Recording Guitar with Virtual Amps?

[lockwolf]

I recently picked up an Mbox 2 Factory with Pro Tools. I really like the fact that it comes with Amplitube and there are other amp modeling software available for them. I'm trying to figure out how to get a better sound out of this. I've been recording the guitar direct through the MBox mainly due to the fact that I live in a condo and recording through an amp isn't really an option at 1:00am.

So my questions are does it matter that I'm going direct vs. micing the amp and is there a way to get a better (in my case, thicker) sound going direct?

[katecoyote]

i always think it's its preferable to mic something rather than use any "virtual" thing. At least in the virtual amp models i have heard, they usually sound kinda fake/cheesy. Usually, in the studio I worked at, we DI-ed the guitar signal and miced an amp simultaneously. then, we had the ability to reamp the sound later and tweak stuff and layer however we wanted. i'm sure it's possible to get a decent sound through modeling software, but i personally have never liked the outcome. good luck with everything!

[zildjohn01]

Micing is preferred, if you have a great amp+cab and aren't recording at 1AM. You can get awesome results from amp sims, but I wouldn't recommend using amplitube. Read this, it's all you need to know. For the thickest possible sound you have to double-track or quad-track and hard-pan L and R.

[Dime]

Vacuum tube pre-amp for your mic, sonic max for the guitar, make sure you use the proper type mic,

Of course if you have a nice fat wallet there are several high dollar items that come to mind. An analog channel strip and a tube tech mastering eq would be nice to own if you have ten grand laying around...

[doug hazelrigg]

I always advocated miking a amp. Then, I bought Guitar Rig 3. I am floored by what this app can do. Whatever little you lose in realism you gain in versatility and flexibility. I may never mic a cabinet again

[bflat]

Yup-me,too.The new generation of modellers deserve a listen.Very convenient! No one can tell my Ampltube tracks from my Fender Twin-Amp tracks
b

[lockwolf]

Originally Posted by bflat

Yup-me,too.The new generation of modellers deserve a listen.Very convenient! No one can tell my Ampltube tracks from my Fender Twin-Amp tracks
b

I'm a lil curious of what it sounds like. Do you think you can send down a sound clip and tell me a lil bit about how you got your sound?

[bflat]

Well,sure-1st my mea culpa-most all my work is stitting in a dive bag of CDs/DVDs down in Mexico.!i'm just getting settled here at home.here's a coulpe of cuts i had on my hard drive..excuse they off notes,etc,when it comes to musicianship,i'm an engineer
Anyway-1st one is "theme from Jocotepec" is using Guitar rig 3 a Epi Sheraton2 thru the tweed setting on GR3 for rythm and a strat thru a blackface setting with some delay from the GR3
2nd-"x" is the strat thru amplitube's tweed setting and some delay and fuzz from the Amplitube

[doug hazelrigg]

Here's the first tune I've done using Guitar Rig 3. (I'm not actually done with it yet -- I need a bridge of some sort. re-do parts of the solo guitar that are rough, and then mixing).

If I recall, here's the amp sim's I used:

Left channel: Hi Watt rhythm patch

Right channel: Orange rhythm patch

Center solo guitar: I believe this was JCM800 80's metal lead

[lockwolf]

Originally Posted by doug hazelrigg

Here's the first tune I've done using Guitar Rig 3. (I'm not actually done with it yet -- I need a bridge of some sort. re-do parts of the solo guitar that are rough, and then mixing).

That is really good sounding even without the bridge and mixing. Its almost exactly the sound I'm looking for and probably with a lil bit of tweaking, it will sound just right.

As I can kinda tell from personal experience and both of your sound clips, Amplitube doesn't exactly have the best modeled amps compared to Guitar Rig 3. I'm going to try out the demo of it then decide whether or not to invest some money into it.