Speeddemon
Well-known member
I just did a nice recording experiment; mostly fueled as I'm selling my Tech21 TM30 1x10" combo, which usually sounds great via the DI.
My sketch pad recorder is a Korg D1200 MKII; 4 inputs, 12 track, 24 bit (6 track), on-board effects, yadda yadda).
Did the following:
Mesa Mark V:25
Mark V:25 connected to the 1x12 Recto Cab, with a Palmer PDI-09 in between.
Also connected was the Mark's CabClone output (set to closed back).
Recorded both signals (Cabclone + PDI-09) simultaneously while playing Dio's Holy Diver.
Tech 21 TM30
Then I recorded the TM30's SansAmp DI (using California, High Gain, UK speaker settings, as the US speaker setting gets woofy fast)
Then I recorded the Engl Ironball via 2 channels simultaneously:
1) the Engl's balanced compensated output
2) also the PDI-09 (still connected to that 1x12 cab)
Finally, I recorded the Mark V:25's Cabclone, but with the speaker off setting. This would be the late night situation, when you want NO external sound.
My results were:
1) Cabclone + cab connected
2) TM30
3) PDI-09 (both Engl and Mesa; similar results) This was actually close to the Cabclone's (cab connected) tone, but there was something in the '3D' feel of the TM30, that made me put it above the PDI-09. And I've done a few takes on the TM30, trying to match the tone of the Mark V. Given more time, you'd probably be able to really make it shine.
Tied for last place:
-Engl compensated balanced out
-Cablone without cab
The difference between having a cab connected or not for the Cabclone is STAGGERING!
One sounds like a decent amp-take that you could use on a demo.
The other sounds like an old Boss distortion, directly into a mixing board.
The Engl's compensated balanced out wasn't much better, but in the opposite direction; this overly huge, scooped, fake-sounding tone.
Conclusions:
-Cabclone can be awesome. (But you'll still have sound in the room)
-I might buy back a TM30 someday (it really is great and versatile), but I gotta make some room now.
-For a quick recording when you don't want to mic a cab, the PDI-09 is quite acceptable.
My sketch pad recorder is a Korg D1200 MKII; 4 inputs, 12 track, 24 bit (6 track), on-board effects, yadda yadda).
Did the following:
Mesa Mark V:25
Mark V:25 connected to the 1x12 Recto Cab, with a Palmer PDI-09 in between.
Also connected was the Mark's CabClone output (set to closed back).
Recorded both signals (Cabclone + PDI-09) simultaneously while playing Dio's Holy Diver.
Tech 21 TM30
Then I recorded the TM30's SansAmp DI (using California, High Gain, UK speaker settings, as the US speaker setting gets woofy fast)
Then I recorded the Engl Ironball via 2 channels simultaneously:
1) the Engl's balanced compensated output
2) also the PDI-09 (still connected to that 1x12 cab)
Finally, I recorded the Mark V:25's Cabclone, but with the speaker off setting. This would be the late night situation, when you want NO external sound.
My results were:
1) Cabclone + cab connected
2) TM30
3) PDI-09 (both Engl and Mesa; similar results) This was actually close to the Cabclone's (cab connected) tone, but there was something in the '3D' feel of the TM30, that made me put it above the PDI-09. And I've done a few takes on the TM30, trying to match the tone of the Mark V. Given more time, you'd probably be able to really make it shine.
Tied for last place:
-Engl compensated balanced out
-Cablone without cab
The difference between having a cab connected or not for the Cabclone is STAGGERING!
One sounds like a decent amp-take that you could use on a demo.
The other sounds like an old Boss distortion, directly into a mixing board.
The Engl's compensated balanced out wasn't much better, but in the opposite direction; this overly huge, scooped, fake-sounding tone.
Conclusions:
-Cabclone can be awesome. (But you'll still have sound in the room)
-I might buy back a TM30 someday (it really is great and versatile), but I gotta make some room now.
-For a quick recording when you don't want to mic a cab, the PDI-09 is quite acceptable.
