Software or Hardware?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jaykeMURD
  • Start date Start date

Do you use/prefer software or hardware guitar processing?

  • Software Only

    Votes: 1 3.4%

  • Hardware Only

    Votes: 9 31.0%

  • Software and Hardware

    Votes: 10 34.5%

  • Neither, I'm a hardcore mic-man!

    Votes: 9 31.0%
  • Total voters
    29
jaykeMURD

jaykeMURD

I sit on you.
So I've been recording a lot of guitar and cannot seem to decide which (overall) is better. I'm using programs like Amplitube, ReValver, Rock Amp Legends, etc. and can get SOME decent sounds recorded. I'm talking distortions, reverbs, and espesically amp, cab, and mic modeling. So for these effects, is it better to use software or hardware? I have a feeling something like a POD Pro rackmount unit or V-AMP PRO rackmount may provide better results when recorded. What do you all use/think?
 
Do you have the option of putting a microhone in front of an amp?
 
Yes, I do that often. SM57 on axis with speaker/on grill/etc with a LDC about 3 feet back. I can get pretty good miced guitar sound, just not a lot of different ones. If I had around 50 grand, I'd go buy all the mics, amps, and cabs and have the real sounds....but alas, I don't so I must emulate them.
 
jaykeMURD said:
If I had around 50 grand, I'd go buy all the mics, amps, and cabs and have the real sounds....but alas, I don't so I must emulate them.
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i feel ya on that one.
 
I have a friend who has the Pod Pro Rack and he likes it. I've got the Pod 2.0, the kidney shaped unit. It's got a lot of different amp models on it and lots of effects. When I've recorded with it, I've found it to be kind of thin sounding even when I use my Les Paul. I don't know how the Podxt compares to the 2.0. I seem to get better results with the 57 and amp/pedals.
 
Doc Holiday said:
I have a friend who has the Pod Pro Rack and he likes it. I've got the Pod 2.0, the kidney shaped unit. It's got a lot of different amp models on it and lots of effects. When I've recorded with it, I've found it to be kind of thin sounding even when I use my Les Paul. I don't know how the Podxt compares to the 2.0. I seem to get better results with the 57 and amp/pedals.
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I believe that "thin", bolemic sound present in most all digital sources like that are cured with a simple, decent preamp. I have a dmp3, so I'm hoping that dull sound will be fixed with the preamp. Is my hypothesis correct, or am I right? :D
 
You're probably right. BTW, I don't have 50 grand to spend on equipment either. I've just got a lot of stuff I've collected over the years. You know, eating ramen noodles for 2 weeks so that you could get that amp or pedal that you just had to have.
 
Hardware guitar processors are fun little toys... but when are you really going to need 10 different amp simlutations on an album? Software effects are great, because you can tweak after recording... but the original amp and mic setup is the limiting factor.
 
I'm just a major tone-freak. I love experimenting and making/finding different sounds for different things. I hate the same sounding guitar all the time (distortion :p ), I like a decent amount of change! Oh well, it'll have to wait.
Money ain't free ya know! ;)
 
jaykeMURD said:
I believe that "thin", bolemic sound present in most all digital sources like that are cured with a simple, decent preamp. I have a dmp3, so I'm hoping that dull sound will be fixed with the preamp. Is my hypothesis correct, or am I right? :D
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You might be wrong. A preamp isnt neccesarily going to turn dust into gold. The way to get an optimal sound is to already have a very good sound BEFORE the preamp.
 
I am playing and recording a guitar for caa. 5 years now and nothing sounds better than good amp with tubes. All this digital effects sounds like synthetic disease.
I have Mesa/boogie Mark IV and this is it. A huge palete of sounds. You can make it to sound like Marshall just with putting EL34 tubes in it.
Hate Pod ..sounds cheap.
 
noodles2k5 said:
Hardware guitar processors are fun little toys... but when are you really going to need 10 different amp simlutations on an album? Software effects are great, because you can tweak after recording... but the original amp and mic setup is the limiting factor.
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don't forget that 3 guitars and 2 amps already give you 6 different sounds with the same settings !!! start fiddling about with those and ....

modellers are great for practice, jams and goofing around. when it comes to recording they suck big time.

software is very usefull for adding e.g. modulation and delay effects.

basic knowledge.
 
I'd really love to see you guys listening to a couple of records and deciding which ones were made with modelers and which ones with real micing.
 
six said:
I'd really love to see you guys listening to a couple of records and deciding which ones were made with modelers and which ones with real micing.
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Bring it on :D

Seriously, I've got nothing against modelers. I've never heard a tone that I would want out of one, but that doesn't mean some people can't.
 
if I say "listen to my stuff" it's too obvious, hehehehe. but then again, normally people like us who use modelers will not have high end recording gear so it might not be the modelers that do not sound as full as big productions.

I bet that a lot of the heavier bands use modelers from time to time in studio.

I must say I hate modelers live. As long as they're used as preamps only without cab-sims it's something close to ok. But how to simulate a 4x12 cab thru a 2x10??? it won't sound like a 4x12 in front of you but a recorded 4x12 thru a 2x10. And then there are those guys that plug their pods directly to the PA, wuaah.

in a recording situation, this is normal. everything we hear is coming thru our hifi-speakers in the end.

well, some kids might not hear the difference. hehe.
 
I hate software modellers too, they sound kind of empty. I'm getting great results with a Mesa Boogie Triaxis, best array of distortion sounds I've heard to date (playing for around 15 years). I run it through a Simul-Class 2:90 poweramp, then through a Palmer PDI-03 (rack mounted speaker simulator), then into the desk (studio preamp to Apogee unit which digitizes the analogue signal, then into ProTools). I record all sounds in dry then either send them back out through an Eventide Harmonizer or use some software effects in the mix. The Palmer PDI-03 is a great unit, you can really enhance the tone, it's great for home and studio use but for live application you would need two of them (2 x mono to create stereo) if you want stereo effects. No problems for recording in the studio though. Check my sig file if you want to hear what kind of tone this can create.
 
metalhead28 said:
Bring it on :D

Seriously, I've got nothing against modelers. I've never heard a tone that I would want out of one, but that doesn't mean some people can't.
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I've used Modelers for years but the only one I have now is a V-Amp pro, which has worked well...considering it's from Behringer. :o

I've got a Marshall DSL-401 and have done some A/B comparsions to the modeler. When playing live (as in even just your studio) I do find differences in certain dynamics and things like attack in regards to how you can increase and decrease volume with how you play. I notice this more when doing clean to somewhat overdriven sounds with my Fender DeVille (Or one of my Ampegs). I've had a more difficult time getting nice cleans that sit well in a mix. Distorted sounds have been easier and they arent' that bad from the modeler. I've fooled some people with that but it really depends on the song and the mix. I'm generally in favor of using good tube amps but with enough work one can get a modeler to work for them. Never ever use the presets and spend whatever time it takes to dial something in. And it can take soem time.
 
I too have a V-amp pro. I use it all the time for scratch tracks (handy digital outputs) and for writing and demoing songs, things like that. An interesting little story. The guitarist from the last band that came over here to record brought a Mesa Dual Rec. I had him do scratch tracks with the V-Amp while I recorded the drums. He actually said to me "That distortion sounds awesome, can I just use that instead of my amp?".......I was like ....wha?... :eek: .
Once I recorded his amp and did some a/b'ing of the sounds he was convinced, but it just goes to show that not everybody has a problem with modeler sounds in general. My take: They are usable...but they don't stand up to a real amp.
 
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