POD + Tube Preamp

[arcaxis]

As others have noted the POD is a bit brittle sounding when recorded direct. Would there be any improvement by putting it through a tube preamp to take the edge off a bit ? Something like a cheap ART unit or Studio Projects VTB-1.

[ewegogetemtiger]

the main problem with the pod is the low quality ad/da

best way to get around that is use the pod via gearbox plugins...with your pro-quality ad/da

with that being said, I think you can get some great sounds out of a pod (xt) as it is

see these threads: http://www.cockos.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11531

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/....php?t=1700309

[SuicideNote]

I've had success using a tube preamp before the Podxt. As we all search for the holy grail of guitar sounds, we must experiment and try everything. Alternatively, you could try to apply some saturation type plugins to your recorded guitar sound. If you go this route, you should print the saturation to the tracks. Commit to the sound and move on. I find that recorded guitar never sounds perfect, so it's best to just dial something in that you like and lay down your tracks.

[metalhead28]

Originally Posted by SuicideNote

I've had success using a tube preamp before the Podxt. As we all search for the holy grail of guitar sounds, we must experiment and try everything. Alternatively, you could try to apply some saturation type plugins to your recorded guitar sound. If you go this route, you should print the saturation to the tracks. Commit to the sound and move on. I find that recorded guitar never sounds perfect, so it's best to just dial something in that you like and lay down your tracks.

Man, I'm not trying to dismiss the idea of using a saturation plugin...some people might like it....but why on earth do you feel the need to give this particular piece of advice (printing the effects)? That makes no sense to me whatsoever.

I'd go to the other end of the spectrum and say record everything with an accompanying DI so that you can re-amp later or use a different patch, etc. on the POD if you want a different sound.

[metalhead28]

Also, I don't understand the idea of putting a tube preamp before the POD. Is that a typo? I'm sure that is not what the OP is talking about.

[arcaxis]

The intention of the tube preamp is to put it after the POD. I'm recording with a hardware digital multitrack, so no plugins or PC involved. I'm kind of thinking along the idea of the Vox Tonelab where the tube is following the modeling part of the device, although not quite the same since the Tonelab tube has a reactive load to simulate a speaker.

[cusebassman]

I think a crappy digitally processed signal run through a tube preamp is going to sound like a crappy digital signal.

Tubes don't solve problems the way people seem to think they do.

Not to rain on the collective parade - prove me wrong tho - record direct with just the pod and then with the tube pre after, and post clips highlighting the difference.

One question - what is this tube pre you are using?

Also, as our guitar-pointing friend said, printing to tape is a bad idea - you will eventually think to yourself "Man - this kinda sounds like shit wish I could change it" - might not be tomorrow, or the day after, but soon. sooon!

[metalhead28]

I think what you can assume here is that if you have a preamp that sounds sweet enough to make anything you track through it sound better - it might add some pleasing qualities to the POD's sound, but I wouldn't expect anything drastic. If you've got something decent to try it with, just give it a shot and see if you like the results. However, I wouldn't bother buying some cheap toob preamp just to try this.

[cusebassman]

Originally Posted by metalhead28

I think what you can assume here is that if you have a preamp that sounds sweet enough to make anything you track through it sound better - it might add some pleasing qualities to the POD's sound, but I wouldn't expect anything drastic. If you've got something decent to try it with, just give it a shot and see if you like the results. However, I wouldn't bother buying some cheap toob preamp just to try this.

See, that's part of my suspicion - yea, if you're running the podxt out to an avalon tube pre and into your converter, then it might improve it - a bit - but a Behringer utra gain tube pre is just going to make things much worse than they already are.

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by cusebassman

Also, as our guitar-pointing friend said, printing to tape is a bad idea - you will eventually think to yourself "Man - this kinda sounds like shit wish I could change it" - might not be tomorrow, or the day after, but soon...

...and for the rest of your life. Here's looking at you, kid. <cusebassman strolls off into the fog chatting with the prefect of police.>