sides of the fence:
- Does the pedal sound good? Yes and no (it's a high quality pedal whose "main audible flaw" is lacking the magic that valves have... because it doesn't have valves).
- Is it simple to use? Yes and no (the interface is super familiar to anyone who has used an amp... but it's easy to get scared by the many knobs on a first impression, and then it's more fiddly than you would like; you have to learn to use it).
- Can it replace your amp? Yes and no (you can totally build a great sounding setup around it, but if you have an already existing setup and want to "sound the same but without an actual amp"... you can imitate a single tone, but matching the tones _across the board_ is much harder (e.g. the responses and feel while switching through different pickups and distortions). It can be very hard to reproduce that balance, and you may have to adjust your whole setup considerably and still compromise a bit on some aspects).
That's too much to wrap the head around for the average guitar aficionado. It's not black and white enough. There are many great things that the simplifier can't do, but it's still a really impressive pedal that can deliver, even live, more convincingly than any other analog pedal did ever before. Too subtle and multi-faceted for most to grasp and judge accurately... but whether it's for you or not, it's a very laudable effort that keeps getting better on each iteration.
I'll be fine just 😘with the Simplifier >
Brilliant! This effectively allows for WDW, 3 channel direct recording with the Thru feature for dry. Impressive.
Funny to see a pedal with a thousand knobs called "Simplifier"
Did you find this easier to use than say an HX Stomp?
Good question
@@EytschPi42 Yeah, I was coming at it from the point of view of menu diving versus knob twisting. Sounded great, thnx!
I own the MK2. This is an emergency box only. It does not sound good but can allow you to plug into anything needed to get through a gig or jam. I bought into the hype and there's no way it replaces an amp unless you are super lazy and don't want to carry a speaker.
I bring a Mackie Thump 8" if I'm not on my own PA, I can run one of the outs to the house and have my own monitor if needed. But if you don't have those it probably would suck.
Hay que recordar que el sonido final busca emular al parlante microfoneado
By the way, please check out the pedal, i invented: it offers to go from 11 to 12 and up to 34!
Sorry I already patented that. So I fine you $1,000,000
@@digitalchris6681 Not fine….
This looks like the Origin Revival Drive on steroids. I love the idea of knobs on pedals that do exactly what they say they do and that work like a real amplifier. Thats why I love Revival Drive for analog and the OX pedals for digital....But this seems almost like a step too far in complexity. Henning - if you struggled to find good sounds, what chance do we have?
First impression…
It NEEDS more knobs!!
With all the options..it is complicated...but with the ability to gradually change any parameter (in ANALOG!) you can get those in-between sounds that you cant get in the digital realm. So, with great power comes great responsibility. I think pros will appreciate this box..amateurs much less so.
So to switch between A and B you have to buy an additional item and add another cable? No thanks.
They’re included
The "Amplifier" or " Multifier" would be more accurate. But as long as it rocks it's "Saul Goodman" !
Still relevant? We friggin hope so.😊
Man- solid state has come a long way huh?
Good review Henning but this DSM thing is not for me. It's way too complicated and doesn't provide me with anything I need/want. I'm already fully analog and will never go digital :)
Still not relisted on Sweetwater... lol
They’re in the penalty box for listing it too soon
In my day you just plugged in and turned your amp up to 11. 😱
I am dizzy..😵💫
(Completely irrelevant to if it is good or not) I just have to say that I do find it visually funny that it's called the "Simplifier", and then they put 20 inputs/outputs, 19 switches and 36 knobs on it lol.
Wait until they release their Complexifier.
SIMulated amPLIFIER
@@fritsvanzanten3573 i’ve got a breadboard of complexifier … im still trying to source the 38790 pots and 7650 switches to complete the second channel.
Simplifier for simulated amplifier, pobre hueón...
@@ReyLamurin Yes, but when you put them together it makes a different word lol. Like if I make a pedal that's a compressor and killswitch and I call it the COMPressor mUTER, the "Computer".
Yes. We are analogue creatures. Touch and feel and twist knobs. Digital is groovy but I come back to analogue.
Nothing I like better than a real knob.
Great video. I just didn't get this pedal. Nothing special with the tone at all.
It has that solid state sound, which is always inferior to tubes. IMHO.
Flexible and convenient....key words....that's an issue, even when it may have potential to be a great product, it's not very "simple" 😅
I’m the only “Simple”part of my rig 😂
Its name has nothing to do with "simple". That said, it's not complex either once you realize that the knobs are the same as most other amps, just x2 channels.
No it isn’t simple. Which is why it isn’t called Simple. It simplifies my setup by packing a lot into a relatively small package. Which is why it is called Simplifier.
@@RobertFisher1969 I just heard an interview with one of the creators of the pedal and he said that the name comes from simulator and amplifier not from simple.
Pucha los hueones duros. SIMulator amPLIFIER...
Could you repeat that please? HAHA