Direct Recording

[benbenben]

Just wondering, whats a decently priced, good value amp modeller, preamp thing (sorry, dunno what the correct name should be). I don't need it to be too complicated. A few amp models and speaker simulations. So i can record some stuff, esp when its late at night and i can't crank my amp.
the pod?
the v-amp?

 

[drpietrzak]

Re: Direct Recording

There are a number of options out there. It depends on what you want to do. I hae a PowerBlock, Preamp and PODXT. All can work fine for it. As the Preamp setup is the newest (though used equipment) it is the one I am having the most fun with right now.

Womanizer/Deamonizer (~$279)
PODXT (~$399)
Used preamp/ADA Microcab (~$200US for a Tube preamp and Microcab)
Crate PowerBlock (~199)
Tonelab (?)

Dale

 

[benbenben]

Re: Direct Recording

Any specific brands in terms of the tube preamps?

 

[benbenben]

Re: Direct Recording

The V-amp any good?

 

[gordon_39422]

Re: Direct Recording

As far as GOOD, you'll have to let you ears do the test, if at all possible... Some of the modellers sound impressively real... Others sound VERY digital with a metallic overtone, not in a good way!

The tonelab sounds REALLY good... The tube pre warms things up a bit before it even hits the amp/mixer.... Unfortunately, they weren't on the market when I bought my processor, so I ended up with the Digitech GNX3. The tones are also useful for direct recording and practicing, but not sure how useful it would be for live gigs into a power amp or direct input to the mix...

Also, think about the interface on them... Some of the systems are set up for desktop, so you dial in the tones each time you use them. They usually have a Use Preset, but you have to acces that by twisting as well. The Tonelab, The Digitech GNX series, The PodXT Live, and a few others are setup like a pedalboard for switching on the fly. A handy feature whether playing live or just farting around on the PC.

Also, look at the ouputs... Some have just a headphone/line out where others have multiple sources of output including USB2 and/ or S/PDIF....

Just a few suggestions on the matter... There are small differences that help constitute price differences, so be sure to look under the hood before you buy. The old adage goes, Ya get what ya pay for..

Good Luck on the purchase,
Allen

 

[YJM_Rocks]

Re: Direct Recording

I'm liking the POD XT. The sound quality is great recorded. I like mine so far.

 

[greendy123]

Re: Direct Recording

You might want to look into the line6 toneport too. It costs around $100, but it a computer only interface. You need at least a recent computer by at least 3-4 years to use properly. It has some of the models that the podXTs/bassXTs have.

 

[drpietrzak]

Re: Direct Recording

For tube preamps there are a lot of options. It depends ont he tone you are looking for. Peavey Rockmaster, Carvin Quad 4 are a couple of options. ADA MP-1 and MP-2 are options. You can actually get a JMP-1 for ~$500 on resonably often. I have a Digitech GFX-1 (90's Twin Tube that I like) I paid $80. It does clean to classic and/or 80's rock well.

The Womanizer and Deamonizer are great sounding 1 channel options as well and then you do not need the cab emulor. They also take pedals well.

So it is a matter of what you want to do here and what your ears tell you.

 

[benbenben]

Re: Direct Recording

I guess i'm trying to keep price at a minimum cause it'll be just a side recording thing. Cause there are times when its late when i can't crack it or i just don't feel like using my amp. I mean as long as i can get reasonable tones from it, i'll be happy. I wouldnt mind the Pod Xt and Tonelabs, but i guess i'm trying to stay from the multi effects. Something that'll process my pedals well. and straight into the computer. I don't want to spend too much, prob around 200-300 US.

 

[Artie]

Re: Direct Recording

If you can find one on eBay, its hard to beat a Johnson J-Station. Lots of great sounding models, cabs, reverbs, effects. Stereo headphone out, stereo line out, S/PDIF out, MIDI in/out/thru.

The only downside is that support is sparse.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Direct Recording

I guess i'm trying to keep price at a minimum cause it'll be just a side recording thing. Cause there are times when its late when i can't crack it or i just don't feel like using my amp. I mean as long as i can get reasonable tones from it, i'll be happy. I wouldnt mind the Pod Xt and Tonelabs, but i guess i'm trying to stay from the multi effects. Something that'll process my pedals well. and straight into the computer. I don't want to spend too much, prob around 200-300 US.

I've seen the V-amp highly regarded at homerecording.com. There's been some really nice guitar sounds done with it, metal and clean. If you were on a super-duper budget, I'd just get Behringer's clone of the Sansamp. It's a V-amp series foot effect. It's got a few different amps, a few different cabs, and tone controls. No effects. Plus I think it has a speaker emulator circuitry too. And it's like $30. I thought about getting it, but I already use a Line 6 head or just a pedal and a DI box to go direct so I have enough toyz.

 

[heymcz]

Re: Direct Recording

I guess i'm trying to keep price at a minimum cause it'll be just a side recording thing. Cause there are times when its late when i can't crack it or i just don't feel like using my amp. I mean as long as i can get reasonable tones from it, i'll be happy. I wouldnt mind the Pod Xt and Tonelabs, but i guess i'm trying to stay from the multi effects. Something that'll process my pedals well. and straight into the computer. I don't want to spend too much, prob around 200-300 US.

I use Guitar Tracks Pro 3 by Cakewalk. The software modeler it comes with is called Amplitube LE, and it's just okay. But it takes raw audio from the mic port directly from your guitar and runs it through the amp sim. All you need is a $3adaptor to go from 1/4" to mini. No other hardware required, so it's hard to beat the convenience. The software only costs $150.

 

[FamousForSustain]

Re: Direct Recording

The V-amp any good?

A buddy of mine has this and it's kinda blah in what little experience I have playing with it. It reminds me of the ZOOM 505 effects pedal: it does all sorts of things, but it really doesn't excel at most of them. Not impossible to coax a good sound out of either, though

 

[G&Legacy]

Re: Direct Recording

M-audio Blackbox! With firmware upgrade (free). You get tones of amp models effects and drumbeats. Plus a couple bass amps. Everything is tweakable and easily tweakable.

 

[larry_emder]

Re: Direct Recording

V-amp is fine if you are on a budget and it will do what you want. My fave feature of it is the aux in, allowing you to jam along with records

Podxt is a little better, but along similar lines (but more variety of sounds and more effects)

 

[these_go211]

Re: Direct Recording

i just bought a pod xt from gtr center (san jose) for $260. sounds better than the pod 2.0. but if you don't need all the bazillion effects and amp models try the v-stack:
http://www.v-stack.com/features.htm $199. all analog. works as a pedal or preamp to go right into your computer. i love mine. in fact, i raved about it last year on this very forum. very low noise. really great sound. and i've had to contact them a few times with questions and the guy has gotten right back to me. so add good customer service too.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Direct Recording

If you're using a tube amp, I'd suggest a hotplate and a HK Red Box. It's a bit more than a POD but it lets you record your current rig at zero volume. As a bonus, you'll have an attenuator for general use, too.

 

[benbenben]

Re: Direct Recording

Yup, these sound good. I'm just a lil bit shaken as i don't want them to have like 16 amp models, and 50 cab sims and 150+ effects. are there any which are totally stripped down and as simple as they get, cause i find the more choice i have, the more picky i get and i get less satisfied.

 

[benbenben]

Re: Direct Recording

The V stack sounds alright, is what im looking for a preamp with a cab sim? Is that essentially what im look for?

aleclee, that suggestion sounds awesome and i'd like to try it, but for this lil purchase, i wanna spend as little as possible. I don't think i'll need an attenuator YET, as my combo isn't that high wattage that i need to totally crank it to get its sweet spot. But definately when i get a new amp, i might invest in something like that. What does the HK red box do?

 

[aleclee]

Re: Direct Recording

aleclee, that suggestion sounds awesome and i'd like to try it, but for this lil purchase, i wanna spend as little as possible. I don't think i'll need an attenuator YET, as my combo isn't that high wattage that i need to totally crank it to get its sweet spot. But definately when i get a new amp, i might invest in something like that. What does the HK red box do?

Just keep in mind that spending less in the short term could well end up costing you more over time. Of course, you can't spend $$ you don't have.

The Red Box is a speaker simulator. About the size of a stompbox, it's a great sounding substitute for a miked speaker cab. I scored mine off evilBay for ~ $70.

You'd run the amp into the hotplate to provide a load to the amp. You'd then run the hotplate's line out to the red box to simulate the miked speaker cab.

In this application, a Weber Load Dump (they come in 25/50/100W models) might provide a more cost effective alternative since you can score a 50W WLD for $75.