Working with ampsims - tips & tricks

[metalifuxx3]

How do I configure Boogex so I here only the cab impulse and not the amp?

I haven't used Boogex in a while, but I believe if you turn the "DRY POST CAB" (lower right corner) down all the way to -00db it will only output the convolved cab impulse signal.

Personally for easier setup without all the EQ tweaking and all the other buttons in the way, I use the keFIR impulse loader, which is zero latency, mono only, just turn the mix knob to 100%, and make sure the length is set long enough so you don't hear clicks.
http://www.kvraudio.com/get/2775.html

I think a default setting for boogex is to have the Tone knob all the way down as well. This has been discussed in other threads too, so someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

And a great site for cab impulses is http://www.guitarampmodeling.com

[ynot]

as far as latency goes,i use a L6 tone port for direct monitoring to not deal w/ it and record both outputs,the amp sim one (monitored through gear box/pod farm but not the DAW) and the direct one (w/ monitoring off) to two seperate tracks.that way i can add any amp sim i have to the direct track and choose which (or both) track(s) to keep.im not sure if just the gear box plugin's di allows you to record both signals or not but if it does,it would be a cheap alternative to allow for tone direct monitoring and give you extra amp sims as well.

[metalifuxx3]

And if you are committing to a certain tone, you can also try an overdrive/distortion pedal before the soundcard/DI, to use along with the amp sim or just try it into a cab impulse.

[metalifuxx3]

I like to use my amp head's PREAMP LINE OUT into an impulse. But if you have a an amp head with this feature make sure the amps speaker out is going to the cab as well, or you could blow an output transformer in the amp's power section. You can use the speaker out only with a powersoak, like the THD Hotplate, that splits the signal, so that it goes to the cab and as well as the DI. Hink knows the proper reasoning for this and maybe some other suggestions to the THD Hotplate. But don't try this unless you have follow the first procedure of have one of these boxes, or it could permanently break your nice tube amp, or be a very costly mistake.

[metalifuxx3]

If you have multiple guitars with different pickups, experimentation is the key. I have both a Squire (Japan made) Strat with 3 single coils, and also a Les Paul with humbuckers. Different ampsims will react differently with different pickups, and if you just judge tone based on ampsim presets, most of the time those presets were designed to work with whatever pickup the preset creator was using.

[metalifuxx3]

I like Line 6's preset info where it lets you know what kind of pickup was used to create that specific preset, and position etc. Again useful for auditioning tones or trying to emulate someones signature tone, but you probabally want to tweak it to your taste and how your guitar is going to react to it.

[Dean Aka Nekro]

Even if your valve amp does not have a pre-amp out there is a way - make sure as metalliflux stated you keep your speakers attached as the amp needs to see a load or yep you will f**k it good and proper. Anyway by using your Amps FX Loop (something i do with one of my all-valve amp heads a marshall JCM2000 DSL50) is take the send/FX Loop out and pipe that directly into a line input on my interface and it works a treat (sent at nominal line level via a switch oppose to the lower level position intended for use with regular stompbox pedals). Some amps FX Loop's expect to see a return jack plugged in otherwise they remain silent, if so just stick a spare jack end into the return socket to remedy this. (As their are so many amps about its best to consult your manual to see exactly how your amps fx loop plays ball

[Hink]

spare jack end

otherwise known as a plug

[hibidy]

In staying with the amp sim arena, the two biggest things are experimentation (that is along with your music) and understanding properties.

For example, I've got these absolutely KILLER presets that will make you knees go weak and buckle, but they might SUCK in the mix. You have to understand the properties of what is realistic for the type of music and amount of parts, etc.

Here's another tip for making "pro" guitar parts with sims......record with the sims OFF! Yep, that's right, only have the guitar part dry as what you hear. It's not sexy, I hate doing it, but there is a good chance you'll nail the part better. THEN (the sexy part) you can go through amps, cabs, whatever and hear what works as opposed to constantly trying to get that "tone". Saves allot of time in the tracking process!

[shanecgriffo]

i sometimes like to whack a studio mic pointing near the strings and record that as well.. dial in a little for a more lively tone
I do it especially for my variax if i'm using the acoustic sound but it works with some electric tones too.

[Dean Aka Nekro]

spare jack end

otherwise known as a plug

Well erm what i actual use for the purpose is part of a cable that my Dog (an italian greyhound fwiw) chewed through the same day i bought it, so i cut it down to just the jack end/plug Bloody pest is my hell hound hink i tell you my friend! (but apart from being a pest, he is great and i love him alot. Man's best friend and all)

Yeah NEKRO.MACHINE is in fact an animal lover and a big softie really - end of confession

Thanks for chipping in with some advice mate, this is a very useful topic and hopefully we can build up quite a wealth of information via one other

BTW: Check out Bare Knuckle Pick ups (they are seriously good, i think susi and yourself will really like what they have to offer. Other than that im an EMG man myself and also use active seymour's too. I always use Alnico V Magnets but im tempted to try a set of Alnico IIX's out by seymour (pickup slut lol).

I have a set of Bare Knuckle Warpig's and they are awesome as well as a set of Nailbomb's which are equally awesome guys but they cater for every taste and everything is scatter wound by hand)

[zeoy]

Use an Eq to cut/boost specific freqs BEFORE tha ampsim and then use a second Eq AFTER the ampsim to adjust for the changes introduced by the first one (that usually means to use exactly the opposite settings)

btw the FX loop tip NEKRO mentioned works great for me too

PS: just remembered my fav trick. Use a Bass Cab IR instead of a Guitar Cab IR in Boogex or whatever else you use for convolution. Result = Instant KYUSS

[susiwong]

Thanks for all that great and varied advice, folks ! Keep it coming !

Let me add two more units to Nekro's NR list:
-- Rocktron Hush 2000, a studio version of the Hush 2CX, symmetrical IO, more detailed adjustment options etc
-- Behringer SNR 2000, a slightly improved rip-off of the Rocktron, built like a tank, audio quality even better than the Rocktron, individual bypass switches for the sections and better metering
Both are high end, completely transparent 2ch units, long discontinued but can be had cheap s/h, not only for guitar but cool for denoising tapes or synths or whatever
My Rocktron has an annoying mechanical hum from the PSU (not in the signal) so I have to keep it sandwiched with rubber foam between two other 19"ers, then it's silent. Still I tend to prefer the Behringer.
-- that said, for low to mid gain it's often better to record without any NR at all imho

Cheers,
susiwong

Nekro, when trying A2 pickups make sure you can give them back, they might easily be too mellow for you.
I love them dearly (several guitars with Pearly Gates and 57 Classics), but that's for bluesy and classic rock sounds

[robogone]

If you're building your own presets to emulate another guitarist and you have a multi band EQ available, run sounds that you're trying to emulate through a frequency analyzer and note any HP, LP or BP in the analysis. That way you can emulate tone more easily without trial and error.

[zerocrossing]

...I've got these absolutely KILLER presets that will make you knees go weak and buckle, but they might SUCK in the mix. You have to understand the properties of what is realistic for the type of music and amount of parts, etc.

I agree whole heartedly. Most gear/software always comes with what I call "sales presets" designed purely to show off and get you to buy. The only place these patches are usually good are in intros or solos.

I have two methods. They both start with me making a loop using Mobius, Angstrolooper or Augustus Loop. Jamstix will usually be taking care of the drums (not in the loop) and then I'll start finding my synth sounds and audition them one at a time. This way each element is always up against your other sounds. When I'm ready for guitar I just build the patch from scratch if I know what I want, or (my second method) sometimes I'll patch surf until I find something that's in the ballpark and then tweak it until it fits nicely in the mix. More often than not it means rolling off the bass tone a lot and turning down things like delay and reverb.

Here's another tip for making "pro" guitar parts with sims......record with the sims OFF! Yep, that's right, only have the guitar part dry as what you hear. It's not sexy, I hate doing it, but there is a good chance you'll nail the part better. THEN (the sexy part) you can go through amps, cabs, whatever and hear what works as opposed to constantly trying to get that "tone". Saves allot of time in the tracking process!

I whole heartedly disagree! A lot of why I love electronic music is that each patch turns my instrument into something new. Whether it's a synth or a guitar patch, the sound will totally effect my playing. On the simplest level this can be sustain. I can't imagine holding a note and imagining the howling feedback that'll happen in the future while I listen to my crappy naked guitar tone. A patch with a nice ping-pong delay will make me play a lot less notes than if the delay wasn't there.

As for latency... I rarely notice it. I think I'm so used to the years of performing where you're often fairly far from your amp anyway that you automatically learn to internally compensate. When I switch from my Vox Tonelab to Amplitube I do notice it for a minute or two, but it quickly just becomes a characteristic of the instrument I'm playing.

My last tip is don't be afraid to move outside the sim for sound. I've got great sounds using Uhbik, CamelPhat and a lot of other audio effects. Not your natural style of sound, but interesting. Also, I'm fairly quick to abandon Amplitube's rack effects and go with another VST especially when I need something more experimental.