Trying to record guitars

[inimicus]

I have a GNX3, so I might be able to help.

S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format, I think) is also known as digital coax, same stuff used in home theater.

There is a setting of the Digital Output level in the GNX3. It is in the main setup menu. I believe the default setting is set pretty low. Check that out and try boosting it. If it's too high, you'll just clip clip clip.

In my GNX3 recording adventures, I would often use the onboard digital 8 track. A 128MB SmartMedia card (not cheap for the size, $59 for a PNY brand at BestBuy) is what I use. Then I stick the SM card into my card reader (after using the Card>PC function on the GNX3... if you skip this step your card will be erased on the computer if you're not careful), import the WAVs into a mixing application, and then mixdown the final tracks into an MP3 or whatever. This has given me the best quality out of the GNX3.

After spending cash on Mark IV, Mesa 4x12, Mackie 1220, and Sennheiser e906... I can't stand the way the GNX3 sounds... but for the time being the GNX3's digital recorder was my best friend.

Here are some samples I recorded using this method. Old, embarrassing recordings. Might recognize a few.

Solo back track loops:

And for comparison... this was done with the recording out of my Mark IV into a SB Extigy soundcard late at night. If your amp has a recording/DI out, this is the type of sound you'd get.

For dicking around, the GNX3 is great. But for any quality recording you might want to show off... there are better methods.

 

[rocketman768]

Your guitars sound like they are in a freaking tunnel. Not only is it muddy in the 200-300 Hz range, but it also lacks both high and low end. When you say that you find a distortion that you like, what are you listening through? Are you connecting it up to an amp/speaker or are you listening through headphones connected directly to the GNX3?

Also, you need to check what output mode the SPDIF is set to. There are 4 modes on the GNX3: GTR+REC, G-DRY, G-AMP, and RECORDER. You need to set it to GTR+REC or RECORDER in order to get all the effects and cab modelling and whatever else. You can do this in the Digital Output Configuration page of the UTILITY section.

Give us detailed info about what you are doing, and check your SPDIF settings.

 

[amaskey]

Thanks everyone for their help. I figured out that my spdif output in my gnx3 was set too low which was the reason the sound wasnt coming as i was expecting. Thanks again.