using "digital" effects with a tube amp--okay?

[purplegel]

Hi folks,
I am interested in buying a new amp (an all-tube one this time--maybe a classic 30) to replace this solid state one i bought thinking it would sound so awesome. my concern is ultimately about analog versus digital, as i have read differing opinions on this. but since i already have my (digital) pedals, i have to ask about the coupling with a nice tube amplifier:

I'm just wondering what the difference in tone and sound would be if you put a tube screamer with a solid-state amp versus a tube amp? More importantly, what happens when you put a digital distortion (or other "digital" effects) with a tube amp? I don't have any "analog" effects so i was wondering if i should still get a nice tube amp even though i have a multi-fx unit from digitech (gnx3).

is it possible to get that smooth tube distortion without blowing out my ears if i use a distortion pedal instead of the amp's "natural" distortion? what do the pros use--do they crank the amp AND throw a ts9 into the mix or do they just crank one or the other?

thanks. peace.

[GNLidiard]

First up, the Tube Screamer is designed for use with valve amps (tubes if you live in the New World). It's main role is offering up a higher gain to the pre amp, so as to overload it, giving creamy distortion at lower volumes. The "distortion" part of the pedal is a little harsh so would - generally - sound much better into a valve than a solid state front end. Overall for Tube Screamers, valve amps good, transistors bad (or at least, less good).

As for digital versus analogue, the effects internally may have different workings, but the practice is - assuming you match the levels - as good with transistors as valves. A good effect will sound good, a crap one will sond crap.

Tube screamers certainly help give creamy distortion at lower levels - that's their main design aim. Power amp distorton (that comes with volume) sounds a bit different and overall it's horses for courses. Master Volume design amps help offer distortion at low volumes, but again you miss the power amp part. I should add that speakers play a real part here too, a driven speaker sounds slightly different to one at tick-over.

For a key message - use your ears. Go to a shop and play things, if you want a wonderful sound at low volume chat to the sales lemmings, they should be able to guide, but listen carefully and you can't go wrong.

Gary