Classic amp tones too boomy

[shagfu]

I like some of the old classic amp tones from Fender and Marshall when using my amp modeller. The only thing is that they are real bassy and boomy. When using these tones, it doesn't take much to get the monitors to crackle.

I've tried messing around with the eq, but bringing the bass down to zero kinda takes the life out of what makes the tone so interesting.

Should I just throw a brickwall limiter/compressor on the signal? Or is the secret to these old amps lots of tweaking during mastering?

Thanks.

[Blue Bear Sound]

Mic up the real thing, then you won't have the problem!!!

[shagfu]

If ya got an old JTM45 laying around, I'll swing by and pick up and borrow it for awhile

[sjoko2]

Shelf the low end?

[six]

blue bear: i've been expecting this


shagfu: my modeller does the same boom-thing. you really have to roll off the bass, not on your modeller but in the mixing stage.

you can cut about everything below 100 hz and even more.

if you think it sounds bad, don't listen to it before you cut. record, cut, listen.

may sound strange, but sometimes an eq'd track only sounds over-eq'd in relation to the original track (same goes for vocals).

[shagfu]

Originally posted by sjoko2
Shelf the low end?

Originally posted by six
shagfu: my modeller does the same boom-thing. you really have to roll off the bass, not on your modeller but in the mixing stage.

you can cut about everything below 100 hz and even more.

Thanks.
I threw a 6db highpass filter on to the track, to knock down everything below 100hz (I think that's what I did ) and it's much better now.

I think I might go buy a hardware eq tomorrow so I can shape/cut the low end straight out of the modeller in hopes of not having to doing it after it's recorded to disk.

[Cyrokk]

How are you hooking the modeller up to the amp?

The instructions that come with modellers typically tell you that you have the option of plugging the modeller straight into the guitar jack or into the line-in.

Plugging into the guitar jack can add unpleasant noise and unnecessary frequencies, whereas using the line-in does not.

Cy

[shagfu]

Originally posted by Cyrokk
How are you hooking the modeller up to the amp?

The instructions that come with modellers typically tell you that you have the option of plugging the modeller straight into the guitar jack or into the line-in.

Plugging into the guitar jack can add unpleasant noise and unnecessary frequencies, whereas using the line-in does not.

Cy

I'm not using an amp.

Guitar -> modeller -> to the line in on the Audiophile2496.
Then I insert a parametric EQ effect into the track with the high filter setting.

I was thinking about adding a hardware EQ or Compressor/Limiter/Exander right after the modeller and out of that into the soundcard. Then maybe I won't need to use an insert effect on the recorded track.

[Sonixx]

Originally posted by Blue Bear Sound
Mic up the real thing, then you won't have the problem!!!

that's silly...

[Blue Bear Sound]

Originally posted by Sonixx
that's silly...

You're right........ what was I thinking?!??! No one uses real gear anymore.... guitar modeller (the new Line 6 guitars) plugged into an amp modeller, amp-modeller plugged into a mic modeller, mic modeller plugged into cheapie EQ, cheapie EQ plugged into the inputs of cheap-ass A/D converters..........

Hell... it doesn't matter if you're playing an actual guitar or a stick with elastic bands on it, through that kind of signal chain, you won't know the difference....!

Doesn't ANYONE use the real thing anymore??????

I'll be honest, for the most part, these modellers sound "something like" a guitar thru an amp, but not really quite it!

You know what I use the POD pro for most of the time? Distorting harmonica parts, coloring vocals or the odd drum for effect.... it's been months since I actually used it on a guitar track!

Hey - I understand the convenience of it for some people -- just realize it's a trade-off... convenience for sound quality, just like electronic drums (my recent V-Drum thread for example).... yes modellers will get you in the ballpark, unfortunately it's a ballpark in the minors!

[shagfu]

Originally posted by Blue Bear Sound
You're right........ what was I thinking?!??! No one uses real gear anymore.... guitar modeller (the new Line 6 guitars) plugged into an amp modeller, amp-modeller plugged into a mic modeller, mic modeller plugged into cheapie EQ, cheapie EQ plugged into the inputs of cheap-ass A/D converters..........

Hell... it doesn't matter if you're playing an actual guitar or a stick with elastic bands on it, through that kind of signal chain, you won't know the difference....!

Doesn't ANYONE use the real thing anymore??????

I'll be honest, for the most part, these modellers sound "something like" a guitar thru an amp, but not really quite it!

You know what I use the POD pro for most of the time? Distorting harmonica parts, coloring vocals or the odd drum for effect.... it's been months since I actually used it on a guitar track!

Hey - I understand the convenience of it for some people -- just realize it's a trade-off... convenience for sound quality, just like electronic drums (my recent V-Drum thread for example).... yes modellers will get you in the ballpark, unfortunately it's a ballpark in the minors!

Well, I don't think anyone has said that modellers are the holy grail. Just a great tool for home recording. For us home users, it's a fine tool for the price, great tool for songwriting.

If I ever get some half-decent songs put together I'd head to a studio and use some "real" gear. But till then, I'm having fun with it.

Real musicians use acoustic instruments anyway

[crawdad]

Originally posted by Blue Bear Sound
Doesn't ANYONE use the real thing anymore??????

I'll be honest, for the most part, these modellers sound "something like" a guitar thru an amp, but not really quite it!.... yes modellers will get you in the ballpark, unfortunately it's a ballpark in the minors!

For me, there is nothing like the sound of an amp miked up! Better tone, depth, expressiveness--just plain better! Tubes, the sound of a real speaker breaking up--its awesome when you find the right mic placement. I'm with you.

Its not that I haven't tried the modelers--I have. The best results I've had were from the Boss GT3. I've tried the Pod, the J-Station and the V-Amp also with less success. They are fun and convenient and actually sound OK for certain things, but given my druthers, I use the amp.

It doesn't have to be a big amp either. I've done great sounding things with a Fender Super Champ and a Fender Pro Jr. The old Fender tweed Champ was on dozens of old records and it worked very well. If anybody wants to send me one, just PM me and I'll send you a modeler in exchange!