Record my dual recto directly

[enuenu]

I want to record straight from my Mesa DR 3ch head while playing through a Recto 4 x 12. I don't want to spend a fortune. It has been recommended that I get a Zoom H2 to do this. Will this give a good result recording straight from the preamp or is it always better to record the cab via a mic?

I was guessing I could connect the Zoom H2 to the "Slave out" jack on the rear panel and the sound recorded would be similar to what I hear from the cab. Is this the case?

I just want to record my jam sessions and personal riff creation sessions so if I drop some gold I can remember what I did!

I think I want to use Pro Tools eventually. In the long term it would be a better choice than Cubase I have been told, but it seems they are both good. Don't know if this fact will impact on how and what I record with now, but thought it may be relevant.

 

[ShamefulAddiction]

bump b/c I wanna know too.

 

[gonzo]

PALMER PDI-09.

 

[ShamefulAddiction]

... he wants to use it with Pro Tools eventually.


So the Mbox 2... would it receive its signal straight from guitar or from slave out on the amp? I think it has a line level input... isn't that where it would go?

 

[enuenu]

Duplicate post

 

[enuenu]

I've been looking into this further and it looks like a laptop PC, an audio interface (Edirol UA25EX or Mbox) and software (Sonar, Cubase or Pro Tools).

The main thing I have discovered is that audio interfaces and PCs can hate each other in a thousand different ways. If you go and buy a nice laptop, an audio inteface and some software there is a good chance it won't work properly. You need a special laptop (at least one that ticks about 6 specific boxes) or a Mac Book Pro. Even then there are numerous compatibility pitfalls. You really need an expert supplier for the whole box and dice with good after sales service.

It also seems you can either use the slave out from the DR head, record the cab with a mic or plug the guiitar straight into the audio interface and use virtual effects. Which of these options is the go? Who knows? I have yet to come across any advice from a poster who has specific experience with recording a DR in a home studio environment.

So my journey to digitally capture those sweet DR tones to a high quality at home really would be a trial and error affair. I think I am just going to have to take the plunge and see what happens. To be honest I doubt I will get mind blowing results from a modest home studio, but I will see how it goes.

 

[enuenu]

Anyone out there ever tried digitally recording their DR at home and then used the resulting files in a software package?

 

[enuenu]

Anyone?

 

[mr_fender]

Recording direct from the preamp will sound pretty harsh and terrible. The power amp and speakers do A LOT in the way of smoothing out and sweetening the tone. The slave out gives you a line level signal that incorporates a little of the power amp's character, but it will still sound very different than what you hear from your cabinets. I'd recomend using some kind of modeling program like Guitar Rig or Amplitube to help smooth out the tone. Just bypass the preamp section of the software and just use the power amp and cabinet models to get more of a mic'd sound. I've done this a few times in a pinch and you can get decent results. You could use a POD or something similar too for the power amp and speaker cabinet modeling too. As for software, Cubase, Sonar, and Protools will all accomplish pretty much the same thing. It depends mostly on your personal needs and your preferences.

 

[Supreeth]

You can use a Groove Tubes Speaker Emulator (SEII) or the Palmer PGA-04. These boxes essentially take a power amp's signal and convert it into a line level signal that can be fed directly to the mixing console (or your PC recording interface). You basically connect the speaker out of the power amp to the input of the SEII using a speaker cable and set he outputs on the SEII to dictate the level that goes out to the mixer. The SEII also acts as a load and you don't have to worry about connecting speakers to the power amp. The SEII's output IMO faithfully reproduces the power amp tone, only at a lower level. These emulators are quite pricey but you should be able to find them used on eBay for a reasonable price.

 

[enuenu]

Thanks for the tips. I think I will try a microphone in front of the cab first and see how it goes. However I will probably have to do it "soft" at some stage, so the info provided is great.

 

[R_ADKINS80]

H&K Redbox plug one of the speaker outs right into it and it knocks it down to a level for direct recording it has AWESOME cabinet emulation....so good that one of my buddy's that gigs regular sold ALL of his cabs and now uses a powerbrake and Redbox straight into the PA.

 

[coppa]

Anyone out there ever tried digitally recording their DR at home and then used the resulting files in a software package?

I use a box from spl called the transducer its a load box and cab simulator similar to the palmer pdi09 but its expensive.
I use a usb mixer on my pc and do all my playing/recording direct.

you can hear the results here www.myspace.com/romansidorov


about choosing a laptop.

the laptop must have a firewire chip that is made by texas instruments. to date that is the most compatible firewire interface, and for recording its pretty much the only one you want.