Can I use this to Reamp?

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dudernut

dudernut

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Hello all,

I have toyed with the notion of reamping, but have never actually kept the results in a mix; I simply routed the signal out, miked the amp, then sent it back in. This was a while back that I even tried it, I have a new interface now and a much better ear for subtle nuances in the recording process. What I did before with the previous interface I was using (Tascam US-800) was simply running the signal out of the headphone jack and directly into a miked amp. Again, this was all experimental, non-keeper tracks, and I didn't pay close attention to see if the results sounded natural. I have since been reading up on the importance of matching impedance when reamping, so I did a little research that suggested a piece from Radio Shack to take care of this. Then I realized that I have one of these (pic attached) laying around the studio, I think it was my wife's for some reason. Is this what I need? Would it take the place of one of a Reamp box? And also, should I be going out a different output than the headphone jack? My new (well it's used, new to me though) interface has several 1/4" jacks in the back (pic also attached). Would one of these be the better choice? Thanks in advance.
 

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What are those adapters..?

You basically need to go from line level to instrument level....and match the impedance....for best results.
 
Give it a try.....

I have these, which look like the same thing, just differen't male/female configuration. I haven't use them for reamping, but I do use them to match impedances. I guess you can just control the level at the line output.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/audio-technica-cp8201-in-line-transformer?source=3WWRWXGP&gclid=COeLkseMlsECFeVi7AodEG4A5w&kwid=productads-plaid^18283950120-sku^270570000000000@ADL4MF-adType^PLA-device^c-adid^46504699467

I have a Radial reamp box too....just haven't gotten around to actually reamping anything. :D
The dedicated reamp boxes give you everything at once, so less muss-n-fuss.
 
miroslav said:
Give it a try.....

I have these, which look like the same thing, just differen't male/female configuration. I haven't use them for reamping, but I do use them to match impedances. I guess you can just control the level at the line output.

Audio-Technica CP8201 In-Line Transformer | Musician's Friend

I have a Radial reamp box too....just haven't gotten around to actually reamping anything. :D
The dedicated reamp boxes give you everything at once, so less muss-n-fuss.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll give it a try. Am I pretty much just listening for clarity and dynamics? Which output would you suggest I use on the interface? And final question (LOL, I'm full of 'em) do you think the fact that it comes from Radio Shack will affect tonal qualities?

Just checked out the Radial box online…pretty sweet. Outta my range for now, but if I get serious about reamping, I may snag one eventually.
 
Start low and bring it up to about the same level that your guitar would create going into the amp.

I don't think "Radio Shack" will add anything to the tone..... :)
 
YOu should be coming out of one of the line outputs on your interface.

Since you already have 1/4 outputs, just plug a guitar cable straight from the interface to the amp and see what happens. If it hums, then you will need to put something between the amp and the interface that will break the ground loop.

The problem with your adapters is you will need another adapter to get from 1/4 it female xlr. What you need is a cable with 1/4 TRS on one side and female XLR on the other. Plug that into a line output on the interface and the other end into your adapter. Then use a normal guitar cable to come out of the adapter you have and plug into the amp.
 
Farview said:
YOu should be coming out of one of the line outputs on your interface.

Since you already have 1/4 outputs, just plug a guitar cable straight from the interface to the amp and see what happens. If it hums, then you will need to put something between the amp and the interface that will break the ground loop.

The problem with your adapters is you will need another adapter to get from 1/4 it female xlr. What you need is a cable with 1/4 TRS on one side and female XLR on the other. Plug that into a line output on the interface and the other end into your adapter. Then use a normal guitar cable to come out of the adapter you have and plug into the amp.
Click to expand...

Cool, sounds simple enough…Luckily, I have a cable just like you described, so if it comes down to it, I can easily set that up.
 
The goofy thing about impedance are the terms 'high' and 'low'. They are meaningless without context. What is considered high impedance might not be high impedance when you are using things for something other than what they were designed for.

That said, it might work just fine. But that explains why no one knows the answer to your question and just says 'try it and see'.
 
Those Radio Shaft adapters are pretty nasty. Cheap, dirty transformers crammed in there. They "work" to the extent that the give the expected voltage stepping and impedance conversion, but they also add all of the coloration and distortion expected from a cheap and dirty transformer. Any passive DI box would do a better job, but it's completely unnecessary.

There is not impedance issue. Plug from the interface line out to the amp's input with a regular guitar cable. If it buzzes from a ground loop, fix the ground loop. Control the level you're sending at the DAW. Seriously.
 
miroslav said:
You always say that in a rather absolute way. :)

If the amp gets a lot of hiss from a direct line-to-amp connection....yes, incorrect impedance IS the issue.
Click to expand...
Cool. Explain that to us.
 
ashcat_lt said:
Cool. Explain that to us.
Click to expand...

Actually, I would like you to explain your absolute position. ;)


But here....I don't need to exaplin, they did a great job in SoS already.

Can I 're-amp' a line-level signal?

The other issue that you need to be aware of is impedance. Guitar amps are designed to accept a high-impedance input, and plugging in a low-impedance, line-level signal will result in an increase in amp hiss. This will be more of problem if you like to turn your amp up loud. There are a number of possible solutions.
Click to expand...


Here's another good article from them:

Understanding Impedance
 
miroslav said:
Actually, I would like you to explain your absolute position. ;)


But here....I don't need to exaplin, they did a great job in SoS already.

Can I 're-amp' a line-level signal?




Here's another good article from them:

Understanding Impedance
Click to expand...

I think maybe ashcats "do whatever" position on reamping comes from his own personal flavor of noise guitar tones. Sure, when you use a guitar for noise and squeals and heavily processed effects sounds, do whatever. It doesn't matter. Just make some fucking noise.

If you actually play guitar and want actual guitar tone, then going straight from a line-out is not the best way to go. The amp will act and react best if you can trick it into thinking it's seeing an actual guitar signal. Enter the ReAmp box.
 
Yep. You all go along with that. No skin off my ass.

Do you put a reamp box after your pedals?
 
Typical guitar pedals don't output Line level, low impedance signals.


Over the years I've connected high to low level, low to high level, unbalanced to balanced, balanced to unbalanced, and all kinds of impedances to each other.
It's not a "there's no impedance issue" absolute like you ALWAYS make it out to be. :D
My god, there's like tons of info on impedance matching for ideal signal transfers, and you always toss that out like it's totally unimportant...that's all was commenting on.
I don't disagree that it "can work"....going from a line level to a guitar amp input. However, there's a lot of gray area in that "can work" scenario.
 
Guitar pedals do generally have low out-Z. The article you linked specifically states that for best voltage transfer you want to bridge the connections from low out to high in. It's a fact. You don't understand the principles and that's fine with me.
 
ashcat_lt said:
Guitar pedals do generally have low out-Z. The article you linked specifically states that for best voltage transfer you want to bridge the connections from low out to high in. It's a fact. You don't understand the principles and that's fine with me.
Click to expand...

If you say so...then I guess this quote I posted from the SoS article is also wrong.

The other issue that you need to be aware of is impedance. Guitar amps are designed to accept a high-impedance input, and plugging in a low-impedance, line-level signal will result in an increase in amp hiss. This will be more of problem if you like to turn your amp up loud. There are a number of possible solutions.
Click to expand...

I'm talking about Line Level/Low Impedances.....that's what I said in my last post.
miroslav said:
Typical guitar pedals don't output Line level, low impedance signals.
Click to expand...


If you are refering to buffered bypass outputs of pedals in place of a DI....that's something else.
In this thread....the comments are about going directly from a Line Level output to a guitar amp input.
 
ashcat_lt said:
You don't understand the principles and that's fine with me.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking you don't understand the principles. It's not as difficult and scientifically complex as you want it to be. I assume you've read a book about it or something, but have you ever actually reamped anything at all?
 
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