Room mic or room reverb

[not4ne1]

With todays computer recording, it's really easy to plug in a guitar and start tracking with some amp simulators (which are also pretty good). But it looses the element of the room mic. I want to know what peoples takes are on using a stock room reverb in place of the room mic. Seems it should ultimately provide the same result, correct? What do you think?

 

[Massive Master]

Seems it should ultimately provide the same result, correct?

When you're looking for "space" and "distance" there is no substitute for "space" and "distance" -- The mic hears a completely different signal from a distance.

 

[mjbphotos]

A lot depends on the 'room' you are recording in, mic you are using, etc. Close mic-ing a loud amp with a SM57 is not going to give you much room!

 

[Greg_L]

None of it matters if the room is bad. I think a simulated reverb will probably pretty much always sound better than a bad room.

 

[guitarplayr82]

Reverb will always sound like reverb and room mic will always sound like room mic. Some reverbs can come close, but nothing is better than a real room mic in a great room IMO. If you want to use an amp simulator and still have a room mic, crank up your monitors and throw a mic at the back of your mixing room It actually works quite well if you have a good sounding room.

 

[Greg_L]

It actually works quite well if you have a good sounding room.

Yup, and the overwhelming majority of home recorders do not.

 

[Seafroggys]

They both sound different, but they're both good. I love me a good plate reverb for most of my needs.

 

[guitarplayr82]

Yup, and the overwhelming majority of home recorders do not.

True that.