Help me get started with impulses

[Spaceboy]

I've been reading message boards and asking questions almost everywhere else but here, but Rig-Talk always seems the most helpful place to get help. I sold my POD HD500 and now I'm trying to record the preamp of an Ampeg VH140C into a Digi 003 in ProTools, using impulse response cabinet simulation.

I download a demo version of Mellowmuse IR1A convolution reverb which I'm probably going to purchase later this week, and the GuitarHacks' impulses. I also have Amplitube 3 but I never liked the amp models in it. I'm able to get decent sounds from plugging the preamp into the DI port, then playing through Amplitube with the amp model off, but the cabinet and mics still on. It reacts and sounds like a real recorded cabinet. However, I typically quad-track for metal and if I try to run that many instances of Amplitube, I lose connection with the Digi 003 interface and dual-core MacBook Pro.

I would prefer to work with impulses instead of Amplitube since it's much simpler, and I'm getting a thicker tone through the impulses, although not as customizable. The main problem is that going through IRs seems to add a considerable amount of fizzy distortion. I typically play the VH140C through a cabinet with the gain around 6/7, and in Amplitube it's at about 5, but with IRs I have to keep the gain down to 3 or slightly lower. It doesn't seem like I'm getting the amplifier's natural sound coming through, and that the cabinet IRs are adding too much sizzle. I'm also wanting to record other music that isn't high-gain, and this distortion I'm getting could be a problem.

I'm practically a moron when it comes to technology but once I figure out the basics, I learn fast. I can't seem to find anything on the internet that explains what the problem could be, or if this is something normal with impulses. has anybody ever had this problem or any insight to what could be going on?

 

[311boogieman]

not sure if this helps but it is a good read.

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/sh ... ?t=1131250

Ryan (CatharsisStudio on UG) has a wealth of info too:

 

[metalsoup]

Check out Recabinet 3.

You can download a demo version first and try it out. If you decide to buy, the price is quite reasonable for what you get.

The graphical interface makes using the plugin a breeze, and the impulses sound really good.

Lots of options in addition to cab model are available to tweak your tone such as mic type, distance, axis, etc., along with the ability to blend sounds of two different cabs. EQ filters for LP, HP, and mids are also available to fine tune sounds.

This plugin makes getting good tones easy. Ola Englund and others have created some killer presets to get you going right away. After trying the demo out for a few minutes, I knew I wanted to buy. IMHO, they hit a homerun with this IR plugin.

 

[MississippiMetal]

I use keFIR with some of the Catharsis impulses. Works out pretty well. I think the Nick Crow Small Combo VST is better than any of his 5150 models, TBO.

 

[metalsoup]

I'm using Redwirez impulses with Revalver and like them so far. Just tried using Recabinet 3 but just can't seem to get it to work right. You can load Redwirez straight into Revalver. Is Recabinet the same or do you put it after Revalver in the recording chain? I'm using Tracktion 3. If it comes after Revalver, I'm getting lots of flutter.

Recabinet 3 is a convolution processor plugin with its own set of IRs built in. You can't use other IRs such as Redwirez with Recabinet. In one sense, this is a limitation of Recabinet, but the intuitive and generally easy to use graphical interface of Recabinet more than makes up for that in my estimation, not to mention the fact that the plugin comes with an impressive array of great sounding IRs.

To answer your question, place the Recabinet 3 plugin after Revalver in the signal chain in your DAW. Make sure to disable any cab emulation in Revalver, thus using Revalver as an amp sim only. The same would apply to those using Guitar Rig, Amplitube, etc.

 

[Spaceboy]

I downloaded the Recabinet 3 demo and it's incredibly simple, and in comparison to the GuitarHacks' IRs loaded in Mellowmuse IR1A, it sounds much better. I'm not really sure if I would want to pay 130 bucks for such a limited plugin though, when I could spend 50 bucks on IR1A and have access to a wide range of IRs. I also tried Reverberator and it's terrible.

Also, I'm currently running a solid state preamp into my Digidesign 003 interface, but could I run a tube preamp without problems?

 

[lolzgreg]

All the free impulse loaders I know are for PC.

Here is an impulse I made that everyone seems to think is pretty awesome though:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1569935/ASEM%20 ... 0%20L2.wav

 

[metalsoup]

Also, I'm currently running a solid state preamp into my Digidesign 003 interface, but could I run a tube preamp without problems?

Yes, any preamp will work. You can even use a tube head assuming, of course, you provide a load for the poweramp (e.g., an actual speaker cab or a dummy load as found on some attenuators). An attenuator that has a line out will allow the poweramp to add character to the tone which helps make it sound even more natural.

I’ve downloaded many IRs from many sources (some free and some for a fee such as Redwirez which are certainly high quality) and used them in several different convolution processors, but for me at least, the ease of use and quality of results I’ve had from working with Recabinet 3 really make me impressed with this product. I probably sound like a shill by now. But that plugin has made the whole task of working with IRs so much more enjoyable. And I suspect that Recabinet will continue to refine itself and include additional cab models over time, so I’ve found it worth the investment. Indeed, I spent more on a high-quality, low-latency convolution processor in the past than for the self-contained Recabinet 3 program. Like so many things in life, working with amps, cabs, mics, guitars, or DAWs is a live and learn, trial and error process, it’s always a pleasure to (finally) find something that you like working with and that gives the kind of results you’re looking for.

 

[FUZZboat]

Also, I'm currently running a solid state preamp into my Digidesign 003 interface, but could I run a tube preamp without problems?

Yes, any preamp will work. You can even use a tube head assuming, of course, you provide a load for the poweramp (e.g., an actual speaker cab or a dummy load as found on some attenuators). An attenuator that has a line out will allow the poweramp to add character to the tone which helps make it sound even more natural.

I’ve downloaded many IRs from many sources (some free and some for a fee such as Redwirez which are certainly high quality) and used them in several different convolution processors, but for me at least, the ease of use and quality of results I’ve had from working with Recabinet 3 really make me impressed with this product. I probably sound like a shill by now. But that plugin has made the whole task of working with IRs so much more enjoyable. And I suspect that Recabinet will continue to refine itself and include additional cab models over time, so I’ve found it worth the investment. Indeed, I spent more on a high-quality, low-latency convolution processor in the past than for the self-contained Recabinet 3 program. Like so many things in life, working with amps, cabs, mics, guitars, or DAWs is a live and learn, trial and error process, it’s always a pleasure to (finally) find something that you like working with and that gives the kind of results you’re looking for.

Great Tip !

Thanx

 

[metalsoup]

Can I add additional amp sims (from different sources other than Peavey) into Revalver or will I need a second amp sim program?

http://lepouplugins.blogspot.com/2009/10/le456.html

Tried to add one last night but it didn't show up in the drop down. I'm using a Mac.

I don't know about adding another amp sim to Revalver. (I've never heard of anyone doing that, but I'm certainly no Revalver expert.) However, it is possible to add other people's IRs to Revalver.

I've used Revalver MKIII on a PC in the past, so I don't know if the following will apply in your case, but I think it just might.

In order for Revalver to see an IR wave file, it needs to be a .ewav file not a .wav file. To make this change to a "normal" IR wav file, all I had to do was take the IR I had and simply change its name from XXX.wav to XXX.ewav. When I would do this, my Windows machine would ask me if I really wanted to change the file's extension (i.e., from wav to ewav) to which I would happily answer (click) yes. After making this simple change, Revalver could then see the IR. Hopefully, this same little fix will work for you!

Even if you can't add an amp sim to Revalver, you can still use the amp sim as a plugin in your DAW and then put Revalver after it to make use of its cab sims. In other words, by disabling any amp sims in Revalver, you can effectively just use Revalver as a convolution processor plugin for IRs.

 

[metalsoup]

I just remembered that my version of Revalver had the ability to host a VST plugin within the Revalver program. It was a very cool feature. If your version does this too, you could then simply run that other amp sim as a VST plugin (assuming, of course, the amp sim is a VST type plugin). I think VST plugins all have that dll extension.


Incidentally, I decided to change my avatar. Couldn't resist this pic posted by danyeo in another thread!!