Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
Are you DIing? Or do you use the Liverpool into an amp? Reason I ask is I have a Blonde on order so I can DI when I need to.
I've been looking at reverbs a lot lately, specifically the stereo models and the Hall of Fame is on my shortlist along with the Strymon Blue Sky (and the Eventide Space - but at $500, that's wishful thinking though). Any comment?
Yes, I DI. For live use I run through a Radial JDI and split the signal into the PA system and to a keyboard amp (as a powered monitor). I actually get better and more consistent front of house sound this way than running a miked up amp. My guitar player friends who've heard it seem to agree. I don't own an amp any more. Originally this was temporary for financial reasons to be replaced by an AC15 at some point, but at the moment I don't really feel the need to change. I think it sounds really good. It isn't quite a real vale amp, but it comes very close. I'm not a fan of the overdriven tones it does (a real amp is better), but the clean tones are very good and it works really well with pedals in front of it. For recording the Liverpool gives me extra flexibility - recording at night without having to mic an amp or use Guitar Rig (though I still do when I occasionally need a different sound). Liverpool into an amp can sound nasty without some extreme EQing as the cabinet simulation can't be switched off (although there is apparently a mod for this).
Comments? Yes - plenty. ? For reverb, it depends what you're looking for. Are you looking for simple, great sounding reverb to enhance your tone or dramatic and expansive vistas of sound? All the pedals can do both (the vistas to varying degrees), but the HOF is defintely the simplest in use, closely followed by the Blue Sky. The HOF doesn't really do shimmer if that's what you're after (although I think there might a toneprinft for that by now). Of course you would be familiar with the Eventide interface as a Timefactor user, so you might prefer the Space's in-depth editing capabilities. It definitely has the most capability for creating other-worldly sounds.
Personally I prefer the ease of use and on the fly adjust-ability of the TC and Blue Sky. The smallest possible footprint was also important to me and I didn't need shimmer for Edge impersonations or more than one reverb sound in a live set. Price was also a factor, so after trying it, I went with the TC. The HOF and Blue Sky also both have analog dry signal paths which is important to me, while the Space does not. I also use the TC with my acoustic and Aura Spectrum, where it also performs well and sounds quite natural. I haven't tried the Space, though I did see it in Frankfurt earlier this year and was mightily impressed by what I heard. I also saw and heard the TC. I haven't tried the Bluesky or heard one in person, but based on my experience with the Brigadier I'm pretty sure it will live up to it's excellent reputation.
I think with this it will really just come down to what you need in terms of features (and perhaps sound design capabilities) - and of course price.
