Rocktron Prophesy

You can do just about anything with this unit. With this amount of power and flexibility comes a steep learning curve - no complaints there though. The knobs are intuitively laid out for tweaking tones however things can get very technical as you get deeper into sculpting sounds. With about 5 minutes of skimming the manual this unit becomes instantly useable - only difficulties lie with deep editing but this is the case for anything high end.

Sound quality is flawless from the box. I play an Ibanez Jem and an EBMM Petrucci sig, both guitars maintained their personalities without becoming coloured - the end result is a completely different sound with each guitar at the same setting.
The speaker simulator is amazing and is something that a lot users overlook. I record mostly at home so I go direct through an M-Audio Delta 1010. This is the only unit I have ever used that has an authentic feel, even playing through headphones the tones handle like a tube amp cranked.
I recently recorded in a studio and felt the need to go through a Mesa Simul Class 2:90 poweramp then to a Marshall 4x12. The sound was amazing but then I blew the transistor on the poweramp and had to finish the remainder of the session direct. There was no reduction in sound quality whatsoever and the difference was barely noticeable - just a slightly different character tone. What I would like to see is more options on the speaker simulator.
The distortions are great and extremely tight - no unwanted noise spillover (the Hush helps but a good guitar is also important). I don't use the cleans because I play prog/shred metal but they sound very nice when I mess with them. Distortions is where it's at for me. The distortions do not sound like Mesa or Marshall - unlike what other users say. However, they are kick ass tones that equal Marhshall and Mesa and in some respects surpass them (very clear and tonight and extremely deep and powerful).
Sound effects are excellent in particular the delays and chorus. I still like to bypass some of the effects and go through my Eventide H3000D/SE - but then again... who wouldnt?!
Other preamps and modellers I have owned include PODxt, Digitech GNX, Boss GT-Pro, Mesa Boogie Triaxis - the Triaxis is the only one of these units to cut the mustard but it has major problems with noise and electrical hum/buzz. In short, the Rocktron Prophesy is the dog's bollox (it kicks ass!).

Never had the slightest problem.

Never had a problem so I have never had to deal with them.

I consider this a 9.5 with 0.5 cut for the speaker simulator (it is still excellent but could have more parameters for variation - would be handy for studio recording). It could also do with a headphone socket although this can be easily gotten around in the most basic of home setups. Also, I would like to see a manual even on the Rocktron website that starts from scratch and goes to expert on how to actually create tones not just how to use effects. That would be very handy and would fast track the learning curve while giving everyone the ability to take full advantage of the units capabilities without having to be a sound engineer or serious tech head.
If anyone stole this unit I would put a contract on their theiving head then pry the blood splattered unit from their lifeless fingers. Definitely the best buy in my guitar playing career (15 years at this stage).

For musicians who are not familiar with parametric equalisers, this unit may be a bit overwhelming at first to use. In the past, I used a Rocktron Chameleon 2000 which eliminated the pre and post EQ's so when I purchased the prophesy, the parametric EQ was a little difficult to get used to. However, the manual explains each aspect of this unit in GREAT detail and even though it may be lengthy, it is very well written and extremely helpful. It is available at the Roctrkon site in PDF format...it's free. Why not look at it? The best way to get used to the parametric EQ and effects processing is to experiment...a musicians ear is the most reliable source.

I play the prophesy through a Mesa Boogie 2:90 into a Randall 4x12 loaded with Jaguar speakers and I must say that the tone cooks! The prophesy is definately an upgrade in tone...it is very warm and has a great big sound with lots of crunch. Even on high gain settings, it retains a clarity that most players strive for. Personally what I like to do is add a slight chorus effect to my rhythm tone to make it seem as though two guys are playing at the same time. Every effect is super high quality, do not be deterred from this unit being that it is an "all in one" unit. It can go up against the Triaxis or JMP-1 anyday...may even sound better! The only draw back is the pitch shift. I feel that Rocktron has never gotten this right. It sounds very muffled and delays a little bit too. I don't really use the pitch shift though so that isn't a problem for me.
One of the best characteristics of the Rocktron, and all Rocktron products for that matter, is the HUSH system. It reduces all the noise on high gain tones, but it is subtle enough that it does not cut your sound out at all. I have to note though, the type of guitar you use with this unit really makes a difference. I use a Jackson Dinky Professional from the early 90's and it sounds great. Do not waste money on this unit to only use it with a crappy guitar/crappy pickups.

This unit is built for the road, definately. It has a solid metal plate on the front panel, metal knobs, and fits into a two rack space. If I could describe it in one word....INDESTRUCTABLE! I even bought the unit used, and it is in PERFECT working order.

Whenever I have questions about gear, the customer service reps at Rocktron reply immediately and with insightful advive. Great team over at Rocktron!

I play mostly thrash metal and prog metal; however, I do a lot of blues and jazz licks with very diverse sounds. This unit can handle it all, it is very versatile. I have been playing guitar for 10 years...20 years old now, so I haven't owned that much gear, but I have played through lots of stuff and heard lots of guys play and I have to say that a lot of gear is overpriced garbage (or the artists have no clue how to dial in a good sound). Bottom line is that this unit is a monster. You can get very diverse tones ranging from the cleanest of cleans to the most gut wrenching metal, but YOU MUST WORK AT IT!! I have been programming the prophesy for three weeks now and I am just now getting great sounds. To not get frustrated...I did, and I almost got rid of it. Just keep working with it and you will not regret it!

Very Easy to scroll through and get great sounds right away. Also has "Amp" knobs on the front for on the fly editing. When you scroll from left to right, each menu is easy to understand and pretty much self explanatory.

For those of you that have a hard time editing patches, a quick read through the manual is all you need. It explains every single editing capability in FULL detail, and on each page it shows you what it would look like on the screen too!

You can get pretty much ANY sound you want out of this unit. It covers almost every style, but it especially suits Rock and Metal. The Amp sounds are pretty good, most notable the Mega Drive, which you can get pretty much any High Gain amp tone you want.

All the effects are superb if you set them up right. i.e. The settings are very dependent on the eq settings. So if you have too much high frequencies, some effects like Chorus and Flange while sound a little bit thinner than normal, but easing off the high frequencies and trebles will produce thick, lush sounds from the effects.

I especially like the Decker Delay. You have an insane amount of control over how you want the delay to sound. And the new "Ducker" feature allows you to set a threshold on the signal so you only hear delay when you are not playing! Its like turning the effect on and off depending on when you are playing and not playing. GREAT!

My set-up is: John Petrucci MusicMan w/piezo--Prophesy--BEE 482i Sonic Maximizer---Carvin TS100 Tube Power Amp---Carvin Legacy 2x12--Carvin 4x12. I use the Behringer FCB 1010 MIDI Controller, which has 10 patch buttons, up and down bank switches, and 2 expression pedals. I use the left one for a volume pedal, and the other I assign depending on the patch. For example, on a rhythm sound, the right pedal controls the amount of gain. Pedal down= Gain at 9.0; Pedal up= Gain at 0.3. Its just like rolling back the volume knob on your guitar and playing a vintage amp where it cleans up...For other patches, it controls the level of the effect, like delay or pitch bending, etc.

Everything sits in an SKB 6 Space rack case and is powered by a Carvin AC120 Power Conditioner. I am using two cabs because the 4x12 has great bottom end, and the 2x12 helps the highs cut through, so when you combine both, it is a very smooth, full sound.

I generally always use the piezo pickup for cleans, so all my clean settings have the preamp bypassed. I only use the compressor (which is great), and on other settings, Chorus and Delay.

All my dirty tones are with the Mega Drive channel. I am a huge John Petrucci fan, so I love all the tones he uses throughout his career. I can nail pretty much all of them with this one unit, and he uses many Mesa Boogie Heads. And the HUSH is perfect. I can finally have a screaming, sustaining, high gaim tone, but as soon as I am not playing-SILENCE- I can stand right in front of my speakers and you won't hear a thing until I start to play. I fact, the only time there is even any audible noise is if you stand RIGHT in front of this unit, and even then, its about as loud as a tiny practice amp with the volume on 1.

I have been using this preamp for almost 2 years, and I haven't had ANY problems with it. I haven't even replaced the tube inside. I usually play it about 1-4 hours everyday, so it can handle the constant use. And it barely even heats up after those long jam sessions. And I bought this unit USED...

I have it in my SKB rack case, which is ATA Flight approved, shock absorbent, AND the O-Ring Gaskets seal it off when the lids are closed so it is also water proof! You should always keep expensive rack gear in the most protective cases possible. Since the stuff in my rack costs close to 2 grand, OF COURSE I will spend an extra $150 for a case that will protect everything in it.

I would gig without a back-up, but if I were playing more than 2 gigs a week, I would have a backup just in case.

I haven't dealt with the company. The website is very informative, and has all the information you need, including a dwnloadable manual, and downloadable patches!

I play Progressive Rock and Metal, and for those of you who like those style, you know that playing that music calls for many different sounds. Being able to store 127 of my own sounds is more than I would need, and the best part is I can access any of my sounds on the fly with 1 switch. That is more than I can ask for because I am very particular about each sound I use, and being able to change multiple settings (Amp EQ, Level, Pre and Post EQ, effects, etc) with 1 push of a switch is great. It sure beats tap-dancing on a bunch of stomp boxes. I mean, unless you are Tom Morello (that is how he switches all sounds LIVE!), this unit does all the work for you.

I have been playing for 6 years, and I have owned many kinds of gear. I have had quite a few Marshall Heads, Peavey, have had many rack preamps, multi effects processors, and I like this one the best. Tube amps are great, but there is too much noise and no effects are included. AND they are not very versatile for more than 2 or 3 sounds at a time...

I would definetly buy it again, but I would like to check out the Prophesy II and see if there is an improvement, although I can't see how you could improve this unit.

I have always been a tube amp guy until I bought this unit. There is 1 tube in this preamp, but that is why I power it with an All tube Power amp (The Carvin TS 100 has 4 12AX7's and 4 EL34's). I think using a tube power amp really brings out the quality of this unit. And since I have a BBE sonic Maximizer between this unit and my amp, it has the most clarity and cut of any rig I have ever had.

I think they could get away with selling these for $700, because that way more people would buy them IMO. But check on eBay, because every now and then you will find a great deal.

Besides my Music Man Petrucci guitar (My DREAM guitar), this is the best purchase I have made. Try one and see for yourself.

This is a follow up review from my last bad review of the rocktron prophesy preamp. i spoke with a rocktron rep who said i must have gotten a defective unit (which is really rare with rocktron). i bought another prophesy preamp off of ebay and started tweaking. there are tons of menus to work thru if you really want to get deep into editing, which is what i did. i decided to really give this preamp a fair chance before this review. you can download the patches i created at the rocktron site to hear it for yourself.

open receiving the prophesy preamp i immediately loaded the whole prophesy 2 patch library from the rocktron site. i checked out the presets and then changed out the tube and put a JJ tube and found very little change in sound. i found the presets to be very "high fi" sounding...maybe not too tube sounding or warm. i cranked up my rocktron piranha (all tube) and peavey tube fx for reference and started tweaking the prophesy. after 2 hours i finally had something worth listening to (of course i'm really picky). the sound i was looking for is the ultimate brown sound, clean when volume is rolled back (even fender tube jangly) and bluesy when coil tapped (marshall) and rectifier sound when cranked. whew, that's impossible! oh well, you have to have a dream. after tweaking, i believe i got as close as the prophesy can get. i think the voodo valve may even get pretty close to the sound i'm talking about (i'll tweak that later). the verdict: it's a keeper. the prophesy had a clarity at full volume that the other preamps didn't. also, the volume on my guitar cranked down produced a much cleaner sound than my other tube preamps. it didn't get as jangly with the volume rolled back but was still very nice. the preamp is also death quiet on even the most extreme distortion settings. i tested the preamp with a peavey cx200 power amp, peavey 5150 speakers, ibanez rgt42 (mahogany neck thru) guitar with prs hfs pickups. i tweaked the cabinet simulator using a set of mackie studio monitors a/b'd against my cabinet and got really close. i tried the rig out live with a behringer midi pedal and was really happy with the results, especially the tone and effects spillover. it's amazing what you can do with the pre-eq on this thing.

rocktron has always been dependable. i've done tons of live shows with no backups (not a good idea) with bo problems ever.

the best! period. these guys do everything possible to make sure you get the help you need quickly.

this preamp is for everyone but the most pure tube freaks out there. if you can afford to buy a mesa road king or diezel or engl or whatever...get the head you really want. if you need versatility and effects spillover and midi control and ultimate tone tweaking without selling your house...this is it. the next step up is the mesa triaxis and tc electronics g-major or some other expensive combo.

ok here's the test: i tested the rocktron piranha, prophecy, peavey tubefex, behringer v-amp pro, pod xt live, and the mesa triaxis. all tests were done in my studio with the same guitar (ibanez rgt42 with prs hfs pickups) and played thru a behringer guitar di straight thru the mixer. of course i could have tested them in a better situation thru a tube power amp into some great cabinet but i was looking for JUST preamp performance in the worst case scenario. to keep this review short, i'll assign a number rating for each preamp. the piranha (9) had one of the best overall tones. the triaxis (9) was also really nice but expensive. the tubefex (8) had the smoothest liquid lead tone. the pod xt live (8) was the most versatile but could wear your ears out over time. the v-amp pro (7) was surprisingly nice, lead tone as smooth as the peavey and most sounds almost as good as the pod xt live. the prophecy (6) was a let down. the effects were stellar but the overall tone of the preamp without the effects was cardboardish. no bottom, no highs, just midrange crap. now i didn't mess with any presets on any preamp, just played them as-is without the effects. the prophecy is supposed to be the evolution of the voodo valve but i couldn't find any tone close to the voodo valve or the piranha. maybe the new version 2 presets from rocktron will solve the lack of tone issues. many artist presets are included with it. the one saving grace of this preamp was the ability to put one of the other preamps in the effects loop and assign an eq before the distortion and use the stellar effects. i give this unit a 6 just for the effects.

Tube preamp with tons of digital effects. it has every feature you could ever want and then some. kinda like a voodo valve on steroids.

rocktron makes some of the most solid gear around. you can count on their gear.

the best customer service! period! no other company will send you schematics and put a tech on the phone with you to help you troubleshoot. and certainly no company will send you free parts and even repair your soldering mistakes for free. but rocktron has done this for me many times. the best!

this preamp is probably worth looking at now that version 2 is out. you can probably get version 1 for next to nothing and upgrade it to version 2 by simply downloading the presets from rocktron. rocktron just emailed me the presets and i am looking for another prophecy to buy and test the new presets on. i think this unit should be considered a great effects unit that also has distortion. if your experience with this preamp is different from mine, please leave a review.

Recap to an earlier review

A very nice unit, I mentioned the Peavey TubeFX, which I felt was the Holy Grail at the time. The upgrade did not solve the delay problem when switching patches, which was a huge pain for using it live, (the Prophecy is instant). The tone of the Peavey was great at first but after receiving a few emails, about how to get it to cut through the mix better, I was a bit perplexed. The Prophecy certainly doesn't suffer from that problem.

An excellent alternative to the Prophecy is the Voodu Valve. The same sounds and preamp section (almost) but fewer effect parameters, which much of the time we don't need anyway. Plus at less than half the price, you can't go wrong.

There's not much else to choose from that's all inclusive, the Engl is awesome but at over two grand thanks but no thanks. The ADA MP-2 would be close if it had reverb and delay. I went through eight preamps in a short amount of time until I found one that works best for me. Even bought several upgrades, I had the ADA MP-1, MP-2, Peavey TranstubeFX and TubeFX, still have the TT for a backup. Also tried and like the Piranha, but it didn't like EMG's much, if too much treble was used it would sound like your strings were hitting the pickups, cut the treble and it loses bite. Sounded great with passives, could have just been my unit??? Very powerful sound that could cut through anything, almost harsh at times, nasty, much different than anything else, enough about the Piranha, I miss it, as I do all the rest, I found I like collecting guitars more. My final choice was The Voodu Valve. Almost as versatile as the Prophecy, sounds as good, much less $$$, and just one rack space. With a Mesa 20/20 you can have a complete system in 2 rack spaces, which I had, but the 20/20 had to much breakup and not enough headroom for what I needed. So I went back to my Peavey Classic 50/50. The Transtube in between and a power conditioner, damn, now I'm back at five rack spaces. Guess there's still no substitute for cubic inches. This would be a ten except it can't get the sound of a Piranha, it's a whole other class.

A friend of mine who still has one says the notes die too quickly, I'm not sure what he means but it bothers him and is worth mentioning. Haven't had that problen with the Voodu Valve.

Built like a tank.

If you have the money buy the Prophecy, it has every feature you can possibly imagine, quite complicated, it won't let you down and the resale value is good if you decide you like something better. The Engl (I forget the number but its the midi controlable one) is far too much money. The Voodu Valve, great choice when on a budget, has no effects loop however. I run the VV in the Transtube's effects loop to get it's extra features like the tuner and better pitch transposer for drop tunings, and the tt's chorus sounds far better, but the channel switching is better on the VV. All the preamps I've had sounded great in one way or another, stay away from ART and Digitech, there not near the quality.

Prophesy delievers the HOLY GRAIL of Sound.
Mesa Triaxis and Marshall JMP-1 are both very good pre-amps, but do not properly represent any other brands. That is where the Prophesy leaps ahead. Marshall, Mesa, Fender, Randall, Peavey 5150....

Tech Tip: Replace the stock Sovtek 12AXwa with either a Sovtek 12AX7LPS or JJ/Tesla ECC803s or 12AX7 EH hi-gain tubes. WOW

IMPORTANT FEATURE: The preamp section features a parametric Pre EQ, which allows you to "pre-shape" your tone to simulate the characteristics of several different guitars (such as fine-tuning your Strat to sound more like a Les Paul, Etc) as well as an additional parametric Post EQ to add extra Lows, High, or scoop out the Mids. And if that?s not enough, it also has a Global Parametric EQ which adjust the overall output of the Prophesy on all presets.

RIG:
Furman Power~
Rocktron Prophesy: Sovtek 12AX7 LPS
Marshall 9200: (2x)12AT7 EH, (2x)Sovtek 12AX7LPS, (8x)Svetlana 6550C
(4x)Marshall 1960: Speaker Celestion Vintage 30's

Axe: Jackson PC-1*, Kramer Vanguard, Rampart Custom V, KV-1, YJM Strat, EVH Axis, ......

*PC-1 is the most versatile guitar....

Thru its pioneering work in the beginning of the 19"-era, Rocktron substantially put its stamp on an entire epoch. With the Prophesy, the visionaries of rack-technology now allow a glimpse into the future.

Due to the enormous processing power, equal to that of a hi-tech computer, the Prophesy is able to calculate data twelve times faster than a regular Intellifex. Let this sink in: the Intellifex has been known for its superior sound because of it?s fast processing! Okay, enough bytes and megaherz?s. As guitarists, we are more curious to the questions: How does it sound? What can it do? How does it operate?

The principle of the Prophesy is a programmable TUBE preamp with a digital effects processor. In the four-channel preamp section, a Sovtek 12AX7 tube provides the authentic tube tone. The four basic sounds are called "Clean American", "Texas Blues", "Vintage British" and "Mega Drive". These names speak for themselves. As the Prophesy is a combination of a programmable processor and preamp, the controls consist of keys and knobs. With the knobs you have direct control over preamp parameters like gain, volume and tone, practically like a normal amp. As soon as you touch them, the display above the knobs informs about every parameter and value that is being edited at that moment. In the normal operating mode, it shows the active preset name, preset status and its effect combination. In order to call different functions and edit facilities, there?s a keyboard on the front panel. There?s also a page-controller, which we?ll come to later. Two controls are provided for level-adjustment of the in- and outgoing signals. The keyboard consists of 16 keys for dialing up different functions. To edit a certain effect, you simply press its button. The values of the available parameters are being edited by turning the controls. The changes are audible in real time and -thanks to the large display- visible also. With the compare button you can toggle between the original and the edited preset, to compare your changes to the original preset. Naturally, all edits can be saved. Another function to be called by the keys is the integrated tuner. While tuning, the output is muted. A bypass key mutes only the effect section, so that you can operate the Prophesy as a preamp only. It is also possible to mute just the preamp, so that the Prophesy acts as an effect unit only. For every patch a number of pages can be called up, offering different editable parameters.

For recording purposes, the Prophesy comes equipped with speaker simulation. This is not, as often the case, just a simple non-changeable filter; here we find a complete set of editable parameters. You can pick the type of speaker, for instance. Offered are15" to 8" and fullrange. Every speaker has its own characteristic, of course. The position of the simulated microphone can be moved from the speaker?s center to its edge. And also the reactance can be edited, determining the type of speaker cabinet. Along the same line, each single effect offers a vast number of editable parameters and functions. Handling all this data is dead easy, and you always have visual control over what you?re doing. So far, so good. For effects, you naturally have the choice of various modulation effects, reverbs and EQs, in perfect studio quality. All usual effects are available. They all offer very high audio quality.

Anyhow: Rocktron effects, like the Intellifex, have been known to produce the desired effects only, without adversely affecting the guitar signal. By the way, here?s a simple experiment to test the quality of any multi-effect processor: Take any cheap stompbox and a high quality effects-processor and alternate between the two in the effect loop of your amp. With the cheap effect you?ll clearly notice a degradation of the guitar signal. It?ll sound mushy and undefined. With a quality effect like the Intellifex or the Prophesy, the guitar signal will stay untouched, and only the effects are being added. Further useful features include two XLR frequency-corrected recording outputs, next to the normal main outputs and a stereo effects-loop, assignable in the effects chain. Of course the Prophesy is fully MIDI compatible. Very practical is the delay tap button.

Quailty components maintain the excellent reliabilty of Rocktron.

www.rocktron.com
PatchBay, Manuals and Tech Support.

Conclusion: BUY A PROPHESY

I did read the owners manual a few times before I even got it so it was a breeze to operate. You're still going to have to learn how to dial in what you're looking for as the EQ on this preamp is extremely versatile. Unfortunately, sometimes you'll sit there for a half hour tweaking only to realize it sounds worse than when you started. It can only be your own fault if you cant get it to sound incredible in the end because any tone you can think of is in there. Its just a matter of putting time into experimenting.

Im am using a Schecter Hellraiser C7 into the Prophesy than into a QSC poweramp. From there it travels into my peavey cabs which I believe have Scheffield speakers in them. The HUSH unit in the preamp is incredible. My Schecter is loaded with 707's which are as hot as its gonna get pretty much. As long as I'm not stading directly in front of my rig I have pure silence without the hassle of a noise gate cutting my sound prematurely. The effects are crystal clear and very tweakable. Its got a lot of different types of reverb which is what I use for my lead channel. I made a Megadeth distortion in about 20 mins which is pretty close to the sound from Rust In Peace. I also made a distortion based on Nevermore's "The Godless Endevour" which also sounds exellent. You can get any tone you want which is why I bought this to begin with. I spent a long time with my GSP 2101 and I did get a very awesome sound; it just didnt feel as dynamic as this preamp does. If you try it out and like the presets than you'll love the sound you can create with it because the presets are pretty much trash compared to the distortions I've made. Incredible sound overall. I cant really see something sounding better than this can.

I've had it for almost a month and I won't be gigging anytime soon so I'm not one to comment on the reliability. It does seem pretty sturdy though

I sent them one email which they did reply to in a couple days. However they didn't really give me much more than a one sentence answer. At least they answered at all though.

I play technical metal and also write instrumental guitar music inspired by the many soloists I listen to. I've been playing for 6 years now and the better I play, the more demanding I become of my gear. This easily meets my demands hands down. God forbid it ever got stolen because I worked hard to get that thing. I think I would buy it again because the features really fit into my stlye of amplification. That being a multipurpose multi-effects/preamp all in one rack unit. I'm by no means a tube guy and dont see how an amp with three knobs is going to get better sound that this. I can handle the expansive EQing ability of this preamp because it really pays off once you master it. The first day I got it I felt disappointed in it. However, once I had a week or two of working with it everyday my sounds got better and better. I kept the sound I made the first day I got it so could measure my progression and the difference is remarkable. The bottom line is that the prophesy reflects your own ability to make a tone and if you cant get a good tone than its your fault.

This unit is very easy to program if you are used to rackmount effects. The interface is very well laid out. Many if not all of the knobs on the front panel are used to edit each page of settings so you can edit various settings in the same effect on the same page. As soon as I got it out of the box read the manual and plugged it into the wall I was editing patches. I am experienced in using parametric EQ's so making adjustments was easy. It still took me a few hours to get my basic sounds programmed the way I wanted. I will differ from many others reviewing this item in that I have never owned (this one included) any multi-effects unit that had presets I could use. I play a variety of music from Heavy Metal, Classic Rock, Jazz, Blues, Country and Classical. This unit was able to make me happy with the sounds in all of these categories.

I bought this unit because of the reviews I read on this site. My main guitar is a Tom Anderson Drop Top Classic. I also have a One of a kind Carvin accoustic electric, a Martin Accoustic and a Tobias 5 String Bass. My previous setup was Tom Anderson > Nady 650 VHF Guitar Wireless > Korg DT-1 Pro Tuner > Mesa-Boogie Triaxis > BBE Sonic Maximizer > Mesa-Boogie fifty-fifty > Palmer Speaker Simulator > Alesis R12 mixer > Carvin 2000W Power Amp and Sound Tech EV loaded speakers each with 2-15, 2-10, 1 horn and two tweeters. After buying this unit I play through Tom Anderson Guitar > Nady 650 Wireless, Rocktron Profesy > Korg DT-1 Pro Tuner (in tuner out jack) > Aphex 250 Aural Exciter Type III > mixer, amp, speakers as listed above. I had some great gear before but with this Profesy and the All Access controller I have better control of my sounds when switching from Heavy Metal to Country, etc. This unit is very quiet. I hear no digital noise of any kind. I have a Jan tube in it. I love this thing. The speaker simulator has gotten mixed reviews but I love it. It is easy to criticize a simulator since it is not a speaker and will sound different depending on what you play through. I can tell you I can use it to get that bright bell like sound if I want on my accoustic work or roll off the higs. It is as much a sound tool as a simulator. It saves me from needing more gear to get the sounds I need. The effects are also very good for the price. Some people have said they are the best. They are not. They are certainly up there with the best in the price range for sure. The Eventide H8000 series however is the best Multi-Effect on the planet and will be my next purchase. The effects however do sound better than 95 percent of the bands I have heard play. I will be selling my Mesa-Boogie and Palmer Rig to buy the H8000FW. With this preamp and that effects unit my sound will be in a class by itself. The EQ and Preamp section can get you just about any sound you want if you are willing to learn to use them and spend the time tweaking them. Eveyone wants a different sound. I personally want 30 different sounds all of which sound like a million bucks. This unit can get you there. I highly recommend the All Access midi controller to use with it. They are already designed to work together so you can use them right out of the box without even programming the pedal. You will certainly get more out of the pedal by programming it but the preset titles on the Profesy show up on the pedal so you always know where you are. The tuner is not the greatest but why would I use my preamp to tune my guitar. That is what my tuner is for.

I bought it used. It was originally purchased in 1999. I have had no problems with it and don't forsee any at this point.

I have not had a need for Customer Support.

I have been playing since 1982. I sold my last pedals and went to rackmount units in 1986 and have never looked back. If you want a truly versatile preamp that can get you a great sound no matter what music you play. This one can do it. If you are used to pedals and a head and are not interested in learning about sound shaping I would suggest you buy something else. Whie this unit is easy to program, you need to understand, Shelving EQ, Parametric EQ, and the variables associated with Chorus, Flange, Pitch Shift, Reverb, Delay, etc. to get the most out of the amp. If you buy the unit, spend some time to work out your sound I am sure you can find it in here. Some guitar purists feel that nothing will ever replace a tube head into 12" speakers. The reality is the general music listening public doesn't care what your equipment is. They just want it to sound good. Nothing sounds as good and consistent to me as a professional than having all of your units in a rack running directly into the board and the PA. You have full frequency response and are not limiting yourself to a 12" speaker. If you want the 12" speaker sound, program it and you are done. This unit is a BEST BUY for the money. If you have any questions or comments or just want my opinion on something, feel free to contact me.

Once I got used to the pages and editing controls. this thing is very easy to make awesome sounds with, every sound is so quiet and just ahhhh lol. I use with the Midi Mate and it is very easy to set up for controlling as well. Manual is straight ahead, Im the type that doesnt really like to read manuals and I seem to get along fine. Not as bad as the boss gt manuals, those are absolute crap. vs 1.06.

Carvin 7 string , with a carvin power amp, and midi mate for controlling. Absolutely no noise at all even at the highest of sound levels ( you wont know your about to blow your ears out!) effects are great, instead of sounding like a modelor, it has its own sound, and it is very warm and tubelike. i can get the sound of any artist. has very good effects section as well as preamp section. the prophesy defines pristine sound quality. ive owned the bossgt3, gt-8, the digitech gnx4, and this thing pretty much @$$ rapes all of them. best amp sound ive ever had.

hasnt failed me yet, very solid, thing looks like it would damage as opposed to getting damaged. blah blah never use without a backup is all i hear but would you pay this much money for something you wouldnt trust? i trust this guy very much.

havent dealt with them but i hear good things.

i play progressive metal, as well as jazz guitar in college this thing can do it all. There is no way in hell i would ever LOSE it. i love the tone of it, has plenty of patches for me to create my own sounds, and even has good factory sounds. these things are pretty expensive but they come with every sound you will ever need.