What's the best way to get from the guitar into the computer for amp sim software?

[Johnkenn]

I'm just wondering if I'm missing something. I have been going through a nice pre, out into my Rosetta into the amp sim software, but I notice that my input always seems a little low in say - Amplitube...Seems like I'm always pulling up the input knob to get any sort of gain. I'm just not getting any good tones out of any of this stuff - just wondering what others are going through. I guess it's not that big of a deal, I got just about the same tone out of a POD X3, so maybe the only thing wrong is that amp sims just don't sound good.

[manning1]

john.
dunno if this helps...
its a easy set up.
guitar>>>toneport gx(60 buks line6.com) >>>usb to pc.
Line 6 - TonePort
i have a toneport , got as a present.
much to my surpise i like it. good drivers too.
(ps..per your vtb1 thread also has some mic pre models in also.
be sure to check out podfarm.)

[Johnkenn]

Well - I don't really need it for mic pres - I've actually been running my guitar through much higher end pres than that - I've just never been able to get the result I wanted. Peavey Revalver probably came the closest, although, I kind of like Pod Farm on a few things. The best amp sim I ever bought was the Super Champ XD and micing it with a 57...

[rcb4t2]

Yeah... F*** amp modelers... you'd be better off just getting (as the guy above me just said) a super-champ or a valve junior or something like that and mic-ing it. Also, to your original question, are you using a DI or Hi-z input or just hitting a mic pre, b/c the guitar wants to hit a hi-z input... maybe that's obvious, if so, ignore freely...

[Johnkenn]

Well, I'm actually recording with the Super Champ now - I was just wondering if I was doing the software thing all wrong. I'm going into a HiZ input...

[feck]

I use a Millennia STT-1 for running guitar/bass direct into amp sims. The best damn direct box I have ever used! (although a bit pricey for that...)

[Slikjmuzik]

I go from the house Les Paul Studio into a countryman type85 DI, it's active so Phantom power is applied. The out that goes to the amp is sometimes split with a morely splitter that hits both a SuperChamp and a valve junior, ironically enough. The mic out of the DI goes into either a TLAudio pre or an Octopre depending on what the program material is and what I know I'll be looking for in the box when I open up Amplitube to find a sound.

[John Eppstein]

Yeah, the only amp sim I've heard worth anything is Ampeg SVX - because a bass amp doesn't present the problems in modeling and mode of use that a guitar amp does.

I have a lot of trouble with the claims of a lot of amp sims - for example I can say from experience that the "hendrix" amp sim does not sound like Hendrix did live - at all. There's a Line 6 modeling amp that's been parked at my studio for several months. I don't like it. It does everything you could possibly want EXCEPT sound good.

I have an early '70s Twin Reverb (stock Fender/JBL D120Fs), a Fender Pro Junior, and an Epiphone Valve Junior.

I like the Valve Junior a lot, with a good mic. Turn it up and it just works. I run the head into an old alnico magnet RCA 12 that's mounted in one of those wooden baffles that used to hang on the wall in your high school for announcements by the principal.... use a 57 or e609, maybe a Cascade Fathead II ribbon.

Recording to analog tape helps, too.

[Insomniaclown]

I have been working with guitar rig 3 off and on for awhile. After getting a much better DI, I like it much more than I used to. Are you talking gain as in level, or gain as in distortion? Sorry if its a dumb question.

Sometimes I do have to deal with a low ouput issue from the software, but I find that if I stick a compressor plug in before the amp sim I get much better performance from it.

[Kenny M]

While I never use the amp simulators anymore I've never thought the weak link was in the modeling software itself. The biggest bottleneck in making these things work in my opinion is the inputs. They just never seem to feel and act like the input to an amp even if you're using a high end mic pre. I know some of them like Waves now have input hardware, but I haven't checked it out to see if it's a big improvement.

I used to plug my guitar into a VHT Valvulator and then into the mic pre. The Valvulator is a tube buffer which is identical to plugging straight into the amp. It made a huge difference to me in getting good sounds out of software like Amp Farm.

[3rdeyeKnight]

Originally Posted by Johnkenn

I'm just wondering if I'm missing something. I have been going through a nice pre, out into my Rosetta into the amp sim software, but I notice that my input always seems a little low in say - Amplitube...Seems like I'm always pulling up the input knob to get any sort of gain. I'm just not getting any good tones out of any of this stuff - just wondering what others are going through. I guess it's not that big of a deal, I got just about the same tone out of a POD X3, so maybe the only thing wrong is that amp sims just don't sound good.

I know that you're using a nice pre already, but perhaps something like the Little Labs Red Eye would help for this particular situation. Maybe demo/rent one for a day or two and see if it makes a difference.

[preben]

I have REALLY tried to get to like amp-modellers over the past month or so. The convenience etc made me WANT to like them but its just not quite working out for me.

The thing I've got that was closest was Peavey's Revalver 3 and for certain things it's actually quite passable - but there's just not a lot of magic in there. BUT what I will say is that buying a Waves PRS GTR interface and using that into my Mytek Stereo96 ADC made a BIG difference to using the DI on my GreatRiver - and I normally LOVE that DI at least for bass.

So if you feel you're getting close with Revalver something like the Waves PRS might just push it over the edge for you. For me I think we're looking at Revalver 4 or 5 before I'm retiring my amp/speaker/mike combo. Sadly.

[robot gigante]

Originally Posted by Johnkenn

Well - I don't really need it for mic pres - I've actually been running my guitar through much higher end pres than that - I've just never been able to get the result I wanted. Peavey Revalver probably came the closest, although, I kind of like Pod Farm on a few things. The best amp sim I ever bought was the Super Champ XD and micing it with a 57...

Yeah, don't stress out trying to hit the corner pocket with the crooked cue that is an amp sim.

Just put a mic on that Champ and let 'er rip.

[theblue1]

Originally Posted by Johnkenn

I'm just wondering if I'm missing something. I have been going through a nice pre, out into my Rosetta into the amp sim software, but I notice that my input always seems a little low in say - Amplitube...Seems like I'm always pulling up the input knob to get any sort of gain. I'm just not getting any good tones out of any of this stuff - just wondering what others are going through. I guess it's not that big of a deal, I got just about the same tone out of a POD X3, so maybe the only thing wrong is that amp sims just don't sound good.

For me, I'm afraid the answer is in the last bit of your last line -- no matter how strong the allure of a plug in or even a dedicated stomp box is.

However, a lot of folks like highly processed, widely used sounds that don't change much as your playing dynamics change. And for those folks, sims look to be just the thing.

(I have a POD XT that a friend left here several years ago and while I think it's an admirably designed device that invites tinkering and offers a good range of processed sounds -- in more than 6 hours of intensive exploration over two evenings I have been able to come up with almost nothing that moved me or that responded to my playing in a way I found involving or rewarding.)