Comments on: The One-Man Studio: Record a Great Performance

By: Andrei Popa

Andrei Popa — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 11:04:43 +0000

“There’s nothing like driving through some real tubes.”
Yeah, no doubt about it.

I’ve checked out Guitar Rig (2 & 3), Amplitube, Gearbox and Waves’ GTR3 (just a little).
Guitar Rig is the overall best choice, Amplitube has really good cleans, great delays and harmonizers but really awful distortion and while Gearbox isn’t bad in any way, it isn’t exactly my cup of tea.

I previously owned a Line6 Toneport GX, but back then it didn’t run on 64-bits and I needed some money for an amp, so I sold it. I wish I could try the new Pod Farm that also runs on 64-bits, but it requires a Line6 interface. I was thinking of investing in something more flexible this time.

By: Brian Casel

Brian Casel — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 15:07:26 +0000

I agree that using digital amp simulator plugins certainly saves a lot of time compared to firing up an amp and wiring a physical effects rig.

In the past, I’ve been surprisingly happy with the plugin, Amplitude. I’ve also heard great things about Amp Farm, but I have yet to get my hands on a copy.

For me, I tend to go the plugin amp route for quick compositions and instrumental tracks for TV.

When it comes to my songs and album projects, I definitely prefer the real thing. There’s nothing like driving through some real tubes.

By: Andrei Popa

Andrei Popa — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:04:37 +0000

You clearly need a positive attitude when recording something, but I’d like to stress on the dimensions of “staying fresh”. It would probably be a good idea for any other activity, but you have to bear in mind that when playing an instrument, in my case guitar, warming-up is not an option, especially before recording something. To minimize the time you spend preparing for recording instead of actually doing it and being in shape at the same time, consider, for example, a more digital approach. I’m not an advocate of digital guitar modeling but:

1. It takes a lot less to configure than a pedal board -> amp -> mic -> recording interface chain
2. It always sounds the same
3. You can tweak things faster

I find that by itself, it never sounds great, but if you put in a context – good drums, good bass and etc. – it’s really, really GOOD. Not amazing or astonishing, but it does the job done, and sounds better than decent.
A quick example – there’s this guy on youtube from South Korea, his username is halcyon1871 that plays really well and does a lot of good covers. He uses a Line6 recording interface and the Line6 modeling software and he sounds really close to the real thing.

The key with digital is not overdoing it.