what is the best sounding unit for recording distorted guitars direct?

[chessrock]

thanks for telling me about the palmer unit chessrock! that sounds more-like what i have been looking for. i would love to get ahold of one and try it out. i will have to put it on my list. with that unit would i be able to run into it and a 4x12 cab at the same time? that would give me the option if micking the cab and using the direct signal and blending the 2. also does it have 2 channels for stereo?

I believe it has a "through" option that allows you to split the signal like you're saying.

The one I'm familiar with didn't have two channels for stereo if I remember correctly. The one Fletcher carries is a newer version, though, so that one might be different. Who knows?

Luckily for me, noise and isolation aren't really issues, but I remember well the day of living in small studio apartments . . . and I wish I would have known about these back then.

 

[gaylord]

I blend the stereo inputs to mono output. But I record 2 tracks of rythm and take the blended mono tracks and pan them hard left and right.

I'll have to try that when my Rectoverb head arrives. I just picked up the 2x12 recto cab - head should be here today.

Would using both a 57 and a beta 58 give a nice blend do you think? Or are beta 58's no good for guitar amps?

 

[VesuviusJay]

I'll have to try that when my Rectoverb head arrives. I just picked up the 2x12 recto cab - head should be here today.

Would using both a 57 and a beta 58 give a nice blend do you think? Or are beta 58's no good for guitar amps?

Well if I am not mistaken the only difference between the 57 and 58 is the spherical head on the 58 and extra "puff" padding for vocals. This extra fluff in the head actually hinders the instrument signal which is why the 57 is setup the way it is. If possible use beta sm57a's. They are pristine sounding. Also I got the best results using a matching stereo pair of mic's (ie. 2 mics exactly the same). It is easier to solve phase problems with matching mic's.

Also, this is the best thread I have found on mic'ing guitar cabinets. The post by Aaron Carey is brilliant.

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?s=&threadid=64239