So I finally got a hand on my own Sansamp PSA 1, and just wanted to share my excitement with you, oh and I also made a video showing off it's sounds and what it can do for me. I am amazed at what kind of sounds it can produce!
The speaker sim is incorporated into the circuitry and is designed to deliver the appropriate speaker for the designated setting.
The SansAmp PSA gives you fairly detailed emulations of each of the Character Series pedals, but the pedals go into even greater detail of each amp style.
Overall, you have much more flexibility with the PSA and you can save your favorite settings. It's a matter of your preferences and budget.
I've got a Tech 21 PSA 1.1 and I love the sound! My question: How do I get those big rock sounds recorded properly? With the direct out or just with a microphone in front of the cabinet?
The unit was designed for direct recording so you don't have to go through the hassle of mic'ing a cabinet. While some people might still prefer to do it that way, either way is "proper." It's really a matter of preference. Very happy you love it, btw!
I've had a PSA-1 for several years now and I love it but for DI the built-in speaker simulation doesn't impress me - doesn't seem to do much more than un-alka-seltzer it leaving it a bit lifeless - I DI mine through an ADA Microcab.
It depends on the power amp's input(s). If it has 1/4" inputs, use the PSA's 1/4" outputs. If it has XLR inputs, use the PSA's XLR outputs. If it has both, choose either (it makes no difference). The speaker simulation is always on... you can't turn it off.
I play mostly Hendrix on it as you can see on my channel, and combined with the G-major 2, I get all the original sounds, I'm hoping to upgrade to the PSA 1.1 soon...
@Tech21nyc i mean: this preamp sound greit, sound good. my question is: why is so expensive? is just a solid stare preamp. usually this price is for tube preamp. thx
@ersemola Have you ever heard about quality? You can`t expect a preamp with Midi, with past 100 presets and a superb sound to cost less than an average amplifier. If the Sounds are great the manufacturer should get paid for his effort.
I Think the psa is a great device and totally worth every single Cent, but if you can't see that, go and buy your china made behringer Products and be happy
@ersemola Why is everybody so obsessed with tubes? The most important thing is that it's analog. Here's an example: Did you ever see a tube in an Ibanez tubescreamer? NO!!! But for most blues-ers it is the Holy grail in overdrive pedals. Of course you can plug it in a tube amp, but this can also be done with a sansaamp, I do it all the time.
I have been looking at one of these, and so far I like what I'm seeing because it's so simply laid out... I play metal (like Megadeth to Children of Bodom kind), how well would this pair up with a Fryette 2-90-2 power amp? I wouldn't use a million effects or anything, but I want something simple that isn't solid state based like the ISP Theta thing..
I'm new to preamps and power amps, I've been going guitar-head-cab my whole time playing guitar, haha
The SansAmp RPM will offer a bluesy lead tone, like a cranked up '60s Fender or Ampeg amp. It won't get into Marshall overdrive territory, but it will certainly accept overdrive/distortion pedals very well if you want that kind of gain.
I'm seriously thinking about selling my Randall MTS tube rig and trying one of these. I'm so sick of lugging around these heavy ass amps, breaking my back and still having an amp I'm not happy with.
Can we see some bass demos with the PSA I know a few big players use them. Phil from taproot uses it. I'm currently using the RBI as my main tone with the GT2 for distortion here and there not a whole lot of distortion though mainly intros and stuff. Love my RBI by the way
There are two 1/4-inch inputs, one on the front and one in the rear. This way you can incorporate the SansAmp PSA into a rack or patch-bay setup. The front input overrides the rear input which allows you to bypass other gear that may be in the chain.
This is cool. I am planning on getting one of these. I have a non related question, though. I see that the strat you are using has the Lace Sensor pickups. How do you like those pickups?
Only reason I know this tech 21 is good, I have it set up on my computer with my pro tools program, didnt even know it was in there, found it by accident, the sound is beyond great, im just kinda lost on what i need exactly to play one like you are showing, could u offer me some set up advice , what do i use with the pre amp for say a small band, does this model have delay and reverb, thanks in advance. Gary
You should contact us directly, as it's not a short answer. And, no, the SansAmp PSA does not have effects. You might want to check out our Boost D.L.A. and Boost R.V.B. pedals, though. :-)
I'm looking for a preamp which can reproduce Malmsteen's tone.
Is it possible with this one ? What would be se setting please ? I already have a dod250 and a PSA 1.1 I was lent to me. However I don't manage at all to nail his tone.
It is possible, but there are other factors we would need to know --such as type of guitar, what you're plugging into (amp or power amp), etc. I would encourage you to call or email us (see website for contact info) so we can give you the best advice.
The PSA is an analog preamp with no built in effects (other than EQ.)
The MIDI capability allows you to save presets and combine the unit with a MIDI effects unit for a super versatile guitar rig. I use a Rocktron Xpression in the effects loop of the Tech 21 PSA with excellent results. The preamp doesn't "eat" guitar tone whatsoever.
The Tech 21 PSA will NOT sound or "feel" like a digital POD/Axe FX/AmpFarm-type software plug-in for better or for worse.
If you mean, SansAmp PSA into side A of an A/B box, and another preamp into side B, with the common output feeding a power amp and speakers, I don't see why not.
With the original SansAmp PSA-1, there is a special page function to set the loop count (for any number of presets). You would copy & paste your 2 presets to sequential locations, then use any momentary footswitch to shuttle back and forth.
With the newer SansAmp PSA-1.1, you can still move the presets sequentially, but you would need to use a MIDI footcontroller. (Check out our player-friendly MIDI Mouse or MIDI Moose.) For more help, please contact us via our website.
When you tweak the knobs, the display will blink to let you know you've changed its position. It's very simple, though to find where a particular knob was set for any given preset. Full instructions are provided in the owner's manual.
5:13 pretty funny. If the guitar playing didn't convince you the nagging Mother will. Nice guitar playing by the way. You just went through a whole catalog to demonstrate the sounds and it sold me on it nicely. Wotta range. I was particularly impressed with the Brian may sound, SRV and what's that at 2:20? is it Neil Young?
We ship our products with the proper voltages to each of our international distributors. If you require additional information for your particular country, I suggest you email customer service through our website.
Since the SansAmp PSA offers tube amp emulation, using a tube power amp could possibly add too much compression. Typically we recommend a solid state power amp with at least 100 watts of power, which should have enough clean headroom to amplify your tone without coloring it further or adding additional distortion.
Interesting bit of kit... the guy freaked me out at 5:14 though! Tech 21 gear is very tempting as an alternative to digital modelling. I heard a Tech 21 Trademark 60 demo'd last night at a guitar workshop... VERY impressive.
You have the SansAmp PSA-1. In 2005, we introduced the SansAmp PSA-1.1, which has some additional features, one of which is the Trim knob. It is a master volume control that raises or lowers all presets the same amount.
It is a common assumption that al ICs are digital. However, this is not the case. They can also be analog, which is what we use. (Many of the popular analog pedals also use analog ICs, such as Boss, Tube Screamer, etc). The statement at the beginning of the video is "The SansAmp PSA has 100% analog circuitry for its signal path..." is accurate. The signal does not go through any A/D to D/A conversion. We use digital components only for the memory.
Adding a distortion device to a live vocal guarantees there will be feedback. You can try to add gates to the signal path, but it probably won't eliminate everything.
It's just you. The Tech 21 PSA 1.1 sounds amazing. PODS and digital preamps of that ilk have bamboozled many guitarist's ears into believing that guitar tones must sound like MIXED ALBUMS to be considered "good." If you like how MIXED guitars sound and you want your guitar tone to sound like a MIXED GUITAR (and not a normal guitar amp) then invest in a POD, Axe FX or one of the half dozen or so multi-pedal digital preamps on the market. The Tech PSA 1.1 is a fantastic analog preamp.
Well, i couldn't really say... when you put someone who doesn't play metal to test high gain amps, it's not played accurate enough to hear the palm mute and that sort of things, the cleans are better tested on this video thought
Nice! Been looking for a video demo on this for a long time! Great initiative =) This would be a great asset to my studio, will probably try one out as soon as I can, and if it fits me, I'll buy :D LOVE the GT2 so I know where I'm heading
Well, you have more control of the sound in the psa since the GT2 is more of a modeling pedal. You have all these switches that alter the midrange. You can get quite heavy with it =)
These units have been around a lot longer than Line6 and have always sounded better.
harro333 2 weeks ago
So I finally got a hand on my own Sansamp PSA 1, and just wanted to share my excitement with you, oh and I also made a video showing off it's sounds and what it can do for me. I am amazed at what kind of sounds it can produce!
BluesMannus 1 month ago
@Tech21nyc
I'm between this and character series pedals.
¿Which is better for direct recording?
¿How many different speakers can I sim with PSA?
¿SansAmp PSA = All Character Series together?
Cyberdemon 1 month ago
@Cyberdemon
All SansAmps are designed for direct recording.
The speaker sim is incorporated into the circuitry and is designed to deliver the appropriate speaker for the designated setting.
The SansAmp PSA gives you fairly detailed emulations of each of the Character Series pedals, but the pedals go into even greater detail of each amp style.
Overall, you have much more flexibility with the PSA and you can save your favorite settings. It's a matter of your preferences and budget.
Tech21nyc 1 month ago
Comment removed
Cyberdemon 1 month ago
I've got a Tech 21 PSA 1.1 and I love the sound! My question: How do I get those big rock sounds recorded properly? With the direct out or just with a microphone in front of the cabinet?
derdude 1 month ago
@derdude
The unit was designed for direct recording so you don't have to go through the hassle of mic'ing a cabinet. While some people might still prefer to do it that way, either way is "proper." It's really a matter of preference. Very happy you love it, btw!
Tech21nyc 1 month ago
@derdude Why not do both-double track, one direct and one with a microphone?
vltjd 1 month ago
I love with the first preset he makes he goes "and we'll turn this distortion up a little bit, don't wanna go to crazy" *turns all the way up*
funkyhair143 3 months ago
I've had a PSA-1 for several years now and I love it but for DI the built-in speaker simulation doesn't impress me - doesn't seem to do much more than un-alka-seltzer it leaving it a bit lifeless - I DI mine through an ADA Microcab.
Twirlyhead 4 months ago
Which output to use when hooking it up to a power amp? bypassing the speaker simu? they all sounds (with speaker simu) the same?
Zhorellski 6 months ago
@Zhorellski
It depends on the power amp's input(s). If it has 1/4" inputs, use the PSA's 1/4" outputs. If it has XLR inputs, use the PSA's XLR outputs. If it has both, choose either (it makes no difference). The speaker simulation is always on... you can't turn it off.
Tech21nyc 6 months ago
This is the best preamp I have ever used...It is great in studio on stage and also for practice....
sowhatxy 6 months ago
I'm using GT-2 currently and it rocks!!!
I play mostly Hendrix on it as you can see on my channel, and combined with the G-major 2, I get all the original sounds, I'm hoping to upgrade to the PSA 1.1 soon...
BluesMannus 7 months ago
@BluesMannus
Thanks for the post BluesMannus!
Tech21nyc 7 months ago
it is a transistor? how he can to play quite good and cost so much?
ersemola 7 months ago
@ersemola. It is solid state, all-analog. Not sure what your other question is.
Tech21nyc 7 months ago
@Tech21nyc i mean: this preamp sound greit, sound good. my question is: why is so expensive? is just a solid stare preamp. usually this price is for tube preamp. thx
ersemola 7 months ago
@ersemola Have you ever heard about quality? You can`t expect a preamp with Midi, with past 100 presets and a superb sound to cost less than an average amplifier. If the Sounds are great the manufacturer should get paid for his effort.
I Think the psa is a great device and totally worth every single Cent, but if you can't see that, go and buy your china made behringer Products and be happy
Gearpilot90 7 months ago
@ersemola Why is everybody so obsessed with tubes? The most important thing is that it's analog. Here's an example: Did you ever see a tube in an Ibanez tubescreamer? NO!!! But for most blues-ers it is the Holy grail in overdrive pedals. Of course you can plug it in a tube amp, but this can also be done with a sansaamp, I do it all the time.
BluesMannus 6 months ago 4
Haha love the jazz =D
SonicBrunoth 9 months ago
whick amp configuration are you using in the video? i mean, is the sansamp direct out or did you connected it to a cabinet?
synthelabo 10 months ago
@synthelabo
It is direct out. We did connect it to the Power Engine 60 in our other video, which also went direct out from the cabinet. Nothing was miked.
Tech21nyc 9 months ago
You sound like The Tone King
cast390 10 months ago
I have been looking at one of these, and so far I like what I'm seeing because it's so simply laid out... I play metal (like Megadeth to Children of Bodom kind), how well would this pair up with a Fryette 2-90-2 power amp? I wouldn't use a million effects or anything, but I want something simple that isn't solid state based like the ISP Theta thing..
I'm new to preamps and power amps, I've been going guitar-head-cab my whole time playing guitar, haha
Any help or advice? Thanks!
mgdth502 10 months ago
@mgdth502
Yes, the SansAmp PSA will pair up nicely. I would recommend calling our office if you need further help or advice.
Tech21nyc 10 months ago
@Tech21nyc convincing reply lol
TheLydianRocks 10 months ago
I really liked this unit - awesome fun and great sound.
svenzia 11 months ago
Is there any chance you guys could make a demo of the RPM?
pentagonoenllamas 11 months ago
@pentagonoenllamas
Eventually, but right now we're working on a bunch of videos for our new products. Thanks for asking!
Tech21nyc 11 months ago
@Tech21nyc Cool. I would just want to know if the RPM has enough overdrive for a lead tone.
pentagonoenllamas 11 months ago
@pentagonoenllamas
The SansAmp RPM will offer a bluesy lead tone, like a cranked up '60s Fender or Ampeg amp. It won't get into Marshall overdrive territory, but it will certainly accept overdrive/distortion pedals very well if you want that kind of gain.
Tech21nyc 11 months ago
@Tech21nyc Thanks for the answer. I was also wondering if the FX loop in these units (RPM, PSA) is pre or post speaker emulation.
pentagonoenllamas 10 months ago
@pentagonoenllamas
It is post.
Tech21nyc 10 months ago
@6StringAxeMoFo
It's Ray's own fingerstyle arrangement of "Desperado" by the Eagles.
Tech21nyc 1 year ago
2.44 'Trans..' what?! That's a new one on me, but I shall be using it frequently from now on.
sreymind 1 year ago
I'm seriously thinking about selling my Randall MTS tube rig and trying one of these. I'm so sick of lugging around these heavy ass amps, breaking my back and still having an amp I'm not happy with.
brandon9271 1 year ago
Does is come with a footswitch?
OfficialEXES 1 year ago
Can we see some bass demos with the PSA I know a few big players use them. Phil from taproot uses it. I'm currently using the RBI as my main tone with the GT2 for distortion here and there not a whole lot of distortion though mainly intros and stuff. Love my RBI by the way
nephilymbass1 1 year ago
Any plans of incorporating this preamp into power engine all in one unit?
Zhorellski 1 year ago
This unit have guitar input on the back? I notice the guitar is not pluged to the input of the unit on the video... :S
nunoinocencio 1 year ago
@nunoinocencio
There are two 1/4-inch inputs, one on the front and one in the rear. This way you can incorporate the SansAmp PSA into a rack or patch-bay setup. The front input overrides the rear input which allows you to bypass other gear that may be in the chain.
Tech21nyc 1 year ago
@Tech21nyc
Ahhh! Nice!
Cheers!
nunoinocencio 1 year ago
@Tech21nyc
What's the difference between psa & gt2 in sound quality ?
i have a gt2 pedal.
tnx.
LeonGrinberg 1 year ago
@LeonGrinberg
Sound quality is the same, only the functionality and extent of different sounds is different. Sorry for the late reply, btw...
Tech21nyc 1 year ago
@nunoinocencio
yep
dado5150 1 year ago
This is cool. I am planning on getting one of these. I have a non related question, though. I see that the strat you are using has the Lace Sensor pickups. How do you like those pickups?
UncleTito72 1 year ago
@UncleTito72
Ray used his own guitar, so we don't know. I would assume he's happy with them or he probably would have used a different guitar.
Tech21nyc 1 year ago
I guess I could run it through a solid quality combo amp on the clean channel???
chickabuka 1 year ago
Only reason I know this tech 21 is good, I have it set up on my computer with my pro tools program, didnt even know it was in there, found it by accident, the sound is beyond great, im just kinda lost on what i need exactly to play one like you are showing, could u offer me some set up advice , what do i use with the pre amp for say a small band, does this model have delay and reverb, thanks in advance. Gary
chickabuka 1 year ago
@chickabuka
You should contact us directly, as it's not a short answer. And, no, the SansAmp PSA does not have effects. You might want to check out our Boost D.L.A. and Boost R.V.B. pedals, though. :-)
Tech21nyc 1 year ago
I'm looking for a preamp which can reproduce Malmsteen's tone.
Is it possible with this one ? What would be se setting please ? I already have a dod250 and a PSA 1.1 I was lent to me. However I don't manage at all to nail his tone.
Thanks for any help.
marcanb28 1 year ago
It is possible, but there are other factors we would need to know --such as type of guitar, what you're plugging into (amp or power amp), etc. I would encourage you to call or email us (see website for contact info) so we can give you the best advice.
Tech21nyc 1 year ago
whats the song he plays after we will rock you
aeroman4life 1 year ago
@aeroman4life
Must be "american woman - the guess who"
rene2k 1 year ago
Absolutely must-have piece of gear! Amazing sound and easy to use!
latentanxiety 1 year ago
Can you use this preamp with another preamp?.
crguti 1 year ago
As with any other preamp, you can run as many in line as you'd like. Typically, however, the more you do, the noisier it gets.
Tech21nyc 1 year ago
Is it digital? oR Analog??
is it work like multi fx?
this unit eat the real sound of guitar?
thanx!
LeonGrinberg 2 years ago
@LeonGrinberg
The PSA is an analog preamp with no built in effects (other than EQ.)
The MIDI capability allows you to save presets and combine the unit with a MIDI effects unit for a super versatile guitar rig. I use a Rocktron Xpression in the effects loop of the Tech 21 PSA with excellent results. The preamp doesn't "eat" guitar tone whatsoever.
The Tech 21 PSA will NOT sound or "feel" like a digital POD/Axe FX/AmpFarm-type software plug-in for better or for worse.
TimeLordGuitar 2 years ago
thanx!!
LeonGrinberg 2 years ago
What the hell was that in the end?? LOL. but the stuff sounds good...
ckara007 2 years ago
Sounds like this thing can do metal. Is there a footswitch for this preamp?
prodigy179 2 years ago
Hello, grat preamp. Id like to know if you can plug the sansamp psa 1.1 to a poweramp and then controll it with gcx ground controller?
FungusLabel 2 years ago
Can you use a foot pedal for an A-B amp option?
jamblam 2 years ago
If you mean, SansAmp PSA into side A of an A/B box, and another preamp into side B, with the common output feeding a power amp and speakers, I don't see why not.
Tech21nyc 2 years ago
No I mean can it work as a two channel amplifier. Clean / Overdrive with a foot pedal?
jamblam 2 years ago
With the original SansAmp PSA-1, there is a special page function to set the loop count (for any number of presets). You would copy & paste your 2 presets to sequential locations, then use any momentary footswitch to shuttle back and forth.
With the newer SansAmp PSA-1.1, you can still move the presets sequentially, but you would need to use a MIDI footcontroller. (Check out our player-friendly MIDI Mouse or MIDI Moose.) For more help, please contact us via our website.
Tech21nyc 2 years ago
The display doesn't change when you tweak the knobs? :-)
JohnJeevasingham 2 years ago
only when you change the preset.
crguti 2 years ago
So, If I load a patch, I can't tell where each knob is set at? :-)
JohnJeevasingham 2 years ago
When you tweak the knobs, the display will blink to let you know you've changed its position. It's very simple, though to find where a particular knob was set for any given preset. Full instructions are provided in the owner's manual.
Tech21nyc 2 years ago
Cool, thanks! :-)
JohnJeevasingham 2 years ago
I meant Brian May from Queen. If he goes on here and sees I didn't capitalize his name he'll never speak to me again. Still.
surfmcgoogler 2 years ago
5:13 pretty funny. If the guitar playing didn't convince you the nagging Mother will. Nice guitar playing by the way. You just went through a whole catalog to demonstrate the sounds and it sold me on it nicely. Wotta range. I was particularly impressed with the Brian may sound, SRV and what's that at 2:20? is it Neil Young?
surfmcgoogler 2 years ago
is it possible to get one of these in 220-240v power?
jettht 2 years ago
We ship our products with the proper voltages to each of our international distributors. If you require additional information for your particular country, I suggest you email customer service through our website.
Tech21nyc 2 years ago
great tone! i also got a psa 1.1.. would you recommend a tube poweramp?
greetings from austria!
derdude 2 years ago
Since the SansAmp PSA offers tube amp emulation, using a tube power amp could possibly add too much compression. Typically we recommend a solid state power amp with at least 100 watts of power, which should have enough clean headroom to amplify your tone without coloring it further or adding additional distortion.
Tech21nyc 2 years ago
Interesting bit of kit... the guy freaked me out at 5:14 though! Tech 21 gear is very tempting as an alternative to digital modelling. I heard a Tech 21 Trademark 60 demo'd last night at a guitar workshop... VERY impressive.
ForViewingOnly 2 years ago
btw
what is the trim knob for?
i dont have it on my unit?
Chisuz 2 years ago
You have the SansAmp PSA-1. In 2005, we introduced the SansAmp PSA-1.1, which has some additional features, one of which is the Trim knob. It is a master volume control that raises or lowers all presets the same amount.
Tech21nyc 2 years ago
2:03 and 2:13 are my dream tones!
daveymurrayrules 2 years ago
ive been using the psa1 for a long time - it can produce a variety of distortion sounds to be used in modern metal stuff, dropped tuning etx.
but he didnt produce those in the video, probably also because he uses no metal axw
ya it works but
a good tube (pre)amp is unbeatable
right?
remember, it is still IC circuits and not "real" analog sound! a bit misleading what he says...
Chisuz 2 years ago
It is a common assumption that al ICs are digital. However, this is not the case. They can also be analog, which is what we use. (Many of the popular analog pedals also use analog ICs, such as Boss, Tube Screamer, etc). The statement at the beginning of the video is "The SansAmp PSA has 100% analog circuitry for its signal path..." is accurate. The signal does not go through any A/D to D/A conversion. We use digital components only for the memory.
Tech21nyc 2 years ago
THEN .O
i should have read the manual a little more ;)
btw
i use a behringer floorboard and it can
100% control then sans amp AND the g-force at the same time...
great!
Chisuz 2 years ago
Can I get vocal distortion without feedback from this?
troykeenanguitar 2 years ago
Adding a distortion device to a live vocal guarantees there will be feedback. You can try to add gates to the signal path, but it probably won't eliminate everything.
Tech21nyc 2 years ago
It's just you. The Tech 21 PSA 1.1 sounds amazing. PODS and digital preamps of that ilk have bamboozled many guitarist's ears into believing that guitar tones must sound like MIXED ALBUMS to be considered "good." If you like how MIXED guitars sound and you want your guitar tone to sound like a MIXED GUITAR (and not a normal guitar amp) then invest in a POD, Axe FX or one of the half dozen or so multi-pedal digital preamps on the market. The Tech PSA 1.1 is a fantastic analog preamp.
TimeLordGuitar 2 years ago 2
is it just me or does this sound terrible?
BlueBarrier782 2 years ago
Well, i couldn't really say... when you put someone who doesn't play metal to test high gain amps, it's not played accurate enough to hear the palm mute and that sort of things, the cleans are better tested on this video thought
airixxxx 2 years ago
po668852
ClaptonRules64 2 years ago
Nice! Been looking for a video demo on this for a long time! Great initiative =) This would be a great asset to my studio, will probably try one out as soon as I can, and if it fits me, I'll buy :D LOVE the GT2 so I know where I'm heading
LittleMikey7 2 years ago
is the sansamp 1.1 different of gt2? i meaen in the sound...and distortion....
iFuckYOUcoZiCan 2 years ago
Well, you have more control of the sound in the psa since the GT2 is more of a modeling pedal. You have all these switches that alter the midrange. You can get quite heavy with it =)
LittleMikey7 2 years ago
Oh, and distortion; I think it's more gain in the PSA than in the GT2. The PSA is probably made for studio use so you have more sound options
LittleMikey7 2 years ago