Second amp to match/supplement Orange AD30 in recording

[skottymcmuff]

Hi fellas,

this is a first for me. So if I'm making any mistakes, let me know ;-)

My band will be recording our first full length later this year, and I've been rambling on a lot about guitar tones.
We're a three piece band, post-alternative punk-ish stuff. I figured that I've used a tad too much gain in the past, and didn't really get "wide" tones in past recordings.
I've been thinking a lot about a two-amp setup, for all the main guitars - one amp/cab panned left and left-mid, the other one right and right-mid to simulate a more typical "two guitars" set-up a band would have.
Therefore, I'm looking for an amp to rightfully supplement my Orange AD30, which is the only amps I now own basically.

I have three cabs at my hand for recording - a Mesa 212 with V30s, an Orange 212 Closed Back with V30s and a DV Mark Neo 412.
We will most likely have a typical sortiment of mics for recording (several SM57s, MD421, a Heil PR30, maybe a Rode NT-1 for cleans)

Which amp would you recommend to match my Orange?
I'm looking for a good crunch and clean tone - not into high-gain stuff, and I'm typically using Fender guitars with mid-output humbuckers and a few SC Teles.
I've been thinking a lot about Fender amps - Super Sonic 22 or even the new Bassbreaker ones?
I definitely have my absolute limits at about 1700€ (German dude here, about 2000$)...

What can you guys recommend for me?? Really interested in all of your recommendations!

Thanks from Germany,
Skotty

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Second amp to match/supplement Orange AD30 in recording

Will you be using a professional studio, or recording it yourselves? You have to make sure that you watch the phase of the second amplifier; sometimes different amplifiers have different polarity on the output.

 

[skottymcmuff]

Re: Second amp to match/supplement Orange AD30 in recording

In between, sort of.
We will be recording with a friend of ours in anothers friend's studio he built in his basement.
It's not a "prefessional" studio per se, and not highly expensive for us, but these guys know what they do, they've recorded several albums - so we're always watching for phase issues

We will also have it mixed and mastered in a professional studio afterwards.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Second amp to match/supplement Orange AD30 in recording

No need to buy a new amp IMO. If you have that many guitar/ mic/ cab choices available to you, you will be able to get a complementary tone. Experimenting is key, as is phase.

My recommendations:

1 - Get a solid base tone, and record it, record a DI track as well.
2 - Reamp once you have the performance you like (you can keep that original mic'd sound too! Refering more for the second)
3 - OR You can just record 2 takes and have each one with it's own tone.

Unfortunately taking the time to dial in tones and listening for what you want is the only way to do it. Also, take some time on your own if you can to learn about mic placements etc (not just reading about them, go do it) this will save you a ton of time. I would also recommend sticking with 1-2 mics per cab. And finally, your 'live settings' probably won't work, dont be afraid to have one knob on 0 and the other on 10...whatever sounds good!

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: Second amp to match/supplement Orange AD30 in recording

While I usually do two or more tracks, I prefer re-amping as it will take out any human error between the tracks and easily allow an endless amount of possibilities of tones and effects. Using two cabs with different mics and placements can get you a good deal of variation as well. You could always try little things too like putting different speakers in one of you 2x12 or taking the back panel off.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Second amp to match/supplement Orange AD30 in recording

... which would add shedloads of phase issues to the proceedings unless you have LOTS of time to get it perfect. A little EQ goes a LONG way when stacking guitars, even if the amp is the same. +/- 2dB in a complementary pattern will work wonders and get the guitars sounding different and REALLY wide ... say, +2dB at 600Hz, 1kHz, and 3kHz on one side, and 1200Hz, 2kHz, and 4kHz on the other side. Subtract but same amount @ the same freqs on the complimentary part; low pass them both at 5kHz. Done.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Second amp to match/supplement Orange AD30 in recording

I would record the exact same rig with a different mic and pre amp, and do it as a second performance (not split signal of one performance). It will sound big, wide and balanced. Odd rigs with a split signal of the same performance will just sound off balance.