Recording guitar Multi-effects

[Humbucker]

This is my first post, so hi everyone I have just recently got a brand new setup(I record with my PC DAW) so at present I am experimenting with micing techniques etc etc. I have a Korg AX1500g multi-effects unit so yesterday I tried recording it directly into my Audiophile 192, via my M-Audio DMP3 preamp. For 95% of my guitar parts I would record them with my amp mic'd by my SM57 but the AX1500g has some really good cabinet sims etc(which don't sound too hot through an amp as you might expect) on it so I wanted to see how they sounded. I tinkered with some patches and was pleased with the sounds I got but literally every sound I recorded sounded very bassy indeed. This was with the bass turned way down on the Korg too. Obviously I can tinker with EQ's after recording but I know the general rule of thumb is that the less post processing you do the better.

I just wanted to ask if anyone else records any guitar parts this way, and if they have any tips and/or experiences to share on it. If anyone has specifically used the Korg AX1500g and can share some tips that would be a great bonus.

[Elmo89m]

So if your not micing your amp your DIing right?.....you need a DI box for this and even then it isnt going to sound nearly as nice as just micing your amp...

[Humbucker]

Originally Posted by Elmo89m

So if your not micing your amp your DIing right?.....you need a DI box for this and even then it isnt going to sound nearly as nice as just micing your amp...

I'm plugging the Korg into the instrument input on my DMP3 preamp. Like I said, 95% of the time I would definetely mic my amp up but some of the speaker sims(4x12 classic, 4x12 vintage etc etc) sound good too so that's why I wanted to experiment with them. I have read articles and stuff on forums on such that people say the Korg AX1500g sounds as good as a POD for this purpose.

[Rickson Gracie]

if u have u have a decent mic and pre (and it sounds like you do) just use that.

amp sims are for people who dont have access to a good miking setup or maybe cant record without disturbing the neighbors..etc.

I have tried most modeling systems out there. Ive tried the PODXT, TONELAB, NIs GUITAR RIG and I even miked up a VOX AD30 modeling amp and I can never get the guitar to sit in the mix nearly as well as good old miking up the speaker on a good amp (preferably of the tube variety.)

[Humbucker]

Originally Posted by Rickson Gracie

if u have u have a decent mic and pre (and it sounds like you do) just use that.

amp sims are for people who dont have access to a good miking setup or maybe cant record without disturbing the neighbors..etc.

I have tried most modeling systems out there. Ive tried the PODXT, TONELAB, NIs GUITAR RIG and I even miked up a VOX AD30 modeling amp and I can never get the guitar to sit in the mix nearly as well as good old miking up the speaker on a good amp (preferably of the tube variety.)

Yeah, I think you're probably right but at the very least I think I might use it to record ideas after my son(he's 2) has gone to bed etc. Usually I totally stop any recording after 8pm.

[Humbucker]

Does anyone else have anything to add?

[glimmer_doll]

Originally Posted by Humbucker

Does anyone else have anything to add?

ummm....? direct guitar can sound good for industrial metal and stuff like that, as a texture...y'know. Other than that, i'm against it. it makes mixing a pain...it's just...unnatural, like keanu reeves without the "whoa"

[Rokket]

Originally Posted by glimmer_doll

ummm....? direct guitar can sound good for industrial metal and stuff like that, as a texture...y'know. Other than that, i'm against it. it makes mixing a pain...it's just...unnatural, like keanu reeves without the "whoa"

I have to agree with that. I've mic'd my cheap amps through my MR-8, and got some amazing results. I DI'd my guitar and used the sorry effects on the Mr-8 on the same song and it just didn't fit. I got it to sit in the mix, but it took a lot of work that I wouldn't have had to go through if I'd just mic'd it.

Sims can sound good if you are careful, but it takes more work to get them to sound natural.

Good luck with it.


(and I can totally understand the after hours issue. I can't record at night either because I have a 3 year old. And when she's awake, she's always trying to get in the room and pester me when I am recording)

[syrupcore]

hey, he said he's 'pleased with the sounds'. why is everyone trying to convince him it sounds bad? he's got his own ears.

why is it bassy? shit, I dunno. does it sound bassy when you monitor at the pre? what about engaging your pre's highpass filter? I guess what I'm not saying is there is no technical reason I can think of why your guitar would come out bassy if it's not bassy when you send it into the computer. can you send something else in (like a drum machine) to see if seems bassier after it's recorded? Oh, some of those multieffects things have a few different output options like 'amp', 'headphones', 'line'... make sure yours is set properly.

will