Favorite DI/Modeler for recording guitar?

  • Thread starter Thread starter EveningSky
  • Start date Start date
Ive been using the line6 guitarport for a few months now and Ive been really impressed with it. It took about the whole first month to get good tones, because as stated, presets really suck, no way around that. Now that Ive got my sound dialed in it sounds really good.
 
SS Glen, I must spread some more before giving you props, so here you go. I think alot of people fall under category 1. They throw on a preset with cans on and give up after 30 seconds of tweaking, try another patch, etc. Yeah, modelers aren't perfect, but...

I've recorded and mixed plenty of tunes on my PodXT, from clean to metal heavy that have sounded much better than tunes I've heard from people with awesome amps, whatever mic, and hours spent trying to get the tone right. On the other hand, there are certain tones I can't quite reach with my XT. Close, but not quite.

So... I'd recommend grabing a PodXT with the Model Packs installed, spend some good time tweaking (and borrowing) some killer patches for various tones (clean, clean lead, heavy, heavy lead, etc. etc.). Tweaking preferably done on monitor speakers (this goes for any modeler). Or, buy a ton of real gear, wake up the dead, and hopefully master the recording techniques to get it to sound the way you like.
 
aaroncomp said:
I've recorded and mixed plenty of tunes on my PodXT, from clean to metal heavy that have sounded much better than tunes I've heard from people with awesome amps, whatever mic, and hours spent trying to get the tone right.
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Here's the way I see it. A Pod is no substitute for a live amp. But at the same time, a live amp is no substitute for a Pod.

Just as sounds can be gotten from an amp that could never be gotten from a modeler, sounds can be gotten from a modeler that could never be gotten from an amp - especially if the user is like most; they only have regular access to one or maybe two amps or cabs and a limited supply of mics and preamps.

I don't see it as an either/or situation with amps and modelers, they are not mutually exclusive. They are in fact complimentary. Having both at your disposal triples your options over having just one or the other.

And if you're in a position like EveningSky where an amp is just not an option, a modeler is an excellent solution. I have a good friend who's a projectionist by day; he actually lays tracks down at work while the movies are rolling using his Pod.

G.
 
I think the biggest problem with modelers and software modeling is the aforementioned mistake number 1. They plug in and every preset is more or less swimming in effects and they decide, this sucks. Building a sound from the floor up would probably be the better way to go, ie, pick your amp, pick your cabinet, get the tone right...does it need reverb, add one...and etc.

Instead of picking "Gnutella's 5th dimension Death Cab distortion filtered" as a preset.

Just my thoughts,
6
 
I use both, a real amp miced, 1 mic up close and a room mic and a POD and I get some pretty good results you'll have to A/B the line outs but it works for me but I also stack and layer my guitar trax so I acheive that thickness I looking for. Goodluck and peace out.
 
+1 to what farview said.
An amp modeler is not a replacement for a mic'ed amp if you have one available. But you can get some pretty damn good sounds out of one, and 99% of the people out there will never know the difference. You can't just buy one, plug it in and expect it to sound exactly the way you want. Ditto for an amp. The longer you mess around with it, the better you get at getting good sounds out of it.

Also, for a real heavy guitar sound, do not forget about the V-AMP Pro. IMO, it is tops at getting a super heavy, high gain guitar tone, among all the modelers.
 
I know this is horribily old & sordid but I'll do it anyway.
I have several pedals & things but always go back to my Yamaha FX 500. MOST of the presets needed tweaking & ALL of the distortion presets were hopeless & almost untweakable.
The chain of Compression, distortion, EQ, modulation & reverb(the last 2 also swappable within the chain) all of which can be bypassed or modified makes it pretty flexible.
That said, if I'm not micing up I'll go to the Yammie, scroll through the 20 or so combinations I've set up over the years for bass or guitar & either use one of those as it is or tweak it a little more & use that.
There's also the advantage of stereo out if needed.
Low tech, not the latest samples, NO amp emulation BUT, & in common with a few others that have commented on their old gear, I know it almost inside out & can get something from it to suit me.
 
PODxt

I use a PODxt direct into the board BUT, I use the Line6 editing software on the pc through USB to make my presets and edits. This is the only way I feel in a studio environment to get settings that work, quickly. The on board LED and pages of parameters are too tedious as far as I am concerned.

Tom
www.canyouhanje.com
 
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