TC Electronics Ampworx pedals

[paisleywookiee]

Big pass on all of these. They are kind of a hard sell against a Mooer mini preamp pedal, even if these were around $80-100. For $150, they are hoping for suckers to buy this shit.

Yeah I had one of those little Mooer pedals six years ago that sounded better than this.

 

[laxu]

Ah, great. The A/B with an actual 800 in the end kind of shows the lean bass response.

Yeah that's been my beef with Celestion's own IRs. They tend to be bright and lean, which may work perfectly in a mix but on its own..ugh.

I mean maybe this could be a simple direct to PA backup type amp, but I'd rather spend more and buy a Strymon Iridium or one of the UA pedals. I only paid like 100 euros more than what the TC pedals cost for my used Iridium.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

A/B comparison with Tue Madsen, and that pesky topic of SIC rearing its head again. Almost as if its one of the last big hurdles to cross with modellers? Havent listened on monitors yet, but I dig this kind of content. Nice to see TC doing ANYTHING considering how dormant they can feel at times.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

good on them for doing these comparison videos



where’s the Rectifier one?

 

[laxu]

A/B comparison with Tue Madsen, and that pesky topic of SIC rearing its head again. Almost as if its one of the last big hurdles to cross with modellers? Havent listened on monitors yet, but I dig this kind of content. Nice to see TC doing ANYTHING considering how dormant they can feel at times.

I'd say the speaker impedance curve is not a big deal - as long as that simulation is there in some form.

As an example, most modeler owners have no control over this so whatever is baked in on say Helix has been fine for years for its users. As long as it's somewhat in line with what you'd typically use with that sort of amp (e.g Marshall + 4x12 GB or Recto + 4x12 V30) then you aren't going to be too unhappy about it.

I have no idea what my Strymon Iridium does in this regard but it works just fine with various IRs I've used with it and my IR choice is really defined more around what I think sounds best with it - usually brighter and a bit leaner IRs work best with it to give you the most usable range on each amp models' EQ controls.

To me the big issue on the TC pedals is that you can't swap the cab sims, and there's only that single option so you better like it. I'd be more positive on them as a "cheap single amp" box if you could at least swap that single IR to your liking.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

I'd say the speaker impedance curve is not a big deal - as long as that simulation is there in some form.

As an example, most modeler owners have no control over this so whatever is baked in on say Helix has been fine for years for its users. As long as it's somewhat in line with what you'd typically use with that sort of amp (e.g Marshall + 4x12 GB or Recto + 4x12 V30) then you aren't going to be too unhappy about it.

I have no idea what my Strymon Iridium does in this regard but it works just fine with various IRs I've used with it and my IR choice is really defined more around what I think sounds best with it - usually brighter and a bit leaner IRs work best with it to give you the most usable range on each amp models' EQ controls.

To me the big issue on the TC pedals is that you can't swap the cab sims, and there's only that single option so you better like it. I'd be more positive on them as a "cheap single amp" box if you could at least swap that single IR to your liking.

Can they at least remove the IR? I'm definitely not interested in the pedals, but I am interested in their tech and whether itll make its way into other products.

Helix's approach to impedance curves is absolutely an acceptable way of doing things, and as you say, shouldn't be a big issue so long as they choose sensible loads. I think its important in the sense that it does impart an overall character to any specific amp, so its very important they choose something appropriate. For some amps its less of an issue, but it could be the thing thank people associate with a "sound" of a model.

 

[laxu]

Can they at least remove the IR? I'm definitely not interested in the pedals, but I am interested in their tech and whether itll make its way into other products.

That's afaik as simple as using the "Out" jack instead of the "DI / cab sim" jack. But then you'll want something like a TC Impulse unless you are recording so you kinda end up with "just buy a Strymon Iridium" price bracket unless you are specifically looking at the high gain TC pedals.

 

[KingsXJJ]

Is the JIMS 800 pretty nice through headphones?

 

[MirrorProfiles]

sounds like one of the better recto models out there

 

[Whizzinby]

sounds like one of the better recto models out there

Yeah as he got to the grainier tones I thought it sounded better and closer to the amp.

 

[the swede]

I’m interested… seems to be up my new found alley of going the easy simple road…

Those A/B videos sure gives these pedals some weight other than “it’s cheap crap” talk that I’ve seen elsewhere.

I might give this a try before going option paralysis modeler road again

I like these demos. I’m quite interested in the 45 regarding cleans. Because what I recall from using models elsewhere there’s beautiful clean to breakups in the 45, as well as a more precise and useful B/M/T than the deluxe.

 

[the swede]

Descent tones



Like this, pedal seems to respond well to overdrives



Dont think theres a Strymon mojo input on these though. But i don’t think TC is noobs in that regard either.

 

[CBHScott]

I’m interested… seems to be up my new found alley of going the easy simple road…

Those A/B videos sure gives these pedals some weight other than “it’s cheap crap” talk that I’ve seen elsewhere.

I might give this a try before going option paralysis modeler road again

I like these demos. I’m quite interested in the 45 regarding cleans. Because what I recall from using models elsewhere there’s beautiful clean to breakups in the 45, as well as a more precise and useful B/M/T than the deluxe.

Thanks for posting, Swede!

That first video in particular does not do that pedal any favors - it sounds thin, and I don’t know how POTD set it up for recording, but it is clipping all over the place.

The second pair of videos sound much better overall. I also really like the reverb on the ‘65.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

I hope UA releasing plugin versions of their pedals is a good incentive for TC to throw their amp modelling hat into the ring.

(One) Downside of Behringer is they don’t have to get involved in anything if they don’t feel like it, and on the whole, aren’t massively invested in selling plugins. Could well be that they’re waiting to do a bigger modeller before unleashing plugins

 

[GuitarJon]

A bit of a bump:

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

A bit of a bump:

Can you update the title to be more clickbaity?

 

[the swede]

A bit of a bump:

Good work, well done Jon. They sound decent to me. Very cool pedals for the price! I would especially like a good quality review on the cleaner versions (deluxe and j45) with pedals into them. There’s been a few reviews but not so many after the firmware updates.

 

[GuitarJon]

Can you update the title to be more clickbaity?

No

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

No

You really should so you can game the algorithm better.

 

[Shredder777]

At least these are getting to the price range where I might consider buying an AIAB. Since they have an on board IR, you don't need an IR pedal.

IMO, analog (non tube) AIAB just never work for me. And if you add up the cost of a few IR-X/J/D or Synergy models, you are at the price of a tube head.

These make sense, but have to believe that the price will come down further.