By Mark Grove
Many a studio session player from LA studio veteran Carl Verheyen, to Nashville Whiz Brent Mason, have used smaller amps to enhance or get the sound they were looking or listening for. Small amps aren't just good for recording demos, in some cases you find the sound you're looking for with tiny 10 to 30 watt amps for recording sessions.
When it comes to recording, size doesn't play into the picture. But one thing you shouldn't do, and that's buy amps that are modelling amps. If you can get the sound you want from a simple amp hooked up to a solid mic like a Shure 57 or 58, and a good mixer you're cookin'. If you can't set up a 15 watter with basic volume, bass, treble and gain knobs, how do you ever expect to work with a modelling amp.
Modelling amps let you cheat to some degree, and give you a variety of sounds to literally dial in with a simple flick of the switch. Modelling amps have their purpose and can add enhanced dimensions and sounds you don't normally get from a straight amp with no frills. Crate, Roland and Vox all came out with great small amps to use in the studio, practices and club work.
The Roland version was more a modelling amp and I wasn't really impressed. You have to learn how to work your sound with a small amp, guitar, mic and mixer. Some of the greatest studio sessions have been used with small amps and resulted in music when transferred to vinyl or CD, things of beauty.
http://www.crateamps.com/ Amps for recording, stage and just practicing to fit any sound
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