I need a magic box!

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Goodrat

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I'm recording with Sonar, a mixpad4 mixer, a les paul, drum machine, lots of software plug-in's. But due to my analog days, I think I want limiting on my mike and guitar. Plus I want nice distortion on my guitar. Playing direct just does not cut it. How can I play listening to just a twang?
What do you all suggest for an all around mike/guitar effect that does everything for less than $300 that I can use durring recording with good specs? Zoom? Boss?
 
My girlfriend has one.

Do you want something that simulates a guitar amp, like an amp modeler ? Sansamp GT2, POD, Johnson J-Station, Digitech Genesis. They all simulate the sound of various guitar amps and can produce clean and distorted sounds.
 
You aren't going to find a unit that does all that for under $300.

As a matter of fact, you're not going to find a unit that does all that for 3 times that price. If there was such a unit (or box), we'd all buy it and there wouldn't be a need to buy anything else.

There are rack units that will do a decent job on both vocals and guitar, but why would you want something that doesn't excel at both?

I would suggest getting a POD or J-Station, then save for a nice mic preamp. You simply can't "have it all" for $300... it ain't gonna happen.

Spend more time reading these boards and you'll probably save a lot of time and $$$ and you'll also soon realize that you get what you pay for when it comes to recording equipment.

Be patient, read, and LEARN before you buy.

Buck
 
Yes, maybe. I looked at some of those. But I wonder if I need one that I might plug a mic into. I have an SM58 for vocals. Do you think with the mic dry I can get all the effects I need with Sonar plug-in's, or will I need something external? The mixer has a pre amp, but maybe a little mic simulation will improve things.
If I just get a guitar multi, what's recommended? What about the Boss VF-1?
 
The vf-1 Rocks!!!!! I love mine. It does everything you require and then some. It even has a vocoder!!!!!! I've been thing about buying another one. The guitar patches are great. The bass patches are great. The whole machine is great. Come to think of it.....I am buying another one!!!!! Plus it has a 24 bit spdif OUT!!!!!!!!!!
 
The VF-1 does seem great. I had an SE-50 a while back. But I don't think it is meant to be a mic pre amp, or will it due?
Great for guitar, but how will it do with a mike plugged in and the output into the sound card?
I still get back to the fact that my guitar could use something outboard, but the vocals can just use plug-in's after recording.
 
Goodrat said:
What do you all suggest for an all around mike/guitar effect that does everything for less than $300 that I can use durring recording with good specs? Zoom? Boss?
Click to expand...

sounds to me that the Boss VF-1 would fit your need the most. :)
besides guitar, it does have vocal effects as well.... I would like to get one myself, but it's a little off my budget. :(
 
So far, after reading some on-line reviews, it seems hard to ignore the $150 price of the J-station. I think if I had multiple playback channels with a mixer I would get the VF-1. I just can't see having effects when I already have tons of plug-ins for mixdown on the computer.
Plus, like many I'm sure, it may sit in our room gathering dust until inspiration hits, at that could be years. Anyway, it would be nice to have some good guitar sounds and thus everything I need to make music on my computer.
I think the most expensive thing in this hobby/profession is buying all the stuff we don't need, selling that for nothing, then buying better stuff!
 
The VF-1 does seem great. I had an SE-50 a while back. But I don't think it is meant to be a mic pre amp, or will it due?
Great for guitar, but how will it do with a mike plugged in and the output into the sound card?



--It does an admirable job as a mic pre as well!
 
I have used the pod for over a year and I like it, but I bought my son a V-amp for christmas for $129 including footswitch and carring case and I think its better than the pod at most sounds.
 
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