Can The UAFX Lion '68 Hold Up To A Marshall Through A Cabinet?

In my first review I used the Universal Audio Lion '68 with its own onboard cabinet simulation and through the Two Notes CAB-M+, comparing it with an actual Marshall plexi-style amp through the latter. Now I'm using the Lion through an actual guitar cabinet with the aid of a power amp, and I'll once again compare it to the Marshall 1987X. Will it still hold up? Let's find out!

To hear my original music, check out the links below:

My band 'Nighthawker'

My side project 'Steven Anthony Band'

[steveliberty]

Nicely done demo. With your power amp, the Lion had significantly more bottom end, and in isolation, sounded better to me. In the mix, there was no noticeable difference. When you eliminated the power amp, you also changed the settings of the Lion, so that comparison is really Apples to Oranges. More over, if you aren't planning on using the Lion as your primary solution, but rather a backup, none of this matters. It was WAY good sounding enough to use as a backup, even with hte preset/power amp/cab. Comparing to a real tube amp really only matters if you plan to eliminate the tube amp. But even then, the real measure should be "Does it sound and feel good?", not "Does it sound exactly the same?". Even 2 of the same exact model tube amp will sound a little different from each other. We need to be less critical, and more pragmatic when talking about modeling gear. For most people, there are only 2 reasons to use modeling gear - convenience and flexibility (OK, sometimes price is a third reason compared to a fancy tube amp). So, compare the level of convenience and flexibility to the level of satisfaction you get playing through the modeler, and choose based on the best balance of the trade-offs.

[lilSchmoob]

Damn dude there are some real fuckin' music snobs criticizing this guy in the comments here. I thought this was a great video and showcased the power of the Lion '68 really well. Helps me justify my purchase 😉

[paullaughton]

Wonderful video! Very useful. Keep the passion.

[virgaumber]

Thank you for the video, I am in the same situation so this is the exact video I was looking for!

[Raj-bqx]

does this thing have a master volume? or does it have to go loud (like most plexis) in order to distort? is it bedroom volume friendly ?

[asafeyal]

Hi, question, at this rig of power amp + Lion 68, where will you connect your modulation down the chain? Are you going to connect it (let's say you want to) to the power amp and then to the Lion?

[JoshBattershell]

I’m pretty sold on getting one of theses. I have a ruby and dream from UA and love both of them.

[lordgraga]

5:30 and onwards with the tele really showcases the low end differences. The UA doesn’t do low end like the Marshall does. The UA is more congested in that regards, whereas the Marshall has a well defined lowend with authority. There is just more bandwidth in the Marshall.

[josepinto-yvbg]

Thank you so much for the video. I got the Lion on a great deal and thought: "It sounds amazing in this video. Why not give it a try?" Then I bought the Marshall ST112 and the Loudster and it sounds indeed really good. Now I have 3 Marshall amps and can have loads of fun as bedroom player. It reduced my GAS and saved loads of time and money (amps, attenuators, etc.).
I also have the Page Bender. I was lucky to buy it in Brazil (cheaper than on Reverb). My only regret is that I didn't buy one of the other pedals from Deep Trip.
So, keep up the amazing videos!

[johnpierson]

Really cool video. I have to start by mentioning that, for me, in the first two minutes or so of clean comparisons - both had a crackling distortion in each configuration. I did not hear this in any of the laler comparisons. All of the later comparisons showed me that if you set each setup for it's best sound, there are strengths and weaknesses in each configuration. For me, the strong highs and characteristic Marshall 'Kerang' of the 1987X sounded the best. But, there is no denying that the Lion is the best Marshall amp modeler I have heard. And it definitely can simplify recording. Thanks!

[christianboddum]

I use an NU-X amp academy to run a pedalbord into the return of my 1987X, it works really well. I have a small volume box on the board so I can adjust the general output easy with my foot. I believe in running modelers through tube power amps, you get more life to the tones, yet have much more control over the overall tone.

[KevinSilva-wvyf]

I wonder what other power amps you’d recommend! I have a Lion arriving at my house soon and want to pair it with my Orange 2x12, but am worried about:

1) which power amp (would prefer pedal form, small format)

And 2) overall volume. I want to be able to push the cab and keep up with my band. I use pedals so this would just be a strictly clean platform, but I wonder about other power all options that aren’t so huge. How loud does the hotone get?

Thank you!

[badarmenia]

Great job! I really dig my Lion too! It compares incredibly well to my EVH spec modified Voodoo V-Plex. I plan on installing an effects loop in the Plexi and see how it sounds thru a real Marshall power amp section.

[varanzmaj]

I can't find this poweramp anywhere for sale, is there another poweramp (it doesn't have to be a stomp based) that you would recommend?

[michielroom]

Fijne verjaardag Papa ;-). We zijn blijkbaar allebei Dad-rockers. Leuke video. Ik heb geen echte Marshall, want dat is veel te luid thuis. Ik ben wel erg te spreken over het geluid van de Lion 68. Ik speel hem door een FR versterker van Harley Benton. Klinkt voor mij geweldig thuis en ik heb dus geen echte versterker om te vergelijken.

[liuhu]

Really well done comparison! I guess it's not possible to run the other output with the cab sim on in the Lion? Thinking about using one output with cab sim on to front of house and the other output to power amp -> cab with the cab sim off.

[musiccreation]

Thanks for making these great demos. For me, the Lion wins. I prefer it's less bright tone and the difference in convenience is night and day.

[matsandersson]

I think it’s the no bright cap or the 100p bright cap that makes the UA Lion sound less bright and crunchy. A 68 Plexi has a 4, 7n bright cap stock and i think it was a mistake not having that.

[hoosierdaddy]

The Lion sounds great to me. Both sounded good but the Lion has great advantages. ❤

[milsiknuff]

I think the Two Notes thing is too static. All other demos sound way better...even so yours does sound good. The Lion has the OX cabs...they are not IRs. For me personally IRs suck...a good solution is this borgen plug in...makes those IRs shine a bit more. But thank you for the microphone/cab comparison! Now I really would like to hear the Lion as a pedal in front of the amp...could that work (no cab sim of course)?