Again with the pre-amps.

[MonkeyShock]

I've been recording with an A/E Ovation. I'm going to pick up a Stratocaster this weekend. I want to record DI. I need some suggstions for a pre-amp or direct box for an electric. Can I use the phantom power and/ or mic pre on the (Aargh) Behringer mixer to get a decent sound for recording. I have to admit to not doing my homework on this one, but would appreciate any input.
I can't mike an amp as I have to keep the noise down for now.
Thanks mucho!

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Electrocuted Tree-climber:

Well, if you have a condensor mic, you will need phantom power to get a signal up to line level.

Most mic pres, outboard, come with phantom power. I have phantom power on my 2816 but don't use as I run the mic through a Grace Design.

I can record "silently" and so can you.

Add reverb when you are ready to mix. However, put reverb in your cans as it kind of makes you feel good all over hearing that nice vibrant sound. And, even if you over-do reverb in the cans, it isn't recorded on most units.

I'm not familiar with your gear but if you get a copy of Tape OP, which a free zine, they review Many mic pres at all price levels.

Do a little experimenting and see what you get and, then, ask some more.

Green Hornet

[manning1]

hi ms - hows it going ?
you CAN record with a di box. plug the output of the strat into the di box.
then you need a 3 pin mic cable between the di box xlr output going to mic in of the mixer. (you dont use phantom power in this application).
bring up your mic gain ever so carefully.
but you know there might be a more interesting way. which gives you more variety. now you might not like the sounds of these.
but you could plug the strat into for example a digitech rp 50 or a v amp that you find used. then take the output of the unit into LINE IN of mixer for sending to the sound card. these type of devices attempt to emulate certain guitar amp sounds, and provide a variety of models of different guitar amps. some folks like the sounds - some dont.

[MonkeyShock]

Thanks for the input emerald toned flying insect.
Hey Manning! How is it? My recordings have improved immensely. I've got a good handle on Magix, and my singer and I are waist deep in songs we're putting final touches on for our first 6 song cd. Good to see you around mate.
After posting, I nearly hit myself as I've been recording bass DI with excellent results for months, so nothing should change with guitar...I don't know what I was thinking, guess I wasn't. It's probably time to check out these Digitechs, as well as my old favorite-Ibanez tube screamer. Thanks again guys.
Cheers!

[manning1]

glad your getting there with music studio.
you figured out the fade out handles on fadeing out small clips ok ?
a trick i use is the pitch option in the track object editor.
take a lead guitar break, cut it out of the rest of the track, then create a harmony up or down. sometimes works, sometimes doesnt. for double electric leads.
all the best.

[Ronan]

Originally Posted by MonkeyShock

After posting, I nearly hit myself as I've been recording bass DI with excellent results for months, so nothing should change with guitar...I don't know what I was thinking, guess I wasn't.

Actually everything changes with guitar. Recording bass direct with a good bass, DI and player can often lead to amazing results. Recording guitar direct leads to awful results most of the time. On a good day the results with be mediocre. Others opinion will vary.

[tollbooth]

hey mr m shock!

if played with for long enough, i now swear by my PODv2 - it's by no means everyone's cup of tea - but it does the job for me. i tend not to leave it there mind you, i can't stop fiddling (comes to us all!) and it inevitably ends up being fed into my trusted TFPro preamp (P2) for a little compression and EQ before it gets to the motu a/d converters.

you sometimes have to work at the POD and i don't think i've ever used a preset for a track yet - first thing i do when it powers up is stick it in manual mode.

as the clean sounds are a little cruddy on the POD though, i even sometimes just shove a Boss Chorus, Compressor and Dig Delay pedal chain straight into the TFPro.

Before all this mind you, i used to use a SansAmp GT2 and i have to admit i recorded some really enjoyable solos on that with a CryBaby before it, and the output fed straight into my desk (as was then) then to my old Roland VS1680.

i hope you're sound works out

we're with ya!

best regs

paul d

[MonkeyShock]

[QUOTE=Ronan]Actually everything changes with guitar. Recording bass direct with a good bass, DI and player can often lead to amazing results. Recording guitar direct leads to awful results most of the time. On a good day the results with be mediocre. QUOTE]
Sounds like I may have some work ahead...oh the joy! I don't care, It'll be nice to have that baby in my hands this eve. I appreciate the input guys, and I'll be all ears (eyes?) if anyone has more to add regarding this topic.
Yes Manning, I've tried that, but have learned to do all my guitar harmonies without "cheating". In fact I do a lot of it. I'm using Soundforge's plug-ins and they have some octavers and stuff that may come in handy sometime.
My recording partner and singer has been a bit slow as she's a bit of a perfectionist (wha?) and wont allow me to post anything just yet. I do a fair amount of panning and use voluume curve on most tunes. Been staying away from normalizing, and I've gotten quite proficient at putting drum loops together...often from several sources and using time-stretch or resampling. The last tune I posted, I was complemented by several people at my mixing and clean recording. I have a few things that I'd like to send your way just for grins or opinion if you ever care to hear. Cheers!
Thanks everyone!

[manning1]

well from what i heard from you before. you have bags of talent.
so i'm sure itll sound great.

[MonkeyShock]

As usual Manning, you're too kind. Thank you for all the help you've been!
I guess we never stop learning and we may never get that "perfect" song, but it sure is fun tryin'.

[MonkeyShock]

Looked at the POD's...interesting. $199@ GuitCen. Also something by Line6 for about a bill....some sort of amp replicator for guitar to pc. Didn't bother checking 'em out...my pockets were empty. Walked out with a nice Stratocaster with rosewood neck..sweet! Sounds good clean DI. Not liking Magix or Soundforge distortion...just bring up the gain a tad. Who needs food anyway?

[manning1]

i tried the v amp fyi. didnt do it for me.
ms - if were me i might look at those cheap behringer amps .
zzounds,com sells em under 100 bucks. throw a few pedals in front
and mic the sucker and have some fun and blast away.
just an idea for cheap fun.

[MonkeyShock]

Manning1: That sounds good! I'm always up for some cheap fun. Still, I love the sound of a good clean strat and it seems like blasphemy to alter the sound, though sometimes ya gotta do it. Necessity is the mother of invention...no, wait,...that was Frank Zappa. Peace!-Jody