The Solution I've NEEDED for my preamps! Introducing the UA Ox Stomp | Secret Weapons Demo & Review
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- čas přidán 15. 06. 2024
- The UA Ox Box has been the single most important piece of any rig it has been a part of for me. The Ox's workflow, sound quality, and convenience for getting incredible direct recordings of tube amps is pretty unparalleled for me and, if I could have offered any one issue with it, is that it sours me on recording with a lot of my low wattage, single ended amps and other non traditional amp formats. But no longer is that the case, as today we look at the Ox Stomp; a stereo, board friendly Ox that trades out the load and attenuator (seriously. DON'T plug your amp's speaker out into this) for a line and instrument level workflow that gives me all that responsive and incredible cabinet tech for my preamp pedals, single ended amp heads, and other small format amps. Let's get into it.
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Gear Used:
@ernieballinc Music Man St. Vincent Goldie
@Inventions-kh7kz LVL
@VictoryAmps Sherriff Valve Pre and Copper Pedal
@BensonAmps Vinny
@matchlessamps9353 Lightning
@UniversalAudio OX Stomp and Ox
Timecodes:
00:00 Intro Song
02:11 Overview
05:56 Using the Ox Stomp with a Valve Preamp
08:18 Valve Pre Samples
09:51 Using the Ox Stomp with a Preamp Pedal
11:14 Preamp Pedal Samples
13:21 Exploring the Delay and Reverb
14:32 Delay, Reverb, Modulations Samples
18:08 Practical Use Cases
19:27 Line Out on a 15 Watt Matchless
20:25 Line Out with Effects (Matchless Lightning)
21:01 Ox Stomp for Single Amp Were Dry Wet
21:43 Wet Dry Wet Samples
Recorded in Universal Audio LUNA
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someone who is good at the economy please help me budget this. my family is dying
buy less candles
What’s hysterical is most famous guitar players play one rig with minor modifications their entire career… But somehow the industry has got everybody wrapped up in what can only be described as an options addiction.
I’m someone who doesn’t really change things out much within my rig: I generally keep settings / gear choices pretty consistent outside of the realm of demonstrating it for an audience but I’ll say this; I agree that often consistency in your rig is key in good tone and solid writing BUT “one rig with minor modifications” =\= “ the same rig for everyone” your “main rig” might be a fender twin with a greenback mic’d up with a 57 and someone else’s might be a Princeton with a Webber mic’d with a 121 and a 609. Something like this, imo, doesn’t find its strength in its ability to pull a ton of sounds quickly but by being able to be flexible enough to FIND that go-to sound. I’ve got the full UA Ox as well and I use it constantly and basically never change it from specific cab/mic pairings for specific amps. But I need to be able to find “my” version of the sound.
You’ve got a point to some degree, but there’s a lot more to this.
For one, a lot of famous guitar players have a ton of high end gear - rooms full of mountains of amps, vintage “golden” units, 10’s of thousands dollars worth of select stuff.
Do you think they just stuck with the first thing they bought? If they have a particular sound, maybe it’s something they put together after working through tons of amazing options?
Sometimes guitar greats have folks mod amps, pedals etc for them.
I’d say that even if you have some examples of guitar gods with “go-to” rigs, they’ve selected those rigs from among an amount of options that you specifically would think would constitute “option addiction”.
On top of that, they’re working with great sound engineers - adding their own touch, primo gear choices etc etc. Engineers who try out a bunch of mics, mic placements etc before rolling tape - just like you can now do with this pedal.
If you pay attention, many guitar greats are super tuned into gear. They’re picky. Do you think they got that way by sticking with the first amp they bought?
These options allow you to zero in on something you really love that you wouldn’t have discovered otherwise.
Mark's life must be an incredible adventure. Every new pedal fills a need that he could not do without.
not always but when it happens its awesome. Mostly a new release is "hey this sounds really good and here is why" and today just happens to get to be a "Ive been using amp in a box stuff for years and have wished this was an option basically that entire time"
for real, it definitely feels like every video is pure hype. Everything can't be the best. Lots of gear is awesome, especially right now, but best is a big statement that should be reserved for truly magical stuff.
Anyways, dont worry. We understand, this is not a hobby for you.
So for your Direct amp in a box rig your substituting your stereo DI completley with the ox stomp ?
😅😅😅
i've been loving the 21x9 aspect ratio on the videos man! Looks as good as it sounds!
Thank you! Been loving the new cameras.
Yeah! Noticed it too. Looks great on smartphone, thought I was zoomed in.
The best Ox Stomp video I've seen. Great job, it sounds killer here. On a side note, it's great to see a 21.9 aspect ratio. I wish more people would do that
You need like 5 more digits on your sub count. Seriously. One of the best channels, musically, on CZcams.
I love the pace and thoughtfulness with which you review products. Your like a 6 min rock anthem from the past. You enjoy the heck out of it and are grateful for the time it took get where it was going. And that’s some damn fine, tasteful playing too. Thank you for putting your content out for others to enjoy.
Fantastic video! love your playing and the way you explain the features
I really dig your vids, you are a go to for product demos and this vid is no exception! So well done
That mf intro track. 👏👏 UA really out here just making flawless gear every time.
There’s always stuff I wish UA included in their feature sets… lack of balanced outputs and midi here is a bummer but man.. you cannot knock the sound quality. That alone is worth it imo.
DUDE!! This is the demo I needed haha. In the mix, bad ass rock song. Thank you and subbed!
Damn that intro had me forget I was watching a pedal demo. Killer job sir!
Your sounds are so much better than what I’ve heard on other reviews. It sounds like a record. Man, c’mon, whats in that signal chain? Sounds beautifulllllllllllll
Hi Mark,
wet-dry-wet sounds excellent!
Great video! Love your style and playing.
Nice presentation Mark...... Thanks.
Dude I'm loving all of these intro songs. Your tones are consistently superb, and so are your mixes. I gotta ask -- what are you using to create your drum tracks? The playing dynamics are really really good. Steven Slate? Ocean Way?
Sounds great with the line level amps at the end
That matchless is just unfair. It’s such an amazing amp
Appreciate that your demo music isn’t the same derivative blues or rock lick 🎉
Finally I can have an actual dedicated speaker simulation for my boss sy1000
First time viewer here, i like your style a lot !
I wanted to do this setup exactly before i saw this (victory valve preamp into the ox stomp) the only thing holding me back is the lack of headphone output / balanced out on the ox stomp. It is such an oversight to me i don't even understand how that's possible.
This video makes it sound great. The general consensus from friends and online friends on the OG ox is that is sounds so good, but it takes a bit of work to get there. Do you think that's relatively similar with the stomp version? Would love to see how you use the app or software to help create your rigs (or possibly share them).
Great stuff, Mark!
This is super cool. Maybe I’ll get one for my walrus acs1.
I've been Lovin' my Dream 65 . I'm sure this'll put it over the top. Already pre ordered while the video was playing. I have a disease
Wait, so I can use my Benson Preamp on my pedal board into this and that's it? No Iridium or anything needed? Why is no one but you showing it this way? Seems like a no brainer...thanks for the video and showing it into the Copper, so good!
Oh dang... the victory into that!?!😮
One more thing.. great video man! I loved the sound of the sheriff into the ox. Do you think I could run a black star valve boost ( with tube) and a ep3 preamp into this for a good sound?
I think this is the device for me. I’ve got an ADA MP-1, Marshall JMP-1 and a Mess Recto Pre. Have used them with an ADA Ampulator for a long time, but this box sounds killer.
I just got this pedal. Which cab/mics setup do you prefer? Amazing video man! Thank you!
Ive been wanting to get a Milkman the Amp 50 or 100 paired with a GFI Stereo Cab Zeus for a while now. Use the pedal output of the Milkman into my wet effects then into the Cab Zeus in stereo. Now i want the StompOx instead. UA did a great job with this unit.
I really loved the cabzeus when it came out and it was my gold standard for years. But.. yeah this, imo, outperforms by most metrics
This is awesome. Great walkthrough, thank you. How do you think this would pair with the Milkman Amp Stereo? (Assume only after and then you might then need a DI or line isolator?)
@markjohnstonofficial same question here !
Great vid. Man, this pedal opens so many options, I’m definitely getting it. In addition to going ampless for some unique sounds, one could also pair it with an amp and an inexpensive attenuator and save yourself $800 and a large piece of kit vs getting a UA Ox box.
Anyone know the pedal’s latency?
Your guitar collection is so wild.
haha this is very true. I don't know how it ended up like this but I am real goddamn lucky to have this collection.
@@markjohnstonofficial every time I see your Jennings guitars I flip out 😅
I have two questions to ask, apologies if it's been answered in the video:
1. What is your output to hear these pedals through? Are you listening through an audio interface and studio monitors or have you been playing through a neutral sounding amp speaker cabinet? I have seen the practical use case segments but what is the final output to hear the sound? Ideally I would prefer to go through an amp cabinet for when I want to be untethered from a DAW/computer set up but not have to rely on "front of house" for something like Bedroom playing with a pedalboard.
2. Have you combined the OX Stomp with any of the other UAFX Amp pedals (Lion/Ruby/Dream/Woodrow) and if so, what have been your results? I ask this because there seems to be some overlap in functionality between their emulation types. Ie. the Amp emulation pedals all have a "room" function, or "drive" knob found on the OX Stomp. Also, the UAFX MAX compressor pedal has the UA 1176 compressor and some EQ options which also feature here. So, basically, how does one limit their overlap or maximise their utility for what they are each supposed to excel at the most?
Hmm, what do you think for this combination: fryette power station (line out) --> UA Ox Stomp = best attenuator + best cab emulation.
Just found your channel! Instant sub!
Just got mine the other day. With my Blackface Princeton Reverb (using a simple Captor 8 as load) and with my Origin Deluxe61 and Magma57 pedals, I LOVE it. I'm getting fantastic sounds. BT connection with the app could be more stable, it feels a bit fiddly. Would appreciate a wired connection with a MacOS app for easier studio use... anyway. I always contemplated getting an OX Box, now I'm basically there. I get the impression it LOVES real tubes, at least pairing it with my Princeton (again, don't forget your loadbox) is my favorite way of using it so far.
It sounds killer. man. I like the musicmaster model bass in this review. how low is it? greetings
Nice track up front.
Hey man, great video.
Do you think I could run the send of my Friedman runt into the OX STOMP? I’ve ordered one and it just occurred to me that it might be possible. Cheers 👍
Would be interesting to see you use this with the quad cortex as your cab sim. Liking the ability to use IRs but feels a little static to me. This might fix it. Just a thought.
Fantastic demo, Mark. Really considering switching out my captor x for this, but do the stereo ins work separately? Could I potentially run two amps with line out or two amp in a box pedals with different characteristics and choose separate cabs for these. Cheers
Hi Mark, terrific job with the video. After watching it i bought it to use it with another UAFX Ruby and my Mesa Boogie V-twin valve preamp.
Using the ruby the new cabinets are fantastic, but when conecting the Mesa Valve preamp directly to de OX Stomp i feel there is something missing, sound is too low and its lacking a lot of punch and definition.
After watching this video I bought the pedal thinking that you can use valve preamps straight into the ox stomp, but now i feel that you need a power amp simulator in the middle or something like that. Can you explain your signal path with the valve preamp? In the video your plexi sounds fantastic.
Thank you!!!
This looks pretty amazing! My initial thought is, this seems heavily dependent on the app. Don't the Dream et al suffer from Bluetooth connectivity issues? Is this any better?
I have zero issues with my Dream and rarely even need to use the app. Once I get my settings or presets dialed in on my new Stomp I will again rarely need to use the app.
but, what about the valve power amp before the speaker box sound? i feel compression and sustain from valve power amps being driven adds to tone. you're opening tune sounded great. the copper example kind of got me wondering about the lack of valve/sustain, maybe even feel.
The 1176 compressor built into the ox stomp actually can be used to approximate that in a pretty nice way. Not having a power amp will always impart a specific feel (I mean even the sheriff doesn’t have it so you’re not getting it from that) but the ox software gets you pretty damn close.
I feel like I should be seeing a DSM&H Simplifier Mk2 with cab bypass into this, but haven't yet!
So you are completely substituting your stereo DI for the ox stomp in amp in a box Direct boards ?
Can I use an Ox Stomp to connect a stomp pedal directly to an audio interface without using an amp simulator or bypassing the amp?
Would you use this to replace the cab sim/reverb slots on q quad cortex or would it be overkill?
Great video and great playing! What are you using to send the signal from the amp's line out to the ox stomp?
Standard instrument cable
@@markjohnstonofficial got it. How can you feed the Ox Stomp with a vintage amp lacking a line out?
You’d need to plug that amps speaker out to a load that has a line level output.
@@markjohnstonofficial Okay, but when you use a pedalboard in front of the amp, it is going to be a problem… 🤔
I’m not sure why that would be
By any chance, did you pair the Ox Stomp with the Origin DCX Boost? If yes, how did you like that?
What’s the name of the baritone guitar? Beautiful sound
Please tell me you know the band As Cities Burn. That intro was was so similar to their sound. I freakin love it. Also, I'm totally buying this pedal to replace my CAB M+.
Love ACB. But I’m pretty pointedly obsessed w the come now sleep era
@@markjohnstonofficial Same. That sound lives in my head to this day, especially when I pick up a guitar.
dude YES!!!!
Does this one have the frustrating app integration of the other pedals? I can’t go through that again.
If this had a separate headphone out, it would be just what I needed 😢
So I am currently using the Synergy amp system into a two notes CABM+. Do you think running the Synergy amp into this would yield a better result?
If you have York audio IRs, then no.
Hey Mark, I have a Ruby, what would be the use on my pedalboard, what it would be to my sound practically?
Nothing. The ruby already has cab and room models.
Has the uafx ox stomp power amp sims?i saw that you used that with your preanp pedals but i feel it needs a power amp sims too
Sorry have questions that I can't find from other videos, and with you being such a stereo player... think you would be the expert (everything you do is amazing). If I run stereo effects or even stereo amps into the UAD Ox Stomp, will it sum the two inputs or can it run the left right in independently? Is it possible to load different cabs left / right? I would love to use this with two amps with line out, for a stereo rig... But I wouldn't want them summed and would like them to stay left/right. I'm going to be sold pre-order, if this is a stereo in/stereo out Ox box (minus the load box - I'm fine with this). Also... assuming I will need a good stereo DI between this and audio interface?
single cabinet processing stereo effects with 2 mics that can be hard panned and/or stereo room mics. But you can't load multiple cabinets at once. But none of your effects get summed to mono
Thank you so much! Just to confirm... If I run a ruby and dream for example into the left / right (or something similar). My ruby will stay left and dream will stay right, the pedal is processing both paths independently? This is amazing.... Almost like having two ox boxes. Your amazing and thank you.
Be mindful; the Ruby and dream are out of phase with one another so if you are running them left / right you’ll need to pick 2 mics panned hard left snd right and flip phase on one of them. That… should work. I haven’t tested it though so… your mileage may vary
Thank you so much this helps, the Ruby/Dream example probably wasn't the best because of the phase issue. My most common scenario will most likely be either running two valve amps/line out into it, after Helix Stomp (with dual amps), or after a a Ruby/Meris LVX. Knowing I can send stereo in/stereo out... Makes this so useful. @@markjohnstonofficial
QUESTION...New sub here. I just got the ox stomp. I have the Bluguitar Amp1 Mercury. I have a Behringer ps1 attenuator. Do I just plug the amp1 into the ps1 and the line out on the ps1 to the ox stomp then the ox stomp to the cab? If so, which output of the ox stomp goes to the cab? Please help.
So i can line out with my 150 dollar two notes torpedo for the load, then use the 50 dollar JHS black box to attenuate, or a Compressor pedal ( it works as good) and buy this for the U.A. Functionality. At 400 dollars. A poor mans ox box. Works for me, sounds great.
Im still very confused about the inputs and outputs and even the manual for this product is confusing. If you're using a modeller (like a QC) does it need TS or TRS into the Ox Stomp? And then from the outputs of the OX Stomp, do you have to use TS or TRS to an FRFR? I've heard people having issues with it because it doesn't have XLR out but then the manual says it's line level or TS so it's not specifically clear.
Great demo, but I don´t know how a product like this at this price doesn´t come with XLR balanced DI and headphone outs.
Because all the UAFX pedals come at this price point and are all basically this exact format. It’s just a reality of their product line for better or worse. Although I do know that the benefit of line outputs is being able to run this to delay / verb after this for a more studio effects format.
Agreed. Not seeing this push the 5 year old gfi cab Zeus off my board
A lot of people comment about it and say there should be an XLR. Really there should not. That os a separate product that should be at the end of the signal chain… a DI box like a JDI with XLR out. UA made a tool for the tool shed. Just because someone is a tree trimmer does not mean that the chainsaw company should integrate the climbing belt with the chainsaw. I am glad they came out with this because I wanted an ox except I didn’t want to have to have a bunch of amps. I want to do things on a board DI and dump all that stuff. Amps are not going away, but for people like me, I will do anything I can to do away with any of that and put it on a board. The issue is that you wind up with IRs which are not responsive like the real thing. So you do IRs or you spend a huge amount of money on gear to play so loud the cops would get called just so you can have that dynamic response (maybe you can get some of with pedals depending on what yoh are doing). There is nothing out there like this which gives you the realistic responses (except the Dream, Ruby, and Woodrow have Ox in them). This is a unique piece of gear for those of us who want a realistic response without compromising for IRs or having thousands and thousands of dollars of mics amps cabs and a room etc. I am sort of a beginner intermediate on my skill level with guitar and am more of a songwriter, singer and could be a front man. I have been working on improving my guitar ability and becoming good at rig building. This is piece of gear in a class by itself. I have Ruby and Dream so for that board this would be redundant. But I am making another Marshall/ Dumbell (not at the same time ofc) board and this is definitely going on that instead of some other cab sim and then to XLR (I have effectrode blackbird for this one). I am still working on closing in in my final answers for my final answer rig but am close. Also, I have keeley wet effects. I am not as worried about the effects for Ox but maybe will want them too after using them. Maybe it is all you need for that. I have really come to live UA everything.
@@markjohnstonofficialjust because they all do doesn’t mean they should, this really should have more output options. Definitely headphone out and should really be able to use it as a usb c interface. Until then there’s plenty of other options that are better and more bang for buck for the everyday person
Missing a headphone out breaks my heart. At least it is stereo...
I'd add XLR out to the wish list .
@@jameshalbert181xlr out simply wouldn’t fit, theres also no benefit really
You get a JDI XLR for that
Yes, if only this series of pedals had a headphone out…
stereo y cable works fine for me at long as you have decent cans
What do you find to be the purpose of this vs something like the dream or ruby? I realize it may not be feasible but I wish there was some kind of load box .
Definitely not in front of your Ruby. The dream / Ruby is an all in one amp pedal; the preamp and cabinets recreated with a simplified cab/mic system. This is a wide selection of cabinets, microphones, and post cabinet wet and mastering effects in a pedal. This is something that you should always come end of chain or close to end of chain (delay and reverb etc can always still go after this).
You can disable the cabs on the ruby and use them together if you really want to..
Can you run the ruby and dream into this
A little confused on how the Ox Stomp was able to take the direct line load from a 15w amp head. Could I plug my Marshall DSL20CR into this? Thought it would need a load box.
The matchless (the 15 watt) has a line output alongside its speaker out. It still needs a load (either it’s cabinet or a load box) but you can also make use of the line out like we did here
Can you just put this at the end of your board and run overdrives into this? Or do you need to run some type of pre amp pedal like the victory pedal?
There’s no reason you couldn’t. Ultimately it’s “whatever sounds good to you”
Has anyone tried the milkman the amp stereo into the ua ox stomp?
Do I need this one if I’ve got the ruby and the dream? 😅
mine arrived today and it sounds better than the stock options on the individual boxes. i haven’t gotten to dig in a ton yet but I *think* i’m experiencing more latency or just feel a bit more disconnected with this +the dream/woodrow rather than just the standalone boxes. Throw in my gen loss mk2 and it’s starting to become really apparent and bit of a bummer.
How would this sound if I turned off my cabs in my dream and ran my dream into the ox stomp? I would essentially have access to a bunch more cabs correct? Is that a use case for this pedal?
Correct
@@markjohnstonofficial thanks for the clarification. One more question. After playing the OX, is this a pedal that could make the Dream ‘65 way more versatile? Do you think UA had their own amp pedals in mind when they made this thing? I would like more sounds out of my Dream and this seems like it could be it.
I’m reading the manual. It’s definitely intended for their own (and any other) amp pedal platforms
This is an honest question: if you have a preamp pedal in front of this, there’s no power amp being modeled, correct? Does the power amp not really affect the signal? Maybe it’s more important in some amps than others.
My thoughts too!
I had no idea the Lightning 15 has a line out. 😮
You know what would be interesting? …recording (simultaneously) and comparing the sounds of the Lightning line out thru the OX Stomp vs the speaker out thru the OX Box. I’m assuming the Stomp and Box have at least some of the same algorithms. Then one could hear what tone the Lightning’s power amp contributes to the sound. I’m assuming it makes a difference. 🤷🏻♂️
[UPDATE: Well nvm that. Just looked at the Lightning manual. That is freaking cool.
“The line out signal is obtained after the power amplifier and is a true representation of the full tonal spectrum of the amp.”]
Yeah there’s a reason the lightning sample at the end is so wild. It’s not just that it’s a damn good sounding amp.. it’s that matchless designs amps on another tier from what we mostly see.
@@markjohnstonofficial For sure! I’m a longtime Matchless fan and owner (DC-30). Just never knew about a line out. I wish mine had one!
UI WORK FLOW MUSIC 🙌🏽
Lovely wiiiiiiiide aspect ratio
All pedals in this line need midi but this one misses it the most. It sounds fantastic but being able to remotely switch preamp and ox simultaneously would be huge in a live situation. That being said, its an outstanding pedal
Argh yeah my thoughts too!
still has that digital artifacts just like their uafx amp sims ruby....😂
Why you do this to me UA…. I’m broke already 😢😢😢
Ladies and gentlemen, the Iridium killer.
This, actually, is my iridium killer. It doesn’t kill the whole purpose of the iridium (no preamp built into this obviously) but my singular use of the iridium for the last couple years has been with the preamps bypassed, only using it as an ir loader + room control. So.. yeah this absolutely annihilates my use case for the iridium.
Most of the compaints I've heard concerning the Iridium revolve around the preamps in the first place (Mainly muddiness and unusable high-gain tones from the Marshall preamp, followed by many user's frustration with the Fender emulation). And with the majority of users seemingly using it as a "pedal-platform" for ungodly large P&W pedalboards, I have a feeling it's finally met it's match. @@markjohnstonofficial
It's a shame it doesn't have a headphone jack.