AW16G geared for guitarists?

  • Thread starter Thread starter NLAlston
  • Start date Start date
Revised Bottom Line... You may be disappointed if you plan on getting your overdriven, distorted or fuzzed-out electric guitar tones from the AW16G.

I would advise anyone who is hoping that the AW16G will satisfy their needs in the above area to consider that it probably won't. (These are the words of a former hopeful.)

Otherwise, I have found it to be a decent sounding, relatively sophisticated unit that is reasonably easy to use. I'm happy with it.

:-)
 
I bought the AW16G because of the features that took it beyond 2-input "singer/guitarist" units like the Zoom 1044, Fostex VF80, etc.

With 8 simultaneous inputs, 8 compressor/limiter/gates, balanced operation on every input, uncompressed audio, excellent EQ and effects and more, it's great for live bands or choirs, layering multiple keyboards, etc.

The interface is simple and intuitive, and the audio quality would be stellar at twice the price.

My only caveat: The mic preamps are it's weakest point.

I get a beautiful, shimmering acoustic guitar sound by running AT4033 and AT3031 condensers through a Mackie 1202 VLZ-Pro.

The same mics sound blurry and compressed if I plug them straight into the Yamaha. The fix is simple: run the Mackie pre's into the AW16G's line inputs.

I'm not complaining. You can't expect audiophile mic preamps in a unit at this price point. After all, the Yamaha pre's are still better than the ones in the Behringer MX-602 I keep in my gig bag...

Steve Rolfe.
 
My take on the amp sims is that they are OK, but not as good in general as a POD 2 or SansAmp PSA-1 (superior to the POD 2 in terms of amp sims). However, I was able to do some tweeking and get some very acceptable clean and distorted tones on the 16G, though they are not overwhelming. I have not quite figured out what the real purpose of the "overdrive / OD" settings are, except to perhaps chain with another sim. The OD settings seem somewhat lifeless. I think the sims on the Boss and Korg units are nothing to write home about either. I do know that the 16G sims ARE better than the Digitech RP300 I once owned.

On the AW16G, stay away from the presets and try the different amp types. You CAN get some acceptable tone with the right combo of drive and parametric EQ. I end up using mostly the "PG" for hard rock distortion and the "TW" for clean amp sims when I do use them. Where the amp sims fall short is in harmonic complexity / dimension, especially on high gain settings. This is found even on the POD on most of the amp types. AW16G seems very good to excellent on acoustic sims

In sum, I think that the 16G DOES work well for guitarists ... as well as the competition, but I would not throw away your POD or anything. I for one am keeping my SansAmp PSA-1.

I hope to have some comparitive mixes posted on the 16G site sometime in the future ... the 16G is an amazing unit !!!! Once you learn how to go through a record, mix, cut session, very very intuitive and efficient to use.
 
I have recently learned of a 16G owner who is experiencing great difficulties when trying to record guitar and vocal parts. If I remember correctly, the guitar signal is appropriate until the vocals are added. Throughout the course of the vocal recording the guitar level drops considerably low, but repositions itself into the desired range when the singing stops. Does anyone have an idea as to what this is due to?

Blessings,

Nate.
 
I know of a feature in the AW16 that would do exactly that..

Have a look on page 176 of the manual in the
appendix "Dynamic Parameters" under the
subject of "Ducking".
This does what you describe, and when set up
correctly is used to lower the level of say background music when a voice over track starts
up.
I'd bet a looney they have that enabled by accident..
Cheers,
Gord Wait
 
Question for a prospective buyer...

I was thinking about a unit like this to add an EQ my Keyboard (Motif 6) since the board only has a 5 band eq for the whole 16 tracks together, not independant eq's. I also have a AKG C4000B and an Aphex 107 Mic Pre... My music style is rap... All my music is sequenced on the motif and I am looking to buy a Focusrite compressor or a Joe Meek VC1.... Is this unit a good choice for me to mix the beat into from the Motif..... Mix levels, add effects in (without resampling) Record vocals once chained in with beat, Mix down to Sonar..... From sonar I will make my final adjustments before burning the final product........

I only use 1 mic for vocals.......
live Guitar maybe.....
Motif 6........

Any recommendations??
 
I don't know personally, but look at www.awinspire.com; it's a site dedicated to using the 16G with a Motif. Also, as a fallback, someone at www.aw16g.com could probably give you some recommendations.

Good luck
-Dinsdale
 
awinspire..

I tried to view, but I can't. I don't have shockwave, and there doesn't seem to
be any other way to view it?
(I'm on linux, dunno if I can get shockwave
for linux mozilla or not..)
Gord
 
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