Recording distortion with pedal onto computer - what should I get?

[Zorlio]

I have tried a bunch of things like the Line6 GuitarPort and the POD and some Digitech stuff, but none of if sounds good because it all sounds messy, noisy, staticy, muffled, weak, etc.

I want to be able to have this type of a setup (or something similar): Guitar -> DS1 Distoriton Pedal -> THING -> computer (via usb/line in/whatever).

What is this THING that I should get?

- or maybe you know of something else that I can buy that will let me record nice, full sounding distortion on to my computer; I'm all up for suggestions

(Would be great if it's no more than 100 dollars)

 

[scrubs]

What is this THING that I should get?

It's called an 'AMP,' which is short for amplifier. In the 20th century, it was used to create all these amazing guitar tones. Recording engineers were able to place a microphone near them and record said tones. You might be able to find a used amp somewhere (I don't think they make them anymore). They are totally worth the search for that "vintage" guitar tone.

 

[MemoGtr]

(Would be great if it's no more than 100 dollars)

its gonna take more cash to get one of those "AMPs" (and a mic...and a pre...and cables)

 

[Zorlio]

oh yea, i forgot to add: I dont wanna mic an amp, so no "get an amp" suggestions, thanks

and I also tried running a line from amp to computer, and that's no good either

 

[scrubs]

oh yea, i forgot to add: I dont wanna mic an amp, so no "get an amp" suggestions, thanks

and I also tried running a line from amp to computer, and that's no good either

That's fine, but, everything you have tried, or will try, is designed to "simulate" the sound of an amplifier and speaker. While this technology has come a long way in the past several years, it remains a simulation of a sound that is easily attainable through other means. Good luck on your search. Do let us know if you find "that thing."

 

[CoolCat]

are you sure your not using headphones?

try setting your guitar "tone/distortion" thru your monitors first.
you can be surprised the "awesome sound" in the headphones
can sound like ASS thru the mix monitors.

many home recording musicians/and eng....use headphones in the wrong
way...and then complain of crap mixes, muddy playbacks.

example, if your doing all line in..no mics.
drum machine, bass, POD-lead and rythm.do all tracking thru your monitors.

it makes a HUGE difference. I had the same problem and distortion
guitar was one of the hardest.

remember, in a "real studio" the engineers are behind the glass,
listening to the rock-guitarheads marshall stacks thru their
monitors. dig it? good luck.

 

[Zorlio]

i don't wanna simulate anything; i just wanna be able to hook up my distortion pedal to something so that i can record the sound right into the comp

 

[scrubs]

i don't wanna simulate anything; i just wanna be able to hook up my distortion pedal to something so that i can record the sound right into the comp

Then, just plug the pedal directly into your soundcard (or run a preamp between your pedal and the card -- the ART tube MP is cheap). But, I can almost assure you, it will sound like ass. You could buy the best soundcard in the world, and it would probably still sound like ass. Your distortion pedal was meant to be played through an amp speaker. Without the speaker part, you just get that harsh, fizzy, buzzy crap.

I am not ruling out direct recording. Like I said, the technology has improved. But, to get a decent tone, you will likely need a simulator (POD, V-Amp, etc.) and a good monitoring chain (as COOLCAT has suggested) so that you can hear what the tone really sounds like. You will not find this for under $100. Good luck.

 

[Zorlio]

Then, just plug the pedal directly into your soundcard (or run a preamp between your pedal and the card -- the ART tube MP is cheap). But, I can almost assure you, it will sound like ass. You could buy the best soundcard in the world, and it would probably still sound like ass. Your distortion pedal was meant to be played through an amp speaker. Without the speaker part, you just get that harsh, fizzy, buzzy crap.

I am not ruling out direct recording. Like I said, the technology has improved. But, to get a decent tone, you will likely need a simulator (POD, V-Amp, etc.)

yes, which brings me right back to my original post. Dude, no offense, but did you even read what i wrote?

 

[fraserhutch]

yes, which brings me right back to my original post. Dude, no offense, but did you even read what i wrote?

He said it would sound like ass - you complained that what you did sounds like ass - did you not read HIS post?

Dude - you are trying to do something which everyone says will not sound good. It won't. Usually, when I record a distorted guitar, it is by micing an amp. You ask advice, and then tell us you don't want to mic an amp. What do you want us to tell you?

Try a DI box. Maybe that's what you're looking for. Plug the output of your pedal into the di, and the output of the di into your soundcard. It'll probably still sound like ass, but a different kind of ass.

 

[CoolCat]

distroted distortions

I have tried a bunch of things like the Line6 GuitarPort and the POD and some Digitech stuff, but none of if sounds good because it all sounds messy, noisy, staticy, muffled, weak, etc.

This may be your tracking "monitor" method is incorrect.
POD are decent.
Distortion is tuff, Aerosmith, SLipknot, pro's have access to the best
stuff. Your distortion box is only half the problem, i guess.

I want to be able to have this type of a setup (or something similar): Guitar -> DS1 Distoriton Pedal -> THING -> computer (via usb/line in/whatever).

What is this THING that I should get?

Top of my head...a M-Audio USB interface box..~$100+, i think there was
one on the FORSALE page.

(Would be great if it's no more than 100 dollars)

I think the cheapest best "amp" box i came across was a SANS AMP,21?
but you know distortion is like wine...many flavors.

 

[Zorlio]

*cough*

He said it would sound like ass - you complained that what you did sounds like ass - did you not read HIS post?

Dude - you are trying to do something which everyone says will not sound good. It won't. Usually, when I record a distorted guitar, it is by micing an amp. You ask advice, and then tell us you don't want to mic an amp. What do you want us to tell you?.

and now let's analyze what I said and what he said: i go "what do i use to record good disotrion?", he goes "use an amp", i go "i don't want to mic an amp and that is why i am asking what is out there that i might not be aware of that i can use without having to mic an amp", he goes "you can try the POD or the other simulators but they will all suck", i go "yea, i KNOW I can and i DID, i mentioned that in my first post, that's why I'm here, to find out what other things could be out there that I am not aware of"

see, what happened was, is that he assumed that by using his witty sarcasm of "they're like called 'amps' from the 20th century" he was going to show me the light and path to salvation, but what only happened was, is that he wasted my time by making me read something that I already knew and SAID that I knew in my original post; and then you come along and provoke me to show off my amazingly fantastic ability to write essays on things which do not require such work.

I am not a - how you say- a professional in this field unlike yourself, and that is why I have ventured here to ask a question which you and others like your "amps form 20th century" friend deemed silly from the start. Me asking "how do I get over there 10 miles from here without taking the bus and not getting tired" does not and should not invoke an answer of "take the bus, that's how" because as you can see, I already said that I do not want to take the bus.

As much as I appreciate you trying to let me know that amps are amazing, my question was about direct to computer recording and not a distortion recording question in general.

PS
thanks Coolcat for actually responding with something useful
if others would only learn your craft

 

[fraserhutch]

Whatever, Dude. OK, so it's a DI, like I suggested, which is a type of amp.

 

[ibanezrocks]

Zorlio you're contradicting yourself we can't help you.
You said you wanted something incredibly cheap, something that doesnt involve an amp, and something that will sound really good. It doesnt exist. If you don't want to mic and amp and you don't want to spend money on an expensive preamp, then you won't get a good sound. It'll take more than $100 to record good distortion. My advice is just save your money, in the long run you'll be glad you did.

 

[scrubs]

and now let's analyze what I said and what he said: i go "what do i use to record good disotrion?", he goes "use an amp", i go "i don't want to mic an amp and that is why i am asking what is out there that i might not be aware of that i can use without having to mic an amp", he goes "you can try the POD or the other simulators but they will all suck", i go "yea, i KNOW I can and i DID, i mentioned that in my first post, that's why I'm here, to find out what other things could be out there that I am not aware of"

see, what happened was, is that he assumed that by using his witty sarcasm of "they're like called 'amps' from the 20th century" he was going to show me the light and path to salvation, but what only happened was, is that he wasted my time by making me read something that I already knew and SAID that I knew in my original post; and then you come along and provoke me to show off my amazingly fantastic ability to write essays on things which do not require such work.

I am not a - how you say- a professional in this field unlike yourself, and that is why I have ventured here to ask a question which you and others like your "amps form 20th century" friend deemed silly from the start. Me asking "how do I get over there 10 miles from here without taking the bus and not getting tired" does not and should not invoke an answer of "take the bus, that's how" because as you can see, I already said that I do not want to take the bus.

As much as I appreciate you trying to let me know that amps are amazing, my question was about direct to computer recording and not a distortion recording question in general.

PS
thanks Coolcat for actually responding with something useful
if others would only learn your craft

Dude, calm down. Of course I was being a smartass. Was it necessary? Probably not. Was it justified? Perhaps. Here's why:

You are asking for a "magic box," under $100 that will transform your shitty sound into a "nice, full sounding distortion on to my computer." That's like asking, "which brand of gasoline, for less than $1.85/gal, will make my Kia Spectra drive like a Porsche?" What I was implying, in my sarcastic diatribe, was that this "magic box" does not exist. The rest of your posts in this thread have been wasting everyone else's time by being so hard-headed about this.

You have already received some good suggestions: a preamp/direct box/amp sim (sansamp is a great thought), or monitors will all get you closer to where you want to be, but probably not all the way there. Odds are, the sound you are after was created by miking an amp and replicating it through other means will be difficult. Additionally, great tone is a function of the player, guitar, strings, and every other step in the signal chain. From ZzSounds DS-1 product description, "A distortion pedal is not a substitute for a good amp, but, in the same breath, amp distortion is not a substitute for a good distortion pedal."

Why don't you help us out by telling us what guitar you are using now with the DS-1 and what sound you are after (style, similar artists)? You may get more fruitful results from people who have gotten close to the sound you want. You also may want to do a search on this forum for "POD" "V-AMP" "SansAmp" and other similar products for tips/tricks on how people here have gotten good sounds out of them. The presets usually need to be modified heavily for best results.

 

[Halion]

Check this out mate:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_id/46186

No wonder box, but you've got what you asking for. It's got a cabinet simulator, a DI out that goes right into your computer, and a line out that could go to an amp. I've heard good things about it, but the fact remains that a DI box is not a good alternative for distorted guitars in most cases. Fits your bill though.

 

[travelin travis]

That sound you're looking for is air. The only way you're gonna get a decent distortion sound is with a mic and amp. I messed with this stuff alot when I was a kid using my 4-track. I even got some decent results going through a distortion pedal and a battery powered amp miced up in the closet. You can try every DI box and magic gizmo out there. There still ain't no magic box that sounds like an amp and a mic.