This product is a cab (speaker) emulator and it does the job well. It basically has two distinct sounds - one is 4x12 which to me feels like a cranked Marshall 4x12 stack and the other mode is a 2x12 which seems like a nice combo, say Fender or Vox. After owning the H&K Tubeman with Redbox simulation I decided to get teh Redbox alone to pair with some other effects for more tonal options and this thing rocks.

Some of the features are not well explained in the manual and I had to contact H&K about them. For one - there is a ground lift switch on the back of the unit that is not labelled. Also the way to hook up a tube amp to the simulator is not very well explained either. Again - easily clarified by H&K, apparently you can hook the speaker out of a tube amp to the H&K Redbox and then the Redbox "To Speaker Cabinet" goes into the tube amp. It could also be done with an extension speaker as well. These things are missed in the manual or just didn't seem clear to me. This unit is also lacking a DI output - it would've been very beneficial if you can get a DI signal out of it and your colored signal separated, in the present design you only get the colored sound out which limits the Redbox's useability.

This unit is pretty much plug and play. Some care has to be excercised not to blow up the tube amp (speaker always needs to be connected!) otherwise it is pretty simple to setup and use, and in cases where your situation doesn't allow loud sounds the Redbox is a must.

A little pricey for a little box, but there is nothing else quite like it on the market.

I contacted H&K on some questions I had regarding the manual - received answers within a day so that is outstanding in my book.

Metal box with red pain and white letters - don't know how sexy it is per se, but it definitely looks good and it doesn't make me feel embarassed to use it when running a session.

Recording engineer, guitarist

Rock, Metal

I am a studio engineer and was fortunate to be able to use this for the first time 2 weeks ago when during a session. The tones were absolutely awesome. Combined with the preamp of the guitar, it was wide and dynamic beyond micing an amp. I recommend this to anyone who is trying to get that REAL sound into their recordings. I have 4 on order now.

It's a little pricey for a DI, but on the other hand, there's really nothing like it to compare to. So really, it's quite inexpensive in comparison to the proper mics for recording and better since the signal is direct without having to worry about distances for micing.

Recording and Live Engineer

Anything but Rap and Hip hop

30+ years professionally

Classic Rock, Hard Rock and Metal covers and original material.

I bought this amp used in pristine condition.. it has the old tube amp sound of the 60's & so simple to adjust.

simple to use & I get a nice rich & fat bass sound

very easy to adjust & just by playing with my tone knob on my J bass it is very versatile

built like a tank

great deal.. if you can find one get one

havn't needed to call

not very big.. easy enough to carry alone @ 65 lbs. & even playing at low volume you get lots of bottom

Hobbyist

classic rock, blues

I run out from my Marshall's line out and into the awesome little red box and it's better then anything I was doing with my digital amp simulator gear and plug ins. Far more organic sounding.

For a little box that don't do much, it sure does it very well. The two cab sims are both very good. The 4x12 cab is the stand away winner for me. But I could see the combo for a twangy tele Stones type thing.

You get what you pay for. I bought that other German DI with a cab sim on it and it was horribly noisy. This thing is silent and works as advertised.