Rack unit and PC recording...how?

[Panos_Stargazer]

Hello guys...a friend and bandmate of mine who is a guitarist (and a great keyboarder) just bought the ENGL E580  pre-amplifier from another player (he couldn't afford a brand new one and this one was a great pre-amp and in mint condition so he decided to buy it). Because playing in high volumes at his house is not possible because of the neighbours, we have decided to work with this rack through his PC. My questions are:

1) Do we have to use a power-amp as well when we record on PC or the rack can do the job by itself or we will need the power amp as well?
2) Can you recommend a good power-amp up to 1000 euros?
3) Which is the best PC recording programm for you?

Thank you in advance :)

[D4niel]

Greez,
Nice preamp, this is ...
Well, about your questions:
1) you do not need to buy a poweramp at all, the Engl has a "small poweramplike section". but for recording purposes, you do (imo) not even need this ... what is waaay more important than the poweramp (which normally should work quite neutral, concerning MOST modern amp-heads), is a good box&speaker simulation (or something similar) ... the speaker and box have a very noticable influence on your sound, as they work heavily unlinear!

3) pro tools has become my favourite, but only because I had the luck to win a full sized one + library
normally, I would work on Cubase, or ... if money reallyreally matters, audiocity is a nice, and FREE, solution.


Excuse me, if this now sounds a bit foolish ... but have you thought about how to get the signal from the pre into the PC?
(as normal/already included audio devices really suck for recording purposes, imho)?

[Panos_Stargazer]

Well personally, I don't know how to work with these programms because I don't even have them installed in my computer. I always record at my friend's place who of course knows how to work with pro-tools, cubase etc. Personally I asked about PC recording programms because I want to install one in my PC and thus recording my solos, licks, riffs and all that stuff.

Now another question: I'll soon become a happy owner of a Splawn Quick Rod head. Can I connect it to my PC and record with it or I will need a microphone which will be connected to my PC?

Thank you very much  :)

[hunter]

Well personally, I don't know how to work with these programms because I don't even have them installed in my computer. I always record at my friend's place who of course knows how to work with pro-tools, cubase etc. Personally I asked about PC recording programms because I want to install one in my PC and thus recording my solos, licks, riffs and all that stuff.

Now another question: I'll soon become a happy owner of a Splawn Quick Rod head. Can I connect it to my PC and record with it or I will need a microphone which will be connected to my PC?

Thank you very much  :)

So, regarding the E580, it has a frequency compensated line out. I used to own a Screamer head which, I believe, had the same circuit as direct out and it sounded Ok. However, if you'd mic it through a good power section and cab, it would surely sound much more authentic. I second the recommendation of recording direct and using an IR plugin and use some redwirez cabs (cab models you can buy for a few $).

A good poweramp under 1000€ I would recommend the VHT2502 for rock or the VHT 2902 for metal.

Regarding your Splawn, if you want to record it to PC you could use the same method, i.e. record the line out of the amp and run it through a cab simulator using IRs. However, I always recommend to use a box that can take the speaker out signal rather than the preamp out signal, for example the Suhr ISO Box.

[Frank]

Most preamps will have a "speaker simulator" built in, some work fairly well, others .... not so well. Bad speaker sims give you a lifeless fizzy distortion. They're handy for recording demos late at night when you can't crank up an amp and mic it up but for serious recording they're not the best way of getting guitar sounds on tape (or hard disk for that matter!)

[ethan_hanus]

That preamp will work fine, you wont need a power amp to record Direct In, you will need a interface so you can hook up that preamp to your computer. Reaper is a wonderful DAW program, it's free for the most part, if you want to use it to make money, you should go ahead and buy the $60 license. You'll also need a VST called Lecab, and some impulses to load into the Lecab VST so you don't get a nasty, dry preamp sound. The Lecab VST and the impulses act as your virtual speaker cab and power amp.

A interface as simple as an M-Audio Fast Track($120) would do wonders for you.

[Panos_Stargazer]

Hey guys!! What's up? It's been some time since my last post...I was between jobs etc...

Now:

So, regarding the E580, it has a frequency compensated line out. I used to own a Screamer head which, I believe, had the same circuit as direct out and it sounded Ok. However, if you'd mic it through a good power section and cab, it would surely sound much more authentic. I second the recommendation of recording direct and using an IR plugin and use some redwirez cabs (cab models you can buy for a few $).

A good poweramp under 1000€ I would recommend the VHT2502 for rock or the VHT 2902 for metal.

Regarding your Splawn, if you want to record it to PC you could use the same method, i.e. record the line out of the amp and run it through a cab simulator using IRs. However, I always recommend to use a box that can take the speaker out signal rather than the preamp out signal, for example the Suhr ISO Box.

I will go with the microphone solution, because for example the Suhr ISO Box is I think quite expensive, and I think you know about the financial state here in Greece...I don't have the cash for such a purchase...

Most preamps will have a "speaker simulator" built in, some work fairly well, others .... not so well. Bad speaker sims give you a lifeless fizzy distortion. They're handy for recording demos late at night when you can't crank up an amp and mic it up but for serious recording they're not the best way of getting guitar sounds on tape (or hard disk for that matter!)

Well, Frank, my bandmate (it's his preamp...not mine...he just asked me to ask you this question because I have an account here and I told him that you guys are really helpful congrats!!!  :drink:) does have a cab so we won't need any of those simulations..and when we want to record something as a demo we can always go to a studio...but this is not ou purpose...we play just for hobby and we want to have a good time...we don't want to do this professionally...

That preamp will work fine, you wont need a power amp to record Direct In, you will need a interface so you can hook up that preamp to your computer. Reaper is a wonderful DAW program, it's free for the most part, if you want to use it to make money, you should go ahead and buy the $60 license. You'll also need a VST called Lecab, and some impulses to load into the Lecab VST so you don't get a nasty, dry preamp sound. The Lecab VST and the impulses act as your virtual speaker cab and power amp.

A interface as simple as an M-Audio Fast Track($120) would do wonders for you.

Hey thank you very much for your suggestions... I'll try those programms as well as the ones the other guys recommended and I'll tell you which one I'll install in my PC

Thank you all once again guys!!!