Amp Emulators

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bdam123

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I am about to dive into a recording situation where my only source of guitar tones will be through emulators. This is mainly because there is no budget for studio time and I don't own an amp to record with.

I wanted to know what everyone's stance wis when it comes to emulated tones. How do you think they stand up next to real amps? Is there a specific state of mind you have when approaching a recording using guitars using emulation? In terms of hardware what do you recommend i.e preamp, comp before going into the computer? Also what software do you guys like to use?
 
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You might like to see if you can spot the difference - someone over on the PRS forum has just done a side by side comparison: Tube Amp or Sim?
 
Amp simulation, not guitar emulators!

It's all in the software and the adjustment of the parameters.
 
I've checked out a few clips. From what I've heard I'm not really impressed. I don't know if its because of the recording/engineering because to be honest I've heard real amps mic'd that sounded horrible.

Do any of you guys know of any major recordings that were done with amp sims that show the potential in a good light?
 
Todd Rundgren's Arena, Liars and Todd Rundgren's Johnson CDs were all done with DI and software. Of course, he is a master producer/engineer ...
 
The POD series of emulators are very, very good. I don't even play through an amp if I'm not playing in a band cuz there is no way an amp can give me the fantastic tone the POD can. The problem with amps is that many if not most of them are not designed to give you those great tube tones at a quiet practice volume. You gotta open them up to get that great tube sound.

And by that time you're already too loud and disturbing the neighbors. I've made excellent recordings just using my POD.
 
I use an Eleven Rack in my studio.I like it just like an outboard pre so I dont use the digital interface and have no problems with latency. I can drive an amp with it like an effect, but either way the biggest difference between this and using an amp is the noisefloor. I still use amps. Fenders and Conrads...not cheap....but theres times when everything I need is just a dial it up away and it FEELS like an amp. Thats why I bought it . The feel.
 
Guitar emulation would be great - use your *whatever*, dial in a classic LP, Strat, PRS .... Someone get working on it!
 
You are not alone.

I am also approaching this method.

I use the built-in logic amp modeller, Guitar Amp Pro.

To find a good tone and sound, of course the preset is not enough. You need to find the right settings, sometimes with the usage of multiple other plugin like compressor, reverb and impulse response to get a good tone.

So far, I can achieve an almost identical sound to a Marshall amp where presets cannot achieve.
 
@sonixx that would be nice but unfortunately I dunno anyone that would do me that favor for free so I'm stuck with Amp Sims.

I have a decent chain going so my DI is sounding pretty good. Also I've just learned about impulse responses and am pretty excited about all of that.

Speaking of IP's, can you guys suggest a good plugin that will allow me to load them for Mac OSX.

Also where is a good source to get some good IP's?
 
bdam123 said:
@sonixx that would be nice but unfortunately I dunno anyone that would do me that favor for free so I'm stuck with Amp Sims.

I have a decent chain going so my DI is sounding pretty good. Also I've just learned about impulse responses and am pretty excited about all of that.

Speaking of IP's, can you guys suggest a good plugin that will allow me to load them for Mac OSX.

Also where is a good source to get some good IP's?
Click to expand...

Is it IP or IR? (Impulse Response)
 
bdam123 said:
@sonixx that would be nice but unfortunately I dunno anyone that would do me that favor for free so I'm stuck with Amp Sims.
Click to expand...
If other methods aren't working out, I'll be glad to reamp some for you. Good luck.
 
beezelbubba said:
My Roland GR55 guitar synth does just that.I could attach my pickup to my nylon string and still get a screaming Les Paul tone.
Click to expand...

Never used a guitar synth - can't be quite that simple! Press a button and instant LP, another button and instant Strat bridge pickup? Or fiddle with EQ, effects and more for hours and then you got it?
 
mjbphotos said:
Never used a guitar synth - can't be quite that simple! Press a button and instant LP, another button and instant Strat bridge pickup? Or fiddle with EQ, effects and more for hours and then you got it?
Click to expand...
Pretty much that simple.
I mean, I imagine you have to spend some time tweaking the sound 'till you've got it where you personally want it but then you save it as a preset and all you have to do in the future is call up that preset.
I had a friend in B.R. that used one and it did, in fact, sound like those different gits.
 
@sonixx thanks for your generosity. I'm working with these "IRs" ;) and have a found a couple I dig so let see how this pans out. Once the track in mixed and complete I'll post it on here for everyone's critique. Thanks.
 
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