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London Power has always built highly versatile amplifiers. Players ask, "what does your amp sound like?", to which we can only say, "what do you want it to sound like?" London Power's current line of guitar amps will recreate any iconic amp sound and help you create completely new sounds.
So, how do you decide which model is right for you?
First... a little history
Our original guitar amp model was the SUSTAINOR. The circuitry used in this line has been fitted into many modified Marshall and Fender amps over the decades, and has since been refined to encompass modern textures as well as traditional ones.
The very first SUSTAINOR amplifier was fairly traditional inasmuch as it was a 2-channel amp with clean and lead paths, effects loop, reverb and 50W power amplifier. The model morphed into a unit with stereo 60W power amps with various lower-power settings. These push-pull amps briefly became SE amps still rated at 60W each, but by this time Power Scaling had been added. Then SUSTAINOR became just a preamp, with a high-gain and clean channel. Inputs and outputs were splittable and fully buffered.
SUSTAINOR's circuitry was the basis for the legendary STANDARD and SUPER STANDARD models. A trimmed down and "retro-fied" version was presented in The Ultimate Tone Vol. 5 as the Standard amp project.
Contemporary with the original SUSTAINOR was the first production form of the STUDIO amp. This was the first production guitar amplifier to have Power Scaling. The STUDIO model was very different and still is. The original had but one preamp control and a dozen power amp controls - some with peculiar names and never-before-seen functions.
STUDIO morphed sideways to inspire the SESSION amp. This used the clean channel of the concurrent form of SUSTAINOR with the unique power section of the STUDIO amp. The SUPER STANDARD used SUSTAINOR's lead channel and STUDIO's power amp. STUDIO has since morphed into an outrageous system, along with a retro integrated low-wattage model.
Along the way, projects for other companies yielded development of new design techniques and circuitry. The AURORA project began as "an affordable amp" which morphed into something less affordable and eventually returned to its affordable roots BUT retained an enhanced level of sophistication and performance. The circuit development began with SUSTAINOR's lead channel but evolved into something different with uniquely optimized ergonomics and a sleeker look.
In the mean time, the "mule" amp of London Power's designer had morphed to incorporate some of the latest high-gain tricks. Which brings us to the present...
London Power's current amp line: For stage use and typical players
Here we have three variations on a theme. These models are for the typical player who wants to be able to set up his amp quickly, or to go from one sound to another easily.
AURORA is
a single-channel guitar amp with unmatched "organic control". AURORA's simple panel provides diverse and easily accessed tones, from clean and mild to wicked and wild! A Power Scaling output of 0-25W PP or 0-5W SE and ergonomic and useful controls make AURORA a very versatile single-channel guitar amplifier, all in a sleek 2U stainless-steel chassis with rear tube access.
RAVEN is the "single-channel" version of SUSTAINOR but with two sets of controls! Sounds like a contradiction? It just means RAVEN is very much a traditional channel-switching amp with a single audio path and switched controls, but that's where the similarity ends. RAVEN's 12 voicing switches allow the player to set up 4,096 different sounds. A 0-50W PP or 0-5W SE power amp and effects loop is common to both sounds. The loop can be assigned to either/both channels. 4U with front tube access.
SUSTAINOR is like two complete amps built into the same 4U chassis. Each of SUSTAINOR's channels has its own tubes, its own controls, and its own 12 voicing switches - accessing 4,096 sounds per channel. This allows "2-channel" functionality, true stereo functionality, and independent or alternate amp use through one cabinet or separate cabinets. 2 x 0-25W PP or 0-5W SE. The channels can be set independently for SE or PP operation and can have completely different tubes. SUSTAINOR takes the same space as two AURORA amps but has built-in switching capabilities for its two amplifiers to work together or independetly.
So, a low-profile single-channel AURORA with 25W maximum, a 2-channel RAVEN with 50W max in 4U, or a 4U 25W + 25W SUSTAINOR dual amplifier - these are ideal stage and recording amplifiers for musicians of all skill levels or status.
The Ultimate Tone tool for recording environments: The STUDIO line
For players addicted to tweaking or who just like to do things differently, two forms of the STUDIO amp are available. The simplest is the STUDIO-10, built in a 2U case with rear tube access, 0-10W PP or 0-2W SE. This is built similarly to the last hand-wired STUDIO models - just with PCBs - using extensive choke filtering and the usual top-quality components and advanced circuitry you expect from London Power. The STUDIO-10 can be taken on the road, as many players have done with their original models. STUDIO-10 is quick to set up once you learn its controls.
The tweaker's paradise is the STUDIO SYSTEM, comprised of the STUDIO POWER AMP and STUDIO PREAMP. On its own, the STUDIO POWER AMP can create most sounds of most previous STUDIO amp models - twice! - as it is a dual amplifier topology that can be used like a channel-switching amp or as two independent amplifiers. Use it on its own or in combination with a preamp. The amps can be operated through separate cabinets or through the same cabinet. Each channel is 0-25W PP or 0-5W SE, allowing any required loudness in a recording environment. The STUDIO models have always been a bit "tweaky", so having the ability to preset two completely different sounds AND the ability to use two completely different sets of tubes is an incredible advantage to both the player and recording personnel. The STUDIO POWER AMP is built as 4U, with front tube access.
The STUDIO PREAMP is built into a 4U chassis, with the same dual-path topology as the STUDIO POWER AMP. Just like the power amp, STUDIO PREAMP offers extreme diversity in its architecture along with voicing, EQ and output control. Iconic sounds are no problem. Modern cascaded paths, side chains and alternate EQ positions - even multiple EQs - are all within the range of STUDIO PREAMP. Create new sounds; live in the past or in the future. Output assignment is set with each section - allowing, say, preamp sound-A to be sent to power amp path-A, path-B, or to both.
Need a simpler preamp?
For those players or studio operators looking for more direct access to iconic sounds, we are developing ICON. This is a multi-voice 7-channel preamplifier with specific paths devoted to recreating iconic sounds. There is a Plexi path that can create plexi, Bassman or Vox-like tones. There is F path that can create Fender, Gibson, and other clean to overdrive sounds. There is a path to create modern high gain sounds. There is a path to create Dumble-like and early Mesa sounds. There is a path to create traditional London Power sounds.
Each path is not just the tired old circuitry everyone else copies. We could not build ICON like that. London Power added in user adjustable options for each of these sounds so YOU can set the final flavour.
ICON is also 4U and will be released this year (2010).
Just when it couldn't get any better...
London Power's reverb sound is the stuff of legend! Cleaner than the usual tube reverb but warmer than digital, our 3-D reverb feature (in our amps) and stand-alone reverb units add ambience without clutter.
The current 3-D reverb unit is of broadcast quality but can be set up for vintage "swamp creature" exhilaration. 3-D accommodates stereo inputs and outputs, with selectable signal sourcing for the delay line. The outputs can be dry, wet or mixed. 3-D's sound is so pristine that it can be used in home theater systems for surround channels, or in the recording or live broadcast environment. Or, add 3-D to your guitar or bass rig for clean to grind reverberation. Built as 2U in our stainless-steel chassis.
Our SILHOUETTE 10-band octave equalizer will be back this year. This time it is stereo with fully independent channels, but still all-tube. Also, 2U in the stainless-steel chassis.
Or any louder...
SUPER SCALER offers a way to increase the loudness of your amp when you really need to - but WITHOUT changing your tone. Look for SUPER SCALER's release next year. If you can't wait, check out our books to see how you can build your own Super Scaling amp.
What if you want a specific sound?
Although London Power builds amplifiers that can reproduce the sounds of all of the iconic amp products past or present, you may specifically want just one of those sounds - but with Power Scaling built in. Check out the list of licensed Power Scaling amplifier builders. Many of these folks are very much into, say, Marshall, or Fender, or Hiwatt, or Vox, sounds - but have found that Power Scaling enhances the useful performance range of these icons. You can have specific voicing plus the Ultimate Loudness control.
The Quiet Revolution starts here.
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