KVR Audio

PaullyPaull · Post by **PaullyPaull** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 10:08 pm

Hi,

I dont have a good enough mic to mic my guitar amp in order to record it, so I record it directly into my computer. I use Amplitube, an amp model VST, and I record into Ableton live, where I build the whole song. The problem is, I am not happy with the final guitar sound Im getting, no matter how I tweak Amplitube or how I EQ it. I have to add lots of effects and EQ the highs way up to get a crisp sound, but then its not fat enough, and its tweaked right out with the effects.

Out of the peeps here who record guitars, do you find that you have to mic your amp to get a studio quality sound, or are there better Amp model plugins out there that you could tell me about? Thanks

robenestobenz · Post by **robenestobenz** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:14 pm

What kind of guitar sound are you after?

Dominus · Post by **Dominus** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:31 pm

anything with Line 6 in the name will suit you well.

Guitarport is the cheapest.

bduffy · Post by **bduffy** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:38 pm

I take it you mean Amplitube 1?

I agree with Dominus; Line6 is a solid choice. I've been using my POD 2.0 for 4 years now, and I love the sound. It's even better through a good pre-amp.

Killvehicle · Post by **Killvehicle** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:58 pm

POD is decent enough,, but I ALWAYS mic to get the sound I want.. Yeah it may be a little tougher(not much) but its way more rewarding and always works better for me.. And the fact IS you can get a great guitar sound with a Shure sm57.. As long as you got an amp you like then a Shure 57 or Audix i7(I think) or a sennheiser e609 will get you there for about $100.... YEs there are countless other mics, but those can do a pro job.. ANd to me thats not that expensive, but even then you have to EQ and such,, so its not much different than Amplitube or POd,, but I find Amplitube's sound is the problem. I can gert it to sit in a mix just fine but the sound is what bothers me.. BUt here check this link out,, I did it with AMplitube (demo version) http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInf ... ID=3771476

MAy not be your type of music, but some people think its big enough,, and basically what I did was I did 4 takes of guitars ( not always necessary but 2 is generally the minimum for rock type guitars) and then I copied all of them and made a seperate setting (on Amplitube)on the coped tracks,, Therefore sort of emulating a 2 amp approach. WOrks great in real life too.. haha SO I had one track be fairly distorted, then on the coped track I cleaned it up a bunch and brought it up under the first track until it was punchy and clear,, And that track was panned hard left.. The next track I coped and did the same thing and panneed 45% left, and then same thing for 45% right and then same thing for hard right pan..SO basically there is 2 tracks for all of those pan settings.. THIs way the guitars stay huge and well defined.. Although its up to you to mix it so it sounds clean and big but this should get you started.

PaullyPaull · Post by **PaullyPaull** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:01 am

Thanks for the input......I actually own a ZOOM G2 effects pedal, and it has two algorithms, one for live playing and one for recording.....so If I patch my guitar to the G2, and the G2 into my computer, is that something that would act like the POD??

Killvehicle · Post by **Killvehicle** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:06 am

Try it, but Zoom is something I could not be into, but try it.. It may be waht your after, but the SOUND is what will be shit.. POD does a good job for what it is and the cost.. I'm not a huge fan of it but I would buy a POD over AMplitube or Guitar RIg any day.. And the zoom is basically just putting that option on their pedal becasue its whats "in" right now.. THey know everyone is direct recording, but somehow I would doubt it is really streamlined to be a great D.I device..

manytone · Post by **manytone** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:06 am

PaullyPaull wrote:Thanks for the input......I actually own a ZOOM G2 effects pedal, and it has two algorithms, one for live playing and one for recording.....so If I patch my guitar to the G2, and the G2 into my computer, is that something that would act like the POD??

Well with proper settings it should do a hell of a lot better than just running your guitar directly in. It is always best to preamp a guitar in some way. I don't think it sounds much like a Pod though but will give you a better starting point. Try adding your amplitube after if needed to shape the sound, once that you have preamped and recorded.

Paul

donkey tugger · Post by **donkey tugger** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:11 am

Depends what you're after. Sometimes (most times!) a shoddy geetar sound is what I'm going for. I can still get a 'nice' (i.e. boring) tone if I want too. It's mostly about how you play it, plus a bit of creative eq. Too many kants put too much emphasis on amps and the like.

Oh aye, I always plug the f**ker straight in the soundcard.

PaullyPaull · Post by **PaullyPaull** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 1:05 am

thanks folks

lfm · Post by **lfm** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 9:08 am

If you not have tried Izotope Trash you might like it, if you really are into experimenting to find your sound.

www.izotope.com

It's a real toolbox. Download the demo and the guitar guide pdf.

If you like me works very systematically you might enjoy the tool I made for it, to be able to sort presets on cabinets, or distortion type etc.

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... ight=trash

susiwong · Post by **susiwong** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 9:46 am

Obviously, miking a decent loud amp is the best way most of the time.
Unfortunately, software amp simulations, while cheap and flexible, are still the worst (well, maybe after plugging a distortion pedal straight into the board).
Amp modellers are a bit better (I much prefer the Tonelab over Line6).
But if you want "real" credible guitar sounds and need that playing feel and dynamics of a real amp without the volume, try a real tube preamp.
You will be amazed at the difference.
Great sounding examples are Marshall JMP-1, all MESA preamps, especially the Studio, Soldano SP-77 (+ external speaker sim) and probably some others I forgot.
And if you're on a tight budget, the best kept secret is the cheesy old HK Tubeman 1. Dirt cheap s/h and sounding just great direct. Costs a fraction of Guitar Rig or Amplitube, but what a difference ! Combined with the free Classic FX you can get real tone with playing dynamics. Not as flashy looking, though

Ymmv,
susiwong

Amberience · Post by **Amberience** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 9:50 am

I've been using Izotope Trash - obliterates all the competition in my ears/eyes/balls

You don't NEED to mic to get a good sound, that's a purists fallacy.

zeoy · Post by **zeoy** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 10:16 am

Amberience wrote:You don't NEED to mic to get a good sound, that's a purists fallacy.

I agree, but you do need to mic your amp if you want to capture your amp's sound.
My fav so far is (what a surprise

) simulanalog suite plus one or more compressors/EQ/cab sims.
But yeah Trash sounds great indeed. Other good soft options if you dont mind the locking methods should be Waves GTR and Amplitube 2

Amberience · Post by **Amberience** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 10:31 am

Of course, if you want to get the sound of the amp as a whole, then mic. Doesn't automatically mean you'll get a good sound, and I believe we all know this.

I like the Simulanalog too, I should use them more.

recording guitars