Recording Trademark Licks the Easy Way!
November 23, 2009 | Posted by Billy Penn 
I’ve been doing a bit of recording lately in my home studio and instead of using a mic on a guitar amp I have been using my Tech 21 Trademark 30 going direct. I am sort of old school when it comes to guitar gear and more times than not the “old school” approach sounds and feels better to me….tube amps, wooden guitars, analog pedals, you get the idea.
My little Trademark 30 was another late night impulse ebay deal. I always wanted to try one so I hit the panic button and a few days later it was on my porch……(I love getting new gear!!). I really just thought it would make a good amp for my office and deliver a bunch of good sounds, plus it’s analog and all the Tech 21 gear I have tried sounded good. The Trademark 30 is no exception. It’s a good little amp!
Besides being a great amp for my office, it records really well. No microphone needed with the XLR direct out which is basically a SansAmp. There is also a ground lift switch in case you get a ground loop hum. So far I have used this in my little studio for a few months now and it sounds fantastic every time. All the sounds that I need are there and with a few “board” tweaks you can shape it up even further. I have dialed up some nasty overdrive sounds, raw and heated blues sounds, country sounds with my Teles and even some warm clean jazz tones. And the built in spring reverb sounds great.
A friend of mine owns and operates a studio and he uses the baby brother Trademark 10 (which is discontinued btw). It is the same amp except it has a little less power and an 8” speaker but the same great sounds with the direct SansAmp XLR. He calls it his secret weapon. Whenever he cuts guitar tracks he always takes a direct line from the guitar for some re-amping. He spends some time getting the guitar players sounds and records their personal amps as well as the direct signal. If need be he just uses the direct signal and re-amps it through the Trademark and more often than not the re-amped track through the Trademark sounds better! Clearer, more present and still has depth and character. He had to stop telling players his little secret because they were getting upset but all agreed that the mighty little Trademark sounded…gulp…better.
If you want to lean as much toward “old school” as possible without using a bunch of digital programs or rack units for guitar sounds then why not give the little trademark 30 a go? It’s small, lightweight and very versatile. I may never know how it will fare on a gig but I can tell you that it totally rocks for recording. Take that, tube snobs! Wait a minute, what am I saying…I’m one of them!
Click here to visit Tech 21 for more info on the Trademark 30.
Tags: Amplifier, Guitar, Tech 21, Trademark 30 | 
View Comments
I’ve tried both the Trademark 10 and 30 and they’re both surprisingly good! I played them right next to some Fender tube amps and they held their own with a very tube-like feel. The 30 is good for small gigs too if you run the output to the PA. I was a little disappointed in their larger amps because I didn’t like the sound as much as the smaller amps but Tech 21 still be getting my money when my Power Engine arrives in a few weeks.
Hi Peter- Thanks for stopping by 300guitars!!! So are you saying that you are going to use your Trademark 10 and 30 through a Power Engine? That sounds like a great rig!!! -Billy
I’m actually going to be using my Line 6 POD X3L through the Power Engine but the Power Engine would be a great way to make the T10 or T30 loud enough for the stage! Hmm…
I never could get along with the digital gear. I think your trademark amps would sound awesome through the Power Engine. Please post back when you try it!!! -Billy
hi man, thanks for directing me from youtube here. Nice article, I really enjoyed it. In fact the trademark 30 is on it’s way now – pushed the button several minutes ago… can’t wait
Hi rasomaso- Thanks for visiting my Youtube channel and here at 300guitars!!! Im glad I could help you with your decision. The folks over at Tech 21 are cool and they make a great product.
Please le me know if you have any more questions or anything….I will help you out if I can!!
-Billy
Hi,
I was wondering about the gain on the Trademark 30. Is it high enough for metal? Or will a distortion pedal sound good with the amp?
And is it loud enough by itself to practice with a drummer?
Thanks,
I’ve heard nothing but good reviews about this amp!
Steven
Hi Steven- Thanks for visiting 300guitars!!!! I think that there is enough gain for metal in the British or Calif settings. You could use a pedal with it as well……pedals sound great with this amp.
It’s hard to say if it will be loud enough though. If you are playing loud metal then I would say not but there is the Sansamp xlr out to run to a PA or another power amp or something.
I think you would be happy with it!!
-Billy
I have been using A Silvertone (1482 diamond cutout I think) with vintage MXR effects units.
I also ran across one of my first amps I owned and loved that was stolen, a Legend A30 made
in NY back in the early 80′s. Long story short, I was searching for a great sound on a budget
that I could depend on for gigging and even had a Bugera v22 on backorder. I decided on the
Tech 21 instead and it should be shipping today. I had been a little unsure about buying the
made in China Bugera and once I heard the Tech 21 demo I was glad I changed my order.
Looking forward to getting it!
Hi David- Thanks for visiting 300guitars!!! I like the Trademark 30 especially for recording. I hope it works for you. Let me know how you like it after you use it for a while. It’s a cool little amp! -Billy