DG30 Update - A Few Months In

[László]

I just wanted to give a quick update on the DG30, because as the amp and tubes have been settling in, the amp's capabilities have actually increased, and I've also learned a lot about what it does. I imagine I'll be learning a lot more when the matching cab comes in a week or two.

There are times I think that the amp is really several different amps. The controls are very sensitive to adjustment in a musical way. Tones you weren't imagining that sound really good are there at the twist of a knob. I'm finding that the gain boost and high frequency boost switches actually have a wider range of uses than I originally thought. The presence knob at the rear of the amp is more musical than what I find on most amps, too, as with the HXDA there is a greater range that sounds really good.

As it's breaking in, I'm having an easier time finding really clean, sparkly tones, and on the other hand, grittier tones sound warmer now. It's also starting to feel a little looser and more forgiving.

I liked the amp right away, but it's getting better the more I use it (or I'm just getting better at working with it).

 

[Egads]

Cool! It sounds like a great amp, and I'm glad to hear you are growing with it (both in understanding the amp and learning more about being the master of its domain.

 

[aristotle]

Glad you're lovin' it. I found with mine that I've become so accustomed to the current settings I have on it that I don't even touch the controls anymore. I'll have to start playing around with setting again. I couldn't even tell you where I have the presence set to, or if I have the boost or bright engaged. It's just a super amp.

 

[László]

You know me, I always feel compelled to mess with the controls to learn how to take advantage of the gear's capabilities when I'm not doing sessions. That way in a session I'm not interrupting the creative flow to fuss around trying to get what I need, I already know how to do it.

I'm always working under these crazy deadlines that make me nuts, so the experimentation has to come beforehand.

OK, well I'm nuts anyway, but you know what I mean.

 

[László]

I really like the thick clean and semi-dirty tones the amp has on tap. For higher gain stuff, I go to the HXDA. But the two working together in a mix really sound great.

 

[rugerpc]

I really like the thick clean and semi-dirty tones the amp has on tap. For higher gain stuff, I go to the HXDA. But the two working together in a mix really sound great.

I was going to ask you about this, Les. With their slightly different personalities, you are able to play one off the other in the same tune to good effect?

 

[László]

I was going to ask you about this, Les. With their slightly different personalities, you are able to play one off the other in the same tune to good effect?

Oh, sure! It's something I've often done in the past, and lots of bands do both live and in the studio. The different breakup and tone characteristics make a track more interesting.