Wet monitor, dry record with splitter

[dannybagpipes]

I have a POD X3 that I use for recording when I travel. I use a Pro Tools MBox2 as an interface.

I've heard that many people that want a finished track to have distortion will first record it into the DAW with a dry signal. Then, play the dry signal through an amp and record it with the flexibility to change amp parameters at any time to as many tracks as desired. This is my goal if possible because I can record guitar dry on the road, and cannot take my Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier Tremoverb!

Goal: Hear the effects of the POD while recording so it sounds authentic when I'm recording. I want to hear distortion, chorus, etc. while recording.

I use a POD X3 when on the road for business and this is the unit that I would like to hear the effects from, but not have to use this signal as the final recording because I like POD X3 distortion, but my Mesa has more balls and crunch.

Can I use a guitar splitter such as Lehle P-Split II Lehle Gitarrentechnik PURE SOUND - NO NOISE - MORE TONE
that has one splitter output to the POD X3 which outputs to the MBox2 and the other splitter output to the MBox2? This would also record the POD X3 output but that's ok, I just don't want to be totally stuck with the POD X3 tone.

Will the splitter preserve my guitar's tone?

Thanks!

 

[bouldersoundguy]

You could probably use a simple Y-cable from Radio Shack, but you probably don't want to record two different USB devices simultaneously. Doesn't the X3 have multi-channel output? Can you set one of them up with no effects?

 

[dannybagpipes]

The POD X3 doesn't have true bypass so the guitar tone will always be changed. I think I solved this problem and plan to purchase a Radial 48V splitter.

 

[gdavi1]

couldn't you just replay it on the mesa when you get home?

 

[TheGuitarMan]

couldn't you just replay it on the mesa when you get home?

Yes, do this.

I think you're worrying too much about simple demos. Cut some scratch tracks on the road and do the real thing when you get home. The results will be much better. Worry about the song structure when you're writing and worry about the tone when you get back to your amp. Re-amping a DI'd signal isn't going to sound as good as going straight to the amp with a guitar.