does Channel Volume change the sound of the amp?

[Talenless]

i was wondering if channel volume changes the sound of the amp, like Amp Parameter Master? or is it like the Master knob on the face of the POD HD (desktop).

[pianoguyy]

Yes. 

BUT, will it be a distinguishable change will depend on your settings. 

[phil_m]

The channel volume doesn't change anything with the amp modeling. The way to think of it is as the volume control for the amp/cab block. So it's not going to increase saturation or drive of the amp model. If you have effects after the amp, it can lead to clipping on certain effects, especially some of the EQs, if you have it too high. So in that sense there is a chance it can effect the tone.

[MartinDorr]

Yes and no.

I did some measurements more than a year ago and found that if your peak signal levels significantly exceed -12dBFS you will get soft clipping, compression, and real distortion effects induced by by selecting higher channel volume. This was measured via USB, but I assume the effect would be the same with other output options. If you keep your peaks below -12dBFS I believe Channel Volume has no impact on tone.

In general, any effect or amp I ever measured has similar behavior: If either input or output levels exceed -12dBFS by more than 3 or so dB you will initially get some compression and soft clipping and if you exceed it by a lot you will hear what sounds like hard clipping to me even though you did not hit 0dBFS.