Being a solid-state modeling amp, tube-amp purists may be tempted to dismiss the Yamaha THR5 Modeling Combo Amp but there are compelling reasons not to jump to hasty conclusions.
In a category of their own, the THR range from Yamaha, including the smaller Yamaha THR5, are really hi-fi stereos combined with realistic, classic amps and effects modeling and an outstanding recording interface and software bundle to create an amp that is optimized for the home studio.
Ideal for guitarists who not only want to be able to practice and rehearse with the ultimate in tone and feel at "domestic" sound levels, but also to record those tones and play them back in hi-fi quality. Responsive, warm, natural tones, good dynamics, excellent effects modeling along with true stereo sound demonstrate that the Yamaha THR5 is part of a deliberate effort to re-define what guitarists look for in practice amps, by drawing on Yamaha's long-standing expertise in hi-fi electronics.
Click here to read more...- Simulations of tube-amp tones and analog effects that sound amazing
- Comprehensive practice and recording tools with hi-fi playback
- Can't save settings (but you can with the THR10)
The key to achieving the range's warm, responsive tube-like tone and realistic, analog-sounding guitar effects is Yamaha's revolutionary Virtual Circuitry Modeling (VCM) technology. Unlike ordinary digital modeling, VCM focuses not only on mimicking the operation of analog circuitry but also the interaction between individual components so that authentic, true-sounding analog sound qualities are simulated. The result is highly accurate digital copies of analog hardware. The Clean, Crunch, Lead, Brit Hi and Modern amp settings emulate five classic amps; the Fender Twin, VOX AC30, Marshall Plexi, Marshall JCM 800 and Mesa Boogie’s Rectifier series respectively. Using the GAIN, MASTER and TONE control knobs I found you can get very close to the actual sound of these popular amps and do so even at low volume levels. Similarly, the Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Tremolo, Delay, Delay/Reverb, Spring Reverb and Hall Reverb effects benefit from the same VCM technology and each one has been individually analyzed and adjusted during development to closely simulate the original analog effects they're based on. Although I didn't have time to play with it for this review, the THR Editor software, downloadable from http://download.yamaha.com, allows for more detailed tweaking of both amps and effects, as well as including compressor and noise gate functions.
A compact, hi-fi amplifier that can double as a recording studio, the Yamaha THR5 has clearly been optimized for the home studio. Just plug it in to your computer via USB and record at near-zero latency (lag). It makes an excellent monitor speaker and you can control the sounds from your computer using the VOLUME and other knobs on the Yamaha THR5 itself. I don't have an isolation booth or the ability to mic up cabs etc at home, so tones which would normally require a cranked stack can be easily recorded at moderate volumes. It melds the guitar output with the hi-fi stereo playback so smoothly it sounds like you are part of the band. Plenty of useful tools for songwriting, recording, and practicing, particularly the bundled Cubase AI6 Digital Audio Workstation recording and editing software, which by itself is worth hundreds of dollars. There are many stereo amps around, but I haven't come across one this small that sounds as impressive and it can get surprisingly loud with the 10 watts of output available through its two 3.15" speakers. Again, Yamaha's electronics pedigree comes in to play with what they call their "Extended Stereo Technology" and I was blown away by the broad, expansive sound coming from such a small unit, so when you're not playing through it, you can use it just for listening to any MP3 player connected via the AUX input jack.
The Yamaha THR5 also has a built-in chromatic tuner and can also operate on battery power for up to 7 hours, which along with its compact size (10.7" W x 6.6" H x 4.7" D) and light weight (4.4 lb) make it fully portable. With its attractive chevron pattern cutouts and neutral color it fits in nicely on any desk or coffee table. Yamaha have also released a free iOS App that you can use with it called THR Session that can run on compatible iPhones, iPods, iPads and lets you do things like mute the guitar and/or bass sound from songs on your device library, play just the guitar and/or bass parts and loop sections of a song to help you learn by ear. Last and some may say least, when you power it on you are greeted with an orange glow from behind the speaker grilles, imitating the effect of "warm" tubes inside (Virtual Tube Illumination). Maybe a bit of a gimmick, but given this amp's abilities I am prepared to forgive and just enjoy it for what it is - a cool, light show.
Offering guitarists a third alternative apart from a full-on stage rig and a conventional, small practice amp, the Yamaha THR5 Modeling Combo Amp is an attractive, portable amp with great sound and the hardware and software tools to record and playback at high sound quality, so it's easy to recommend especially at under $200. And for those who want extra features like user memories that allow settings to be saved and being able to use bass guitars, acoustic-electrics and non-guitar sources, click here to see my review of the Yamaha THR10.
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