Pedal Or Pre-amp?

[Lotus]

..sorry for the newbie question..i have been using DI to record my guitar into my PC but noticed a decrease in the sharpness and tone of the input (volume is not a problem)..i suppose it has something to do with the signal impedence as i go through a simple mixer then into my PC so i need a pre-amp..my question is, what is the difference between a guitar pre-amp and a standard pedal in terms of impedence?..
does a standard pedal not change the signal impedence by itself even when in the off position?...
I noticed behringer have released a whole set of new pedals priced at 23 euros one which is a "preamp booster" (link below)...would this do the job of a pre-amp in terms of changing the impedence i wonder?
by the way, since i add all my effects after recording i dont really need a dedicated Fx box...


http://www.behringer.com/PB100/index.cfm?lang=ENG


http://www.behringer.com/02_products/musicalinstrument_index.cfm?lang=ENG#STOMP BOXES

 

[beezelbubba]

..sorry for the newbie question..i have been using DI to record my guitar into my PC but noticed a decrease in the sharpness and tone of the input (volume is not a problem)..i suppose it has something to do with the signal impedence as i go through a simple mixer then into my PC so i need a pre-amp..my question is, what is the difference between a guitar pre-amp and a standard pedal in terms of impedence?..
does a standard pedal not change the signal impedence by itself even when in the off position?...
I noticed behringer have released a whole set of new pedals priced at 23 euros one which is a "preamp booster" (link below)...would this do the job of a pre-amp in terms of changing the impedence i wonder?
by the way, since i add all my effects after recording i dont really need a dedicated Fx box...


http://www.behringer.com/PB100/index.cfm?lang=ENG


http://www.behringer.com/02_products/musicalinstrument_index.cfm?lang=ENG#STOMP BOXES

You must only record a guitar with a mic and amp!You are going about things wrong!

 

[Sirnothingness]

If you are recording into a computer, then get a PodXT.

 

[Ronan]

I am in the "you should be recording an amp with a mic" camp. but if you are going direct, yes, you are right. Your problem is related to imedance. What you need is something that will match the impedancce to something your computer want to see. One way to do this is to go into a direct box and then into a mic pre-amp into your computer. Some pre-amps also have hi-Z inputs that will let you skip the direct box part of the scenario.

Do not skimp on your DI. Quality makes a big difference. For about $200 you can get something great (check out Radial engineering)

 

[ahuimanu]

You must only record a guitar with a mic and amp!You are going about things wrong!

No TOOB = No Tone

 

[Lotus]

I am in the "you should be recording an amp with a mic" camp. but if you are going direct, yes, you are right. Your problem is related to imedance. What you need is something that will match the impedancce to something your computer want to see. One way to do this is to go into a direct box and then into a mic pre-amp into your computer. Some pre-amps also have hi-Z inputs that will let you skip the direct box part of the scenario.

Do not skimp on your DI. Quality makes a big difference. For about $200 you can get something great (check out Radial engineering)

thanks ronan...appreciate it!!!! i will have a look around for a DI box..

as for the other replies.....
my neighbours wont allow me to crank up an amp...and since im not recording a hit album, im not too fussy... but i would at least like an un-changed guitar signal which is enough for me...

 

[ggunn]

thanks ronan...appreciate it!!!! i will have a look around for a DI box..

as for the other replies.....
my neighbours wont allow me to crank up an amp...and since im not recording a hit album, im not too fussy... but i would at least like an un-changed guitar signal which is enough for me...

If you can borrow or rent a DI and see if it makes the diff you are looking for, I would advise you to do that before you throw cash at a problem which it may or may not fix.

Every situation is different, of course, but in my studio, whether I plug myTaylor (or Strat or ATK bass) directly into the board or go through my active DI with all its EQ flat, the sound is virtually the same. I use a DI when I need to drive a long line with low loss; if I'm right there next to the board, I just plug directly in. Actually, a compressor may be more what you are looking for, that will fatten up a direct recording considerably.

But of course, as in all things, YMMV.