Palmer PGA-04 (DI for guitar AMP)

[Jim S]

I just thought I'd share my experience.

I spend all day recording two Sadowsky electric guitars through Soldano SLO-100 and X99 with the Palmer PGA-04. It is wonderful. Basically, I played with the various tone knobs until the sound coming out of the monitors was as close as possible to the tone eminating from the cabs. What a blessing! It sounds great. As good as many recorded tones that I've heard on most commercial CDs. I have a lot experimenting to do to but so far it's worth its weight in gold.

No more fidding with which mic or mics, what distance from cab, how much distance off axis from the center of th cone, angle, etc.

Is it as good a Sansamp PSA-1 or POD? I don't know. I've not used those in a recording situation. Bang for the buck it NOW does not make sense to get a Soldano SLO-100, cab(s), and PGA-04 when you can get the Sansamp or POD for several hundred dollars each...IF you're happy with their tone and dynamics. However, I had my SLO since 1990-91 and my X99 for about 3 years and wanted to be able to get all the sonic glory of Soldano to hard disc. The Palmer PGA-04 does it!!

[24-bit]

Another great unit for direct bass and guitar is the Avalon U5.

[24-bit]

By the way, did it take long to get yours? I've heard they are usually back ordered. I might have to check one out myself. I wish I could find an old Palmer PDI-03, though.

[aka21stCentury]

Joe Meek VC-1 for direct bass also.

BTW- we've fiddled with the Marshall brake (harsh). Boogie M-6 direct out (harsher)

We're convinced nothing beats a Senn e609 (cabinet mic) and a Philmore coil, working the tubes in the Boogie (EV speaker- not Celestion)

Limiter on the Mic Pres going in is all.

If the Palmer sounds anything like this combo.

...its time for beans & rice [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img]

[24-bit]

The THD Hotplate works pretty decent using the LOAD feature.

[Frank S]

Another option in the same technology area is the Groove Tubes SE-2 - another power attenuater/speaker simulator that I have and have had great results with - not as harsh as the Marshall version of the same technology. I think they still make them - correct me if I am wrong.

[ June 27, 2001: Message edited by: Frank S ]

[24-bit]

The Avalon U5 does take an amplifiers output and will take up to 400w. Since it can take a load of up to 400w, it makes it uniquely great for powerful bass amps. For a long time, I thought the U5 was just another puny DI box, but after I read all that it can do I was absolutely amazed. It even has 30db's of discrete class A preamp.

[ June 27, 2001: Message edited by: 24-bit ]

[duffy]

Had an 03 and loved it. Used it on some live gigs and just last week needed a DI in an emergancy situation and went in my gaget box to get it. ARRRGGG, it was gone. I have looked everywhere for it to no avail.
Just responding because of the coincidence of this thread showing up at this time.

I miss my Palmer.
duffy

[aka21stCentury]

Among other things to remember, you can damage your amps.

So be careful. It may have just been bad luck, but after hooking up the Marshall brake for the first time, the Boogie had to be shipped up to Santa Rosa for repairs.

BTW-the VC-1 recommendation above was for Electric Bass.

[duffy]

Yes, the Marshall power brake, Harry Kolbe, and some others operate in a different fashion by actually messing with the output transformer. "Be Carefull" I toasted a Soldano with a Harry Kolbe.
The Palmer, Hughes and Ketter type boxes just pass the signal thru.

duffy