Archon + Suhr Reactive + IRs = Weak Tone?!?!?!?!?!

[taiyed]

Alright - so after reading this thread and undergoing a lot of resultant experimentation, I’m super happy to say that I’ve improved the sound a lot.

Things that made a difference:

-Getting the cable right from the Reactive was big. I found the best sounding option is the XLR balanced out to 1/4” into the interface.

-The biggest thing, honestly, is the Scarlett 6i6. I switched to an Audient ID22, and there’s a very noticeable added clarity.

-The Jens Bogren IRs get things really in a nice balance. On top of that, the free IR here blends really nice: https://fromshittogold.com/preview-3/. I’ve been using a combination of 3 or 4 of these to get the blend that I’m looking for.

-I was messing with my 5150 the other day, and I was reminded how the 5150 + Tube Screamer is magical...but it’s key to get the gain balance right for it not to be a fizzy mess. I realized I had underestimated the beast that is the Archon, so I dialed the gain back a bit further. It still rips, and with a Tubescreamer, it gives the juice I’m looking for but with sustain. I’ve got a VH4, 5150, Archon and a Dual Rec, and I think the Archon is my favorite right now.

Now that I think I’ve figured it out, I’ve gone bananas with the amp head blending, so I’ll probably do a separate post polling you guys on what tone I should roll with as the foundation of my album. I’ll save that for another thread.

Appreciate all of the incredible feedback, everyone! I think I’m finally happy with how things are sounding, and that’s all thanks to the awesome suggestions here.

 

[Meeotch]

Glad to hear it! The ID22 is an awesome interface - I just got one but haven't used my SRL with it yet. Curious if you have tried going line out on SRL straight into the channel inserts on the interface? This will bypass the mic pre and goes straight to the converters...should be the best way to run a line level signal to your DAW.

 

[taiyed]

If anyone’s curious to hear the guitar tones from my amps and help me pick which one I should run with on my album, check my post out on the other sub-forum:

https://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=213672&p=2335745#p2335745

Thanks

 

[taiyed]

Glad to hear it! The ID22 is an awesome interface - I just got one but haven't used my SRL with it yet. Curious if you have tried going line out on SRL straight into the channel inserts on the interface? This will bypass the mic pre and goes straight to the converters...should be the best way to run a line level signal to your DAW.

Hah - well shit. I should have thought of that sooner. Sounds like I know what I’ll be messing with next time I head to the studio.

Thanks for the idea.

 

[Kordoba]

Sounds ok to me but its worth noting that for me personally I can' get the suhr + rl to sound exactly like how my setup usually sounds jamming in a room. It can get close but does lack that air pushing thick chug effect.. an EQ in the loop can help with that.

I recommend tweaking your amp thru your cab to sound the way you like it, then setup with the suhr and try to find an IR that comes close. I like the ownhammer heavy hitters. Also I prefer the regular instrument out vs the xlr and make sure your interface is set for HI-Z/instrument jack. Also I like to set my input jack so it just barely clips on hard chugs, no idea if that makes a difference lol. Also for some amps I prefer to have the master down a bit and the suhr maxed out to the right, it sounds cleaner to me that way but need to layer tracks to sound full. Good luck dude!

All the years I've had the Suhr RL and I've yet to push in the Hi-z button on my Roland interface, guess I've been missing out! BTW I am still using the Roland interface like the one you used to have.

 

[ultimatemetalguitartones]

Sounds ok to me but its worth noting that for me personally I can' get the suhr + rl to sound exactly like how my setup usually sounds jamming in a room. It can get close but does lack that air pushing thick chug effect.. an EQ in the loop can help with that.

I recommend tweaking your amp thru your cab to sound the way you like it, then setup with the suhr and try to find an IR that comes close. I like the ownhammer heavy hitters. Also I prefer the regular instrument out vs the xlr and make sure your interface is set for HI-Z/instrument jack. Also I like to set my input jack so it just barely clips on hard chugs, no idea if that makes a difference lol. Also for some amps I prefer to have the master down a bit and the suhr maxed out to the right, it sounds cleaner to me that way but need to layer tracks to sound full. Good luck dude!

All the years I've had the Suhr RL and I've yet to push in the Hi-z button on my Roland interface, guess I've been missing out! BTW I am still using the Roland interface like the one you used to have.

Really helpful!

 

[Kordoba]

Sounds ok to me but its worth noting that for me personally I can' get the suhr + rl to sound exactly like how my setup usually sounds jamming in a room. It can get close but does lack that air pushing thick chug effect.. an EQ in the loop can help with that.

I recommend tweaking your amp thru your cab to sound the way you like it, then setup with the suhr and try to find an IR that comes close. I like the ownhammer heavy hitters. Also I prefer the regular instrument out vs the xlr and make sure your interface is set for HI-Z/instrument jack. Also I like to set my input jack so it just barely clips on hard chugs, no idea if that makes a difference lol. Also for some amps I prefer to have the master down a bit and the suhr maxed out to the right, it sounds cleaner to me that way but need to layer tracks to sound full. Good luck dude!

All the years I've had the Suhr RL and I've yet to push in the Hi-z button on my Roland interface, guess I've been missing out! BTW I am still using the Roland interface like the one you used to have.

Really helpful!

If you try this out on your interface let me know how it works out.