Recording amp head & using software Cab sim

bokip · 3rd April 2008

Hi All --

I was wondering if it's possible to successfully record the output of an amp head to my computer, and then use a Cabinet simulation to properly process it?

I'd be doing this with something like Amplitube, but disabling the Amp simulation (as the signal going through the plugin would be a real amp) and leaving the Cabinet simulation on.

Do I need to take special precautions when doing this, and/or will it even sound properly?

bokip · 3rd April 2008

Sorry I should clarify that I'm speaking of a 100watt Guitar Amp head with two 1/4-inch speaker outputs.

biggator6 · 3rd April 2008

NO!! NO NO NO NO!!!

Do NOT plug speaker outputs into anything other than a speaker cabinet unless you want to fry it. BAD IDEA.

If the amp head has a LINE OUT, you can safely use that (though, a lot of amps - mostly tube - don't like to be run without some type of speaker or impedance load attached.. .you've been warned).

Now that I've got the sufficient warning out of the way. How will it sound? Probably like you used a preamp into your computer.. but it won't sound like an amp through speakers, because it's not. It may sound good, it may sound awful - more often than not, it sounds awful.

surflounge · 3rd April 2008

I love their big speaker mic setup:
AxeTrak Isolation Cabinets- The ultimate guitar recording device for professional and home recording

3rd April 2008	#1
bokip Gear Head Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 52 Thread Starter	Recording amp head & using software Cab sim Hi All -- I was wondering if it's possible to successfully record the output of an amp head to my computer, and then use a Cabinet simulation to properly process it? I'd be doing this with something like Amplitube, but disabling the Amp simulation (as the signal going through the plugin would be a real amp) and leaving the Cabinet simulation on. Do I need to take special precautions when doing this, and/or will it even sound properly?

3rd April 2008	#4
surflounge Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Cayucos California Posts: 1,248	I love their big speaker mic setup: AxeTrak Isolation Cabinets- The ultimate guitar recording device for professional and home recording __________________ BEACH NOISE entertainment

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3rd April 2008	#3
biggator6 Lives for gear Joined: May 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,979	NO!! NO NO NO NO!!! Do NOT plug speaker outputs into anything other than a speaker cabinet unless you want to fry it. BAD IDEA. If the amp head has a LINE OUT, you can safely use that (though, a lot of amps - mostly tube - don't like to be run without some type of speaker or impedance load attached.. .you've been warned). Now that I've got the sufficient warning out of the way. How will it sound? Probably like you used a preamp into your computer.. but it won't sound like an amp through speakers, because it's not. It may sound good, it may sound awful - more often than not, it sounds awful.