Hello, from Roxboro, N.Carolina.........

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59Panhead

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I'm new to any form of recording, and decided to begin the learning process as a means to record sound clips from the vintage tube instrument amplifiers that I revive. I don't play well enough to do my own. But, have a number of friends who are more than capable of the task when I need to do so.

I didn't want to just record from the mic input on a computer. I wanted a bit better quality, so that others can hear the tonal differences, as well as how effects (mostly Tremolo, Vibrato, Reverb) sound through these amps. I have vintage Delay, and Mechanical Tremolo effects to try, as well. So, I want a nice, clean, true recording.

I'm using Fedora (22) Linux as my Operating System, with an Akai EIE 16-bit Interface. A ribbon mic (brand escapes me) and an American D4T, as well as a D8. The ribbon mic seems to not pass the higher frequencies, though the Mids and Bass are good. Voice is clear through this mic. The D4T passes all the Highs and Mids, along with a little bit of Bass. Combined, the two seem to cover it all very well.

Also, in addition to my vintage amps, I want to scratch-build a couple amps from my many, many drawings of some that I have designed, borrowing from the best of the designs that I have come to like in a number of old amps. Those, I definitely want to get some good recording down, when I'm able to complete them.

Anyway, I'll browse, and hopefully there's something that I will be able to contribute. Looking forward to being here. Have a good one.

Jack
 
Hi Jack and welcome.

The Akai EIE has had a mixed reception (although I for one have read very little about it). Tales of poor drivers and difficult integration with some systems? But if it works for you, great!

The EIE unusually these days, has channel inserts and these could be invaluable for using the various FX you have. One problem you might come up against are hum (aka ground/earth) loops and the best way to beat these is transformers.

You can of course buy single, double even 8 traff isolators ready made but since you seem of a practical bent, look up Jensens and you will find better quality components for any give complete commercial unit price.

Since recording FX via inserts is irreversible you might like to consider a minimalist "clean and dry" recording then add FX to taste using re-amping techniques? Again, pretty simple kit to DIY.

Just a shame (IMHO) that the Akai is 16 bit!

Dave.
 
Thanks Dave, for the reply and welcome.

Actually, I didn't choose this particular model, because it was 16-bit. I got a killer deal on it and the ribbon mic, both new. But, it turns out that because I'm operating in a Linux environment, a class compliant interface is easier for someone like me. That is, new to interfacing and recording. Fedora jumped right on it, recognized it, and I was able to be up and running that quick. Maybe at some point I'll want to move to something different. But, it will help my learning curve, if I don't have to scratch my head having to make something like this work.

So far, it's dead quiet. The only hum is coming from the first old amp that I'm using to get my feet wet. I haven't looked at the potentiometer codes, so I haven't dated the amp yet. Appears to be a 60's vintage Flot-A-Tone, maybe a bit older. I have a non-working one that is definitely early 50's. Very Art Deco. This one is the nicest of old amps. Very quality built. But, it needs some power supply caps at some point. Hum is not bad. It can be a studio quality recording amp, once I give it a once over.

The only effects that I will use will be onboard the particular amp, or through an effects loop in the amp. The interface will be just for recording straight from microphones. At some point later, I may experiment with a direct connection from guitar. For now, just amps.

Back to the two models. The Pro model is not class compliant, I've found. And, one individual (maybe a collaboration) has attempted to work up some Linux drivers for it. But, it is an unfinished project, and not sure it it will be anytime soon. I've had a number of recommendations from the Linux community on interfaces to try. The best seem to be an onboard card that cables out to the external interface box. Latency is not an issue, for sure. But, the couple grand to invest is not practical, for a total amateur like me.

I have some isolation transformers that I made up to use as power connections for vintage non-grounded amps. These de-hum those quite a bit, and provide safety, as well. You may be referring to some other use of a transformer. If you are, I'd be interested in knowing the use.

Anyway, I've been a Windows guy (read that as intitutionalized, like most of the world) for a very long time. I never made the crossover to Mac, because I can't build my own computers (that I know of). Howver, Linux (Fedora is my choice) gives me that freedom. I've set my computer(s) up to emulate my Windows desktop, and have found a substitute for AutoCAD, to make the schematics and layouts that I need for my amp work. DraftSight is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. And to me, it is an exact AutoCAD replacement. Now if I could only find a compiler for my Borland Pascal programs. I'm experimenting with Python as a completely different approach. I write apps to do mostly math that I can't do in my head.

I'll continue to drop in and watch for an opportunity to contribute. I'm afraid that for now, I'll only be asking questions. Maybe the contribution will be asking the questions that someone else didn't think to ask.

Jack
 
Welcome! There is a guitar tone thread with some very dedicated enthusiasts here. Check the thread...it's got a lot of pages. :) Good read, though. We've got a few around here with the DIY mindset, I'm sure you'll be a valuable addition.
Happy Recording :D
 
Hi again Jack,
I was referring to these devices...Dual Transformer Isolator

To use in an audio feed to break ground loops. I am going to assume YOU know what you are doing with mains isolation traffs but am at pains to point out that they should only be used by qualified persons.
Especially over here!

Dave.
 
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