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Maybe there is another thread that has talked about this...
Wondering are there any amps out there that you've been able to get a good sound out of when plugged direct in to a board/interface plus a DAW.
Feel like I've come up pretty empty handed with all of the digital plugins that Pro Tools and Ableton have to offer, i.e. amp/cab sims.
Maybe I'm not exhausting every possible alternative, but honestly if there's something that works well DI as well as live then I'd much rather spend money on a physical object than a computer program with a million awesome options that I probably will not ever use.
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Not an amp, but try a Line 6 HX Stomp. I’ve been using it as an modeler / audio interface face into Garage Band. Works great for me.
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If your signal chain is guitar —> amp —> line out —> audio interface —> DAW you’re going to be in for a bad time unless you process the raw line out with some kind of speaker cab sim. I get good results with impulse responses and some additional EQ at the end of the above signal chain. That said, you should be able to get at least a passable tone by going direct into your audio interface and using the built-amps provided with software like Logic or GarageBand. I like S-Gear a lot as well. The downside to the in-the-box solutions is monitoring. Listening to a guitar that you are playing (as opposed to mixing a recorded guitar signal) through studio monitors doesn’t give you the same experience as a real guitar cab interacting with the room.
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I'm going to give voxengo a shot. So far my favorite is just amp - interface - daw 7 band EQ. All of the free cabs/sims I've tried don't seem to be doing anything positive, to my ears anyway. Tbh I guess I'm not really intent on recreating the sound of a guitar plugged into an amp in a room as much as I am just looking for any good, working sound. Maybe I want a simple solution to a more complex problem. GAS is also involved... ;D lol.
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I have used most (if not all) amp modeler program... all of the paid for ones are good. There is one that is free floating around that I liked. It has been a while, I can not remember the name... I can check, if that would be useful for you.
so much depends on the mix, in how well a program (or anything really) will work.
I would keep in mind that it could be easy and cheap just to mic your amp. As you mentioned: a close mic’ed amp with a 57 (or another mic) could work better then any program. That is my experience, but there are situations where, it is impossible to get a good sound: hence amp simulators...
Outside of that, there is always tech 21 stuff.
Home – Tech 21 NYC
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Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb > direct out with Royer ribbon mic impulse response model (setting #3) > audio interface > DAW = choir of angels.
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I’ve been really happy with Amplitube 4 for DI recordings. There’s loads of amp and cab sims and virtual mic placements to exploit. Maybe you’re looking for a more direct and simpler solution but I personally love to tinker with all the virtual possibilities.
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Many fine amps have XLR direct outputs, eg the DV Mark Little Jazz and Jazz 12, and the Trace Elliot Elf. I have all 3, and the direct output sounds great from all. Hanging a mic in front of the speaker works fine, and we do it on our entire back line. But the directs are foolproof and consistent.
An alternative is a preamp like the ART, which sounds great and has both balanced and unbalanced outputs. I’ve had one for years and use it a lot for recording.
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Add to the list Quilter ToneBlock202. XLR out sounds a lot like an SM57 on the speak. EQ to taste.
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Well I went ahead and ordered a DV Mark Little Jazz. I'm using the same size micromark for the bass guitar and really dig it a lot! Sounds good both direct in and with speaker. Not that it will give similar results or whatever but hey I'll have a nice small amp! Plus I recently got a ge-7 so looking forward to putting that to use as well.
Much appreciated for all the replies and input.
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I like the Quilter Toneblock for quite a good tone while being cheap and easy. Less cheap but pretty high quality is the Grace Felix with a Strymon Iridium in the FX loop. Still need a conversion to get into a DAW of course. No complaints with the Focusrite for that purpose. Finally the Roland Artist has a direct (USB) computer recording interface along with an analog line out. A nice feature but haven't actually used it.
Last edited by Spook410; 07-27-2021 at 02:12 PM.
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I have a DV Mark Little Jazz, a Quilter Aviator and a Fender TM Deluxe. All sound good through the line out. The Fender is particularly impressive; I use the simulated 'ribbon mic' setting and it sounds amazing.
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Joyo American Sound works well for direct recording. I did did several professional (pop) demos for singers like that.
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Some tips on using Direct input...
I have a Quilter but don't use the direct input, I prefer to use amplitube. Once you set it up, save it as a template and then you are good to go. There are a couple of steps to get it to sound good, mainly has to do with levels and of course what headphones or speakers you are using.
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