Reamping

steadiedhisrifle · Post by **steadiedhisrifle** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:42 pm

Hey guys. Quick question. I'm going to be using the Line 6 Pod XT Pro to reamp some guitar tracks that I have. I plan on recording the audio direct in DP first through the FireWire 410, then running it through the Pod later. My question is: how hot do I want the signal to be when I record? I'm thinking you want a nice hot signal, but I've also heard that the Pod XT (acting as an amplifier) will amp the already hot signal up so high that it will unavoidably clip. Is this really the case? Can't you just conceivably lower the Output of the Pod enough so it won't clip? If anyone has any info it would be greatly appreciated.

steadiedhisrifle · Post by **steadiedhisrifle** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 9:49 pm

Forgot to mention that I don't actually have the Pod yet, which is why I'm asking about recording seperately THEN sending it through the Pod at a later date.

gearboy · Post by **gearboy** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 9:55 pm

I use a Radial X-Amp to ReAmp. I usually take D.I.'d guitars/basses in DP and 1) lower the fader appropriately (-12 db output) and 2) dial in a decent "amp level" signal with the X-amp's gain knob.

Make sure that you get a real re-amp box. It's night and day compared to sending a signal backwards through a direct box.

I use my Burr-Brown modded Presonus MP20 to record the direct guitars and the re-amped signal.

Jeff

steadiedhisrifle · Post by **steadiedhisrifle** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 10:50 pm

Thanks for the response. Let me see if I have this straight. You've recorded the D.I.'d guitars at a normal level correct? You then lower them when you send them to ReAmp, and then use the ReAmp module's gain to set an appropriate new level for your processed audio?

When you said to get a real re-amp box, and how it compares to sending a signal backwards through a direct box, well, I'm not quite sure what you mean. I would be sending the pre-recorded signal through my FireWire 410 to the Pod and back again. I think that's essentially what you said.

Thanks again. This is my first foray into ReAmping, so if I seem like I don't know what I'm talking about, well, I don't.

gearboy · Post by **gearboy** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 11:02 am

Thanks for the response.

You're welcome.

Let me see if I have this straight. You've recorded the D.I.'d guitars at a normal level correct? You then lower them when you send them to ReAmp, and then use the ReAmp module's gain to set an appropriate new level for your processed audio?

I record my guitars into DP at a normal level, just as if I was tracking guitar through an amp. "Normal Level" is an entire other discussion. Search the forum for discussions on 0 dB analog vs digital. I try to record between -12db and -6 db in DP, instead of pushing things to "fill bits" like I used to. Also check tapeop out for more on this.

-12db to my reamp box is just a level that I have decided works for me. sometimes I need a little more, sometimes a little less. I basically push level until the X-amp (http://www.radialeng.com/di-xamp.htm) is clipping, then back off. The X-Amp has an output gain adjustment knob that allows me to set level to my FX pedals or amps.

When you said to get a real re-amp box, and how it compares to sending a signal backwards through a direct box, well, I'm not quite sure what you mean. I would be sending the pre-recorded signal through my FireWire 410 to the Pod and back again. I think that's essentially what you said.

Guitar is not line level. Impedence miss-match between i/o. The signal coming out of your FW410 is going to be too hot for a high Z input to handle. The Re-Aamp box converts low Z to high Z (Line level to guitar level). Some folks just use a direct box backwards with a very low signal sent from the computer to the amp with some success, however you can damage your equipment this way.

The Pod may accept both low Z and high Z signals. Check the manual. If not, buy a Re-Amp box.

Thanks again. This is my first foray into ReAmping, so if I seem like I don't know what I'm talking about, well, I don't.

I just got involved with it this year after some research. It's a great tool and I can't say enough good things about the X-amp. It allows me to separate the creative from the technical.

Jeff

Kind Of Loud · Post by **Kind Of Loud** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 7:22 am

The PodXT Pro, has everything you need to do reamping, without a separate DI or Reamp unit. It can be done using either the digital or analog outputs. You can record that signal, and also monitor, or record, the normal processed siganal.
There is an analog "dry guitar" output which records your direct signal..You then send that recorded track out through your audio interface, into the "line in" of the Pod, and reamp away.

steadiedhisrifle · Post by **steadiedhisrifle** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 2:10 pm

Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate the help.

Obscure Object · Post by **Obscure Object** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 7:20 pm

just out of ciriousity ... does the vox tonelab offers the same re-amping option the podxt pro offers? .... I've been debating which one to get for some time now!

gearboy · Post by **gearboy** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 8:04 am

Using the POD will definitely give you some decent guitar tones, and being able to ReAMp through it will give you the ability to make guitar tone decisions at a later date. I personally would record with the POD and print a direct unaffected gtr signal. All you will need to do is split your guitar signal with a direct box, send one side to the POD, and another to a high Z input on your recording interface/preamp.

A dedicated ReAmp box gives you the ability to use all of your efffects pedals and amps as you would rack gear. If you have a portable system, you can record all of your gtr parts at home direct and then take your amp to a nice sounding room to ReAmp etc.

Jeff