Modern Rockman Like DI Units

[rbc]

I've been shopping around looking for modern analog amp simulators that kind of work like the Sustainor and wanted to compare notes with others. Of my incomplete list, I've found the Radial JDX Direct-Drive, Palmer Pocket Amp MK2 and the Behringer GDI21 V-Tone Guitar Driver DI so far. I skipped over the little headphone amps and focused more on the DI units that had XLR outputs among their choices of output. I also skipped DI units that don't have cabinet simulations.

The Radial JDX Direct-Drive seems to be more of a clean pedal platform, not having a purpose built drive circuit as part of its offering. It does have a pass-through (no cab sim?) that allows you to push a guitar amp on stage, along with its DI output.

The Palmer and Behringer seem very similar, though the Behringer doesn't have the headphone out that the Palmer has. The Behringer is much cheaper to buy. Neither seem to have a pass-through like the JDX Direct-Drive.

They all appear to lack a gate and compressor, though the drive on the Palmer and Behringer probably offer some compression as part of the clipping circuitry.

I was curious what other board members have found out there that they like? Any other thoughts?

[RockmanCentralBob]

I still have a SansAmp PSA-1 that worked well for all my "studio" Boston Covers.
I'd let it go if anyone was interested in it.

For me, the Kemper is where it's at, though I know it's not analog.

[rbc]

I've been looking at the Tech 21 SansAmp line for the first time. I'll probably wind up with one for a more pedal driven rig I've been thinking about.

[rbc]

For this round I have decided on the Palmer unit. It has a headphone jack and line-in. I’m looking at stomp box compressors, MXR for the moment. The Dyna Comp certainly is a storied unit. The Super Comp gives you control of the attack as a separate adjustment. The Studio Compressor provides an adjustable compression ratio. I’m kind of leaning toward the Super Comp. Any opinions? Thanks in advance.

[RockmanCentralBob]

Rockman Compressor module is a good choice!

It has the Lead Leveler circuit and includes a footswitchable Lead Boost. It's output section also provides the ability to get the Rockman Clean 2 sound at the flick of a switch. I'm not absolutely positive, but I'm pretty sure that the Rockman compressor circuit also targets specific frequencies (ie- midrange) to help provide that classic Rockman honk, so it can help you get a familiar tone. I've used mine with my Marshall JVM HJS and it makes it sing!

[rbc]

I actually have a Rockman Compressor. It needs to be repaired at the moment, but I haven't sent it off yet. The floor rig is going to be a different animal, made up entirely of pedals to keep the cable lengths really short. It will be voiced differently from the Rockman gear and go to the board separately via a balanced path.

[rbc]

The Palmer came in this week. The first component has arrived.

[rbc]

I’m looking at stomp box compressors, MXR for the moment. The Dyna Comp certainly is a storied unit. The Super Comp gives you control of the attack as a separate adjustment. The Studio Compressor provides an adjustable compression ratio. I’m kind of leaning toward the Super Comp. Any opinions? Thanks in advance.

After doing some searching I came upon some more specifics about the Dyna Comp. Apparently the attack and release of the Dyna Comp are fixed at 5 milliseconds and 1 second respectively. The sensitivity control changes the compression ratio, going up to 36:1. Here's the article that I found:

http://pedalreview.com/mxr-dyna-comp-co ... al-review/

Does the Rockman Sustainor "Sustain Longer" control change the compression ratio, or something else? The manuals don't say.

[RockmanCentralBob]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it changes the compression ratio which in turn increases the sustain. The Lead Leveler also adjusts the attack/release times.

[rbc]

That's one thing I haven't seen with non-Rockman compressors I've been looking at, a foot-switchable modifier for the release time.