Mesa Boogie Triaxis recording direct??

[ProgMetalShred]

I apologize for cross-posting this to the Rack forum as well... topic seems to fit both forums.

Hey guys,

I recently snagged a Mesa Boogie Triaxis guitar preamp and have a couple questions. I play mostly progressive metal ala Dream Theater ("Images and Words" era preferred), so the John Petrucci Ibanez plus Boogie sound is really what I am aiming for. However, having a budget, it doesn't look like I can afford the Mesa 2:90 power amp and 2x12 Rectifier cab that I would like. That being said, has anyone had any luck using any of the various cab simulators for recording direct out of the triaxis? Here's what I have tried so far:

1.) Triaxis recording outs direct to PC Soundcard:

Sounded GOD-awful. Flat... lifeless...

2.) Triaxis output to Digitech GSP-2101 effects loop. Stereo headphone out from 2101 into PC soundcard:

This was decent, but even using the effects loop on the 2101 (which bypasses all the analog effects and EQ), the Digitech unit still robs the Mesa of it's growl. The 2101 impresses it's own tonal characteristics on the sound, even when all the digital effects are turned off.

3.) Triaxis output into Line 6 Pod 2.0 input with Pod set to use Line6 Clean amp setting and cabinet model of my choice:

Again, yuck... the Line6 amp models just trample the tone coming out of the triaxis. If only there was some way to bypass the amp models and use only the cab models in the POD.

So basically, has anyone ever used any of the myriad direct-in cab simulators out there with a Triaxis, or am I the first one to not be able to afford the power amps and cabs that make this preamp sing?

I have read SOME info on the following:
Behringer Ultra-DI and Ultra-G
Radiant Engineering JDI Direct Box
Music Valve DI Box
Demeter VTDB-2DI Box
Countryman DI Box
Whirlwind IMP Z DI
Palmer PDI-09

Anyone have thoughts? This simulator will be used with mostly shred metal distortion. I plan on using something else or direct mic'ing my Ovation acoustic. Not sure what I will do for bass.. open to suggestions.

Thanks for any help you can give me,
Jeff in Houston

 

[xalien]

My friend has a mesa-boogie pre-amp and we tried running it into my J-Station. On the J-Station you can turn off the amp model and just use the cabinet. It seemed to work well, and sure was a lot of fun to play with, but we haven't tried any serious recording. However, the J-Station route might be worth a try.

-Steve

 

[rob-keeler]

Cabtone by Digital Music Corp

I also own a Triaxis (a 2:90 and a couple Mesa 4x12s). Incredible tone but I needed something that would enable me to do late night recording and not get evicted. In other words I need a speaker cabinet emulator. After a lot of trial and error (PODs and DIs) I came across the Digital Music Corp's Cabtone. This box emulates a 4x12 and an open back 2x12 mic'd with a Shure 57. With a little bit of EQing this box gives a damn good emulation. This box has some other cool features. It has a "line in" (triaxis output -> line in) and a "speaker in" (power amp out -> speaker in). You still need a load box or speaker connected if you go the "speaker in" route but you get the added power tube distortion. This option is great for gigs. You get a perfectly mic'd amp every time and don't have to worry about some fool bumping your mic. The box has a balanced out (low noise and great for long cable runs) and a line out (unbalanced). The box was not expensive at all. I got mine for about $100. (btw I don't work for them).

-Rob Keeler

 

[ProgMetalShred]

Cabtone sound?

Rob & Steve,

Thanks for the replies.

Well obviously I am in the same predicament in regards to needing something that doesn't get me evicted/divorced/etc...

I really don't think the J-Station is the way I will go, merely based on the fact that I already have a POD and am looking to conserve finances. So the next question I have for Rob is, do you have anything that I could listen to that you recorded through the cabtone? I am SERIOUSLY considering this puppy after reading the reviews at harmony central and listening to the stuff that Brian Wherry did (www.brianwherry.com). The only thing that concerns me on Brian's songs is if the presence is lacking due to the Mp3 encoding at the lower bitrate and stuff, or does it really rob the Triaxis of its "balls". Any thoughts?

Thanks again and shred 'til yer dead,
Jeff