need help with using di-box & tube preamp w/ dig modeler & tube amp

[MegaGoo]

hi. im just starting to check out how i can use a di-box and/or tube preamp in conjunction with my 5150 tube amp and line6 vetta (basically a pod)

i am not familar with exactly when and how to use these items. i was told i can use the behringer behringer gi-100 di box with my vetta by going guitar>vetta>balanced out>di-box>computer linein .. right now the outputs have an optional mic simulation on it which are ok, but i was told the special built-in 4x12 simulation in the di-box is better. so i am going to try that. also, i can run from the speaker out to the di box and put that into the line-in as well.

but how can i incorperate a tube pre-amp into this equation.. such as any of these art tube mp preamps http://www.musiciansfriend.com/live/navigation?q=art+mp

isnt the vetta a preamp? can i use two preamps in my chain like guitar>tube preamp>vetta>di box>line-in of computer or maybe put it at the end like: guitar>vetta>di-box>tube preamp>computer line in. one of the reviewers of the di-box on musiciansfriend says he runs his guitars like that i think

where would the tube preamp benifit my sound the most?

or simply, if i have a guitar, computer, di-box, tube preamp, tube amp head/digital modeler, in what ways can i use those things to improve my tone and sound over just guitar>vetta>computer


thanks
eddie

 

[Halion]

First of all, you don't need to use a DI box. The balanced output of the Vetta is already line level.

Secondly, a cheap tube preamp will not enhance your tone at all. It will more likely suck some tone out of your signal. Don't use it if you don't have to. Since the Vetta is already giving you a balanced line level signal, you can use that to go straight into the soundcard, no extra preamp required.

NEVER run a speaker out to anything other than a speaker. It is a high wattage signal and can destroy any line level gear you connect to it.

I highly, highly doubt the speaker simulation in the behringer di will be better than what your vetta can give you. You could try plugin the vetta line out into the di, and then to the computer, to use the cab sim on the di box. It won't hurt anything, but I really don't think it'll improve anything.

 

[MegaGoo]

i know i dont NEED a di box. i can make recordings fine. but like i said, i spoke to someone who has a vetta and prefers the cabinet sim on the di box over the built-in sims in the vetta. but my question isnt really about that. more so how can i use my components in conjunction with each other. i dont own the tube preamp or di box yet but am considering them

i think you're wrong on the speaker output thing. look at the diagram on page 6 and read the first paragraph of page 7 on the user manual for the behringer di box: http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pdf/man/m_150934.pdf ..it says you can plug in the di box right from the loudspeaker output. but it says you have to plug in your cabinet to the "direct speaker link" to avoid damaging the amp (running a tube amp with no impediance will damage it) .. i think basically the di box is turning the output mean for the speaker into something line level. its all in that manual

also, some people find even a cheap tube preamp has its place. just because its not professional quality doesnt necessairily mean that its a complete waste of money and has 0 benefits

First of all, you don't need to use a DI box. The balanced output of the Vetta is already line level.

Secondly, a cheap tube preamp will not enhance your tone at all. It will more likely suck some tone out of your signal. Don't use it if you don't have to. Since the Vetta is already giving you a balanced line level signal, you can use that to go straight into the soundcard, no extra preamp required.

NEVER run a speaker out to anything other than a speaker. It is a high wattage signal and can destroy any line level gear you connect to it.

I highly, highly doubt the speaker simulation in the behringer di will be better than what your vetta can give you. You could try plugin the vetta line out into the di, and then to the computer, to use the cab sim on the di box. It won't hurt anything, but I really don't think it'll improve anything.

 

[mshilarious]

..it says you can plug in the di box right from the loudspeaker output. but it says you have to plug in your cabinet to the "direct speaker link" to avoid damaging the amp (running a tube amp with no impediance will damage it) .. i think basically the di box is turning the output mean for the speaker into something line level. its all in that manual

That's sort of an exceptional DI box. Most aren't designed to do that, so don't assume that all can. For example, it is probably a terrible idea to connect the speaker out from your 5150 direct to your soundcard.

Anyway, yes the Line6 box would also have a preamp. So you can run the Line6 directly to your soundcard. Or you can run it into another preamp like the ART, or the Behri DI, or put a preamp or DI in front of it, or put them all in one big chain. Just make sure the level isn't increasing too much between stages, or you could clip the next stage, which won't damage anything, but probably won't sound good.

In the end, you might find you get a better recorded tone by going straight into your 5150 with a short, quality cable, and using a decent mic on the cab. But if the boxes have the sound you want, go for it.

 

[MegaGoo]

i guess mainly im interested in using the preamp and dibox with the line6. im likely selling the 5150. ive tried micing it a little bit but i prefer the sound i get and the ease of getting it with the line6 as far as recordings.

so i CAN run the tube preamp before the vetta? i was not certain that it would make sense to preamp the signal before running into a preamp. i may be imagining it wrong, but it seems like it would be pointless to have two different preamps in a chain. like i fi wanted to go direct with bass guitar, or a microphone, the tube preamp would be great, but coming out of something thats already a preamp... would it work?

the way i had seen it done like i said was guitar>vetta>di-box>tube preamp but i dont know first hand if that would work for certain, or if there was a better way to do it.

and to clarify, i already know i can go guitar>vetta>soundcard because thats how i do it now. the main question is where in the signal chain would be the best place for a tube preamp and di box, and/or other equipment that would improve my sound

and then theres the fact that theres multiple versions of the art tube preamp. i dont know which would suit me best in this specific application. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitar/navigation?q=art+tube+mp

 

[Halion]

You are right about the di box, I didn't know. Generally, you don't ever want to connect a speaker out to anything but a speaker. The behri di seems to have a dummy load build in. I still don't think it will improve anything though.

You can run the tube pre before the vetta, just make sure you don't turn the gain on the tube pre up too much or the input of the vetta will clip (remember it is still looking for a low gain level). In this case you would only use the tube pre for it's tone, not actually for it's amplifying abilities.

But as always, the best convincing is done by your ears, so apart from my opinion, that's all I can say about it I've your not sure, try it. I know I didn't belief "the word" at first, untill I tried the di-box/preamp thing