Direct box in front of Guitarport = big help

[RMC206]

I read about and tried a direct box in front of Guitarport = big help. The distortion/overdive in that unit false apart while playing chords, OK with a lead line. Overall, things sounded mo' betta. I'd like someone else to try this and see if I'm just halucinating. Of course miking a real amp sounds better but ...

[mikebeckmotu]

This is what I've started started doing, too (using a DI in front of my TonePort UX2). I use a Radial J48 DI unit. For some guitars, you may have to engage the pad on the DI (if you have one) to lower the level. You might be overdriving the gain staging and getting digital distortion. I also have to turn down my Toneport input levels to almost nothing to avoid too much input level. The fuller sound of using the DI has been a good experiment so far.
(edit) I also meant to add that if you are going for distortion, it's probably better done with an amp simulator, as the DI will most likely not give you what you're looking for. You could also use a tube preamp going into the DI to provide a more natural overdrive, which the DI would then hand off to the Guitar Port at a good line level.

[RMC206]

I'm referring to the distortion toys in the Gearbox/Guitar port as being "splattery" when playing a chunky chord. I found an old DOD passive direct box in the back of the stomp box drawer. Guitar to DOD to Guitarport to DP. It sounds like you have had the same success. James Steele has a Gearbox/Guiatr Port, maybe he might share an opinion. James...

[James Steele]

I'm referring to the distortion toys in the Gearbox/Guitar port as being "splattery" when playing a chunky chord. I found an old DOD passive direct box in the back of the stomp box drawer. Guitar to DOD to Guitarport to DP. It sounds like you have had the same success. James Steele has a Gearbox/Guiatr Port, maybe he might share an opinion. James...

I actually don't have a Gearbox/Guitar Port. I own a Pod XT and I only use it for recording scratch tracks before micing my amp. So unfortunately, I can't shed any light on this subject.

[monkey man]

As far as the DI thing is concerned, I was going to purchase one as a means of splitting my signal so I could record dry alongside processed guitar, but opted instead to go for the X3 Pro in the interests of space saving, the DI outs and consolidation of bass and guitar processing into one unit.

What about after the processor (eg a POD), 'Cornies? I've often wondered which would be better - plugging straight into my 24I/O or going through my Mackie desk's line ins and on through the direct outs, my usual route for audio recording. Further, I'll have the option of employing the Onyx Preamps once I replace my POD and bass POD with a single X3 unit that has XLR outs, so the question of this flavour of colouration comes into it too.

I know I should break out the stethoscope and lab coat and dedicate a week to running all the tests, but somehow I'm not inspired to do so. Any thoughts on the matter will be very much appreciated.

[mikebeckmotu]

I'm referring to the distortion toys in the Gearbox/Guitar port as being "splattery" when playing a chunky chord.

Oh! Now I see. But I'm not having that issue, and am not sure what to suggest. While I like and use it, I'm not a fan of "all" the sounds in Gearbox/Podfarm, and for distortion, I tend to not use the fx - I prefer turning up the gain on the amp module. I also use a number of other amp sims.

[monkey man]

Hmm... after having given this a little thought, I've decided to continue to use the desk's direct outs. For one thing, I'd forgotten about the convenient auxes to my BarfRinger monitoring FX unit. Further, I don't think the desk will colour things much or add too much noise, but the question will be as to which is cleaner - the line outs or the XLRs of the soon-to-be-acquired X3 beastie.

[bOing]

...James Steele has a Gearbox/Guiatr Port, maybe he might share an opinion. James...

I actually don't have a Gearbox/Guitar Port. I own a Pod XT and I only use it for recording scratch tracks before micing my amp. So unfortunately, I can't shed any light on this subject.

He obviously meant the other James Steele.

[monkey man]

Correct, bOingo - James H. Steele (Hyde) is our admin, and James J. Steele (Jeckyl) is a famous, good-looking and talented rocker.

[bOing]

Correct, bOingo - James H. Steele (Hyde) is our admin, and James J. Steele (Jeckyl) is a famous, good-looking and talented rocker.

See, I knew it was all a misundertanding.

[monkey man]

Seems James isn't the only genius in these here parts. LOL

[James Steele]

I'm aging. My looks are fading... I'm not famous... and my talent is debatable. But thank you nonetheless MM!! Jeckyl? I like that.

[monkey man]

Your looks aren't fading, Jimbo; you're embodying the fine-wine scenario. No need to hyde. LOL