Gigging/Recording Sans Amp....

#1 03-09-2010, 08:16 AM

Hard to enter a forum or read a magazine these days w/o folks talking about modelling amps, software, gizmos. I rarely hear jazz guys chime in on the topic.

Anyone scrap amps/effects for some kind of modeller...either like the Pod, AxeFX, etc or some type of PC-based package? Just curious more than anything.

fep · #2 03-09-2010, 08:54 AM

Peter Sprague uses a Boss GT-6 thru a PA speaker. He uses a custom built double neck guitar, nylon string and jazz guitar with midi pu also:

Peter Sprague String Consort Soundcheck Jazz Live - Tuesday, February 10, 2009#

Will Chen · #3 03-09-2010, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffstocksmusic

Hard to enter a forum or read a magazine these days w/o folks talking about modelling amps, software, gizmos. I rarely hear jazz guys chime in on the topic.

Anyone scrap amps/effects for some kind of modeller...either like the Pod, AxeFX, etc or some type of PC-based package? Just curious more than anything.

I'm not a jazz guy per se, but have a groove jazz group (on hiatus searching for a bassist) as well as a more Americana/rock group and have run straight to board using a variety of processors on many occasions.

That being said, it was always with some type of gain being used. IMHO, it's actually the cleaner tones these devices just don't excel at (the Boss GT-10 being an exception). I'd often rather run a guitar into a DI and straight into a mixer than use the clean tones on most multi-effects boxes. Though to hear a real world example, one only need to look at Pat Metheny who no longer uses a traditional guitar amp but an elaborate direct system with full range monitors and his tone is killer...

Tom Karol · #4 03-09-2010, 08:57 AM

I've never been an external pedal guy - just a little reverb on the amp. But a few months ago, on a whim, I bought a VOX ToneLab ST. I don't use it with my (Henriksen) amp for Jazz, but I do for Pop/Rock - it allows me to get a bunch of classic rock tonalities. But, I've also used it successfully into a PA while backing a singer-songwriter. I take only the ToneLab to various rehearsals, if there's an amp (any decent amp) already there. I play in a Jazz/Pop duo with a keyboard/sax player. We have a low-volume restaurant gig coming up soon where the performing space is extremely small. He's got a 4 channel keyboard amp; I'm going to try using the ToneLab to play through his amp in order to minimize our footprint.

fep · #5 03-09-2010, 09:02 AM

Here's another Sprague, one where you can see his guitar better... go to about 3:00:

YouTube Video

billkath · #6 03-09-2010, 09:13 AM

I use a POD XT live for playing out.
However-for recording- you really want to be capturing your performance in the most flexible way.
What I mean from that is-you want to go through an amp, which will be mic'd up. You'll also want to have a parallel signal running straight, via a DI box-into the main console. This gives you a signal capable of re-amping, or using software amps. You should also capture the acoustic-ness of your guitar with a mic. Mic it like you'd mic an acoustic-with a small diaphragm condensor, pointing at where the fingerboard meets the guitar, about a foot back from the guitar. If you are in a good-sounding room, also put up a large diaphragm condensor as a room mic. As with all mic placement, move the mics till you get the best sound. Try not to use EQ at the recording stage, rather move the mics to get the best sound possible. Also-try not to compress going in-you can do that later.