Can't get the distortion sound I want out of the PODxt or the V-amp

[volltreffer]

What might help alot is a way of recording with digital sims, that I often used: record direct in via something like a pre and possibly a compressor. Why the comp? It somehow seems to give the 'right' feedback through air that makes a lot of a real guitar sound. Record dry. Then in mixdown, try to nail the sound you need by inserting the pod/vamp...

Did that with the VS recorder amp sims and it was not too bad. When you do it like that, a big advantage is that you'll be able to try to find out the right amount of distortion, high end/low end etc.

Very often, the distorted sound that you choose when using sims will have far too few mids, be too distorted a.s.o. to cut through in a mix. IMHO, the only way to be able to use such guitar stuff is if the guitar is VERY dominating in the song. Often the sound is done a lot by the bass, too. Even a doubled (recorded twice and NOT copied) track may help alot in giving a guitar the power you'd want.

aXel

 

[an1989dy]

grow some balls and get a mesa boogie

 

[etnoziroh]

Doubling tracks with my V-amp made a big difference. Don't copy and paste a recording to a new track but redo the part on the new track. Pan then a little (or a lot, your choice) and eq the tracks.

 

[volltreffer]

You may even use different sims on the two tracks...

aXel

 

[ecktronic]

I dont really beleive in using direct recording for distorted guitars. (can be good for clean). If you want to get a good tone and meatiness in your direct recordings, turn the gain down so you arent getting that digital nasty distortion sound. Have the distortion just enough so it is kind of meaty and there is no digital chhcgrzz atall. Watch the high end at 5K (the hiss that you might not hear at first listen) once recorded. Record the same guitar part many times using different model settings ie mesa then marshal then 70s or something along those lines. You might have to change the eq settings on the pod for each distortion type. Once recorded listen back and mix them together. Say tou really like the tight low end grizzle on one of the distortions, the clear present crisp mids of another distortion and the sparkling hi end (but not digitally hissy) of another. Mix these to taste only with the faders, then bounce them to one track. Now you can use EQ to get the exact tone you want that works with the mix.
With a bit of practice you might be able to get a decent meaty tonefull distortion. I have never tried this but i think it might work wuite well as l,ong as you dont have that digital sound.
Good luck. Let us know if it worked if you decide to try it.

 

[tom18222]

record right and left guitars seperately. you can do a center one if youd like.

 

[dogbiscuit]

cheers ecktronic.
I've been experimenting for months now but I will take some of what you say onboard and see if it helps. You are absolutely right about that hissy digital sound. It is nasty and very difficult to avoid.