Re-amping devices

[Bob G]

I would just like to ask what are all the currently available re-amping devices out there and which one is the best in your opinions?

I am looking to re-amp through pedals and guitar/bass amps for recording and mixing applications and am also wondering if there are any units that include both a very high end and high quality re-amp output but also a high quality DI to bring the re-amped signals that are just going through pedals back into my Neve mic preamps with a really high quality DI?

Thanks!

[Kiwi]

I consider the two stages as being totally seperate, and can't see why one would want to integrate them.

Electric guitar technology is a 1940s unbalanced abomination, and this means plenty of room for hums and buzzes of all types. Dropping +4 line level down to guitar level is a massive attenuation - so why anyone would want an active solution eludes me. A passive, purpose designed transformer, sitting on the amp head with a short jumper cable is the elegant solution to avoid hum. This is exactly what the Cuniberti Reamp patent was for, and the solution used by the big names. Recently, the rights to make this went to Radial, a company who makes damn fine transformer based products that work - so while I own a pair of Reamp V2s, if I needed more I would buy the Radial version.

Getting a clean guitar pickup signal into your DAW is a completely seperate challenge - and because transformers color the sound, I would suggest the shortest, cleanest hi impedance active path to your A/D. A lot of preamps and interfaces have this already, and if you are using the self contained A/D there is probably no reason to look further.

Possibly the ideal is a purpose designed instrument preamp with line out, into your best A/D. But some of these are designed to color the signal ... which is fine if that's what you want. But for reamping, it's generally wise to avoid coloration at this stage. But rules are made to be broken ... this is a guitar chain after all.

Personally, I treat the whole chain as my guitar tone solution. I care more about eliminating noise than I do about eliminating color.

Plenty of toys to choose from. Some will suggest MW1, which is designed by people who know what they are doing. I'm dubious that it would work for *ME* because I seem to be plagued by hum if I don't use transformers. If you have a perfect star-grounded studio wiring and grounding scheme you might be fine with no transformers. Or, you can add transformers as required - but I don't see the point when a real Reamp does what it was designed to do. IMO, more iron in the path doesn't hurt a guitar tone.

[Scott Whigham]

I have the MW1 and love it. Once I dial it in, I honestly can't tell the tonal difference between a live player and the MW1 reamped - it's that good.

[Fletcher]

My favorites are made by Littlelabs [they have a bunch of boxes that do the functions you're looking for, I suggest checking out the website to determine if there are other features with their stuff that might suit your requirements].

I have found zero noise issues, and a very pleasant overall musical tonality. Anytime you add anything to any signal path its going to have an influence on the sound... so in "head to head taste tests" with the Radial stuff, I found the Littlelabs stuff a fair measure "fuller" sounding... not dark [as in any form of treble rolloff] but "fuller" as in "meatier" - "rounder" - like a man sized kind of tonal change.

As always... YMMV

Peace

[robertshaw]

Originally Posted by Bob G

I would just like to ask what are all the currently available re-amping devices out there and which one is the best in your opinions?

I am looking to re-amp through pedals and guitar/bass amps for recording and mixing applications and am also wondering if there are any units that include both a very high end and high quality re-amp output but also a high quality DI to bring the re-amped signals that are just going through pedals back into my Neve mic preamps with a really high quality DI?

Thanks!

WM1 is prolly the best but also the most expensive. sold my WM1 now I just use a radial JDI, it's ok

[guittarzzan]

I had the MW1 Studio Tool. It is frickin' awesome and probably more features than you'll ever need. It's price tag matches it's quality and features, but if you have the cash, get one and don't look back.

I sold mine and wish I hadn't. I now have a Radial JDV in route. It has the features that I really need and nothing more. Quite a bit cheaper than the MW1 if that's all you need.

One thing I have to tip my hat to CAL on for the MW1 is the back panel. Every jack has a lighted label so you can look back there and easily see what's what in the dark etc. Just an awesome and well thought out product imo.

[juniorhifikit]

I use a LittleLabs IBP. It's easy, transparent, and does double-duty as a phase thingy when needed. Great tool. Should get another one.

FWIW, the IBP has input and output trim pots for the guitar input & output. I had to trim mine all the way down so as not to clip the converters with a Les Paul on the way in. I then had to equally trim "up" the re-amp output.

[Flying_Dutchman]

MW1 - incredible tool, lots of options
no transformer in the DI pass - more realistic imo
great features - like variable impedance, studio gear like stompboxes and so on

[Bassmec]

Originally Posted by juniorhifikit

I use a LittleLabs IBP. It's easy, transparent, and does double-duty as a phase thingy when needed. Great tool. Should get another one.

FWIW, the IBP has input and output trim pots for the guitar input & output. I had to trim mine all the way down so as not to clip the converters with a Les Paul on the way in. I then had to equally trim "up" the re-amp output.

Tried a lot of stuff but found the little labs phase tool does exactly what i want in a box, the only question is will I go blind If I fiddle with my phase knob too much.
I should get another as well because the snare drum lower mic channel insert keeps stealing it when I want to use it on guitar or bass, oh heck! maybe I need another two to avoid printing phase decisions before the mix.

[Fletcher]

In my old room I had 1x IBP and 3x IBP Jr. -- one of the very next purchases for the room where I work most these days will be 2x IBP and 2x IBP Jr. [as we'll need to do more "re-amp" stuff and the IBP Jr. doesn't have that function].

Peace

[Bob G]

Thanks for all the good advice from everyone.

I'm using the IBP. I may have to get the Red Eye so I have strereo reamp capabilites.

Is the Red Eye the exact same circuit DI and Reamp as the IBP?

[Nevelous]

I'm very curious of this as well.

I wan't to upgrade my DI/reamp gear to be the best because I do a lot of reamping.

Right now I've got Radial JDV and X-Amp but I feel like I'm missing some tone and signal strength when I reamp.

My signal chain when I record the guitar DI is: Guitar (active pickups)-JDV-audient ASP008 pre-Aurora-RME I/O-DAW

Reamp signal chain: DAW-RME I/O-Aurora-X Amp-Amplifier

I started to look at MW1 studio tool. Would it be my choice or would Little Labs redeye be decent enough?
Do I need a passive DI box if I wan't to reamp low gain passive mic guitars? RIght now I mostly reamp high impendance active pickup guitars...

[Steamy Williams]

Originally Posted by Nevelous

I'm very curious of this as well.

I wan't to upgrade my DI/reamp gear to be the best because I do a lot of reamping.

Right now I've got Radial JDV and X-Amp but I feel like I'm missing some tone and signal strength when I reamp.

My signal chain when I record the guitar DI is: Guitar (active pickups)-JDV-audient ASP008 pre-Aurora-RME I/O-DAW

Reamp signal chain: DAW-RME I/O-Aurora-X Amp-Amplifier

I started to look at MW1 studio tool. Would it be my choice or would Little Labs redeye be decent enough?
Do I need a passive DI box if I wan't to reamp low gain passive mic guitars? RIght now I mostly reamp high impendance active pickup guitars...

I use the Radial JDV and the X-Amp for reamping, and haven't noticed any problems with tone or signal strength. I also use it with Lynx Aurora converters like you, but with a Crane Song Flamingo.1 pre where you use the ASP008. Anyway, have you tried playing with the input impedance on the JDV? Also, are you sending the JDV Direct Thru to anything while you're recording, such as an amp? That will load the guitar more as it will lower the input impedance of the DI. This won't be an issue if you use the Aux outputs instead, as they're buffered.

Incidentally, when recording I always make a note of the amount of gain I add to the DI with the pre. Then when I'm reamping I set the attenuation on the X-Amp to the same amount. That way the amp will get the same signal level that the guitar was putting out when it was originally recorded. The JDV outputs unity gain, so there is no need to account for a change in level from that.

[firefly419]

Originally Posted by juniorhifikit

I use a LittleLabs IBP. It's easy, transparent, and does double-duty as a phase thingy when needed. Great tool. Should get another one.

FWIW, the IBP has input and output trim pots for the guitar input & output. I had to trim mine all the way down so as not to clip the converters with a Les Paul on the way in. I then had to equally trim "up" the re-amp output.

+1

[Warren Beck]

Hello.

To further Kiwi's terrific response - there are a few kits in ebay and on the internet so you can make your own. But a basic step-up transformer is all one needs. Properly shielded in a Faraday shield (as the high impedance of the guitar can act as an antenna and thus interfere with the signal - attracting RF interference) will work the best. Yes a common off-the-shelf transformer will colour the sound to a point (Lundhal vs Sowter vs Hammond - some more so some less so). An active circuit can be easily designed around a number of op-amps (LM301 for example) and a minimum of components - but to what advantage? Mr. Fletcher endorses the Little Labs device for excellent reasons and Kiwi endorses Radial for equally excellent reasons. Aside form those two consumer products the only alternate is to have your own piece of equipment designed to your desired specifications and thus vision of perfection. But for fun - rent either of the mentioned boxes from your local music store, try them - then if you are still not 100% happy purchase a $80 transformer as stated above, and try it for your self. IT is very easy to do - 1/4 inch female at one end and a 3 pin FXLR on the other end all in a metal box sitting atop your amplifyer.

And you will require two (2) separate untis - (1) = re-amp (1) = DI

Good luck.

[jimwalshjimwalsh]

+1 Little Labs. I use the Little Labs Multi Z PIP: Little Labs

Very versatile box with a great sounding DI.

[wxyz]

LittleLabs Redeye

[Baz]

Avalon U5 going in, Radial X-Amp coming out. Where I used to work had a JD7 and it worked fine - overkill for most peoples needs - but really great. X-amp is the same circuit in a smaller pkg.

[James Lugo]

Originally Posted by wxyz

LittleLabs Redeye

Same here. seems to work fine. Really versatile for the money. 3 boxes in one.

[fimpen]

I know this is the high end forum and people here are willing to spend money, but isn't the quite expensive radial reamp boxes doing exacly what a regular DI box would do when hooked up in reverse?

[Takeomi]

Using Millennia TD1 and it's perfect for me
TD is the total solution, DI and Reamp are inside.
for accurate matching, need to use same maker's device for DI and Reamp

additionally TD1 has 2 output with different volume like Single coil/Humbacker

[8875]

We're using a Raindirk Audio super DI. It's an active and passive DI, and re-amp in one, so sounds like it might fit the bill. It's also very nice sounding. I like the passive input for synths - the transformer seems to add just a nice roundness. For guitars, the active FET input works very well though.

[CompEq]

Originally Posted by fimpen

isn't the quite expensive radial reamp boxes doing exacly what a regular DI box would do when hooked up in reverse?

No. that is a misconception. A DI = inst level -> mic level. The reverse of the is mic level -> instrument level. But that's not what you're doing when you reamp. It's Line level -> instrument level. See? Different. Yes, a DI can work for this application, but that's not what it was designed for and it is not an optimum solution.

See here for more detail: Reamp : History