kewlpack
06-18-2005, 04:32 PM
I posted this over at the boss users forum and thought I'd post it here too - for those of you who use these modelers...
Been putting the TLSE through the paces this week. I have barely touched the GT8. I want to give the TLSE a fair trial and opportunity to "wow" me. I feel like I've given it ample time and have some analysis.
I did some A/Bing of the GT8 and TLSE last night after our Friday evening jam (where I used the TLSE exclusively) and learned a few things. Since I now have the KX1200 amp, which really allows these modelers to sound great IMHO, I figured I'd see just how different the tones were (in a general sense). Trying to pay close attention to what specifically was different/better/worse.
I dialed in similar patches on the TLSE and GT8 and just played back and forth through each for awhile. Clean, Crunch and Heavy tones. I didn't use the exact same preamp model on each but just tried to get the same type of tone - I was just going for similar tones that would be in the area of what I'd use live. The goal was to just be close enough for rock n roll.
Remember, these are reflections and opinions based live volume levels and through the KX1200 - not headphones, pc speakers nor another amp. All tests were done using Line/Phones on each unit. YMMV.
Overall opinion: The TLSE sounded great - you know what though - the GT8 sounded great too. IMHO, and frankly speaking - the GT8 still has the edge on the TLSE actually.
1) Dynamics/Harmonic Richness: The TLSE was slightly better in this. You can hear the tube (just a little) when you really dig into the strings on a clean or light bluesy tone. Funny thing is, I was able to find the same subtle dynamics in the GT8 (not as much, but it was there). The tube does make some difference. On crunchy or high gain tones, the units actually seemed to be pretty even. The KX1200 let the GT8 dynamics really emerge (more than I expected).
2) Core Tone Shaping: The GT8 is better in this without question. You can dial in pretty much an EQ you want. The Resonators now make my floor shake. Subtle changes are possible, and the Cab/Mic parameters completely smoke the TLSE.
3) Configurability/Features/Diversity/Variety: Do I even need to say? GT8 is best in class. You can do anything you want with signal chain, Loop, dual amps, etc. More effects than you will ever need (probably). That said, the TLSE doesn't really need to be configured much differently to sound good. However, it was difficult to make some of the amps in the TLSE really work for my ears (the same is true of the GT8 I guess). The winner in this category would depend on the user - how much detail does he want to deal with?
4) Low End Response: This is kind of a toss up. I was able to dial in a TLSE RECTO patch that has really nice, thumpy, tight bass response. I like it a lot. I think it would just take a little more tweaking of my GT8 patch to get the same thing. I went through most of the preset patches in the GT8 during the testing, and on some of them the floor would literally shake and I could feel it through my entire body (pretty cool actually).
5) Brightness/Ice Picks: This is mostly when using position 2 and 4 on a 5-way switch in guitars like a Strat (the quacky positions) - the C1 BlackJack has the same type of thing via coil splitting. The GT8 is better at controlling the ice picks without throwing a blanket over the tone. You can get ice picky highs if you get careless, but it isn't a big problem. The TLSE gets bright real quick (I said that before when I had the TLSE the first time), so you have to roll back the volume on the guitar a bit. If you EQ it out on the preamp model, the TLSE tone gets a little muffly. I believe it comes down to the ability to shape your tone (see #2 above).
6) Response/Latency: This is a tie - both are instantly responsive. Even running the TLSE with the GT8 in 4CM, there was no appreciable latency. This is good.
7) Software: Hehehe... well the TLSE has OEM software so I'll give it the win here - but MrSleepy's GT8Editor is the favored up and comer... Once he finishes it and we've helped him fine tune it - the GT8 will be better in this aspect as well.
Well... in a nutshell, there you have it. Both units sound good and are very flexible. However the GT8 really is a next generation leap ahead of the TLSE - tube notwithstanding. The biggest downside to the GT8 (to be fair) is its inherent complexity. No, you don't have to dive all the way in... but sometimes it helps.
The biggest surprise factor for me this week - hands down - has been the KX1200 keyboard amp. It has changed what I was hearing completely and these modelers sound great through it. For $160 bucks... it's an unbeatable upgrade to your rig.
So now I sit here thinking about things... and ask myself, "Self... is it worth $450 to have the TLSE again? Does it bring enough to the rig to warrant that price?"
I'm inclined to say, "no." It's a good unit, but I've already got pretty much equivalent tones in the GT8. Yes the TLSE has that tubey quality - but in my tests... going back and forth on the same kinds of tones - I didn't miss it - which surprised me.
So I think I might just return the TLSE. It is good, but what I already have turned out to be great!
I hope this little review helps answer some questions - and reaffirms the owners of the GT8 that it is a great unit. I also can't say enough about running it through a good set of keyboard amps or active monitors. They make more difference that you would think.
Been putting the TLSE through the paces this week. I have barely touched the GT8. I want to give the TLSE a fair trial and opportunity to "wow" me. I feel like I've given it ample time and have some analysis.
I did some A/Bing of the GT8 and TLSE last night after our Friday evening jam (where I used the TLSE exclusively) and learned a few things. Since I now have the KX1200 amp, which really allows these modelers to sound great IMHO, I figured I'd see just how different the tones were (in a general sense). Trying to pay close attention to what specifically was different/better/worse.
I dialed in similar patches on the TLSE and GT8 and just played back and forth through each for awhile. Clean, Crunch and Heavy tones. I didn't use the exact same preamp model on each but just tried to get the same type of tone - I was just going for similar tones that would be in the area of what I'd use live. The goal was to just be close enough for rock n roll.
Remember, these are reflections and opinions based live volume levels and through the KX1200 - not headphones, pc speakers nor another amp. All tests were done using Line/Phones on each unit. YMMV.
Overall opinion: The TLSE sounded great - you know what though - the GT8 sounded great too. IMHO, and frankly speaking - the GT8 still has the edge on the TLSE actually.
1) Dynamics/Harmonic Richness: The TLSE was slightly better in this. You can hear the tube (just a little) when you really dig into the strings on a clean or light bluesy tone. Funny thing is, I was able to find the same subtle dynamics in the GT8 (not as much, but it was there). The tube does make some difference. On crunchy or high gain tones, the units actually seemed to be pretty even. The KX1200 let the GT8 dynamics really emerge (more than I expected).
2) Core Tone Shaping: The GT8 is better in this without question. You can dial in pretty much an EQ you want. The Resonators now make my floor shake. Subtle changes are possible, and the Cab/Mic parameters completely smoke the TLSE.
3) Configurability/Features/Diversity/Variety: Do I even need to say? GT8 is best in class. You can do anything you want with signal chain, Loop, dual amps, etc. More effects than you will ever need (probably). That said, the TLSE doesn't really need to be configured much differently to sound good. However, it was difficult to make some of the amps in the TLSE really work for my ears (the same is true of the GT8 I guess). The winner in this category would depend on the user - how much detail does he want to deal with?
4) Low End Response: This is kind of a toss up. I was able to dial in a TLSE RECTO patch that has really nice, thumpy, tight bass response. I like it a lot. I think it would just take a little more tweaking of my GT8 patch to get the same thing. I went through most of the preset patches in the GT8 during the testing, and on some of them the floor would literally shake and I could feel it through my entire body (pretty cool actually).
5) Brightness/Ice Picks: This is mostly when using position 2 and 4 on a 5-way switch in guitars like a Strat (the quacky positions) - the C1 BlackJack has the same type of thing via coil splitting. The GT8 is better at controlling the ice picks without throwing a blanket over the tone. You can get ice picky highs if you get careless, but it isn't a big problem. The TLSE gets bright real quick (I said that before when I had the TLSE the first time), so you have to roll back the volume on the guitar a bit. If you EQ it out on the preamp model, the TLSE tone gets a little muffly. I believe it comes down to the ability to shape your tone (see #2 above).
6) Response/Latency: This is a tie - both are instantly responsive. Even running the TLSE with the GT8 in 4CM, there was no appreciable latency. This is good.
7) Software: Hehehe... well the TLSE has OEM software so I'll give it the win here - but MrSleepy's GT8Editor is the favored up and comer... Once he finishes it and we've helped him fine tune it - the GT8 will be better in this aspect as well.
Well... in a nutshell, there you have it. Both units sound good and are very flexible. However the GT8 really is a next generation leap ahead of the TLSE - tube notwithstanding. The biggest downside to the GT8 (to be fair) is its inherent complexity. No, you don't have to dive all the way in... but sometimes it helps.
The biggest surprise factor for me this week - hands down - has been the KX1200 keyboard amp. It has changed what I was hearing completely and these modelers sound great through it. For $160 bucks... it's an unbeatable upgrade to your rig.
So now I sit here thinking about things... and ask myself, "Self... is it worth $450 to have the TLSE again? Does it bring enough to the rig to warrant that price?"
I'm inclined to say, "no." It's a good unit, but I've already got pretty much equivalent tones in the GT8. Yes the TLSE has that tubey quality - but in my tests... going back and forth on the same kinds of tones - I didn't miss it - which surprised me.
So I think I might just return the TLSE. It is good, but what I already have turned out to be great!
I hope this little review helps answer some questions - and reaffirms the owners of the GT8 that it is a great unit. I also can't say enough about running it through a good set of keyboard amps or active monitors. They make more difference that you would think.