Guitar Cab Simulation

[nateb]

I love what I am getting out of the AxeFX but, since I disabled the cab and poweramp sims, it is not the ideal way to record. So, since I am a shithead and haven't learned how to re-amp properly with it I have a few questions ::

1) Besides the ADA-Microcab, what else is there in the way of cab simulators?

2) Is there anything out there that can take a speaker load and convert it to line level? I would like to go ahead and just take that signal into a DAW and apply my own Impulse Response Cab Sims to it.

-Nate

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

:think:

I don't really get what your rig is set up like, seems kinda odd to use the AxeFX without amp/cab sims and I'm not sure why you wouldn't just create some presets to use for recording?

But anyway, there's the Hughes & Kettner Red Box units which will accept a speaker out (not sure on the max wattage) and turn that into line level signal, but it's not a dummy load. There are also some Palmer units that range from slightly affordable to ridiculously expensive IMO, and I think some of these are also a dummy load.

Those also provide the cabinet simulation.

The THD Hot Plate has a line out on it.

I just run the Slave Out of my Boogie into the line in of my recorder and use a software cab sim.

[nateb]

:think:

I don't really get what your rig is set up like, seems kinda odd to use the AxeFX without amp/cab sims and I'm not sure why you wouldn't just create some presets to use for recording?

But anyway, there's the Hughes & Kettner Red Box units which will accept a speaker out (not sure on the max wattage) and turn that into line level signal, but it's not a dummy load. There are also some Palmer units that range from slightly affordable to ridiculously expensive IMO, and I think some of these are also a dummy load.

Those also provide the cabinet simulation.

The THD Hot Plate has a line out on it.

I just run the Slave Out of my Boogie into the line in of my recorder and use a software cab sim.

Well... the reason is that I am bypassing the "PowerAmp" sims(Not Preamp modeling stage), and cab sims because I am using a VHT 2:90:2 and 2 4x12's. I love the tone that I am getting out of this thing right now and I hate messing with the PowerAmp sims. I never can get exactly what I want out of them. That is why I was thinking to just get some sort of DI box that will take the poweramp load and dump it. It seems like a lot of the Radial stuff out there has their own idea of what a cabsim should sound like. I just wanted to get the raw line level signal and then use my own IR's. But, I guess I am just being stupid or lazy and just need to spend more time with the poweramp/cab sims and run direct.

By the way, thanks for the response they did point me in quite a few directions to check out if I cannot get it right.

-Nate

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

Hey, no problem I found myself in a similar situation not long ago with my setup. I get what you're doing, that is one of the reasons I didn't go for the AxeFX is the FRFR stuff (didn't want to invest in all that stuff for live monitoring) and I was going to do the same thing (run it into a power amp and guitar cabinet) but I got stuck exactly where you are... If I get the tone where I want it in the "monitor" (the amp) then what am I gonna get into the board? No cab sim, at least. And since I really only use a couple of different settings it made more sense just to buy a nice amp, so I did. I still think the AxeFX is a great unit, just not exactly what I wanted.

Anyway, that's a setup I've heard of a lot of guys using, but I'm not totally familiar with. The 2:90 is 2x90W I'm assuming; there are a few fairly cheap direct boxes with cab sims built into them that will work with that wattage.

Coming from my perspective though, if you have the capability to use a software cab sim for recording (which it sounds like you do) I would go for a speaker to line level setup and do that. I like to use my Slave Out and then a couple of different types of cab sims to get different tones and mix them, and with the hardware direct box stuff you're pretty much limited to whatever they give you, not a lot of options.

[nateb]

Hey, no problem I found myself in a similar situation not long ago with my setup. I get what you're doing, that is one of the reasons I didn't go for the AxeFX is the FRFR stuff (didn't want to invest in all that stuff for live monitoring) and I was going to do the same thing (run it into a power amp and guitar cabinet) but I got stuck exactly where you are... If I get the tone where I want it in the "monitor" (the amp) then what am I gonna get into the board? No cab sim, at least. And since I really only use a couple of different settings it made more sense just to buy a nice amp, so I did. I still think the AxeFX is a great unit, just not exactly what I wanted.

Anyway, that's a setup I've heard of a lot of guys using, but I'm not totally familiar with. The 2:90 is 2x90W I'm assuming; there are a few fairly cheap direct boxes with cab sims built into them that will work with that wattage.

Coming from my perspective though, if you have the capability to use a software cab sim for recording (which it sounds like you do) I would go for a speaker to line level setup and do that. I like to use my Slave Out and then a couple of different types of cab sims to get different tones and mix them, and with the hardware direct box stuff you're pretty much limited to whatever they give you, not a lot of options.

Totally understand mang, you are spot on.

It's all just give and take. I have had Mesa's, Bogners, Splawns and multiple rack setups but, I don't think that I have been happier with the setup I have now. I think I am just going to work and see if I can duplicate my patches into a different bank then attempt to add the Amp and cab sims and just record direct.

I did hear that you can use the second output as a line level for a dry signal for re-amping so, I might just invest the time in figuring that one out.

Thanks again,

-Nate

[rock15478]

Hey, no problem I found myself in a similar situation not long ago with my setup. I get what you're doing, that is one of the reasons I didn't go for the AxeFX is the FRFR stuff (didn't want to invest in all that stuff for live monitoring) and I was going to do the same thing (run it into a power amp and guitar cabinet) but I got stuck exactly where you are... If I get the tone where I want it in the "monitor" (the amp) then what am I gonna get into the board? No cab sim, at least. And since I really only use a couple of different settings it made more sense just to buy a nice amp, so I did. I still think the AxeFX is a great unit, just not exactly what I wanted.

Anyway, that's a setup I've heard of a lot of guys using, but I'm not totally familiar with. The 2:90 is 2x90W I'm assuming; there are a few fairly cheap direct boxes with cab sims built into them that will work with that wattage.

Coming from my perspective though, if you have the capability to use a software cab sim for recording (which it sounds like you do) I would go for a speaker to line level setup and do that. I like to use my Slave Out and then a couple of different types of cab sims to get different tones and mix them, and with the hardware direct box stuff you're pretty much limited to whatever they give you, not a lot of options.

You do realize that the axe fx has 2 outputs which allows you to turn the cab sim on for one of them and turn the cab sim off for the other right?

so you could leave the cab sim off going directly to your 4x12 cab but turn the cab sim on for the front of house sound. this seems to be a very misunderstood topic when it comes to people who think the axe-fx is limited in that area, whereas it really excels in that area. you can pretty much do anything you want to do with the axe...

[Hellbat]

I have to ask the obvious question here but couldn't you just mic a cabinet?!?

[jacksonaxes]

I have to ask the obvious question here but couldn't you just mic a cabinet?!?

I dont think thats to practical, especially for home recording, volumes would have to be to high.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

You do realize that the axe fx has 2 outputs which allows you to turn the cab sim on for one of them and turn the cab sim off for the other right?

Yes, I do.

I dont think thats to practical, especially for home recording, volumes would have to be to high.

Yes, they are. If you're talking about a "bedroom" studio there's way too much ambient noise, and the amp has to be turned up too loud, or it sounds like crap anyway.

[max]

I tried the same thing a couple of years ago and back then the Palmer ADIG LB was considered the best device. I have used it to connect my Engl Powerball to the computer for some time.
The other devices you could look into are the SPL Transducer and the SPL Cabulator. Those are relatively new. I havent tried them myself, but SPL makes quality studio gear so they're going to be as good as or better than the Palmer. I had an SPL analog EQ that kicked ass.