REVV D20 claims to be a ‘pedal platform amp,’ but does it actually deliver and work well with pedals? I’ve had my D20 for a year now, and it’s time to find out whether it’s still good.
Disclaimer: Even though I have worked with REVV on numerous videos, I bought this amp with my own money. No one from the company asked me to create this video and the company does not get to see the post/video before it is released.
(The video above was initially released on June 9th, 2021.)
How I’ve used it during the year
I got my D20 during COVID times, so I only used it as a studio amp. 99% of the time, I’ve used the Two Notes Torpedo XLR output straight into my audio interface with great results.
I’ve recorded everything from John Mayer-style country pop stuff to B-standard tuned metal with excellent results.
How To Make The REVV D20 Sound Huge And More Dynamic
For a 20-watt ‘lunchbox’ amp, the D20 can sound massive. While the EQ on the amp is powerful, the secret for a big sound is pulling out the Gain knob. According to REVV themselves, pulling out the Gain knob introduces an EQ lift and makes the amp sound bigger and more dynamic. To hear the difference, I recommend checking the video above.
Why The REVV D20 Is Great For Recording
This might sound obvious, but the D20 shines in the recording environment. The ability to run an XLR cable from your amp directly into your audio interface is a huge time saver and helps me to get consistent sounds every time.
You basically get the best of both worlds with the convenience of ‘silent’ recording while still retaining that tube amp sound and feel that I love. Having a D20 also helps to keep the rest of your family happy.
While the amp itself doesn’t have multiple channels or gain stages, using different cabinets adds a lot of variety to the tones you are able to get. Different speaker cabinets make a massive difference to the tones you’re getting, and with the Two Notes Torpedo embedded in the amp, you’ll get some of the best cabinet models out there.
The amp itself runs on two 6v6 tubes, but you can disable those with the pre/post switch and use virtual power amp simulation in the Two Notes software. I personally haven’t used it that much because I felt it doesn’t make that much of a difference. But your mileage may vary, and maybe swapping to EL84’s gives you that 5% extra to your tone you’ve been missing.
Using REVV D20 Live
During my first year with the D20, I didn’t get to use it live even once (thanks COVID). Based on my experience using it in my studio both with a real cabinet and the XLR out, I wouldn’t have any doubts taking it with me to a band rehearsal, for example. Even though the amp is ‘only’ 20 watts, it gets very loud.
And because of its design, it’s easy to set up a dual monitoring setup: You can run a speaker cable from your amp into your cabinet and monitor yourself from there. But you can also run an XLR cable from the amp to your PA system so other band members can hear you.
Is The REVV D20 Good?
I personally feel this amp is in the perfect middle ground between fully analog and fully digital guitar solutions. It’s loud, lightweight, has a nice reclining handle, and all Alpha series amps now ship with a carrying bag as well.
Overall, I don’t really have anything negative to say about this amp. It has worked great with every pedal I’ve thrown at it and has allowed me to get consistent high-quality tones in my studio.
I do also understand that with the price of this amp, you could get a great modeler to be your full rig. But for someone who grew up playing tube amps and loves tweaking sounds with physical pedals, the D20 is an absolute must-have.
If you want to get your own REVV D20 and support what I do, you can use the affiliate links below:
►►Get REVV D20 at Thomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/459822?offid=1&affid=394
►►Get REVV D20 at Sweetwater: https://www.sweetwater.sjv.io/DK0P4a
►►Download My Jam Tracks, Lessons and more here: https://www.catpickstudios.com
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