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Dream Riggers -- some questions about the L2T


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Hey folks...Currently I have a James Tyler Variax 59 I use with a POD HD500 via VDI, and then out of the POD to a pair of Tech21 Power Engine 60s.  This rig actually sounds pretty good, but it does have it's shortcomings.  For example, it takes up a LOT of space in my smallish studio.  Also, the acoustic tones I get are not really grabbing me.  I have gotten it pretty good with some tweaks, but still not stellar.  I also lack the built-in mixer capability to be able to plug in a Yamaha MO8 Synth without buying a mixer which just gives me more stuff I don't otherwise need.

In any event, all of that has me thinking of getting at least one L2T Stage Source speaker and selling off the PE60s.  I have to admit, I am a bit worried over the bang for the buck with these speakers, especially since I will be giving up stereo output (unless I spring for 2 L2Ts!) but it does solve the other nagging issues with the built in mixing capabilities and smaller footprint.  Plus it could be my rig for open mic nites, grab and go jams and so on.  But at $850, it's a pretty expensive speaker lol...so...

I am asking here of the folks who already have this setup a while to perhaps share with me their experiences now that the honeymoon is over?  Does the system still sound great to you all around?  Flaws?  Strengths? Hassles? Do you miss stereo output at all?  Is the acoustic guitar sounds produced using this very lifelike, really?  My understanding is that I could hook up the entire rig using two cables -- the VDI I already use plus an XLR cable via Line6 Link; Is that true?  Any opinions (good or bad) would be appreciated.

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Hi Smrybacki

 

I have had a similar set up to the one you are talking about JTV55-VDI-HD500-L6 link-L3m. I gig once or twice a week playing lead in a 4 piece in an indie rock covers band so I need the full pallet of sounds from acoustic to fairly heavy. I had been working with the JTV and HD500 for a couple of years going through a tube Marshall and was pretty happy with my tones except for the acoustic stuff so I apprehensively bit the bullet and went for the L3m (not the L3t, I don't need the mixer).

 

Going from a real amp to FRFR meant I had to modify all my patches but you may not need to do that as you are already FRFR. That said some systems are more FRFR than others so there may still be slight tweaks to do. It took me a week or so to really nail the sounds but now I have the rig sounds awesome, and I regularly get compliments from musos in the crowd about my tones (if not my actual playing lol).

 

The thing the L2 will give you that your Tech 21s don't apart from the mixer is the smart speaker modes. These can be controlled per patch using Line 6 link and I have found they really bring the tone to life and seem to add another dimension. 

 

I went for the L3 in case the L2 wasn't loud enough. In hindsight the L2 would have been plenty loud enough as the L3 is insane even 'competing' against another guitarist, bassist and drummer. I set the speaker to 12 o'clock and the master on the pod never gets above 11 o'clock.  I could have saved myself some money and weight. Setting up is ridiculously easy using a VDI between JTV and HD500 and L6 link between HD500 and L3m. Literally 2 minutes and you're finished....it will take you longer to tune up!

 

Downsides? As mentioned I had to almost start again with my patches but they were easier to dial in on this rig than my old one (I'm a bit of a tweaker anyway so it was no hardship). The only other thing is that the first unit I received was faulty, it kept cutting out. I sent it back and the replacement hasn't missed a beat in 8 months regular gigging. I have seen a lot of posts about build quality on Stagesource so it's something to bear in mind but in my experience people tend to shout a lot louder when things go wrong than when things go right so I suspect this skews the posts in a negative way.

 

In short as far as I'm concerned it's all good.

 

Good luck whatever you decide to do.

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Hi Smrybacki

 

I have had a similar set up to the one you are talking about JTV55-VDI-HD500-L6 link-L3m. I gig once or twice a week playing lead in a 4 piece in an indie rock covers band so I need the full pallet of sounds from acoustic to fairly heavy. I had been working with the JTV and HD500 for a couple of years going through a tube Marshall and was pretty happy with my tones except for the acoustic stuff so I apprehensively bit the bullet and went for the L3m (not the L3t, I don't need the mixer).

 

Going from a real amp to FRFR meant I had to modify all my patches but you may not need to do that as you are already FRFR. That said some systems are more FRFR than others so there may still be slight tweaks to do. It took me a week or so to really nail the sounds but now I have the rig sounds awesome, and I regularly get compliments from musos in the crowd about my tones (if not my actual playing lol).

 

The thing the L2 will give you that your Tech 21s don't apart from the mixer is the smart speaker modes. These can be controlled per patch using Line 6 link and I have found they really bring the tone to life and seem to add another dimension. 

 

I went for the L3 in case the L2 wasn't loud enough. In hindsight the L2 would have been plenty loud enough as the L3 is insane even 'competing' against another guitarist, bassist and drummer. I set the speaker to 12 o'clock and the master on the pod never gets above 11 o'clock.  I could have saved myself some money and weight. Setting up is ridiculously easy using a VDI between JTV and HD500 and L6 link between HD500 and L3m. Literally 2 minutes and you're finished....it will take you longer to tune up!

 

Downsides? As mentioned I had to almost start again with my patches but they were easier to dial in on this rig than my old one (I'm a bit of a tweaker anyway so it was no hardship). The only other thing is that the first unit I received was faulty, it kept cutting out. I sent it back and the replacement hasn't missed a beat in 8 months regular gigging. I have seen a lot of posts about build quality on Stagesource so it's something to bear in mind but in my experience people tend to shout a lot louder when things go wrong than when things go right so I suspect this skews the posts in a negative way.

 

In short as far as I'm concerned it's all good.

 

Good luck whatever you decide to do.

Wow, thank you for all the great info!  The build quality isa concern, of course.  Good to hear that you got a good unit and that you're gigging regularly is encouraging for sure.  I don't gig myself, not regularly anyway but I haven't ruled it out either for say open mic things, or ocassionally playing at parties with friends -- that kind of thing.  I also wonder about the DT-25 amp simply because it is also a regular amp.  The Stage Source solution does look easier overall though.  Both are about the same cost so really it comes down to taste.  Heck, I can't even say the PE60s I already have are unacceptable, and it is in it's own way a Dream Rig -- especially since I run through a Boss RC-30 two track looper which I forgot to mention in my original post.

 

A lot to consider and your input here has already helped.  Thanks!

 

PS - Especially of note is the per patch controllability factor.

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No worries. If you're not gigging it might be worth bearing in mind that like any tube amp you'll have to really crank it to get that lovely tube warmth. It might be too loud for your surroundings, or your neighbours ;) The DT does have a low volume mode (a switch on the back I think) but my understanding of that is that in this mode the DT uses modelling to get the overdriven tube effect.

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I have a DT25 and are very happy with what it does, but accoustic guitar tones are likely worse than the ones you got from your current setup.

I am still experimenting with making accoustic guitars sound good (and there are a few posts on how others approached this topic), but I do not expect to get really close to ideal as there is no high-frequency speaker in the DT. At this time I am afraid it is a trade-off between real tubes (no real good accoustics) or tube modelling and good accoustics.

I looked at the L2/3's before and if I'd have to buy again I'd go with L2m+t instead of the DT25 for best cost/volume/sound/fexibility compromise. Slightly flatter than the L3s, one mixer is enough, plenty loud enough, stereo ear candy, and HD tube modelling.

Enjoy the ride,

Martin

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I tell you fellas, I wish I could test drive one!

I know I could order either of these (or both) and return one (or both), but I hate to do that simply because it's deceitful.  My local Guitar Center is pathetic (literally) and they don't have squat.  I keep looking for a Craigslist hit on one lol...

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I have a DT25 and are very happy with what it does, but accoustic guitar tones are likely worse than the ones you got from your current setup.

I am still experimenting with making accoustic guitars sound good (and there are a few posts on how others approached this topic), but I do not expect to get really close to ideal as there is no high-frequency speaker in the DT. At this time I am afraid it is a trade-off between real tubes (no real good accoustics) or tube modelling and good accoustics.

I looked at the L2/3's before and if I'd have to buy again I'd go with L2m+t instead of the DT25 for best cost/volume/sound/fexibility compromise. Slightly flatter than the L3s, one mixer is enough, plenty loud enough, stereo ear candy, and HD tube modelling.

Enjoy the ride,

Martin

I'd love to go stereo with my rig, I'm sure it would sound awesome but funds don't stretch to it at the moment. Smrybacki, why not pack the JTV and HD500 into the car and take them to your nearest Stagesource stockist.....call it a road trip!! Years ago I did a 350 mile round trip to look at an amp, can't remember what type, which a second hand gear shop had reserved for me. When I got there he'd sold it so sorted me out with a Marshall half stack instead for my trouble and matched the price- £200 (approx $350). Sometimes it's worth a bit of a drive. If you heard the dream rig I'm sure you would go for it.

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I'd love to go stereo with my rig, I'm sure it would sound awesome but funds don't stretch to it at the moment. Smrybacki, why not pack the JTV and HD500 into the car and take them to your nearest Stagesource stockist.....call it a road trip!! Years ago I did a 350 mile round trip to look at an amp, can't remember what type, which a second hand gear shop had reserved for me. When I got there he'd sold it so sorted me out with a Marshall half stack instead for my trouble and matched the price- £200 (approx $350). Sometimes it's worth a bit of a drive. If you heard the dream rig I'm sure you would go for it.

Well now that you mention that, Rockville MD is about 90 minutes from here and that Guitar Center would likely have these.  Great idea...I'll give them a ring later today and ask for this weekend.  Thanks again!

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Well now that you mention that, Rockville MD is about 90 minutes from here and that Guitar Center would likely have these.  Great idea...I'll give them a ring later today and ask for this weekend.  Thanks again!

No worries. Hope you're blown away. Good luck.

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I looked at the L2/3's before and if I'd have to buy again I'd go with L2m+t instead of the DT25 for best cost/volume/sound/fexibility compromise. Slightly flatter than the L3s, one mixer is enough, plenty loud enough, stereo ear candy, and HD tube modelling.

Enjoy the ride,

Martin

I have the same rig as Dorr - I wanna know if one can connect an  L2 with an L6 cable and switch between the DT and the L2...

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Two L2t's are incredibly loud; I like the way they sound with my JTV-HD500 rig, but I usually end up using my DT-25 at rehearsal with the band when we do electric, and the two L2t's get used as monitors. But when I am jamming at home and having fun with sound, I've tried the l6link to the pair of L2t's and they definitely rock.

 

I am experimenting with adding a GK pickup to my JTV59, so I can run a GR-55 in tandem with the JTV models into the HD500; apparently you can run the stereo outs from the GR-55 to the FX return on the HD500. In that case, for that (somewhat insane) rig, I would likely gravitate towards running in studio direct, and either going direct into the mixer and out to the L2t's, or L6Link to the L2t's. I guess I could have gone with the L2m's for $200 less total ($100 each), but I liked the idea of being able to use the pair of L2t's without the mixer, for certain situations.

 

What I haven't tried yet is using both DT25 and L2t with L6link from the HD500; I haven't figured out how the over-ride the automatic 'combo poweramp' mode that the HD500 goes into when you L6link to a DT25.

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What I haven't tried yet is using both DT25 and L2t with L6link from the HD500; I haven't figured out how the over-ride the automatic 'combo poweramp' mode that the HD500 goes into when you L6link to a DT25.

 

Isn't this the mode one wants when using the L2's in Electric Guitar mode?  I just got one, but haven't spent much time with it...

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  • 3 weeks later...

I use a JTV59 into a HD500X and into a single L2T. I've used this for practice and live gigs for the last year or so, and I have no regrets (except for the hole in my wallet). I would love to have stereo, but for live use with a band I find it not as important as I thought. I went this route mainly for the acoustic models in the JTV, which I use a lot with my current band. The L2T performs very well for that, and I routinely get compliments from band mates & listeners on how good it sounds. It's worked out to be very practical for me - I have a rolling case for the L2T, and it is much preferred to using a traditional guitar amp for the acoustic models. You could use a number of other FRFR PA type speakers, and I can't comment as to how the L2T would compare to "Speaker X", but the switching capabilities & interoperability between the 3 pieces give you lots of usable options live. 

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I use the L2m for my Dream Rig and it has been working great! I found that the POD set to Studio/Direct and the L2 set to P.A. Reference sounded best to me, it also has the advantage of using the power amp, cab and mic models (if you use any other mode the cab, power amp and mic models are disabled).

 

The Acoustic sounds are good (I just put the vintage pre in the chain with no amp).

 

My Dream Rig is lighter than anything I have used before, is more versatile and is more powerful to boot.

 

-Max

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