I have an Vox AC15 amp. I just want to use the POD GO for effects only...best way?

[jarablue]

So I have a Vox AC15 amp. I bought the pod go mainly for effects since I am a bedroom player and would like to use the amp/cab sims when I connect to my pc but for now while using my ac15 I just want to disable all amp/cab processing and use my ac15s sound.

 

What is the best way to do this?

 

Thank you for the help! :)

[silverhead]

Assuming your Vox has an FX Loop use the 4 Cable Method (4CM) as described in the POD Go manual - Setup section. That will allow you to position some FX a before your Vox preamp section and some FX after it. Include an FX Loop in your POD Go preset and bypass the amp and cab models.

[grdGo33]

Does not seem like the Vox AC15 have an effects loop...  :\ 

 

So either

1) use the clean channel and make the amp as clean/neutral as possible.  Then you could use the Go's amps, but probably would be better off disabling the Cab block, that would allow you to almost fully use the Go's potential and full line of effects through the Vox.

2) If you use your amp drive/distortion, it'll distort the Go's output and might hinder effects such as reverb, delay, etc., typically effects that go after the amp. But if you'll use just Go's drives or pre-amp effects that would be good too!

 

You could also use your Go as PC audio interface and connect your speakers to Go, then both PC and Go will play through speakers/monitors.  And if you connect the Vox using Go's Amp out, it'll automatically cut off the cab & effects after the cab block, so both your patches should work for both PC and Vox amp!  (well you'd get double amps, so likely would need to manage that one way or another!)

[somebodyelse]

Got a used PG incoming, but having read the manual, and previously owned an AC15, plug the 'Amp Out' in to whichever input you prefer on the AC15 and just switch off the amp and cab models on the PG - unfortunately, you'll have to do this on a preset by preset basis.

 

Unless something changed recently, AC15s don't have an FX loop.

[jarablue]

Is there any reason I should use the fx loop block on the pod go? When I turn it on, it cuts off all sound to my ac15. Would I need to use the fx loop block on the pod go for any reason?

 

Also I will turn off the cab/ir blocks on each preset then create my own presets with them turned off. Is there any reason I should use the amp/preamp block going into my ac15? If I am not using any distortion or any effects at all from my amp other than volume (no treble, no bass. Just volume)?? How do I disable the ac15 drive/distortion to get it clean as possible to use the pod go amp/preamp? Or would it be better to just disable them both on the pod go and use my amp fully with just effects?

 

Thanks again for the help!

[grdGo33]

On 8/17/2024 at 9:07 PM, jarablue said:

Is there any reason I should use the fx loop block on the pod go? When I turn it on, it cuts off all sound to my ac15. Would I need to use the fx loop block on the pod go for any reason?

If you had other pedals you wanted to use with PGO, but didn't want to use them in front or after, so can place anywhere in your PGO chain.  Plus can turn on/off the loop so disable/enable series of external effects from Pod Go.

 

On 8/17/2024 at 9:07 PM, jarablue said:

Also I will turn off the cab/ir blocks on each preset then create my own presets with them turned off. Is there any reason I should use the amp/preamp block going into my ac15? If I am not using any distortion or any effects at all from my amp other than volume (no treble, no bass. Just volume)?? How do I disable the ac15 drive/distortion to get it clean as possible to use the pod go amp/preamp? Or would it be better to just disable them both on the pod go and use my amp fully with just effects?

 

Thanks again for the help!

 

Yeah largely, other than just amplifying signals, tube amps also distort the sound; they all do it kinda differently, so Fender, Marshall, Mesa, etc., all have their own attributes.  So if you want your Vox to sound like a different amp, that would be it!

 

For clean, largely depends on the amp, but typically reverb off, drive at 0, mids/lows/highs at 30-50% (depends on amp), etc.,  For the AC15, looks like the normal volume controls the drive, and the master volume just the volume, so likely normal volume pretty low.  But try it!  See what works for you :)

[jarablue]

So if I get my amp clean, I can use the amp/preamp to simulate other amps/preamps on my ac15 amp? Just making sure I got that right?

 

I am actually thinking of getting the HX Effect unit instead of sticking with the POD GO. I do not need the amp/cab sims at all. Do you guys think this would be a good move? Returning the pod go and getting the hx effects? I am thinking for my use case it would be the better way to go. Any ideas?

[somebodyelse]

On 8/19/2024 at 2:53 AM, jarablue said:

So if I get my amp clean, I can use the amp/preamp to simulate other amps/preamps on my ac15 amp? Just making sure I got that right?

 

I am actually thinking of getting the HX Effect unit instead of sticking with the POD GO. I do not need the amp/cab sims at all. Do you guys think this would be a good move? Returning the pod go and getting the hx effects? I am thinking for my use case it would be the better way to go. Any ideas?

If it were me, yes, I'd have gone the HX Effects route in the first place.

[grdGo33]

On 8/18/2024 at 9:53 PM, jarablue said:

I am actually thinking of getting the HX Effect unit instead of sticking with the POD GO. I do not need the amp/cab sims at all. Do you guys think this would be a good move? Returning the pod go and getting the hx effects? I am thinking for my use case it would be the better way to go. Any ideas?

 

What does the HX Effects do that the Go doesn't?  I don't think it would make much difference.  The Effects is even more expensive than the Go.  Don't think it as many more effects; from memory, it might have more features (outputs, maybe DSP, maybe more blocks, etc.), but the effects themselves are largely the same.  https://line6.com/comparison/processors/  But maybe also the UI of the unit is more suited for your use case..

 

 

Quote

So if I get my amp clean, I can use the amp/preamp to simulate other amps/preamps on my ac15 amp? Just making sure I got that right?

Kinda.  You got a 'combo' amp.   "A guitar combo amp is a type of amplifier that integrates the amplifier head and speaker cabinet into a single unit. This design simplifies the setup process for guitarists by combining the necessary components—preamp, power amp, and speaker—into one box, making it particularly popular among beginners and those looking for convenience in their gear."

 

So yes, if in Go you have a cab block, you in reality will have 2 cab; the one in Go, and the real one.  So disabling cab in Pod Go is desired, since you're already using a guitar cab and don't need Go to simulate one (like if you were using Studio Monitor speakers).

 

For the amp, you can't bypass your Vox combo amp amp's section.  But if you set it so that it sounds 'neutral' (imparts little sound of its own; clean amp), then you can use Go to simulate another amp, and your Vox should sound like the other amp, with obviously the Vox Cab.