Author Topic: Palmer PDI-09 / Behringer GI 100 Speaker Simulator (Read 7799 times)

hunter · « **on:** May 04, 2006, 06:15:54 AM »

I'm doing quite some recording at home and I'm unhappy with the speaker sims of my Tonelab or my Engl, they sound either dull or fizzy.

I don't even want to start using microphones as it's too much hassle and I would have to invest in some mics first.

I thought I'd rather get some specialised speaker sim gear and thought of two alternatives:

1. http://www.palmergear.com/pdi09.shtml
2. http://www.behringer.com/GI100/index.cfm?lang=ENG

Anyone got any experience with them? Will it bring me close to a well mic'ed sound and solve my issues?

Any experience / advise welcome!

Searcher · « **Reply #1 on:** May 04, 2006, 07:09:57 AM »

Check these guys out: Motherload. They do a speaker sim and an attenuator. Here's a link closer to home for you: Motherload UK.

hunter · « **Reply #2 on:** May 04, 2006, 07:27:29 AM »

Man, this motherload stuff ... seems to be really amazing, even for 900$. Thanks for the tip!

But I think I'll give it a go with one of the cheap options above for the moment, only if I'm not happy I'll look into that Rolls Royce again ... anybody used the palmer or the behringer?

sambo · « **Reply #3 on:** May 04, 2006, 07:46:52 AM »

I asked about these aaages ago...

i think Hayden knew a bit about them...

if you get one, let me know how you get on with it.

hunter · « **Reply #4 on:** May 04, 2006, 08:38:03 AM »

Found a good thread in German on a different forum:
http://homerecording.de/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?mode=viewtopic&topic_id=55289&forum=1&start=0&viewmode=flat&order=0

The guy recorded in one take 4 mikes and a Palmer DI09, 4 takes each. This is the equipment used as well as the corresponding number of the track:
(1) Sennheiser MD441
(2) Sennheiser E906
(3) Palmer PDI-09
(4) Shure SM57
(5) Sennheiser MD421

The soundfiles are here (there is one bonus of a Behringer, but it was a different take of file number 4):
http://home.arcor.de/d.ter/gitarrenmikros.zip

Which do you like most?

froglord · « **Reply #5 on:** May 04, 2006, 01:12:28 PM »

I've got an Award-Session JD-10 on order - it's an overdrive, distortion, DI box and speaker sim all in one:

http://www.award-session.com/jd10.html

Pretty cheap at £75 and I've heard good things about it. I'm hoping to use it for recording and headphone practice. I'll let you know how I get on.

hunter · « **Reply #6 on:** May 04, 2006, 01:15:32 PM »

I have had a JD10 for more than 10 years now.

Actually haven't used it in a long time, but might indeed give it another shot to check it's speaker sim ...

Will post results later ...

Searcher · « **Reply #7 on:** May 04, 2006, 08:00:52 PM »

Hmm. My grading, from best to worst, is:

1. Sennheiser MD441
2. Sennheiser MD421
3. Sennheiser E906
4. Shure SM57
5. Palmer PDI-09

hunter · « **Reply #8 on:** May 04, 2006, 09:06:34 PM »

I liked the SM57 and the Sennheiser 906 most.

Searcher · « **Reply #9 on:** May 04, 2006, 09:57:09 PM »

Yeah? Why?

I thought the Sennheisers were a little darker, but that they sounded fuller and a bit of EQing to brighten them up might have made them a more obvious choice.

hunter · « **Reply #10 on:** May 04, 2006, 10:05:15 PM »

hm, I prefer to have lots of edge, treble can always be filtered, but not really added very well.

I thought the 906 and the 57 were more direct, powerful. Could imagine them being much better suited to fit in a complex mix.

Searcher · « **Reply #11 on:** May 04, 2006, 10:12:47 PM »

Fair enough. Although, I guess you never really add any frequencies to a mix that aren't already there; you boost what you have.

That said, I liked the 906 as well.