I got a powerstage 170 and a mesa 212 vertical slant. I built a new preset with NO IR or cab. Just straight amp. It sounded horrible. Very boxy and filtered. I then put an EQ on it and cut mids. Sounded better but still pretty bad. Not sure what I can do.
Like I said, no IR or cab sim. I have the right cables, and I’m not clipping anywhere.
Any tips?
Are you maybe clipping the powerstage input? Check levels?
Nope. Not clipping anywhere
Can you take a screenshot of your routing in Cortex Control? I used a stereo PowerStage 170 setup for many years with good outcomes. What amp model are you using, or are you using a capture?
Gonna assume you’re using a capture that’s an amp + cab together. This sounds like what would happen if someone was to combine that into an amp.
If not, you’ll want to show the preset. More often than not this is because of a routing or preset setup issue.
I own a Powerstage 170, and I agree with @SelfTitledLP check the preset. Granted I’ll run mine with a 1x12 50W cab, and the 2x12 rectos are 120W, so despite output differences and the fact that the PS170 matches impedance internally, my suspicion is that the preset could be the culprit. But we deffo need more information.
Do stock presets with the cab disengaged yield similar results? Screenshots of the I/O of your signal chain are helpful, or at least a detailed explanation of it. Cheers —