Use a digital modeler for guitar recording?

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futbol1097

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I have moved to an apartment and can no longer mike my guitar amp externally for computer recording without angry threats from neighbors. I am trying to find out the next best way to continue to record guitar directly - my budget is around $300. I record through a Tascam US-122 MIDI interface into my computer. My bass amp has DI so I can record directly through an XLR connection into the Tascam. For my guitar, I am considering a digital modeler - based on my research I am looking at either a Vox ToneLab or Line 6 PODXT (not a Behringer) - both are $299. For $300, is a modeler the best way to go or are there other products/methods that will give a better sound?

Thanks,
E
 
I've been very pleased with my PODXT. I always use it for scratch tracks while laying down drums, but more than occassionaly those tracks end up in the final mix. Not a bad way to get a whole bunch of different sounds for fairly cheap too.
 
I have extensive experience with the PodXT. You will not regret the purchase. For $300, there is no substitute for the Line6 PodXT.
 
Another vote for the Line6. Don't be afraid to work the knobs on that thing past the presets; it's in the fine tuning of the sounds that you'll find the best results.

G.
 
One more vote for teh POD XT...and be sure to download and use Line 6 Edit as well. That gives you a good visual reference on your monitor and makes deep editing much easier. You DO have to edit the sounds...presets are simply a starting point. To many people get a POD, plug in, and dismiss it right away thinking that that sounds are crap without ever working with it. They don't know what they are missing. :cool:
 
I might get ripped for this, but look at vst guitar modelers as well. I was looking for a hardware modeler a while ago, and I gave up. Then I searched the kvraudio forums and found some that work when I need to sketch out a song at 3am. Try voxengo boogex and freeamp for starters. Plus they are free.
 
Can you monitor your guitar in real time with a VST guitar modeler solution? If so, how do you set that up?
 
pdadda said:
I might get ripped for this, but look at vst guitar modelers as well. I was looking for a hardware modeler a while ago, and I gave up. Then I searched the kvraudio forums and found some that work when I need to sketch out a song at 3am. Try voxengo boogex and freeamp for starters. Plus they are free.
Click to expand...

I understand the desire to get a good deal and not waste $$, but the fact is, anything you get for "free" is not really free. You pay for it big time by accepting huge limitations and working with all kinds of inherent flaws that would never be acceptable by the manufacturer would the item be intended for sale.

I've known too many guys that find all sorts of software shit for "free" and are all proud that they didn't spend a dime on their set up, only to get all pissed off when (not if) the shit crashes, freezes, fucks up, leaves artifacts in the wav file, ect ect ect......

beware of free shit.
 
SuicideNote said:
Can you monitor your guitar in real time with a VST guitar modeler solution? If so, how do you set that up?
Click to expand...

yes you can monitor in real time. there will be some latency. the amount will depend on your setup. i recommend that you grab simulanalog guitar suite and find out how much latency you can expect and see if it puts you off. with a pair of decent closed back phones, i don't really mind the 6ms latency that i get. guitar suite is sonically the equivalent of a few boss distortion pedals and a solid state amp, imo. considering how bad alot of the modelers sound (commercial and free), it holds up pretty good. being free is a bonus. you get 3 distortion stomp boxes, 2 amp models, and a univibe. oh and i've never heard of anyone complain of stability issues with guitar suite, or freeamp.

to get a vst modeler going, extract the .dll files to your vst plugin folder. scan for new effects in your recording app. insert the plug(s) in a track. disable direct monitoring for your sound interface (you don't want to hear the dry and latent wet signal together). place the stomp boxes before the amps. in guitar suite, i like the twin with volume and eq maxed with the tubescreamer or ds-1 in front with gain around 7.5 for my strat. freeamp has one good sound, imo. set the cab to green, the amp to driven, and play around with the amp gain. it ain't a tweed but it's usable. for either of these, i like a little ambient room verb last in the chain to liven things up a bit.

also, if your interface doesn't have a hiz input, you'll need a direct box or other device with a hiz input and a mic or line out.

for your budget, the pod xt is probably the best way to go for a modeler (i haven't tried the tonelab)......assuming there's absolutely no chance you can use a small tube amp. if there's any chance, use a real amp. real amps are much more inspiring than modelers, imo.
 
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I grabbed a POD from the pawn shop a long while ago. $100
There's no room issues. HR Mp3's are amazing with it; so its a non issue it can make great tracks.imo. However, I have personal experience making it sound like crap too.
 
Try both of them out. The POD is more popular, hence the recommendations here. And while it may be very good, the tonelab could just as easily be better. I have no experience with either, so I can't give my own opinion.

I have, however, used software modellers. I tried the demos of both guitar rig 2 and amplitube 2, and I've used guitar suite. All three are good for what they do, but they can't completely replace a mic'd amp in a good room.

I was particularly surprised with Guitar Suite, with the Tube Screamer in front of the Marshall. It sounded far less digital than the pricey guitar rig or amplitube. However, it's sort of a one trick pony. While I could get a good lead sound, rhythm was pretty much unattainable. Then again, I only played around with it for a couple hours. YMMV


You might want to invest in a hot plate, which is placed between the head and cab (assuming that's your set up). What it does is let you crank the head to get a good saturated tone, but lower the volume before it hits the speakers so you're not making 130db of noise in your apartment. The THD one has been recommended here many times:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/THD-Hot-Plate-Attenuator?sku=481283
 
i would second the hot plate theory, but if that's really not a solution up your alley, i'd recomend borrowing a friends house =)

but seriously, i've had some good expierience with the line 6 stuff. that's, well what they do.
 
""anything you get for "free" is not really free.""

Hmmmmm..... Firefox, Irfanview, Adobe Reader, Jarte, Spywareblaster, Spybot, Adaware........... a lot of the freeware on my computer is the best software in its category.
 
I'd stay away from any of that amp modeling crap.

Aside from just generally sounding crappy ... I find it very hard to mix with amp modeled tracks - even on the rare occasion that I find a POD track that actually sounds decent on it's own.

The only solution that I can think of that might actually yield "good" results would be one of these:

http://www.mercenary.com/papdspsi.html

.
 
geeesh....I'm glad I didn't suggest the V-amp pro!!!

ooooops!! :D
 
Modelers work. If you can't have an amp and a powerbrake-type thing isn't an option... the modelers work *really* well. Use them proudly and get to know how to make them sound their best.

I love Amplitube and I use it all the time- mostly for composing and playing around, but it occasionally ends up in the final product. Its a great tool for my students, too- they get to try a bunch of "stuff" that we don't have. Its not real, of course, but it helps them recognize the real thing when I get them to my own studio where I DO have analog gear.

I tend to prefer a mediocre amp in a real room with a real mic to a stellar modelled track- but the models are interesting and offer a ton more options. With tweaking they don't sound too bad. I think they are a great option for recording at home.
 
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