Anybody using a Computer for Effects/modelling?

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guitarrob

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I have been playing with a few modellers/effects units latley using a new usb interface and I was wondering how such effects systems are received by the members around here?

Are you for or against PC/Laptop based effect systems?
 
Re: Anybody using a Computer for Effects/modelling?

I have tried messing around with the Revalver demo on my computer for recording and I find it pretty good, but not as good as recording with a real amp and mic or even a POD HD. But lots of people seem to be making some good recordings with modeling on their computers.
 
Re: Anybody using a Computer for Effects/modelling?

In my free time I want as little to do with computers as possible.
 
Re: Anybody using a Computer for Effects/modelling?

I like 'em. Great for practice, making up stuff, my type of (slightly rough/demo-type) recordings.
 
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Re: Anybody using a Computer for Effects/modelling?

There's plenty of studios using modelers for reamping purposes. If you can't get a good sound, you're doing something wrong.

That said, I've found Revalver gives me the sounds I need.
 
Re: Anybody using a Computer for Effects/modelling?

I generally don't use modeling, but effects definitely. Any effect that would normally go in the effects loop I just add on the computer. Reverb, chorus, flanging, etc are much more controllable if you add them to the mix in post, and there are lots of great plugins for them. I do sometimes add a little extra distortion, usually using izotope trash or the built in amp models in logic. Trash is great, one of the most unique distortion modeling programs out there.
 
Re: Anybody using a Computer for Effects/modelling?

dominus said:
There's plenty of studios using modelers for reamping purposes. If you can't get a good sound, you're doing something wrong.

That said, I've found Revalver gives me the sounds I need.
Click to expand...
Guitar Rig and Amplitube are great ones also.
Modellers are being used more by bands these days also. I read an interview that said AC/DC's latest album used amp modelling on the guitar tracks.

Which surprised me as those guys are really old school in their approach to guitar sound.
IIRC, they are both using Amplitube.
 
Re: Anybody using a Computer for Effects/modelling?

I use Guitar Rig Free Edition alot, for most of my practicing due to having housemates (Peavey Rage 158 is way too loud for them mind my Head and Cab). I also use it for recording alot of ideas. The free edition with a bit of experimenting can get some pretty cool tones from classic marshall rock to jangly chorusy stuff to weird special fx. Anyone with an interface should download it. I am thinking of using the included tube compressor module on the guitar tracks of my bands demos (which were recorded with my amp, a peavey classic 30 and a VOX Ac30). Also I think the DMM emulation on there sounds beautiful, I have never played the original so dont know how close it is but it sounds better then any digital delay pedal I've played (Im guessing the Strymon and Eventide probably do sound better but havent got to play them).
 
Re: Anybody using a Computer for Effects/modelling?

Guitar Rig 5 and Overloud TH2 are both very good. Both have free demos, so you can check them out.
 
Re: Anybody using a Computer for Effects/modelling?

Am I the only one who found Guitar Rig complicated to use?
 
Re: Anybody using a Computer for Effects/modelling?

I'm not sure what he uses but Everdrone makes some pretty badass music with some program.
 
Re: Anybody using a Computer for Effects/modelling?

lex666 said:
Am I the only one who found Guitar Rig complicated to use?
Click to expand...

I only found it complicated initially for setting up split rigs. Dual amps etc.

What I really like about it is the ability to set up multiple cabs per amp with adjustable mic selection and placement for each cab.

You can get that wide/huge guitar sound in a single amp setup by just running 2 or more different 4x12 cab models panned hard left and right.
 
Re: Anybody using a Computer for Effects/modelling?

Ball&Chain said:
I only found it complicated initially for setting up split rigs. Dual amps etc.

What I really like about it is the ability to set up multiple cabs per amp with adjustable mic selection and placement for each cab.

You can get that wide/huge guitar sound in a single amp setup by just running 2 or more different 4x12 cab models panned hard left and right.
Click to expand...

I dont set up multiple cabs per amp with adjustable mic posistions, so I wouldnt use that.
POD farm is really straight forward to use, and has good sound. I just pull up an amp, adjust the same controls I would on a real amp, and record.
For that big sound I do each rhythm take twice. Once with a JCM800 panned 75% left and once with a super lead panned 75% right. No need for delay, or reverb since that all kinda happens naturally. Just 2 really dry tracks, with lower than expected drive levels.
Works for me.
 
Re: Anybody using a Computer for Effects/modelling?

I'm not sure its even possible to set up multiple cabs per amp in POD Farm. You can set up 1 cab per amp in a dual amp setup. Thats a big advantage to guirar rig imo.

Another advantage is the cabs simms sound alot more realistic.

The biggest advantage is the guitar rig models are more responsive and you can use your volume control to advantage, unlike pod farm, when you turn down the volume you get garbage.

POD farm isnt even close, imo.

Also forgot to mention that the guitar rig stock patches are useable right out of the box. That in itself makes it easier to use. Just find a patch you like and go.
 
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Re: Anybody using a Computer for Effects/modelling?

lex666 said:
Am I the only one who found Guitar Rig complicated to use?
Click to expand...
Possibly, I think it is like any big effect system though, lots of parameters make it very flexible but also take some time to get to the point you can use it easily.
The ones I tried have tone of effects, amp models so that is a tone of different settings and configurations. If you want quick tones, just go through the presets finding the ones you like and save them all to a new folder. This way you can get to the sounds you like easily.
 
Re: Anybody using a Computer for Effects/modelling?

Ball&Chain said:
I'm not sure its even possible to set up multiple cabs per amp in POD Farm. You can set up 1 cab per amp in a dual amp setup. Thats a big advantage to guirar rig imo.

Another advantage is the cabs simms sound alot more realistic.

The biggest advantage is the guitar rig models are more responsive and you can use your volume control to advantage, unlike pod farm, when you turn down the volume you get garbage.

POD farm isnt even close, imo.

Also forgot to mention that the guitar rig stock patches are useable right out of the box. That in itself makes it easier to use. Just find a patch you like and go.
Click to expand...
To each his own I suppose. I dont really see an advantage to having multiple cabs per amp when recording. 2 tracks per take always seems to sound better TO ME

I haven't heard enough of a difference in tones to convince me to switch. I am not saying that there isn't a difference, but unless I was using this to produce a finished product I cant see a reason to switch. Plus POD farm was free with the hardware.

I also don't see much (if any) advantage to manipulating guitar volume when recording. I use it live to change the sound during different sections of the song, but when recorded i do each section separate anyway.

In POD farm, I start with a blank patch and pick the amp and adjust to taste. I really don't see how it could be more simple. I generally even just use the cab that is selected automatically.

Maybe its just the JCM800 and the Super lead patches are good, and the ones you use aren't so good on POD farm.
 
Re: Anybody using a Computer for Effects/modelling?

They are all usable outside just recording. I use modelling software 95% of my practice time as well. So, the sound, dynamics and better flexibility in cabs makes a huge difference. Id say just in quality of the amp models alone, guitar rig has pod farm beat easily.
 
Re: Anybody using a Computer for Effects/modelling?

Ball&Chain said:
They are all usable outside just recording. I use modelling software 95% of my practice time as well. So, the sound, dynamics and better flexibility in cabs makes a huge difference. Id say just in quality of the amp models alone, guitar rig has pod farm beat easily.
Click to expand...

Yeah I do not use POD farm outside of recording. I can see how multiple cabs per amp could make a difference there, as well as the other things you mentioned.
I do use my POD HD, but it is much improved from POD farm. It does respond well to volume roll off. I still don't need the multiple cab thing, since I always play with a second guitarist who uses a slightly different tone than me anyway.
And again you don't use the stock patches in POD HD. Just start with a blank patch and add your amp of choice and adjust as a real amp (since there is gain, bass, middle , treble, presence and volume knobs right on the front)
Add effects as wanted. Its a far cry from the POD XT we used to use. It sounded good, but only after a lot of adjusting. Its easy to get a great sound quick with the HD
 
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