Kara-Moon Forum

I read a lot about amp simulators, from Vst freebies through commercial (Amplitube, NI guitar rig, Revalver...) to hardware units (Pod, etc.).
I tried the free ones and a couple of demos and not really 100 % satisfied with the tone
Looking for a hint. In the future I can think of getting some new stuff.

Cheers

Amplitube seems to be getting the consistant great reviews for software.
I still like the hardware units. V-Amp and Pod.
 I also really like being able to hear it thru an amp and tap the line out like in my GMX210 amp.  Usually need a Pod or V-Amp in front of it (built in effects are 'average'), but the line out feed includes a speaker sim that really sounds just like what comes out of the amp speaker. So if you can dial in a sound you really like you'll get that sound recorded.  Plus it works great as a bass amp. The twin Jensen 10" speakers get loud and full. I use it at jam sessions with guys using Marshall half stacks and with a V-Amp driving the preamp hard it gets really loud and the speakers don't show a sign of distortion at all (unless I'm using intentional distortion of course).
 If I was starting over buying guitar stuff I'd still get the GMX210 and a Pod (line6) instead of the V-Amp I got.
 I gotta say, though, that Oren gets great sounds from his Digitech RP unit.  I'd give that serious consideration too. 
 

Another consideration is whether you want vintage guitar amplifier sound. The Line6 Pod and GMX210 will get you that - and with an amazing array of amplifier and speaker cabinet combinations.

I like to build my sound up from high quality analog and digital effects, and reproduce the sound through full-range speaker systems or headphones. The Digitech RP series allows you to approach your effects this way, or amp/speaker simulations are also available.

Another interesting option for Linux users:
http://zyzstar.kosoru.com/?creox
is the guitar effects processor supplied with the Ubuntu Studio Linux package, and effects the guitar just the way I like it - total control, high quality signal path, and no attempt to sound like a Fender/Vox/Marshall :D

http://www.eca.cx/ecamegapedal/
is one I haven't tried yet, but looks very capable.

If I were to start over, I would definitely have to check out Oren's rig..terrific sounds there fella. That's the only one I have heard that would tempt me at all.

Maybe I am behind the curve, but I am nowhere close to exploring all the possibilities of my amp, (Fender Cyber Deluxe). It has hundreds of thousands of possible combinations.

I also do love to turn up the volume and rattle the windows now and then.  :)

Wyatt

I never get the chance  :(
I'm in the middle of a Victorian terrace. 50W speakers and amp in the lounge and I barely get the chance to shake the dust off them :-\

me too


Yeah !


Yes ! ...from time to time

Thanks for the advice. I'm glad to have tips from the main guitar-guys here  ;D
I think hardware units are the right choice for me
This is the direction I'd like to move on

Cheers

Just joined the forum today - I realize this thread is almost a year old, and much has changed since then, but I thought I'd throw in my two cents relative to the advantage of using VST amp sims. And that is, you can always go back and change any aspect you want. Say you record the PERFECT take, backing guitar - solo - whatever, and you find yourself thinking, "Man, I really wish I would have used a Marshall instead of a Mesa Boogie". With any external solution, you're stuck. With something like Amplitube 2 or Guitar Rig 3, you can (just to list a few) remove any reverb you may have used on the guitar, change cabinets, change heads, change/remove overdrives....the list goes on. I've got all the Amplitube VST, Guitar Rig 3, even Izotope Trash has some great sounding amps, although I usually tweak them with a secondary VST (reverb, delay, etc). The only thing I record with a live mic is vocals and acoustic guitar. Even though I have the capability to record live drums, I prefer BFD or Superior Drummer 2 (again, for the tweak factor). Bass - Amplitube's Ampeg version. Keys - Kontakt Komplete or Reason 4, or Lounge Lizard. I just like having the option to change out stuff later. But, that's just me.  :P

Hey Rootwitch..welcome aboard! Appreciate your input.

I like your point about vst amp sims.

Since I last posted to this thread I got a Digitech GSP-1101, but you hit the nail on the head..once you do it you are stuck with it, and just this past month I dearly wished I could have re-tweaked a digital distortion tone that wasn't sitting in the mix well.

Using FreeAmp on a clean track leaves me more options, and it has a lot of capability.

8)

Wyatt

Wyatt. You bought it? I'm very envious right now.
..............what do you think of it? A review, perhaps?... ;)

Rootwitch,

Welcome to the Forum!

Being able to re-work the effects on a track is a great convenience. Only after two years of working with plugins, do I feel comfortable applying them as effects on a track. And generally, I prefer sequenced synthetic drums to a live player (although I'll never admit it anywhere but here :D).

With guitar and electric bass, I find it easier to just go back and perform the track again with altered effects. The riffs won't be identical, but having a second go at a track will often result in a better performance, having had some time to consider the composition and polish up my chops a bit.

Effecting a dry guitar track is something I want to try sometime - it could be a very good thing, once I get accustomed to laying down the track with no effects on the guitar.

Oren.

Just a suggestion...

How about splitting the signal from the guitar itself and sending one line through your normal playing environment, and the other (via a suitable 'flat' mixer) direct to the soundcard?

That way it won't sound strange while you're playing, but will have a completely clean signal recorded.

Workable...yes, good idea! That's what we refer to as "bringing the old noodle into play" :D Thanks, Will. 8)

OK..for you, yes, I would be happy to.

I was out of power for 2 days, and just finished giving a guitar lesson..as soon as my head stops spinning.   ;)

8)

Wyatt

Here you go Oren:

http://www.kara-moon.com/forum/index.php?topic=3152.0

I would love to be a fly on the wall if you were tweaking this baby!

8)

Wyatt

Thanks! ;D

I tried this way of recording, and I think that's a pretty good idea. It works great.
(in a simulation)
I'd like to try that with the new amplitube fender and a faster pc  :-\

Cheers

I'm of the mind right now that starting with Real Tubes is the way I have to go. I paid about 600 bucks for the SansAmp PSA-1.1 guitar effects rack. It had great reviews at places like Sweetwater. I have been disappointed with it. Mostly its settings create unnatural and and ugly-sounding distortion. I have also tried the much-hyped "Eleven" guitar amp modeling plug-in from Digidesign. Same disappointment. Harsh. Digital. Seems, indeed, there is nothing like real tube tone and digital can't really capture it. Must be a spiritual reality there somewhere. Fire? Agni? The 3rd evolute of Brahman? I don't know.

I used the Real Tube effects, pedals and rack-mount, for several years, and very much enjoyed them.
Since then, I have switched to Digitech pre-amps and processors. They don't sound exactly like those vacuum tube even-order harmonics, but the programmers at Digitech know how to get a pleasing guitar tone with lots of accessory control for the user to tweak the sound. More control, more versatility, and a very large selection of electronic effects. Very clean, quiet, and all in the same durable, compact enclosure.