Recording an amp without a mic.

pinksoir

So I've been using amp sims a lot but I'd like to try using my Fender Supersonic. I've tried Amplitube Fender, they have a Supersonic emulation on it and tbh it couldn't sound any less like my amp. I'm just wondering what the best way to go about it is, bearing in mind that volume is an issue, it's a 60 watt amp, and micing it up is probably not going to be an option really.

I understand that taking the line out isn't going to sound the Mae West, but is there anything I can do to improve the signal? I want to use the amps reverb as it's a peach, so I don't want to use the effect send (does this even make any difference?). I have a DI box with a cab sim on it (4x12), would this help?

Alternatively, is there software I should use instead/as well?

I get that it's the interplay between amp, speaker and cab that makes an amp sound the way it does, but I'm demoing new stuff at the moment and I'd like as much as I can to get it to sound like it will live, or in studio, ie. using the same equipment and not amp sims. It'll make it a hell of a lot easier to plot the arrangements and mixes out.

Cheers.

pinksoir

I've been looking into the DI box option. It's this dealy - Behringer GI100. It says that it can use the amplifier's speaker outputs, but surely the amp would need to be getting the speaker load, and it doesn't seem clear whether the box has this. I'm going to assume it doesn't. I really don't want to blow my amp, so what do I need to do this?

I'm presuming the line out option is going to sound like crap. Looking at the amp, the line out is called "preamp out". So presumably this means that there will be no colour from the amp's power amp. Which is really why I'd be wanting to go with this method at all.

Or am I wrong?

RGDATA!

pinksoir wrote: »

I'm just wondering what the best way to go about it is, bearing in mind that volume is an issue, it's a 60 watt amp, and micing it up is probably not going to be an option really.

sorry - this is probably a stupid question but why can't you just mic the amp?

pinksoir

Neighbours. It's a 60 watt amp so even at its lowest volume it's loud. Plus it sounds best when it's cranked a good bit.

I've been looking at attenuators and power soaks like the Weber Mass, but it's a little bit out of my price range right now. Apparently an attenuator with a load of around double the amp's output is needed. So I'd need the 100W version. To be honest, I would probably never use the attenuator as I've no desire to drive the amp any more than I do, I'd simply be using the power soak so's I could DI the amp into a cab sim.

I think what I need is an ~100w power soak. With a line out. I've no idea if they exist. So if anyone could point me in the right direction, he would be revered like a god.

fitz

I use a THD Hotplate for exactly this purpose, with a VOX Ac30, a Mesa Dual Recto and a HiWatt DR103 clone. Works a treat, just run the output through some good cab impulses in your DAW and you'll get your amp sound without disturbing the neighbours.

pinksoir

Cheers. Hotplate is a bit too expensive for me right now though. I did find this thing though:



http://ratvalveamps.com/dummy-load

which seems to work for my purposes and it's only £45.

The problem I'm having now is ground loop hum coming through the amp. It's really quite bad and makes the amp unusable...

omen80

Yeah try and mic the amp, that RAT thing might do the trick. I use a hotplate myself and it couldn't work better.
I would advise against recording with reverb though. You're only tying your hands for later. There are loads of great reverb plugins out there.

pinksoir

I agree. It's pretty difficult to gauge the amount of reverb needed in the mix. I would probably reamp.

i57dwun4yb1pt8

get a blackstar ht 1 and put it through your amps speaker and mic it .

it wont be neighbour hating loud , and will sound great

pinksoir

That's a pretty good idea actually. 1w amp head! Don't think I can afford 200 quid for one though... Plus, it's not my Supersonic.

I have found that I can get pretty good sound at low volumes on the burn channel of my amp, so I'm pretty happy for now.

The thing is, I have this horrible, what sounds like, ground loop hum/buzz. It seems to only be on this amp or at least it's not noticeable on my other amps. It gets louder and softer, as in it's never the same volume. It pretty much makes recording my amp a no goer. Any idea how to get rid of it?

Denalihighway

where does the Palmer kit etc rate compared to Hotplate and whatnot?

assume Hotplate is the marquee product for attenuation etc?

I'm looking at buying something a long these lines so I can record an AC30 at home.

i57dwun4yb1pt8

ive tried a few power attenuators ,

they all then to b still too loud , and also - they tend to dull and compress the tone to much

amp sims - best ones ive heard are AXE fx or GSP 1101 - i bought the gsp - its very good

i have heard no software sims to date that id the job well.

but the best is a HT 1 though a large cab and miced- i use an sm58 to tame the bite a bit

its great .

Splinters

If accuracy is your biggest concern Id recommend trying to get your hands on an Axe FX, even ring around and see if anybody has them to rent. Ive tried pretty much every software modelling solution out there, every boss, digitech, zoom, line 6 pedal out there....you name it, Ive had or tested it, and absolutely nothing compares to the accuracy of the Axe FX for amp modelling. It just sounds real, theres no other way to describe it. Its not cheap, but that standard of gear never is.

This may or may not be your taste in music but this is a direct comparison between the Axe FX Mesa Dual rectifier model and an actual Dual Rectifier mic'd up. The difference is so slight its comparable to the difference in changing mic positions slightly. Sure have a listen and decide yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76S3E-wEgYY