Micing amp versus direct box

[ditnoj]

Howdy.
I am not a guitarist by profession or nature. The guitar setup we use for church AND when I record is a Boss GT 3 and a little Peavey "Backstage". Right Now we are going guitar to GT3 to Peavey to (via line out) direct box to snake, console, etcetera.

What are the pros and cons of using this setup versus micing the little Peavey?
I've played around a little (drums / percussion) and have met some folks who always use direct boxes and some folks who only mic amps. What are the determining factors and variables?

Even though this is mainly a live sound question, I will also be using this same equipment for some projects I am doing

Thanks in advance!

D out ITNOJ

 

[BBB]

By going direct you lose all of the desirable qualities of your power amp and your speaker resonance, etc. (on a Peavey Backstage, this probably doesn't make much of a difference). You also lose the ability to adjust mic positioning for different sonic qualities.

Generally, tube power amps and speaker cabinets affect/enhance tone quality. Most players desire the tonal characteristics of the power amps and the speakers. Running direct bypasses these tonal characteristics.

However, running direct allows the sound man to have more control of a player's volume levels. It is perfectly acceptable and eliminates mic'ing hassles. It especially works well with a amp emulator/modeler such as a SansAmp which emulates a mic'ed cabinet.


Matt

 

[ditnoj]

Thanks for the input!

So I would assume, then, that since the BOSS GT3 does have amp simulating characteristics (y'all know better than me of what quality), and since the little Peavey doesn't have much of a cabinet or speaker to have much resonance (little bitty sucker, ain't it?) and the mic that would be used on it right now anyway is a "Proam" (rhymes with "Realistic". .. this company sells a $3.00 soldering iron!), I'm probably better off using the direct box, at the very least until I have at least a 57 or something decent to put on it, right?

And doesn't the line out occur after the pre amp stage of the amp? That is, the signal going input to pre amp to line out before going to the speaker?

Thanks again!

 

[crosstudio]

you're better off going DI until you get a better mic and a better amp. BTW, you didn't mention what kind of guitar you play, because that is where the tone originates.

I record my conklin (5-string bass) through a Sansamp bass DI and it sounds great, but I still record my guitar through a mic (sm57, fender hotrod deville tube amp).

btw, it's cool that you play in church. that's where i first learned to play.

 

[pugskank]

If your amp sounds great, mic it. There is nothing better than to record the sound you are used to hearing. Playing with something new can be time consuming and lead into a downward spiral.

 

[pugskank]

that is of course, if you also have a great mic. sorry for not making that clear. my sm57 works great, but if you just have a 58, take the filter off and it's a 57, waalaa!

 

[Henri Devill]

For the live thing with that amp DI is probobly the best way to go.When you record if you get the chance try mic'ing and DI'ing at the same time.Put each to a different track, its a easy way to create doubles...because your sound thru mic will sound different from the DI and also the time difference that it takes sound to travel thru the two different tecniqes....anyway just a idea .Good luck

Don

 

[ditnoj]

Thanks for the input!

I will try the "double route" deal the next time I record a guitar part!

D out ITNOJ

 

[frank_1]

I personally think going direct for guitars is not the best approch. Just mic it!

 

[BBB]

So I would assume, then, that since the BOSS GT3 does have amp simulating characteristics (y'all know better than me of what quality),

The GT3 might use the Roland COSM amp/speaker modelers. If they are comparable to the higher end models, they are excellent modelers.

and since the little Peavey doesn't have much of a cabinet or speaker to have much resonance (little bitty sucker, ain't it?)

I thought those had a 12" speaker...

and the mic that would be used on it right now anyway is a "Proam" (rhymes with "Realistic". .. this company sells a $3.00 soldering iron!), I'm probably better off using the direct box, at the very least until I have at least a 57 or something decent to put on it, right?

Sure. Your GT3 may perform just fine for live performance. Often running direct makes the soundman's job much easier. Especially in smaller venues where your stage volume has more of an impact on your mixed volume.

And doesn't the line out occur after the pre amp stage of the amp? That is, the signal going input to pre amp to line out before going to the speaker?

Yes.

Matt

 

[BBB]

Ok. I investigated a bit. The GT-3 does use COSM amp modeling. Thus, it should provide fairly good sounds when run direct.


Matt

 

[ditnoj]

I thought those had a 12" speaker...

You're right, I stand corrected..."a moderately sized speaker in a little bitty cabinet"

Thanks for all the input!

D out ITNOJ

 

[xtremedb]

Hey man,

Don't knock Peavey! I had a Matchless onside a Mesa Heartbreaker... I sold them both to get that incredible Scorpion speaker sound... and I got a cool tatoo w/the leftover cash ;-)

Brad

 

[BBB]

Don't knock Peavey! I had a Matchless onside a Mesa Heartbreaker... I sold them both to get that incredible Scorpion speaker sound... and I got a cool tatoo w/the leftover cash ;-)

I've owned the Backstage, a Studio Pro, a 5150, a RockMaster, and still own a Bravo. The last 3 were excellent. The first two were sub par. None of them compare to my Boogie for my tastes.

He's got the Backstage. The GT-3 definitely gives better tones than that amp.


Matt

 

[xtremedb]

BTW... I was just kidding about that post.

You really rate a 5150 as excellent?!

Those are some of the most awful, noisy amps I have ever encountered. To this day I still grimmace when I have to mic one. They might as well not even have a clean channel. (Just my opinion)

I only mention it because you obviously have somewhat discerning taste if you play a Boogie.

 

[BBB]

BTW... I was just kidding about that post.

Heh.

I wasn't too sure because IMHO, Peavey has made some excellent stuff and some crap stuff.

You really rate a 5150 as excellent?!

Those are some of the most awful, noisy amps I have ever encountered. To this day I still grimmace when I have to mic one. They might as well not even have a clean channel. (Just my opinion)

The 5150 had one good (be it noisy) tone. Yeah, the clean channel needed some disinfectant. When I used it to gig years ago, I preferred having one great tone as opposed to cycling through many tones during a gig. Towards the end of my relationship with the 5150, I actually would hide the Bravo behind the rig and run the Bravo through the speaker cab because I preferred its tone. I ended up using the 5150 just for show. Be that as it may, I did like the 5150 tone for a while.

I only mention it because you obviously have somewhat discerning taste if you play a Boogie.

I only keep that to impress people. I prefer running my ZOOM processor into a vintage 80's Crate solid state amp.