Recording Guitar at home (Stoner Rock)

[Andyleeds]

Hi,

I own an Aria Pro basic hollow guitar. My chain is very basic. Guitar to Big Muff - Big Muff to Pro Tools direct line!

I don't like recording this way but I'm not really in a position to mic up my Marshall because of the noise.

I've done some experimenting and my tone is CRAP. My Pro Tools setting is flat, mono audio track - line one. When the Muff is on the tone is simply really bad, no where near as beautiful as the sound I achieve when the Muff is rigged up to the Cab.

I just wondered if anybody could offer me any advice for how to get a better tone?
Thanks

 

[Dogbreath]

I found miking my cab gave me a better sound all around. I know you said its not really an option but I did some A/B comparisons of miking vs DI with my Vox ToneLab SE and, while the Vox didn't sound bad, the miked cab just sounded better, fuller with more body and "space".

What about tryin to find a better tone with the volumes backed off and blending the 2?

 

[Andyleeds]

I've tried altering the volume but no difference really. I definitely need to use my pedals either way, but so far I'm having no luck with DI. Would you recommend me purchasing an ISO cab?

 

[Richard Monroe]

ISO cab? Hell yes. Failing in that, do you have Amplitube or Amp farm in your Pro Tools rig? You should. If you do, it's time to start playing around with amp simulations, if you are going to go direct. Otherwise, consider an outboard amp simulator such as Behringer VAMP 2.- Richie

 

[Andyleeds]

Do you have any recommendations for ISO cabs?

I hear good and bad things about them - but in order to pick up a true tone, fused with my pedals, I think an ISO cab is the best option.

 

[Dogbreath]

What about building an ISO cab?
I was googlin around and found a youtube or sumpin where this guy did that. Can't find it right now but it didn't seem to be that big of a deal. He just built a box and put some sorta foam in it. That may be key to its isolation or it may not. Don't know. Never used one. But I'd think a decently built box would cut back quite a few db's.

Just my thoughts man....
Kel

 

[Dogbreath]

found this if it helps...
http://www.petrucciforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51388

just the first one I clicked on.

 

[Andyleeds]

Hey man - I tried building one not so long back, but I realized a lot needed doing, and financially I had to to pay just as much as I would buying one. Also I don't really have the space in my room for a home made one!

 

[Richard Monroe]

I built mine, and it did involve some expense and effort. I started by buying a heavy plywood shipping crate, which paradoxically, cost a fair amount to have shipped. Then I lined it with multiple layers of short pile dense carpet stick-on pads, and a layer of Auralex foam, just to absorb additional highs, and cut reflections. I drilled a couple of holes in it, and permanently installed a short mic cable and a short female-to-male instrument cable, which makes it much easier to make the cable connections. You have to make sure there is enough extra room in it not only for the additional baffling materials, but for the amp and a kick mic stand, with a little extra for the amp to breath. If you use a big amp, it is not practical. It doesn't absolutely isolate the cab by any means, but it does cut bleed * a lot*, especially as I usually put it in another room. Maybe this weekend I can put up some pictures.
As far as modelers go, I'm the lone weirdo who routes the modeler to a power amp, and then to a cab, and then mic the cab up. Often, I am running the POD to a Carver power amp, and then to a Marshall 1X12 cab, which goes into the iso box. That cuts the SPL's even more, and allows me to move air. With real cranked up amps, I tend to use a dynamic mic, but with the modeler going out to a cab, I usually drop the volume level, get the distortion from the model, and mic it with a condenser. I've used a lot of mics for this, but time and time again, I've gotten my best results with an AKG C2000B. Don't ask me why- it just works. -Richie

 

[Andyleeds]

Hi Richard,

Thank you for the info. Well I've decided to save and pick up an ISO cab next month. I'm thinking of going for the Grendel Dead Room.
I use an AKG C3000B for miking.

 

[Sonixx]

have you tried Cab Emulation? there are a lot of really good and free impulses around.

 

[Todzilla]

Just to further muddy the waters, consider going the Reamp route.

It sounds like it's a complicated process with no tangible benefits, but that upped my guitar recording process more than any other technology.

 

[Ronan]

One thing people often forget is that some amps can sound great at low volumes. Many of the 80s designs where a lot of the gain comes from the pre amp stage can sound pretty good at the same level you would watch a DVD on TV.