MARSHALL
CODE 25
By Matt Holliman
Marshall ’ s new CODE digital modeling amps cover a wide power range , from a 100-watt head to the 25-watt combo reviewed here . As with a lot of modeling amps , the aim is ambitious : cram decades of signature Marshall tones into a single small combo . That ' s no easy feat when you ’ re working with 25 watts and a 10 " speaker . But even if the CODE 25 won ’ t prompt you to sell your vintage plexi , it ’ s an intuitive and satisfying means to explore classic Marshall textures in practice .
Spoken in Code A small LCD screen is the key to navigating CODE ' s amp models and effects ( you can operate five of the 25 onboard effects simultaneously ). You can also use it to alter the power-amp profile , change cab models , and save up to 100 presets . You don ’ t really need the instruction manual to get cruising on the CODE 25 , though . Just flip on the power switch and start cycling through the preset knob to find something tasty . The 3-band EQ , gain , and volume controls are all very straightforward and responsive , and each can be altered within presets . Effects , amp and cab simulations , and modulation can also be mixed and matched by holding down the respective switches and twisting the preset knob . If you want to save your changes and create your own presets , you simply hold down the exit / store switch . The CODE 25 interfaces with a digital audio workstation via USB , which enables use of the amp as a digital recording interface . Marshall also encourages use of the smartphone Gateway app to provide additional control , sharing , and saving options for the CODE ’ s presets . I found that tweaking parameters was much easier on the Gateway app , which provides much better visual navigation than the diminutive LCD screen .
What ’ s in the Wheelhouse With 100 presets at your fingertips , the CODE has a sound for everyone . The majority of stock patches are geared towards rock and metal , and all proved usable with single-coils and humbuckers . Some of the most basic presets are the most satisfying . Number 13 , for example , “ JCM 800 Heaven ,” is punchy and crunchy , and had me gleefully tossing Britpop power chords about with a Les Paul . Others are a little limited , such as “ Virus ,” which is based on a strange pitch-shifting sound . But overall the Marshall-Softube ( MST ) technology does a pretty decent job of nailing the ballpark tone of each amplifier modeled in the CODE . And though it can sound a touch digital at times — particularly when effects are in the mix — it ’ s easy to coax goodsounding and reasonable facsimiles of many classic Marshall sounds that more than suffice for practice , demos , and recordings where you don ’ t need a picture-perfect replication ( nor the heft ) of your classic Super Bass .
The Verdict For $ 199 , the Marshall CODE 25 is a pretty good plug-and-play amplifier that becomes exponentially more tweakable when paired with the Gateway app .
And while you ’ ll never extract the airdisplacing mass of many amps modeled within the CODE 25 , it ’ s a rewarding way to explore the spirit of those amps without bringing down walls .
Marshall CODE 25
$ 199 street marshallamps . com
Tones Ease of Use
Build / Design Value
PROS 100 Presets with lots of room to experiment . USB interface to DAW .
CONS Small LCD screen .
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122 PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2016 premierguitar . com