Am I using this Zbox properly?

[Rhetro]

Hello.

Just got a Zbox in the interest of attaining something closer to what I would see/hear if I miked an amp and/or went through its output.

I tried two different channels set on a clean setting: One with the Zbox, the other without. Playing pretty much with the same dynamic force in both strumming and soling on both tracks. I tried using the same notes and the same area of the neck (just scale stuff). On playback, I notice NO difference. There was no difference in the wave form either. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks

[magicd]

The ZBox is an impedance adaptor for passive guitar pickups. It will make a difference if you are plugging a high impedance guitar into a low impedance input.

If your guitar has active pickups, the ZBox won't make any difference.

If what you are plugging the guitar into has very high impedance inputs, the ZBox won't make any difference.

What is your signal chain? What kind of guitar into what input?

Dave

[Rhetro]

Thanks Dave!

This makes sense.

Ok, I have an old Steinberger GL4T (one of the old white ones) going into an RME Babyface.

[magicd]

The specs for the Babyface describe a HiZ input for instruments. They don't give a specific impedance measurement, but if the impedance is high enough, that would mean there is no need for the ZBox when using that input.

Dave

[Rhetro]

Thanks for checking it out, Dave -really, above and beyond!

That would explain the two tracks being so similar!

I guess there's no advantage to using the Lo-Z on the Zbox in my case. i.e., tweaks, experiments, etc.
Trying to think of a reason for keeping it. But I may as well return it since I just got it. Unless....someone can think of a reason???

You've been great!

cheers

[kgdrum]

That's why his real 1st name is Magic

[Kurt Cowling]

So would the Zbox be helpful plugging a guitar directly into MOTU's HDX-SDI? I assume those inputs are not "instrument" inputs.

Thanks for any insight,
--Kurt