Recording electric guitar in a low-volume situation

[chrispick]

I'm looking for some suggestions here...

I'm finding more and more often I need to track electric guitar at home in an environment that doesn't allow my to mic my amp to any useful degree. I just can't turn it up; volume restrictions, y'dig?

Right now, I use IK AmpliTube and the Roland cabinet sims in the VS-1680 in this situation, but I'm not entirely pleased with the results (unless I want an atypical sound). I've messed with PODxts and don't find them to be all that more advantageous.

In short, I need to line the guitar in, not mic an amp. And I need a solution that gives me the best sound, given this constraint.

Any suggestions?

[ApprentiSorcier]

I never liked Amplitube personally.

Native Instruments Guitar Rig seems to satisfy a lot of people.

I hope trial version is available at their website, and it is definitely worth trying.

Other than that I guess you can record just the direct, and reamp it somewhere else other than your environment.

[builder]

I had the same issue with my home studio
I have a Fender Hot Rod that really doesn't sound its best until about 4 or 5 but it is loud as hell.

What I did was build an isolation box for it... It cost about 100$ in and I built it in a day. I gues you have to be some what handy or know someone who.
Measure your amp and make the box is big enough to fit the amp plus a short mic stand. Build a 2X4 box frame and insulate it, then finish with plywood.
The only problem is it very heavy so it has to stay in one place.... I can give you better directions if you would like.

It works like a charm....though its is probably not what you want.

Cheers

[chrispick]

Thanks folks.

NI Guitar Rig sounds like a practical possibility. I've read a few reviews that say it's notably better that other cabinet emulators in terms of faking the real thing. I've downloaded the demo; I'll give it a roll this weekend.

Anyone else with ideas? I'd appreciate it.

[SithLord94]

I'd suggest that you look into a power soak for your amp. Basically these devices will allow you to leave your amp cranked to 11, but keep the volume at a reasonable level. You might look at the Marshall Power Break or the THD Hot Plate.

-jm

[ermesoof]

Have a try on a MESA Recto Recording Pre. It's done to satisfy that kind of request... if you like the kind of sounds Mesa amps can produce, of course

I find very useful the advice you're already been given, to reamp the tracked gtr elsewhere, If you want it to sound really big.
Or you could try to do it when nobody's there, putting a 4x12 speaker cab on the stairs, or in a similar good ambienced position, with a close mic and one more (or two) picking up the ambience: to do this try to monitor the positions to achieve the best results. For great sounds we always need to experiment a bit.

Hope this helps

P.S.: sorry, my english is not pretty good

[shankyboy]

While I am not a fan of anything other than the "real thing", I did get turned on to a great unit for direct recording last year. A lot of the bands that were coming into my home and recording were very loud rock bands and managing the volume of the drums along with 2 Marshall half stacks was more than my neighbors were willing to put up with. So, a friend of mine recommended the Behringer V-Amp pro. (the rackmounted unit) At the time, he was able to get them for me for $129 so I bought 2 of them. I have been using them for directly tracking the guitars and I am quite surprised by how good these sound. After tracking, I typically use Antares Mic Modeler on the track and it ends up sounding quite authentic. Check 'em out.

[BradLyons]

There really are some great products out there for direct-recording, but there is nothing like recording an actual cabinet. With the right amp, microphone choice and pre, compressor, placement, etc... the sound you can achieve can be great. But obviously, there are variables here and recording direct is not only cheaper but quieter too! For direct recording, I really like the Rocktron Prophesy, amazing sound but that unit is around $1,200 or so. My band uses one. I record the cabinet for most other projects, however. It's just with our band, it's easier with the level of complexity of tracking we do.

Randall makes an isolation cabinet that is amazing for about $300ish or so. If you're like me, building your own box is out of the cards If you can do it yourself and save some money while doing it right, go for it. If you'd rather record direct, I must say for only $300 that the VOX ToneLab is worth a serious look. It's a quality product unlikes some others in its price-point, but the sound is very good. Having a tube in there too is pretty cool

[donreynolds]

Hey Brad,
what do you think about the Boss Gt-6 for direct recording? I think it is awesome. It has unbelievable tones. I got rid of a rack of processors because the GT-6 could do more and sound better. $395.00

[chrispick]

A lot of interesting suggestions. Much to research. Thanks for everyone's input.

[BradLyons]

Don,

The GT6 is a very good piece, I recommend it often. It's not on the level of the Prophesy, then again it's also about 1/3rd of the price too The GT6 is a great bargain because of the full foot-pedal design, killer box for certain.

[ermesoof]

Brad, do you think Prophesy is better sounding than MESA Recto Recording pre?

[ermesoof]

I forgot: what about Randall insulation box?
Where may I look for it?
May you give me a link?

Tnx

[BradLyons]

Not familiar with the Mesa...here is the Randall.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/IsolationCab/

[ermesoof]

Tnx a lot Brad