Line6 GuitarPort recording sounds muddy

[Sheridan]

When I record my guitar with my GuitarPort the results are muddy and dull. I know I can't expect crisp sounds like on commercial recordings without adding EQ and stuff but now it just sounds lame.

Compare these soundclips:

Example from Line6:

Example by me:

These examples are recorded with the exact same settings and without any external effects added. Listen to the palm mutes to hear the difference. Those from Line6 sound so crisp in comparison. I've tried recording with two different guitars and it sounds the same with both. A guy at the local music store told me it could be the soundcard (which is an old SBLive 5.1) but from what I know, GuitarPort acts as a soundcard itself and when I record into Cubase I use GuitarPort as soundcard so my SBLive shouldn't be the problem. Or is it?

I've also tried replacing my strings but nothing seems to help. Hopefully someone here might know what the problem is.

 

[Sheridan]

Hmm... maybe it's because my guitar has humbuckers. Though I still think it's something else. Now I've disabled my soundcard and play the GuitarPort right to the stereo but still with poor sound quality.

 

[Synesthesia]

Have you messed with the bass/treble/mids using the Line6 itself? It sounds like you have way too much low end, and/or not enough highs. I've never used a Line6, but I have a V-amp2, and the various knobs and buttons make a huge difference in sound. Maybe try a different pick-up, too. I find my bridge pick-up tends to work best for heavy distortion. How wet is the signal? Sometimes too much reverb or gain can make the tone sound muddy. Also mess around with different amp/cabinet combinations. Sorry if this all sounds too obvious to you, but I have no idea how much you've actually tried. Good luck.

 

[Sheridan]

Thank you for your answer!

I think the only thing I can do is to add pre-EQ like a Boss GE-7 which I already have.. And maybe play in neck position.

The thing I find the most annoying is that I'll have to alter all the presets that you can download which I don't like. Instant tones is one of the purposes with the GuitarPort.

 

[Polaris20]

Even though they have the same settings, you have an entirely different guitar with different pickups going into a different sound card.

Too many variables to have precisely the same tone based on settings for the GuitarPort alone.

You'll definitely have to tweak the EQ.

 

[Sheridan]

The GE-7 did it! At least almost... You can't add frequencies that are not there from the start but with some EQ I managed to get rid of the worst mud =)