I have some questions about recording DI

  • Thread starter Thread starter phillybhatesme
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phillybhatesme

phillybhatesme

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I have my cabs mic'ed and I like the results I'm getting, but both of my heads also have DI out, which leads me to a question about using both:
Can I record both the DI output and the cabinet simultaneously?
Is the DI output dry/clean so that it can be re-amped?
I feel like I'm missing something...can y’all plz explain DI to me like I'm 5.

Edit:
Heads: Marshall DSL20 and Mesa Mark V:35
It looks like the Mesa has a button to turn off (or keep on) the speaker cab when using the DI out.
 
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Ok, I just watched this and I actually think I'm good:



I'm confused about my friend's setup today though. When we went DI from his Peavey to his interface, the signal was definitely colored by the preamp. And when we switched the channel on the amp, that's what we heard in our headphones. So I guess I'm more confused about his setup than anything I have going on.
 
So using DI box is better than using DI off the head?
Cause DI off the head utilizes cabsims and colors the tone? Whereas DI box gives you the direct signal from the pickups?

So I guess my question becomes - is it possible to get that off the head, or is it better off getting a DI box for recording?
 
I have the dsl20hr, also. The emulated line out does use a cab sim and will color the sound. I believe this was mainly designed for headphone use, but can be used for DI, though will retain the cab sim. Definitely make sure that the amp is off before plugging into it and unplugging a speaker cable. Depending on your interface, you may be able to plug into it to get clean for reamping later and into your amp at the same time.
 
I think this thread has taught me I need a proper DI box. I don’t want a colored DI recording as that kind of defeats whole purpose of recordinf DI in my opinion.
Thanks for your input @NowYou'rePlayingWithPower
 
phillybhatesme said:
I think this thread has taught me I need a proper DI box. I don’t want a colored DI recording as that kind of defeats whole purpose of recordinf DI in my opinion.
Thanks for your input @NowYou'rePlayingWithPower
Click to expand...

What interface are you using to record with?
 
Hellraiser-box.webp
 
phillybhatesme said:
Wait wait wait, can my neglected Helix Floor do clean DI? Without amp or cabsim?
Click to expand...
For sure.

Pay attention to the max input level of the input to know what level you would need for reamping.

A quick search say the max is 16-16.8dbu.
 
After researching this topic for the last 36 hours, I'm even more confused. I'm absolutely convinced recording DI guitar tracks is necessary (LOL!), but I'm confused about re-amping.
If I am running a signal chain, do I want the DI box at the front or at the end of the signal chain? If all I want in the DAW is the direct guitar track, then I think up front. Is that right?
When it comes to reamping, is that something that can be done in software with amp plugins or something?
Sorry for the basic, all-over-the-place questions; this is new to me and I have no idea what I'm doing.
 
If you use a DI box they usually have a pass through for you to go into your amp. The DAW can record the DI while you hear your amp.

I have a radial reamp station. It allows me to record DI and reamp after. The signal chain is guitar --> DI in --> interface. You can then either go out direct from the DI box to the front of your pedal input and ultimately your amp if that's what you want to hear or you can use a plugin amp/IR.

Also yes, you can reamp a DI by either adding a plug-in amp/IR to the channel or by sending the DI audio to a new channel with the plug-in amp set up. You can do that multiple times and A/B multiple amp sims that way. If you want to reamp from your DAW, you'll need to use one output that is routed in your DAW to the reamp box with a TRS or XLR cable. Set the proper gain level on the reamp box, then the amp out from the DI box to your input on your amp or pedal board. You can then either run a mic or a load box back into the interface input and record it
 
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I got a Joyo D.I./re-amp box but you have to not only max out the level (on the Joyo) feeding the amp to get close to the right signal to the amp input you also have to increase the gain of the D.I. Track quite a lot. Anyone else have to do this. Any setup where you just record your D.I to a normal level and you get sufficient level coming out where you’re not maxing the re-amp box?
 
I've been looking at the Fredenstein RamDi for a while now, but never got one. That Radial Reamp Station looks promising. I currently use Radial DI and Reamp boxes, but it would be nice to get an all-in-one unit.

Anyways, you run your guitar straight into the DI and capture your clean guitar, while the thru goes to the amp. You record both the DI and the amp. Then, if you want a different amp tone, you can send it to a reamp box and feed a different amp.
 
skoora said:
I got a Joyo D.I./re-amp box but you have to not only max out the level (on the Joyo) feeding the amp to get close to the right signal to the amp input you also have to increase the gain of the D.I. Track quite a lot. Anyone else have to do this. Any setup where you just record your D.I to a normal level and you get sufficient level coming out where you’re not maxing the re-amp box?
Click to expand...

Yes. I'm wondering if the output from my interface (focusrite clarett+) just isn't cutting it. Also when you crank the gain it gets pretty noisy. I had to crank the gain to max on my reamp box (radial reamp station) to get the amp to sound right. It squeals a bit which I assume is ground loop even though lifting it doesn't help.
 
PiggySmallz said:
Yes. I'm wondering if the output from my interface (focusrite clarett+) just isn't cutting it. Also when you crank the gain it gets pretty noisy. I had to crank the gain to max on my reamp box (radial reamp station) to get the amp to sound right. It squeals a bit which I assume is ground loop even though lifting it doesn't help.
Click to expand...
My Joyo’s just been sitting for months. It’s too hit or miss on the right levels to the amp. It’s a bummer because I got it to do some shootouts on speakers and amps, where I wouldn’t have to sweat playing each time.
 
skoora said:
My Joyo’s just been sitting for months. It’s too hit or miss on the right levels to the amp. It’s a bummer because I got it to do some shootouts on speakers and amps, where I wouldn’t have to sweat playing each time.
Click to expand...

My guess is that the output from the interface is too low. What DAW do you use? I'm in studio one and will likely try pipeline xt to increase the gain out of the daw vs on the DI track itself. I'll report back this weekend.
 
PiggySmallz said:
If you use a DI box they usually have a pass through for you to go into your amp. The DAW can record the DI while you hear your amp.

I have a radial reamp station. It allows me to record DI and reamp after. The signal chain is guitar --> DI in --> interface. You can then either go out direct from the DI box to the front of your pedal input and ultimately your amp if that's what you want to hear or you can use a plugin amp/IR.

Also yes, you can reamp a DI by either adding a plug-in amp/IR to the channel or by sending the DI audio to a new channel with the plug-in amp set up. You can do that multiple times and A/B multiple amp sims that way.
Click to expand...

I'm following this until you get here:
PiggySmallz said:
If you want to reamp from your DAW, you'll need to use one output that is routed in your DAW to the reamp box with a TRS or XLR cable. Set the proper gain level on the reamp box, then the amp out from the DI box to your input on your amp or pedal board. You can then either run a mic or a load box back into the interface input and record it
Click to expand...

I think I understand the connections:
Guitar to DI box > DI box XLR out to interface :: DI box thru to signal chain + amp.
Once I have the DI track in the DAW, can I apply amps to the that track? Bypassing the conversation about using hardware vs. software, is that the same concept as reamping?
And can I just copy/paste that track to get multiple amps?

And finally, in my mind, I'm buying a DI box, not the reamp box...is that correct?

BeZo said:
I've been looking at the Fredenstein RamDi for a while now, but never got one. That Radial Reamp Station looks promising. I currently use Radial DI and Reamp boxes, but it would be nice to get an all-in-one unit.

Anyways, you run your guitar straight into the DI and capture your clean guitar, while the thru goes to the amp. You record both the DI and the amp. Then, if you want a different amp tone, you can send it to a reamp box and feed a different amp.
Click to expand...

I have the same question for you lol. If I didn’t want to use a reamp box and additional amps, can I use amp sims in the DAW once I have the DI track? I don’t want to argue about hardware vs. software; I just want to understand the concept.

Thanks as always, guys. Appreciate it.
 
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phillybhatesme said:
I'm following this until you get here:


I think I understand the connections:
Guitar to DI box > DI box XLR out to interface :: DI box thru to signal chain + amp.
Once I have the DI track in the DAW, can I apply amps to the that track? Bypassing the conversation about using hardware vs. software, is that the same concept as reamping?
And can I just copy/paste that track to get multiple amps?

And finally, in my mind, I'm buying a DI box, not the reamp box...is that correct?



I have the same question for you lol. If I didn’t want to use a reamp box and additional amps, can I use amp sims in the DAW once I have the DI track? I don’t want to argue about hardware vs. software; I just want to understand the concept.

Thanks as always, guys. Appreciate it.
Click to expand...

The shortest answer is yes. You can just add your favorite amp sim to that di channel and it will reamp to whatever sim/plugin you have on there.

I'm not much of an engineer but my guess is you can use the DI box in reverse to reamp. I just bought the reamp station because it has both and I don't need to reconnect everything behind my desk when I want to reamp. I've already got it all routed the way I want so it's easier for me.
 
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